Re: The New Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
And what's so patriotic about Tony Stark?
Perhaps this is a controversial view, but what if we assume that the cornerstone of American national identity is not freedom, in the sense of freedom of civil liberties, but free trade -- anybody can come to America to set up a business, earn a living, and (if they're successful) turn a living.
Everything else -- the freedom of expression, or assembly, etc. -- is enabled by the capital generated by free trade. In the ideal marketplace, you don't need super-powers to become successful; just a good product. And in the world of geopolitics, nowhere is the marketplace freer than in America.
(Incidentally, Joe Caesy did an admirable job of exploring this very theme in
WildC.A.T.S. v.3.0.)
In that sense, Tony Stark is a "true American patriot", because he represents one who has not only enabled further trade, but also uplifited his own status as a result of it.
Take note, I definitely DO NOT agree with this assessment of the US; i'm just saying it's one way of percieving things.
Having said that, I don't believe that he will be the next Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.