by dorayakii 121 Replies latest social current
I think some are patriotic. Where it goes wrong is when it becomes nationalism. Too often people confuse the two and nationalistic fervour is portrayed as being patriotic (which it isn't) and people who don't go along told that they are not patriotic.
Simon, this is true. See, I can be agreeable.
I love America. The indigenous peoples had a very balanced existence with nature (those who didn't died out) and then the Founding Fathers built a modern America that has at its core freedom and liberty. No other nation on earth ever was built with such lofty ideals and managed to stick to them. America is still the greatest nation this world has ever known and as a Brit I can think of only two other large countries (Canada and Australia) that I would feel no qualms over standing shoulder to shoulder with.
What I hope for in the future is that America can reduce its consumption on world resources, hold fast to the things that have made it great and to stop the erosion of the family.
The disaster in New Orleans has hit America hard but they will recover. If such an event occured here in Britain we would be in bad shape because not only are we so dependant on electricity that we would starve and die of thirst in a matter of weeks but we would have no national reserves to cope. If Liverpool had just been swamped we'd have national gridlock and 20,000 trapped people with little chance of survival IMHO.
Britain once stood for something great and our children have carried that to America - we faded into the background and I'm ashamed when we do little for the world because we no longer have the financial muscle to do so. I also watch America with trepidation and self interest - my breakfast cereal, bread and maize products all are produced in the US:)
I am not saying that America is like Nazi Germany
I've read messages on several boards of people claiming such a thing. I know you have to cover all your bases in order to say this, because these posters are usually consequently flamed into silence for daring to make such a comparison.
When the Reichstag building was burned down, the Nazis used that as a catapult to launch their attack against the Jews and Communists... When 9/11 happened, Bush used that also as a catapult to lead his "war on terror", which included attacking Afghanistan and Iraq which had at best a tenuous link to the Twin Towers atrocity.
also think it had to do with 9/11 and the false patriotism that took place after. I knew people that got yelled at because they didn't have a flag flying outside their house.
Did this really happen? Were people really stigmatised for not flying the flag?... This minor behavioral pattern could easily be blown out of proportion, leading to nationalsim... Where would you draw the line between patriotism and nationalism?
Are Americans patriotic just for show?...
I think many are patriotic because they've been conditioned to be. I'm not sure if you have anything like this is the UK, but grade school children must stand every morning, face the flag, put their right hand over their hearts, and say the Pledge of Allegiance. To me this seems a little spooky and Naziesque, but it's something that we've all grown accustomed to. Even though it's blatant brainwashing, most don't seem to acknowledge the fact.
It seems that patriotism, even forced patriotism, has been passed down from generation to generation ever since the Revolutionary War, being driven by the government. Maybe that war has something to do with it? Being the underdog who came out on top? Maybe patriotism has been an active campaign to create a love affair with the State to prevent citizens from rebelling again?
It's not only the US who's overly patriotic. South Americans simply LOVE their flags and their countries. I've you've ever watched a Venezuelan sporting event, you'll know what I'm talking about.
YES. Not just the people I knew but there were news reporters confronted by hostile politicians and gung ho so called patriots for not wearing a damn US flag pin on their shirt. Idiots.
I don't know where the line is between patriotism and nationalism. I do know that many people in my country are good people. I'm proud to be from Washington State but that proudness can't infringe on other peoples rights or beliefs.
We do things over here that would probably get people shot or locked up in America.
This piqued my curiosity. What things would those be?
My opinion is Americans are hated for a number of reasons ... An image of wealth that is terribly imbalanced when compared with many in the world, a cowbow mentality and image perpetuated by our government and its actions throughout the world, a lifestyle that does not correlate with the morals and views of many other societies, a reputation of arrogance and superiority towards all those not American. There is an internal struggle to come in America as well, in fact I believe it has already begun ... at least half of us who vote do not agree with many things our government is doing. The results of our government's actions in recent years are beginning to permeate the nation and affect citizens more visibly and broadly ... I believe that this will foment change. I cling to that belief, actually ... if it doesn't take place I despair for my country.
...the Founding Fathers built a modern America that has at its core freedom and liberty. No other nation on earth ever was built with such lofty ideals and managed to stick to them. America is still the greatest nation this world has ever known...
I'm afraid not everybody feels the same way. Many don't believe it has stuck to its lofty ideals of freedom and liberty. Others believe that it has stuck to them internally, but brazenly flouted them internationally. Has America not vommited many atrocities around the world in the name of freedom? How is America unique or different from any other nation?
France was built on "liberté egalité fraternité" (freedom, equality, brotherhood)... Has France stuck to its lofty idels?
Britain once stood for something great and our children have carried that to America - we faded into the background and I'm ashamed when we do little for the world because we no longer have the financial muscle to do so.
How do you compare what Britain does for the world, with what America does?
Does Britains lack of financial muscle really make us less able to stand for something great?
I also watch America with trepidation and self interest - my breakfast cereal, bread and maize products all are produced in the US:)What's wrong with buttered crumpets or toast with strawberry jam and cornish clotted cream?
What's wrong with buttered crumpets or toast with strawberry jam and cornish clotted cream?
See, now we are talking civilisation!
I think many are patriotic because they've been conditioned to be. I'm not sure if you have anything like this is the UK, but grade school children must stand every morning, face the flag, put their right hand over their hearts, and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
No we have nothing like that... our UK flag (aka Union Jack) is never hung up in school classrooms and in fact is rarely seen apart from official royal or government occasions... The actual England flag (red cross on white) is relegated to football match fever.
To me this seems a little spooky and Naziesque, but it's something that we've all grown accustomed to. Even though it's blatant brainwashing, most don't seem to acknowledge the fact.
Interesting...
Am I the only one who sees the similarity?
erm ... you know Stan Laurel was English don't you?
