Put Away the Flags

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Comments

  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    I don't agree with the article at all, what is wrong with a bit of national pride? Following your leaders blindly (Britney Spears I'm talking about you and other rednecks) but flying a flag on the 4th of July seems fine. As an Aussie its very uncommon here but I wouldn't have too much of a problem with it. The U.S is far from perfect but compare it to past "world powers" and it looks fairly good. Compare what the Romans did in times past for instance.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    A Surprise Left wrote:
    I don't agree with the article at all, what is wrong with a bit of national pride? Following your leaders blindly (Britney Spears I'm talking about you and other rednecks) but flying a flag on the 4th of July seems fine. As an Aussie its very uncommon here but I wouldn't have too much of a problem with it. The U.S is far from perfect but compare it to past "world powers" and it looks fairly good. Compare what the Romans did in times past for instance.

    What the Romans did compared to the scale of what we 'STILL' do isn't even comparable.
    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
  • El_Kabong
    El_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    we're not talking about 'history', we're talking about 'just the other day'
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    What the Romans did compared to the scale of what we 'STILL' do isn't even comparable.

    Are you trying to imply that the U.S is WORSE than the Romans? Nero burned down Rome and then tried to blame it on the Christians for goodness' sakes. Anyway its easy to say the U.S is better than other empires. I'm still annoyed that an Australian citizen in David Hicks has being held for 4 and a half years without trial in Guantamo Bay.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • MOKELE MBEMBE
    MOKELE MBEMBE Posts: 53
    "have i given off some sort of dreaded, rah-rah american vibe?"

    Well, somebody should.

    Rah-rah America! We've got Coca-Cola, a man on the moon, 50 kick-ass states, an intersate highway system, Mt Rushmore, damn near every significant invention in every field for the last few centuries, freedom from England, and shitloads of every other kind of freedom, 7 articles, 27 amendments, two houses, one president, a supreme court, apple pie, rock 'n roll, trans-atlantic flight, first flight, IPODs, Fender guitars, Superman, Batman, amber waives of grain, Mark Twain, Hollywood, the small town, the metropolis, Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, electricity, the only drinkable tapwater on the planet, the Rocky Mountains, the Mississippi, nuclear power, modern medicine, TV dinners, the microwaves to cook them in, refrigeration, Krispy Kreme, and democracy.

    USA! USA! USA!
    Pronounced: (mo-KAY-lay em-BEM-bay)

    "So I made a mistake, ONE mistake, can't a man start over?! DO I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING?! Maybe I should make another mistake... maybe I should make two."

  • Abookamongstthemany
    Abookamongstthemany Posts: 8,209
    MOKELE M'BEMBE wrote:
    "have i given off some sort of dreaded, rah-rah american vibe?"

    Well, somebody should.

    Rah-rah America! We've got Coca-Cola, a man on the moon, 50 kick-ass states, an intersate highway system, Mt Rushmore, damn near every significant invention in every field for the last few centuries, freedom from England, and shitloads of every other kind of freedom, 7 articles, 27 amendments, two houses, one president, a supreme court, apple pie, rock 'n roll, trans-atlantic flight, first flight, IPODs, Fender guitars, Superman, Batman, amber waives of grain, Mark Twain, Hollywood, the small town, the metropolis, Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, electricity, the only drinkable tapwater on the planet, the Rocky Mountains, the Mississippi, nuclear power, modern medicine, TV dinners, the microwaves to cook them in, refrigeration, Krispy Kreme, and democracy.

    USA! USA! USA!


    All hail the United States of Consumerism!!!!! *wipes tear from eye*
    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
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    A Surprise Left wrote:
    I'm still annoyed that an Australian citizen in David Hicks has being held for 4 and a half years without trial in Guantamo Bay.

    come stand by me.
    i think it's about time we pulled that pole out of lord alex's arse.


    and about that aussie flag. i'd feel a whole lot more comfortable if it weren't for the union jack in the corner. but hey it's the only one we got.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • El_Kabong
    El_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    Abookamongstthemany wrote:
    All hail the United States of Consumerism!!!!! *wipes tear from eye*


    united states of apathy

    i pledge allegiance to flag and all the corporations it stands for one nation under krispy kreme donuts and whatever corporations heavily invested this campaign cycle

    glad you can be proud of all that comsumerism at the expense of a couple million lives in the past 2 decades...phew, at least you have your priorities straight, man! enjoy a big mac while you kick back in your comfy chair and watch superman. i'm sure the rest of the world will understand it's what's needed
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    LOL funny post there although I'm pretty sure the U.S is not the only country in the world with drinkable tap water! ;)
    Oh btw Melbourne just got its first Krispy Kreme store and people are waiting up to 3 hours for donuts.....I'm going to have to drive down there one day soon and find out what all the fuss is about.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    America is far from perfect but it must be doing something right.....all those Mexicans trying to get across the border can't be wrong. How many Americans try to sneak into Canada? :p
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    A Surprise Left wrote:
    LOL funny post there although I'm pretty sure the U.S is not the only country in the world with drinkable tap water! ;)
    Oh btw Melbourne just got its first Krispy Kreme store and people are waiting up to 3 hours for donuts.....I'm going to have to drive down there one day soon and find out what all the fuss is about.

    don't bother. krispy kreme donuts are shit.
    they have this substance in them that they try and palm off as cream. it's disgusting. as a fellow aussie i'm warning you now. don't do it. one of those double chocolate donuts from wendy's is better.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • MOKELE MBEMBE
    MOKELE MBEMBE Posts: 53
    El_Kabong wrote:
    that is exactly my point, to YOU they are labeled 'minor' to the ppl who had thousands upon thousands killed by US sponsored death squads it takes on a slightly larger role. and yes, there are other blemishes...my point was to show they happened in our lifetimes and are still happening.

    he's not saying what the other nations did is ok, he's saying it's not as dangerous, and it's not.

    you are comparing the actions of several countries and comparing them to one; the US. if you compare the actions on a single country basis it is 'benign'. as in the numbers don't come anywhere close to comparing. and at what point will it stop on our end?

