No patriotism

Vedderlution_BabyVedderlution_Baby Posts: 2,535
edited June 2007 in A Moving Train
I was reading the "Thanks a lot W." thread and reading how a lot of people were getting pretty upset over the flag. I was thinking "Big deal. It's a flag." I've mentioned this before but I don't have a sense of patriotism at all. I'm american only because i happened to be born here. Just the same way i could've been canadian or korean. Then I'd just be looking at another flag on a daily basis. Anyone else have this same feeling?


By the way, it's not just a sense of patriotism. I live in gainesville, fl. These people bleed orange and blue (the colors of the college team). I just don't give a shit. It's just another city, in another state, in another country, on another piece of land on earth.
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Comments

  • wavesonwheelswavesonwheels Posts: 101
    Do you hate mexicans more than you love america?

    legitimate question

    and a tough one
    no time this time to feign reluctance
  • Do you hate mexicans more than you love america?

    legitimate question

    and a tough one


    I don't hate mexicans, and I don't love america. They are people given a title because they were born in a different place. This is a country divided by imaginary lines.
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    I consider myself 'Patriotic'.
    I used to get all worked up about the flag and stuff... but, not any more. Why? Because I believe more in the principles behind the foundation of our country, than I do in its symbols. First Amendment rights allow for the non-violent protest of our government... turning the flag upside down may mean something other than that... but, why should I care? it's THEIR (the protestors) interpretation of the act... not mine.
    Personally... I would never raise my flag upside down. It's a matter of respect to me. I don't care if someone else does not have the same respect as I do. I only see the world and my countryt through my eyes.
    Besides, I don't need to show my patriotism to anyone... I wear my flag on my heart, not on my lapel or car aerial.
    My patriotism tells I need to oppose the enemies of my Constitution... foriegn or domestic. And that it is my duty as an American to oppose my leadership when they lead us astray.
    Just because i don't 'Rah! Rah!' the government in time of war... don't tell me I'm 'Unpatriotic'. A war by choice, not necessity, is not what America is supposed to stand for. That's what the former Soviet Union used to do... and I hated the Soviet Union.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    I don't hate mexicans, and I don't love america.
    why dont u love america?
  • jlew24asu wrote:
    why dont u love america?


    It's not that i hate america, or purposely don't love it. I just feel neutral towards it. Although I have to admit that Cosmo's post got me thinking. I'd rather be in america than some other countries where i wouldnt be able to say this. So maybe I am a BIT patriotic.
  • crittablescrittables Posts: 342
    I don't hate mexicans, and I don't love america.


    i agree. i mean, i love america but not in the typical patriotic sense. there are a lot of amazing and wonderful places, things, people, etc here in america. but i don't care about you more than i care about some kid in uganda or england or anywhere else, simply b/c you are american.

    countries are just a bunch of imaginary lines drawn and often times do more harm than good. some people hate us simply because we were born within the imaginary lines of the US. and in other places, like africa, these imaginary lines were drawn by colonialism. they forced different ethnic tribes with different languages and cultures to unite as one country even though they did not want to. and that has caused a lot of problems. okay, now i'm just rambling. i'll stop:)
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    Imagine there's no countries
    It isn't hard to do
    Nothing to kill or die for
    And no religion too
    Imagine all the people
    Living life in peace

    You may say that I'm a dreamer
    But I'm not the only one
    I hope someday you'll join us
    And the world will be as one
    Feels Good Inc.
  • PaperPlatesPaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    It's not that i hate america, or purposely don't love it. I just feel neutral towards it. Although I have to admit that Cosmo's post got me thinking. I'd rather be in america than some other countries where i wouldnt be able to say this. So maybe I am a BIT patriotic.


    No, just an ingrate.
    Why go home

    www.myspace.com/jensvad
  • No, just an ingrate.


    Yup. good call. you got me.
  • “Patriotism ... is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit.”

