US Patriotism VS the Rest of the World

by Xena 107 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Prisca

  On page one of this thread Xena said:

  Wanna have that debate about U.S. history with me now? What exactly is the extent of YOUR knowledge about our country? I've asked you this in a previous thread when you slammed the U.S. and at that time you didn't want to take the time on a Sunday afternoon to look it up on the net.

  Later I commented on something else she said:

  I challenged your position and the actual "points" you made.

  Hmm, y-e-a-h. By asking me what I knew about American history?

  Then she claims:

  I have never said this. Ever

  LOL.

  Farkel,

  What do YOU know about American History, Prisca? Well? That WAS your challenge, and you ignore it. The challenge was not about how much your challenger knew about Australian history, but about how much YOU knew about American history.

  And what has that "challenge" got to do with the topic of this thread? None at all, and you know it. You are trying to throw in red herrings, thinking I won't notice.

  Sorry Farkel, but you'll have to try better than that (and no, that is not a direct challenge)
• 

  Farkel

  Prisca,

  I said:

  : What do YOU know about American History, Prisca? Well? That WAS your challenge, and you ignore it. The challenge was not about how much your challenger knew about Australian history, but about how much YOU knew about American history.

  You replied:

  : And what has that "challenge" got to do with the topic of this thread? None at all, and you know it. You are trying to throw in red herrings, thinking I won't notice.

  : Sorry Farkel, but you'll have to try better than that (and no, that is not a direct challenge)

  You'll just have to eat your own words here, Prisca:

  : Hmm, y-e-a-h. By asking me what I knew about American history? How does that prove that America is the greatest country in the world, compared to other countries? If you claim that it would prove how little I know about your country, then most likely it would prove that I know much more about the history of your country than you do about mine. How many history programmes on Australian history have you watched? How many books on Australian history would you have read in your lifetime? And not just you, but Americans in general?

  Now, after that, read my rebuttal above.

  Farkel
• 

  Prisca

  And your point is?
• 

  Jayson

  
  

  Maybe some Americans (don't want to generalise here!) could use some tact when they are declaring how wonderful America is, America is the greatest, everyone should be grateful for America, etc etc. It is this type of patriotism (trying to get back to the original topic!) that comes across as in-your-face, my-country-right-or-wrong patriotism that turns gives America (and Americans) a bad name. As I stated in my original post, it does come across as ignorant because I don't believe Americans have the same opportunities to experience/learn what other countries have to offer, so in that case, how can they logically declare that America is the bestest country in the whole wide world?
  

  Hmm, y-e-a-h. By asking me what I knew about American history? How does that prove that America is the greatest country in the world, compared to other countries? If you claim that it would prove how little I know about your country, then most likely it would prove that I know much more about the history of your country than you do about mine. How many history programmes on Australian history have you watched? How many books on Australian history would you have read in your lifetime? And not just you, but Americans in general?

  Prisia please look at what you have said. You claim "they" Americans claim that America is the greatest. You claim that "they say" America is the greatest country in the world compared to other countries. Well, if I were to play devils advocate and say that because you have decided that is what defines the mentality of All The Americans that you now speak for then that would make them NATIONALISTS and not patriots. You are trying to force a situation that enforces your prejudices. That's your purgative but it does not hold water in reality. You may speak with authority as to the mindset of foriegners who feel that American strength fightens them. I will also add again I think that you will start to hear this term more often in time, "pathological jealousy" as a reason for the warped version of America and Americans and even those who are sucessful in general.

  (Is this a back door war argument?)
• 

  Max Divergent

  IMO, The Western World is the Western World is the Western World...

  I think the sooner people get over what seem to me to be trivial differences between the peoples and practices of the industrialised nations the better.

  Max
• 

  Simon

  LyinEyes

  Most of this started over the support so many here had for our troops over there and hoping ,and wishing for them a safe return. Why did that make some people so mad, why were we not allowed to put a yellow ribbon on our threads,,,,,,, it was harmless. We were asked not to do it because it would cause trouble..............well 3 weeks later,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, this is still going on and there is not a yellow ribbon that caused it here lately. Now Simon suggest we limit the war talk,,,,,,,,, many have already done this, and some even refuse to read anything war related.

  The Yellow Ribbon thing was thoroughly discussed in the topic about it and thre reasons explained ad-naseum. Given the erruptions about images while that topic was going on then it's clear that it would likely have made things even worse than they are now. They certainly would not have made things any better. It has nothing whatsoever to do with supporting the troops - I had already posted saying that I supported the troops and wanted them to return safely well before that topic (Confusion about support for forces and support for war).

  Xena:

  Simon, I am curious if you saw this statement:

  I have found most British men to be f**king idiots

  Wouldn't you want to tell the person who said that, that not MOST British men are f**king idiots? Some might be, but surely not MOST????

  Well, no ... it doesn't bother me that much and I don't get all offended by it. Why would I? Maybe this is a fundamental difference between American and non-Americans - we don't see the need to respond to obviously sweeping generalisations and get all defensive or aggressive.
• 

  Pleasuredome

  xena

  this is trooping the colour

  Each year, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family attend the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Horse Guards Parade in London. The Queen attends the ceremony to take the salute from thousands of guardsmen who parade the Queen's colour (or flag).

  Trooping the Colour, which has honoured the sovereign's official birthday for nearly two centuries, dates back to the earliest times of armed conflict, when each leader needed his own flag or colours to stand out clearly amid the smoke and dust of battle. The flag or colours was trooped in front of the soldiers every day to make sure that every man could recognise those of his own regiment.

  The parade route goes from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horseguards Parade, Whitehall and back again.

  Precisely as the clock on the Horse Guards Building strikes eleven, the Royal Procession arrives and The Queen takes the Royal Salute. The parade begins with the Inspection, The Queen driving slowly down the ranks of all eight Guards and then past the Household Cavalry. After the event, the Royal Family gathers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch an RAF flypast.

  The parade starts at 11 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour. There are rehearsals on the two previous Saturdays which are also open to the public. Although tickets are very scarce and have to be applied for in January, you can get a good view from St. James’s Park or along the Mall. The Queen leaves Buckingham Palace in a carriage at 10.40am and arrives at Horse Guards at 11am precisely.

  the edinburgh tattoo, is a military band musical display held at edinburgh castle, scotland every year
• 

  Simon

  Ah ... pomp and pomposity.

  Remember the best bit: spotting the odd one that keels over and sticks out like a sore thumb

  Now I think about it, I've never seen what actually happens to them ... do they get walked over or does someone come out and pick them up?
• 

  Pleasuredome

  i've never seen it happen. usually i forget that its on, and end up miising it all.
• 

  Prisca

  We have the Trooping of the Colours shown on the ABC here on special occasions. Yes, I've seen the odd poor soldier keel over from standing too long or whatever, but the cameras swiftly go onto another part of the show and you never see what happens to him.

  I would hope someone comes up and picks them up, perhaps to get first aid!