What do people think of this concept?
What does it mean?
Personally, I couldn't give a fuck about this country. At least not more or less so than any other place in the world. I don't even know what the word country means. And a flag is as relevant to me as a turd on the side of the street.
Discuss...
I understand your point of view because you life in a big country with a lot of influence in the world and a country who has a bloody past (and present);)
But I life in a very little country which was occupied by the halft of Europe (Germany,Spain,Austria,France,...) in the past. We have a sort of Patriotsm which helps us keeping the spirit of an independand country alife. But this patriotism isn't that big that it blinds us, that we're thinking that we have the best country in the world and hasn't stop the willing to help and share. Luxemburg spents a lot of money to the third world countries and is often one of the countries which are trying to get poor countries to the E.U.
It's funny that you spoke about the flags because we have a big polemic about a flag substitution. Now we have a traditional 3 horizontal stripes with red white blue and a lot of luxemburger want our other flag with a red lion as official flag
What are you thinking about that flag, normaly when a country changes their flag it has to do with a revolution, a push or an occupation but here it is just a sort of identification.
Beavis : Is this Pearl Jam?
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
My problem is that when I read in the news about another Palestinian child being shot dead for throwing stones, i feel an ache inside.
how about innocent israeli woman and children who get killed from rockets ponted and shot at them? do you ache for them? or feel they deserved it and smile?
Report - Hizbullah continues to strike north: A woman and her four-year-old grandson who were injured by a Katyusha rocket that hit a house in the Meron community near Safed early Friday evening died of their injuries.
how about innocent israeli woman and children who get killed from rockets ponted and shot at them? do you ache for them? or feel they deserved it and smile?
Report - Hizbullah continues to strike north: A woman and her four-year-old grandson who were injured by a Katyusha rocket that hit a house in the Meron community near Safed early Friday evening died of their injuries.
great post..you pretty much just shut byznie right up
I understand your point of view because you life in a big country with a lot of influence in the world and a country who has a bloody past (and present);)
But I life in a very little country which was occupied by the halft of Europe (Germany,Spain,Austria,France,...) in the past. We have a sort of Patriotsm which helps us keeping the spirit of an independand country alife. But this patriotism isn't that big that it blinds us, that we're thinking that we have the best country in the world and hasn't stop the willing to help and share. Luxemburg spents a lot of money to the third world countries and is often one of the countries which are trying to get poor countries to the E.U.
It's funny that you spoke about the flags because we have a big polemic about a flag substitution. Now we have a traditional 3 horizontal stripes with red white blue and a lot of luxemburger want our other flag with a red lion as official flag
What are you thinking about that flag, normaly when a country changes their flag it has to do with a revolution, a push or an occupation but here it is just a sort of identification.
I think the Luxemburg flag should have a piece of cheese on it, or a cow, instead of a lion.
how about innocent israeli woman and children who get killed from rockets ponted and shot at them? do you ache for them? or feel they deserved it and smile?
Report - Hizbullah continues to strike north: A woman and her four-year-old grandson who were injured by a Katyusha rocket that hit a house in the Meron community near Safed early Friday evening died of their injuries.
I always bat for the underdog. You should know that by now.
I think the Luxemburg flag should have a piece of cheese on it, or a cow, instead of a lion.
I would prefer a bootle of beer or a grape
Beavis : Is this Pearl Jam?
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
A grape? I'd go with the bottle of beer! What beer though? That's the question!
look at this thread and you'll find the answer there are two luxemburgish beers and one can't be because of their slogan
Beavis : Is this Pearl Jam?
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
Beavis : Is this Pearl Jam?
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
Bofferding beer! If the alcohol percentage is 5% or more then stick it on your flag. Otherwise, go with a cow.
hey allmost all of our beers have 5%...but it is battin one of the oldest brewery in Lux..and the slogan is "Beier ewei freier" which means "Beer as in the past".. a little bit conservatif...so are our leading politician
Beavis : Is this Pearl Jam?
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
I don't think there is a such thing as an exact opposite.
We could assume that egalitarianism is opposite, in the sense that egalitarianism looks out for the greater good of all people, while patriotism is selective. Or we could assume that treason is antonymous with patriotism. Though I doubt there is an exact opposite of patriotism. Even less likely that anyone practices it.
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
so you consider yourself a traitor? i'm just trying understand why you do not consider yourself a patriot. or why, for example, its stupid for me to be such a strong one for america.
so you consider yourself a traitor? i'm just trying understand why you do not consider yourself a patriot. or why, for example, its stupid for me to be such a strong one for america.