    "We Americans claim to be a peace-loving people. We hate bloodshed; we are opposed to violence. Yet we go into spasms of joy over the possibility of projecting dynamite bombs from flying machines upon helpless citizens. We are ready to hang, electrocute, or lynch anyone, who, from economic necessity, will risk his own life in the attempt upon that of some industrial magnate. Yet our hearts swell with pride at the thought that America is becoming the most powerful nation on earth, and that she will eventually plant her iron foot on the necks of all other nations."


    ~ Emma Goldman
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • PaperPlatesPaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    “Patriotism ... is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit.”

    "We Americans claim to be a peace-loving people. We hate bloodshed; we are opposed to violence. Yet we go into spasms of joy over the possibility of projecting dynamite bombs from flying machines upon helpless citizens. We are ready to hang, electrocute, or lynch anyone, who, from economic necessity, will risk his own life in the attempt upon that of some industrial magnate. Yet our hearts swell with pride at the thought that America is becoming the most powerful nation on earth, and that she will eventually plant her iron foot on the necks of all other nations."


    ~ Emma Goldman

    Spasms of joy? I've never myself, nor have I ever known anyone, who went into spasms of joy over bombs dropping down


    Weird quote.
    Why go home

    www.myspace.com/jensvad
  • Spasms of joy? I've never myself, nor have I ever known anyone, who went into spasms of joy over bombs dropping down


    Weird quote.

    That quote was dead on.
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • electronblueelectronblue WPB Florida Posts: 3,460
    in one way a least for me.. the flag represents bloodshed and violence.... and in another way it's just another piece of material...~
    ********************************
    "Forgive every being,
    the bad feelings 
    it's just me"


  • PaperPlatesPaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    That quote was dead on.


    When she says "we", does she include herself in that group of people having near orgasms over the joy and magical wonder that is war?
    Why go home

    www.myspace.com/jensvad
  • When she says "we", does she include herself in that group of people having near orgasms over the joy and magical wonder that is war?


    She's talking about the overwhelming amount of us that share this mentality:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    I was reading the "Thanks a lot W." thread and reading how a lot of people were getting pretty upset over the flag. I was thinking "Big deal. It's a flag." I've mentioned this before but I don't have a sense of patriotism at all. I'm american only because i happened to be born here. Just the same way i could've been canadian or korean. Then I'd just be looking at another flag on a daily basis. Anyone else have this same feeling?


    By the way, it's not just a sense of patriotism. I live in gainesville, fl. These people bleed orange and blue (the colors of the college team). I just don't give a shit. It's just another city, in another state, in another country, on another piece of land on earth.

    I think it's necessary, inevitable, human, to be philosophical on some items concerning your country at the level you remark.

    It's probably not too politically savvy to tell your countrymen so, today. I'm idealistic enough to think this sort of talk can be accepted into the not-too-special category, one day.

    "Uh, obrianjacksonjeffrawong...he gets philosphy, cool."

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    She's talking about the overwhelming amount of us that share this mentality:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU

    Wish you hadn't done that...
    wish I hadn't had those 3 beers...

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • gue_barium wrote:
    Wish you hadn't done that...
    wish I hadn't had those 3 beers...


    Sorry 'bout that, gue. :)
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    Sorry 'bout that, gue. :)

    sppt, spth, sphityy poo spoth...bwaww

    haven't done that in awhile. It must be the heat.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • gue_barium wrote:
    sppt, spth, sphityy poo spoth...bwaww

    haven't done that in awhile. It must be the heat.

    hehe :p

    that must have been it
    If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

    Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
    -Oscar Wilde
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    icarus wrote:
    hmm, thats not really true. it may be more true for some countries, such as in africa or the middle east, but i would hardly say countries are just imaginary lines. countries have an immense wealth of history, culture, and tradition that shapes who we are as individuals. i think its extremely naive to think a country is just an invisible border. its much much more than that. you are who you are because of the societal, familial, cultural, and religious aspects of this country. if you were born in another country, you would be totally different. you wouldn't be the "same person just inside a different imaginary border." that doesn't mean one country or culture is better than another, but i don't think its something that should be ignored.

