It is a different story when the blood bones, and bits of body are on the streets of your own cities and towns.
It is difficult therefore to compare living the experience, with living the dream.
I often think that a lot of patriotism is long distance, folk memory romanticism. Many English people don't care about anything but themselves when at home, but turn fiercely patriotic and belligerent when abroad.
What I do wonder is where many Americans get their news and/or facts about current happenings in Ireland, as I have struggled to find any foreign news in most US newspapers. If as I suspect they get them from news sheets put out by Irish Associations and clubs, or from the like of An Poblacht sent over from Ireland,then surely it is unlikely to be neutral?
I would agree though that it's difficult when someone sings a song AT you, rather than TO you, persuasion has always been better than indoctrination.
Giok