Americanism
Ahnimus
Posts: 10,560
I used this term loosely in a discussion with Surferdude. But now I'm getting to the bottom of what it actually means.
The term Anti-Americanism is used quite frequently and is recognized as describing something in reality. However, in order for one to practice Anti-Americanism, there must be something first called Americanism.
Might Americanism be American Exceptionalism - the belief that America and Americans are inherently superior to other nations and nationalities.
Or might it refer to the definition used by the Roman Catholic church. The support of American ideals, such as absolute freedom of the press, liberalism, individualism, complete separation of church and state, etc.
Neither definition seems to work in relation to Anti-Americanism. Which tends to be used in opposition to criticism of U.S. government policies. Unless, those using the term perceive ultimate piety in the leadership of the United States. In which case the former definition of Americanism and American Exceptionalism stands to reason. However, in my experience, those that use the term Anti-American, tend to claim not for the piety of American leadership.
So, what are we really talking about?
The term Anti-Americanism is used quite frequently and is recognized as describing something in reality. However, in order for one to practice Anti-Americanism, there must be something first called Americanism.
Might Americanism be American Exceptionalism - the belief that America and Americans are inherently superior to other nations and nationalities.
Or might it refer to the definition used by the Roman Catholic church. The support of American ideals, such as absolute freedom of the press, liberalism, individualism, complete separation of church and state, etc.
Neither definition seems to work in relation to Anti-Americanism. Which tends to be used in opposition to criticism of U.S. government policies. Unless, those using the term perceive ultimate piety in the leadership of the United States. In which case the former definition of Americanism and American Exceptionalism stands to reason. However, in my experience, those that use the term Anti-American, tend to claim not for the piety of American leadership.
So, what are we really talking about?
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
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Though it is not just that. It is that our country is being over-run by Starbucks, Mcdonalds, Pizza Hut etc etc. I'm not saying I think it is all a bad thing, because if we didn't have all these American things then we would be without the greatest band in the wor;d.
However with the incresed American ways, and also our increased Foreign population (mainly asian, arab and indian) I am finding our national identity is somewhat being redefined. I can't stress this enough, I am not a racist, I Love my country, I love being Australian, and I love living an Australian life. I just hope That we can keep a true Australian spirit.
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i am outright sick of hearing "if you hate your country so much, why don't you just move to another one", and so forth.
not only is it offensive, but it misses the boat completely.
to borrow from Little Van Zandt, "I love my country ... because my country is all i know" ...
beyond not knowing any thing else, i do know that the principles this country was founded upon are the most rock solid and inspiring i could personaly seek to find.
The problem I have is with the direction that certain very narrow big-money interests have been steering this country for the last 100+ years ...
The fact that our country hasn't realized this, and that the American people have never been taught about such matters ... that quotes like the following have never appeared in school books ... that is what has me down on "my country" ...
"If the American people ever allowed the banks to control the issuance of their currency, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers occupied." - Thomas Jefferson
Notice he says "AND CORPORATIONS that grow up around them" ... is this not exactly what has happened?
America is in the process of dying.
All the wealth is being sucked up and funneled in to the hands of a limited "elite" (read: greedy, selfish) few, while the proud hardworking people of this land are allowed to toil longer and longer for the ever diminishing returns of their forever decreasing "dollar" ...
:(
Again.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY.
It is the rat bastards that have HIJACKED it that scare the shit out of me, and which i loathe with every ounce of my being.
:(
If I opened it now would you not understand?
A PROPOSAL to string a giant banner reading "Cage Bush. Not Sydney" from the Town Hall to protest the lockdown of the city for the APEC summit has failed to win the support of the council.
City of Sydney Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Harris, from the Greens, put forward a motion calling for the banner at a council meeting tonight, but failed to gain support.
“I was particularly disappointed none of the other councillors stood up and said what they thought,” Mr Harris said.
“They used procedural measures to avoid commenting and chose to duck the issue.”
Mr Harris said the tight security planned for next month's APEC summit was all about protecting US President George W. Bush.
He said Mr Bush should be caged, rather than the city of Sydney.
“As a city councillor I am appalled that we are allowing our government to gate off our city from the people who live, work and pay rates here,” he said.
“While I agree that we should do all we can to protect visiting leaders, it should never be at the expense of the community's democratic rights or the economic well-being of our businesses and workers.
“What I want council to do is to stand up for its citizens and demand the government look at alternative measures to protect world leaders that doesn't cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars in lost business and its citizens their freedom.
“A banner on the Town Hall would at least show the community their council is willing to take a stand for them.”
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a derivitive of nature.
nature is god
god is love
love is light
It would seem to me that 'Americanism' should stand for the principles of American society and government. American Policy. Which is largely drafted by the constitution. It would seem then that the latter definition, the one used by the Roman Catholic church should be more accurate.