    I would agree more strongly with this if you said "region" instead of country.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    She's talking about the overwhelming amount of us that share this mentality:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU


    jeez booky, disclaimers please....i don't want that to infect my computer....(or my mind for that matter)....:p:D


    as to the topic at hand, cosmo said it better than i ever could.....:)
  • blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    She's talking about the overwhelming amount of us that share this mentality:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU

    The mentality of a registered democrat who is against the Iraq war?
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    icarus wrote:
    sure, region, state, country, nation, nation-state, whatever.

    Staying power is the key. Established indigenuity. Of the land, and a culture. A way of life for a people.

    America is freakish in this respect. Sentimentality in the "Good 'ol American way of life" is one of those sickish psychological controls that is meant to determine sameness, without experience. So, it is no wonder "our boys" are fighters. That is the short-term American expectation, volitality.

    America isn't shit in this regard. Probably less than shit.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    The mentality of a registered democrat who is against the Iraq war?

    us = Americans, most Americans.

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Spasms of joy? I've never myself, nor have I ever known anyone, who went into spasms of joy over bombs dropping down


    Weird quote.

    I don't believe you. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I'd bet everything I own on my conviction that you, and/or the company you keep celebrated the opening bombing campaigns of both Iraq wars.
  • PaperPlatesPaperPlates Posts: 1,745
    Byrnzie wrote:
    I don't believe you. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I'd bet everything I own on my conviction that you, and/or the company you keep celebrated the opening bombing campaigns of both Iraq wars.

    Imagine if you will, a man who doesnt give two shits what you believe. Imagine a man, who isnt suprised that you make judgements on people with no fact or basis to make said judgements. You open minded liberals on this board never cease to amaze me.


    Id take your bet, but I doubt you own anything I'd want.

    I keep a wide variety of company. Business owners, bartenders, waitresses, artists, etc. None of the "company I keep", from the most liberal libbies I'm friends with, to the most staunch conservatives "celebrated" it in any way. MOST of the company I keep have had family members who were in the military at some time. And MOST of them understand the idea of war as an evil necessity, rather than that of a thing of personal joy. And MOST of them also, currently, aren't too happy with the way the war has been handled.

    You really are a sad, pathetic little man byrnz. I ALMOST feel sorry for you.
    Why go home

    www.myspace.com/jensvad
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    There are things I love about America .... the Bill of Rights, Pearl Jam, the Grand Canyon, I could go on and on for hours I'm sure. There are things I really hate about America too. I'm sure I would feel the same way if I were German or Australian or Japanese. Sure, I'm profoundly grateful that I'm not Sudanese or Iraqi or Congolese ... and again, I'm sure the citizens of many other countries feel the same way.

    One thing I intensely dislike is all the "greatest country in the world" stuff. Sure, we're really great in many ways. We're not so great in others.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Imagine if you will, a man who doesnt give two shits what you believe. Imagine a man, who isnt suprised that you make judgements on people with no fact or basis to make said judgements. You open minded liberals on this board never cease to amaze me.


    Id take your bet, but I doubt you own anything I'd want.

    I keep a wide variety of company. Business owners, bartenders, waitresses, artists, etc. None of the "company I keep", from the most liberal libbies I'm friends with, to the most staunch conservatives "celebrated" it in any way. MOST of the company I keep have had family members who were in the military at some time. And MOST of them understand the idea of war as an evil necessity, rather than that of a thing of personal joy. And MOST of them also, currently, aren't too happy with the way the war has been handled.

    You really are a sad, pathetic little man byrnz. I ALMOST feel sorry for you.

    How easy it is to be a tough guy on a message board. I really hope I meet you in person some time.
  • blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    Byrnzie wrote:
    How easy it is to be a tough guy on a message board. I really hope I meet you in person some time.

    Because he says he isn't what you picture him as, you call him names and throw in a thinly veiled threat?
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
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