I don't consider myself a traitor. Treason implies a political 'act' which endangers ones country of birth.
Treason:
1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.
The answers to your other questions can be found throughout this thread.
I don't consider myself a traitor. Treason implies a political 'act' which endangers ones country of birth.
The answers to your other questions can be found throughout this thread.
maybe we have a different meaning of what it is to be a patriot. I consider myself a patriot because I love America. without looking through this thread, I think you disagree that love for one's country doesnt equate to being a patriot.
By this definition I'm not a patriot either. But, I see nothing wrong with being fond of your country's culture or good doings. For example, I was born in Chile, raised in Venezuela and I'm currently living in Argentina. I feel a connection to each country, and when I was in school I would find the biggest waste of time to sing the anthem, and to pay respect to the flag and Simon Bolivar's statue and whatnot. I still think it's silly. Yet, I have to admit that when I listen to Venezuela's or Chile's anthem in a sports competition I feel something inside me, maybe nostalgia, maybe the memories of friends, relatives and good times come back all of a sudden...also since my father is Italian I have a strong connection to Italia's culture, as well. I guess I don't know where I'm from .
Seriously, what I strongly disagree is with totalitarian visions, like "my country is the best". Such kind of statements are wrong to me, because you country is the best to you, given your preferences, your taste, the sociopolitical conditions of the country, the landscapes, the economic conditions of the country, the idiosyncracy of the country, and many other subjective factors (by subjetctive I refer to the weight or relevance you give to each aspect). In my case I don't feel proud of any of "my countries" per se, I can see and underline a good thing they are doing (likewise I stress the things that are not being done correctly), but I in general I tend to feel joy or whatever for personal or small collective achievements, like Italy winning the WC, Nalbandian's outstanding career, Borges' books, Neruda's poems, Venezuela's soccer improvements...
And the fact that our world is divided in countries is for administrative, organizational and practical reasons. The concept of a country (or Nation-Sate) is rather new, though, it begun to "become popular" in the end of the XIXth century, for geopolitical reasons, mainly.
Very eloquently said, and I agree with you.
Personally I'm conflicted in my own sense of patriotism. I've always thought of myself as a non-patriotic person anyway because I felt no loyalties to Britain either, because of subjective reasons, mainly the racism we experienced when I was little. I've lived in britain since I was 6 months old but am originally from India. When I was little I felt nothing for India either because I didn't have any sense of it as a country or that it had anything to do with me.
However, as I grew up and learned the history of Britain and India for some reason I've developed a real feeling for India, even though I wouldn't call it patriotism. I just feel more strongly about defending it when I hear it being criticised, even though I know its not perfect, than I would about defending Britain. I don't know why that is really. I think it might be due to the realisation that there always seems to be a sense of unconscious superiority running through british (white) society over us non-whites and this makes me feel unforgiving about it, which is why I lack loyalty to Britain.
But patriotism is over-rated anyway.
"We have to change the concept of patriotism to one of “matriotism” — love of humanity that transcends war. A matriarch would never send her own children off to wars that kill other people’s children." Cindy Sheehan --- London, Brixton, 14 July 1993 London, Wembley, 1996 London, Wembley, 18 June 2007 London, O2, 18 August 2009 London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012 Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 06 June 2017
For me... Patriotism (like Faith) is personal. Waving a flag around to show other people how patriotic you are is not my gig. I don't need to show anyone my patriotism... I already know what it is.
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
maybe we have a different meaning of what it is to be a patriot. I consider myself a patriot because I love America. without looking through this thread, I think you disagree that love for one's country doesnt equate to being a patriot.
I'd say that having travelled abroad often and spent time in other countries which I deemed to have a better way of life than Britain, has made me see things with a wider lense. A lot of Europeans now travel freely and regularly throughout Europe and see themselves as primarily European, and worldly, as opposed to French, Italian, or German e.t.c.
I imagine that Americans have more difficulty in travelling around so easily, mainly due to geographical and financial reasons. Being the wealthiest country in the America's I expect that it's only natural you see yourselves as being 'the best country in the world'. As i said above, America can conceivably be seen as possessing many countries within itself due to the variety and vastness of the place. Although ultimately all of these disparate places are still America.
I think it's an interesting subject, and to be honest I'm too tired now to think clearly about it. But I hope you get my drift?
