What an amazing country we live in. We've got Los Angeles and New York City, McDonald's, Nike, and Kate Upton. America is the greatest country in the world and Americans should always be proud to be who we are. Other countries may think we are loud and rude, but they are just jealous of us dominating most international sports and possessing the most powerful military in the world. They hate us cause they ain't us.

Jayhawks embody the true American spirit. We are smack in the middle of the country, passionate about the things we hold dear (basketball), and Superman himself said that Kansas is "about as American as it gets." True story. Superman was a Jayhawk. Recently, Jayhawks should be feeling even more patriotic than usual. Here are a few reasons why.

1. The Fourth of July.

American Independence Day was last Saturday. One of the best holidays we have, the Fourth is a time for friends, summer fun, red, white, and blue clothing, and of course, fireworks. What is more American than sitting in front of a lake somewhere with friends, wearing an American flag t-shirt, sipping an American-brewed beer, while watching fireworks over the water after a full day of barbecuing and summer nonsense? Answer: nothing. Absolutely nothing.

2. Your Kansas Jayhawks are representing the entire country in the World University Games in South Korea.

What an honor it is for our school, our storied basketball program, to be chosen to represent our entire nation in an international basketball tournament. Usually, USA teams are made up of players from all over the country, but USA basketball handed the reigns over to Bill Self and said, "You must be doing something right here, and we think you embody everything USA basketball stands for." So far, the Jayha, I mean, team USA, has beaten Canada twice and China once in exhibition games, while also defeating Turkey and Brazil in the first two games of group play. ROCK CHALK!

3. Women's national soccer team.

The US Women's National team was nearly perfect in this summer's Women's World Cup. After losing to Japan in the World Cup Final four years ago, the US wanted desperately to avenge the loss and prove that they are the best team in the world. Behind stars like Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe, the United States helped reinvigorate American interest in soccer as more and more people around the country tuned in to watch the Americans in their quest to win it all. After beating a talented Germany team in the semi-finals 2-0, the USWNT got their desired rematch with Japan in the final. This time, the US wasn't kidding around. They scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, including a goal from half field from Carli Lloyd. The US won the game 5-2 and are the world champions of women's soccer for the first time since 1999.

4. The recent same-sex legislation.

I know it was overdue, but our country took a big step in the recent weeks by making same-sex marriage legal in every state. How can you not be proud of our country for moving toward true equality?

5. The week-long American celebration of Shark Week!

Thanks to the Discovery Channel, we get a full week of non-stop coverage of some of the most fascinating creatures in the world: sharks. Thanks, America, another awesome idea. Shark Week isn't a holiday yet, but it's right up there with President's Day and Columbus Day in importance in our country.

USA! USA! USA!