However, in stark contrast, are the mobs of people using the term "Anti-American" to describe individuals critical of the Iraq occupation. In terms of the right to bear arms this use of Anti-American seems justified. It is becoming more apparent that the use of Anti-American and what it means to be American is subjective and entirely dependant on the users personal opinion of what Americanism is.
So, it's kind of like common-sense. It doesn't exist to anyone, except the one who uses the term.
Ever see that clip of that lady in a public forum talking to Bush and she says that she works three jobs just to get by? Bushes response was...."well isn't that just uniquely American" and laughs...
It made me want to snap his little chicken hawk neck like a twig.
The forefathers called it. They knew what it's all about.
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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That statement by Bush was rather stupid I thought.
At least he's consistent.
"Liberals Love America Like O.J. Loved Nicole"
That pretty much sums it up.
for a guy thats usually on point with well reasoned debate, that one just pissed me off, charger.
i expect better of you here, and flinging insults out at a stupid sterotype is just out of character.
a. define a liberal
and
b. why are you so sure they are killing this country
(that seems to be the analogy)
and
c. are you calling me a liberal
because i challenge you to defend that position with more than the above type post.
:(
If I opened it now would you not understand?
two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce cheese, pickles onions, on a sesame seed bun...he's been americanized
Can you see me now
I am myself
Like you somehow
I'll ride the wave
Where it takes me
I'll hold the pain
Release me
Most would disagree with you
Cindy Sheehan
Doing things like buddying up with Hugo Chavez and claiming the US goverment killed 3,000 of it's own citizens on 9/11.
Not necessarily. Just offering a counter to you hating "love it or leave it", a slogan which I happen to agree with.
But I fucking HATE to see ANY country being ripped off by those who are supposed to be representing the people! I feel sad that it's come to this. It really could be such a FANTASTIC country if it would focus on all the great stuff rather than the negatives. Fear mongering will not make any country great. Without sounding patronising, I really really do feel sad for those of you who did not vote for Bush. I just hope your country can come through this in one piece.
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Unbelieveable that a woman in mourning over her child can become a hate figure!
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
It'll all work out ok. I feel bad for the kids dying over there, but it hasn't been anybody I know yet (that I know of). I am sure that is true for most in the country.
I figure the worst that could happen would be a draft because of insufficient recruitment. Most of the wanna-be tough guys will probably be shitting their pants trying to stay out of duty, and the war(s) would end quick enough with large scale protests.
Well, from our "small country" perspective, this is one of the main reasons why my fellow compadres tend to mock americans. The absence of shades. Something is either white or black. There's nothing in between. No balance.
So yes, our anti-americanism mostly come from your politicians, but this manicheism I reffered to is often considered as a sign for stupidity.
PS : Don't yell at the messenger. I'm not a big fan of your expansionnist politics and I'm pretty sure there are some stupid people in the USA, but we, belgians, are also often mocked by our neighbours for our stupidity, so I can relate to that either.
Quite a narrow description, there. Does buddying up to Saddam Hussien (a conservative best bud until the early 90s) count for anything? Saudi Arabia? Does anyone who doesn't like Hugo Chavez and doesn't believe the government was anything more than completely incompetent on 9/11 disqualify them from being a liberal?
If you agree with that slogan, you are not a patriotic American.
I prefer "love it or change it." And, slowly but surely, I'm winning.
Ireland gets a good slagging also
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
Funny...
I don't remember talking to you...
I don't remember your post being a private message.
Shouldn't you be helping to clean up your town or strengthening some levees and shit?
Oh, that's right! It's George Bush's fault!
:rolleyes:
edit - google some of his pics from the country music festival/show he does every year, words can't describe
Lol, I like that another republican senator has been caught with his pink pants down
How does it feel to be on their side 69?
Verona??? it's all surmountable
Dublin 23.08.06 "The beauty of Ireland, right there!"
Wembley? We all believe!
Copenhagen?? your light made us stars
Chicago 07? And love
What a different life
Had I not found this love with you
And you'll have to point me to where I said it was all George Bush's fault.
Now, shouldn't you be out further marginalizing your foothold in American politics?
This seems to make the most sense, though I do think that there is a larger cultural element to the overall sentiment. But then again doesn't it all have to do with context? In most cases when the term is used I think it is typically referring to our country in direct relation to whatever our current administrations policy is on a given issue (occupation, invasion, embargo...).
a look into oblivion:http://inteldaily.com/?c=172&a=3378
"mama don't raise your boys to be cowboys...."
a derivitive of nature.
nature is god
god is love
love is light
What does "Americanism" have to do with Canada and Mexico... let alone the totality of South America? Wouldn't a more appropriate term be USAism?
Peace and Love
Deni
It's the best I can do right now.
Boy, who would have thought a thread asking for a simple coherent definition of a term could bring so much nonsensical bickering. Thanks for your input
I agree with you there. For ages I've referred to "America" as "the States" and it's inhabitants as "Statesmen". But, the definition is stolen.
I'm not a republican and I am not a homophobe.
Thanks for asking though!