For me... Patriotism (like Faith) is personal. Waving a flag around to show other people how patriotic you are is not my gig. I don't need to show anyone my patriotism... I already know what it is.
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
If you're not one of those media "commentary" folks, you should be. Granted, I'm talking about the alternative media, but you have a knack with this. (no offense. )
"The opposite of a fact is falsehood, but the opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth." ~ Niels Bohr
For me... Patriotism (like Faith) is personal. Waving a flag around to show other people how patriotic you are is not my gig. I don't need to show anyone my patriotism... I already know what it is.
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
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
For me... Patriotism (like Faith) is personal. Waving a flag around to show other people how patriotic you are is not my gig. I don't need to show anyone my patriotism... I already know what it is.
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
Damn Cosmo you're on a roll today. First the boomer thread response now this. Well done!:D
For me... Patriotism (like Faith) is personal. Waving a flag around to show other people how patriotic you are is not my gig. I don't need to show anyone my patriotism... I already know what it is.
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
Cosmo for president!
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
I'd say that having travelled abroad often and spent time in other countries which I deemed to have a better way of life than Britain, has made me see things with a wider lense. A lot of Europeans now travel freely and regularly throughout Europe and see themselves as primarily European, and worldly, as opposed to French, Italian, or German e.t.c.
I imagine that Americans have more difficulty in travelling around so easily, mainly due to geographical and financial reasons. Being the wealthiest country in the America's I expect that it's only natural you see yourselves as being 'the best country in the world'. As i said above, America can conceivably be seen as possessing many countries within itself due to the variety and vastness of the place. Although ultimately all of these disparate places are still America.
I think it's an interesting subject, and to be honest I'm too tired now to think clearly about it. But I hope you get my drift?
I agree with alot of what you say about Europe vs Americans ability to travel freely to other places. but I dont see America "the best country in the world". ok well maybe I do. but by no means do I think we are above or better then anyone else.
I agree with alot of what you say about Europe vs Americans ability to travel freely to other places. but I dont see America "the best country in the world". ok well maybe I do. but by no means do I think we are above or better then anyone else.
Save extenuating circumstances, I believe ever human to see their country as "the best country in the world.". Just as the rat perceives his maze as the world.
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
Comments
I understand your point of view because you life in a big country with a lot of influence in the world and a country who has a bloody past (and present);)
But I life in a very little country which was occupied by the halft of Europe (Germany,Spain,Austria,France,...) in the past. We have a sort of Patriotsm which helps us keeping the spirit of an independand country alife. But this patriotism isn't that big that it blinds us, that we're thinking that we have the best country in the world and hasn't stop the willing to help and share. Luxemburg spents a lot of money to the third world countries and is often one of the countries which are trying to get poor countries to the E.U.
It's funny that you spoke about the flags because we have a big polemic about a flag substitution. Now we have a traditional 3 horizontal stripes with red white blue and a lot of luxemburger want our other flag with a red lion as official flag
What are you thinking about that flag, normaly when a country changes their flag it has to do with a revolution, a push or an occupation but here it is just a sort of identification.
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
how about innocent israeli woman and children who get killed from rockets ponted and shot at them? do you ache for them? or feel they deserved it and smile?
Report - Hizbullah continues to strike north: A woman and her four-year-old grandson who were injured by a Katyusha rocket that hit a house in the Meron community near Safed early Friday evening died of their injuries.
great post..you pretty much just shut byznie right up
I think the Luxemburg flag should have a piece of cheese on it, or a cow, instead of a lion.
Edit: But seriously, that one looks o.k to me.
I always bat for the underdog. You should know that by now.
And you should know better than to think you can shut me up.
But then my name's not Byznie so maybe you were talking about someone else.
I would prefer a bootle of beer or a grape
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
A grape? I'd go with the bottle of beer!
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=226517
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
Bofferding beer! If the alcohol percentage is 5% or more then stick it on your flag.
hey allmost all of our beers have 5%...but it is battin one of the oldest brewery in Lux..and the slogan is "Beier ewei freier" which means "Beer as in the past".. a little bit conservatif...so are our leading politician
Butt-head: This guy makes faces like Eddie Vedder.
Beavis: No, Eddie Vedder makes faces like this guy.
Butt-head: I heard these guys, like, came first and Pearl Jam ripped them off.
Beavis: No, Pearl Jam came first.
Butt-head: Well, they both suck.
Oh forgive me it was Joseph Stalin. easy mistake to make, ohhh say can u seeeeeee......
