About the Flag or National Anthem (page 3)

Englishman

Shutterbug,

Alex's fingers are a bit close to her nose I guess!

Urgh.

Englishman.

dubla

realist-

does non of you find nationalism and national pride a little troublesome?

i dont think anyone on this thread has endorsed nationalism.......inevitably, whenever there is a topic like this, someone decides to confuse the issue by making patriotism synonymous with nationalism, which isnt the case. na·tion·al·ism n.

Devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation.
The belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals.

i think most of us would agree that nationalism can be troublesome, yes.

patriotism

\Pa"tri*ot*ism\, n. [Cf. F. patriotisme.] Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country. --Berkley.

i dont see anything wrong with loving the country you live in, and being devoted to the welfare of your fellow man.......and as far as being proud of your nation, whats troublesome about that? some are more proud than others, some appreciate their nations flag more than others.....i dont see any real problems with that....id say its perfectly normal.

aa

teejay

I'll never forget the Dallas Cowboys game I was at years ago. A country singer came out to sing the National Anthem. He didn't put any frills in it – just sang it straight and strong. Just like it's supposed to be sung. The place went nuts. Then and ever since then, whenever I think of the way he sang and whenever I hear it sung LIKE THAT, I get choked up. Every time.

"Land of the free. Home of the brave."

How could you NOT choke up a bit?

Then in the American History class I took in college, the professor took his time describing the events leading up to the Anthem being written. Of how after Fort McHenry was blasted all night by the British, Key wondered if the flag "was still there." And it was! Very moving. Same way whenever I see the flag. The older I've gotten, the more respect I have for it. Standing for it in a public setting is never a problem. Yeah, I got nothing but respect for the Anthem and the Flag. And I'm passing that on to my daughter.

amac

National Pride is a definite two edged sword. The desire for National Pride is what gave this country it's freedoms. But it is also what led the German people into supporting the Nazi regime.

Everytime I hear the national anthem at a sporting event or any large gathering where I am surrounded by other Americans singing, I can't help but feel pride well up inside me. But then I remember how easy that feeling is to stir up in a group of people and how dangerous it can be. Who doesn't like the feeling of being united with others and "belonging?" It's a powerful tool that can easily be misused or go astray due to its own momentum.

Realist

dubla,

i think that there is no clear border between nationalism and patriotism (i might be a little oversensitive on this issue). patriotism leads to nationalism, arrogance and hate...i just don'T like that.

amac put it perfectly!

National Pride is a definite two edged sword. The desire for National Pride is what gave this country it's freedoms. But it is also what led the German people into supporting the Nazi regime.
Everytime I hear the national anthem at a sporting event or any large gathering where I am surrounded by other Americans singing, I can't help but feel pride well up inside me. But then I remember how easy that feeling is to stir up in a group of people and how dangerous it can be. Who doesn't like the feeling of being united with others and "belonging?" It's a powerful tool that can easily be misused or go astray due to its own momentum.

Kenneson

Gumby states: "Catholics do the same thing to a rosary. They look at it and say words to it."

Wonder from what repository you dug this one up.

About the Flag or National Anthem