My 2 Cents: Ryan Lochte Referred To As 'Ugly American'

Since the Olympics and especially since the Ryan Lochte debacle, I've been hearing the term "ugly American" more and more, and I don't like it.

A banner in the Boston Herald read:  

"Ugly Americans Overshadow Good In Rio." Lochte's quickly sinking story is "erasing all the good feelings" runner Abbey D'Agostino "brought to the USA for helping a fellow fallen 5,000-meter runner."

Abbey D'Agostino collided with another runner and tore up her knee, but she and her fallen competitor encouraged each other and helped each other get to the finish line.

That's the "Ugly American" I'm familiar with, willing to help the struggling, and all of our athletes who held up the "Thank You Rio" signs at multiple events. How about those "Ugly Americans"?

We are so fortunate, blessed to live in this country, most of us know it, and we need to be aware that many people around the world are envious.

Let's be aware of that perception, when we're abroad especially, but not consumed by it or apologetic for being American, not ugly Americans.  

We need to be gracious, humble and sincerely appreciative of our birth right.

I'm Kelly Ogle and that's My 2 Cents.