A traitor?
I don't think there is a such thing as an exact opposite.
We could assume that egalitarianism is opposite, in the sense that egalitarianism looks out for the greater good of all people, while patriotism is selective. Or we could assume that treason is antonymous with patriotism. Though I doubt there is an exact opposite of patriotism. Even less likely that anyone practices it.
so you consider yourself a traitor? i'm just trying understand why you do not consider yourself a patriot. or why, for example, its stupid for me to be such a strong one for america.
I was gonna say that, but I thought I'd go with the easy answer.
I don't consider myself a traitor. Treason implies a political 'act' which endangers ones country of birth.
Treason:
1. the offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
2. a violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.
3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.
The answers to your other questions can be found throughout this thread.
maybe we have a different meaning of what it is to be a patriot. I consider myself a patriot because I love America. without looking through this thread, I think you disagree that love for one's country doesnt equate to being a patriot.
Very eloquently said, and I agree with you.
Personally I'm conflicted in my own sense of patriotism. I've always thought of myself as a non-patriotic person anyway because I felt no loyalties to Britain either, because of subjective reasons, mainly the racism we experienced when I was little. I've lived in britain since I was 6 months old but am originally from India. When I was little I felt nothing for India either because I didn't have any sense of it as a country or that it had anything to do with me.
However, as I grew up and learned the history of Britain and India for some reason I've developed a real feeling for India, even though I wouldn't call it patriotism. I just feel more strongly about defending it when I hear it being criticised, even though I know its not perfect, than I would about defending Britain. I don't know why that is really. I think it might be due to the realisation that there always seems to be a sense of unconscious superiority running through british (white) society over us non-whites and this makes me feel unforgiving about it, which is why I lack loyalty to Britain.
But patriotism is over-rated anyway.
---
London, Brixton, 14 July 1993
London, Wembley, 1996
London, Wembley, 18 June 2007
London, O2, 18 August 2009
London, Hammersmith Apollo (Ed solo), 31 July 2012
Milton Keynes Bowl, 11 July 2014
Mine are the beliefs in the principles granted to us by our Constitutuion, not by wearing or waving a flag, repeating some creepy pledge or singing an unsingable anthem. And patriotism to me has nothing to do with going overseas to kill somebody with a gun... any more than i would equate personal happiness, liberty and freedom with the ability to purchase goods at always the lowest price, always. I believe in our foundation and the rights we possess... not our military might or our political leaders.
It's our Freedoms that people have died for... not our flag. I wish we could extend our rights and freedoms to the rest of the world... but, I don't believe we should do it at gunpoint. For me, I would rather us provide a shining example of how great and precious these freedoms are... lead by shining example and provide the model for others to want... instead of going half way around the globe and throwing hand grenades and money at them.
And as a Patriot... I am worried about my America. People here want to silence the Press... the fourth Branch of our Government... because they don't like what they are hearing. well, in places like North Korea and Iran, the press only broadcasts 'Good News'. I want no part of that.
I know America has faults and makes mistakes. but, as americans, shouldn't we OWN UP to those mistakes instead of making excuses for them? For me, Patriotism is about accepting your country for all it's good and all of its bad and trying to eliminate the bad. I know I'm fighting for a lost cause... but, I'm a Patriot... so, I'll continue to fight.
Hail, Hail!!!
I'd say that having travelled abroad often and spent time in other countries which I deemed to have a better way of life than Britain, has made me see things with a wider lense. A lot of Europeans now travel freely and regularly throughout Europe and see themselves as primarily European, and worldly, as opposed to French, Italian, or German e.t.c.
I imagine that Americans have more difficulty in travelling around so easily, mainly due to geographical and financial reasons. Being the wealthiest country in the America's I expect that it's only natural you see yourselves as being 'the best country in the world'. As i said above, America can conceivably be seen as possessing many countries within itself due to the variety and vastness of the place. Although ultimately all of these disparate places are still America.
I think it's an interesting subject, and to be honest I'm too tired now to think clearly about it. But I hope you get my drift?
http://www.myspace.com/illuminatta
Rhinocerous Surprise '08!!!
Well said.
The opposite of a Patriot is... a sheep!
I agree with alot of what you say about Europe vs Americans ability to travel freely to other places. but I dont see America "the best country in the world". ok well maybe I do. but by no means do I think we are above or better then anyone else.
Save extenuating circumstances, I believe ever human to see their country as "the best country in the world.". Just as the rat perceives his maze as the world.