Thanks Kadri! Glad to see a post on an American idealist especially from someone living where you do. This imagery is distinctly American for sure.
These days it feels like a person is only allowed to talk about their faults, or those of others, about the things he or someone else hates in him.
But the Hudson river, and the luminists as a whole, they only talked about optimism and the Land, and the people who it was "given" to.
But now when we talk about men from history who did great things, we only talk about their faults as human beings. And the land was not won, now they say it was only stolen.
They say the same about the earth as a whole too. But I can't help but wonder what value the earth has to the universe if not for us. And on the earth, if there is a single nation in the history of the world that was not won or paid for in blood, I have never heard of it.
As for me, I don't need to be reminded of my faults, they are with me everyday. But those good things are a little bit longer in between, so why shouldn't I focus on them? Especially since the good does so much more than the wrong... The same should be said of countries too I think. And probably not just mine.
But the important question here is if you still like "westerns"? I only recently developed a real ability to enjoy them. And I do love me some spaghetti with my 6 shooter!

Going to watch
Once Upon A Time In The West on NetFlix just as soon as I can find time. There is some brilliant cinematography in that flick! Have to watch it in full stereo! The sound editing is half the film.