    You only think that out of incomprehensible historical ignorance, The French for example, have been in a perpetual state of war with their neighboring countries for virtually the entire span of French history, and that isn't counting any of the astoundingly violent internal conflicts they've been through. In terms of atrocities commited by the French, the Germans, the Chinese, you're right, the numbers don't come anywhere close to comparing... in those countries favor. Are you going to call America an imperial power, and then dismiss all historical comparisons to other imperial powers, simply because their history didn't happen as recently? My point still stands, those countries are not morally superior simply because they're small, and a nation can be just as dangerous as any other regardless of it's size.
    Pronounced: (mo-KAY-lay em-BEM-bay)

    "So I made a mistake, ONE mistake, can't a man start over?! DO I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING?! Maybe I should make another mistake... maybe I should make two."

  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    catefrances wrote:
    don't bother. krispy kreme donuts are shit.
    they have this substance in them that they try and palm off as cream. it's disgusting. as a fellow aussie i'm warning you now. don't do it. one of those double chocolate donuts from wendy's is better.

    When I was in Auckland I noticed they had one of those Wendy's restaurants there, not just the dodgy places we have here which just sell ice-crem and donuts. Oh but I'm so tempted to try Krispy Kreme, everyone keeps raving on about how good they are.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • El_Kabong
    El_Kabong Posts: 4,141
    MOKELE M'BEMBE wrote:
    You only think that out of incomprehensible historical ignorance, The French for example, have been in a virtually perpetual state of war with their neighboring countries for virtually the entire span of French history, and that isn't counting any of the astoundingly violent internal conflicts they've been through. In terms of atrocities commited by the French, the Germans, the Chinese, you're right, the numbers don't come anywhere close to comparing... in those countries favor. Are you going to call America an imperial power, and then dismiss all historical comparisons to other imperial powers, simply because their history didn't happen as recently? My point still stands, those countries are not morally superior simply because they're small, and a nation can be just as dangerous as any other regardless of it's size.


    again; the difference is you are comparing history to current events no one can change the past, obviously
    standin above the crowd
    he had a voice that was strong and loud and
    i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
    eager to identify with
    someone above the crowd
    someone who seemed to feel the same
    someone prepared to lead the way
  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    While the U.S is the current world power I would argue that other countries have higher standards of living ie: Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Noway et al.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • MOKELE MBEMBE
    MOKELE MBEMBE Posts: 53
    El_Kabong wrote:
    united states of apathy

    i pledge allegiance to flag and all the corporations it stands for one nation under krispy kreme donuts and whatever corporations heavily invested this campaign cycle

    glad you can be proud of all that comsumerism at the expense of a couple million lives in the past 2 decades...phew, at least you have your priorities straight, man! enjoy a big mac while you kick back in your comfy chair and watch superman. i'm sure the rest of the world will understand it's what's needed

    You people are so fucking predictable! I guess Krispy Kreme is having people murdered in Africa right now, to keep grease and sugar prices low, yeah that's it. Why don't you just admit that you think the U.S. and "consumerism" are responsible for all the world's ills? That's the only possible explanation for "consumerism at the expense of a couple million lives." You make it sound as if I run my house of off starving children I throw into a giant Nazi-style incinerator. You sad people. You don't live in reality, and I'm growing weary of arguing against your tenebrous grasp of world events and history. You all need psychiatric help.
    Pronounced: (mo-KAY-lay em-BEM-bay)

    "So I made a mistake, ONE mistake, can't a man start over?! DO I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING?! Maybe I should make another mistake... maybe I should make two."

  • MOKELE MBEMBE
    MOKELE MBEMBE Posts: 53
    A Surprise Left wrote:
    LOL funny post there although I'm pretty sure the U.S is not the only country in the world with drinkable tap water! ;)
    Oh btw Melbourne just got its first Krispy Kreme store and people are waiting up to 3 hours for donuts.....I'm going to have to drive down there one day soon and find out what all the fuss is about.

    Can you drink the tapwater in Australia? If you can, don't bet on doing it anywhere else, 'cept Canada and the U.S. It's just not worth the risk.
    Pronounced: (mo-KAY-lay em-BEM-bay)

    "So I made a mistake, ONE mistake, can't a man start over?! DO I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING?! Maybe I should make another mistake... maybe I should make two."

  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    abook and el-kabong do you guys reside in the u.s? if you hate your country so much you could easily move.....*shrugs*
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    A Surprise Left wrote:
    When I was in Auckland I noticed they had one of those Wendy's restaurants there, not just the dodgy places we have here which just sell ice-crem and donuts. Oh but I'm so tempted to try Krispy Kreme, everyone keeps raving on about how good they are.

    actually ASL i meant donut king not wendy's. apologies for that momentary lapse of knowing-what-the-hell-i-was-talking-about.
    okay go ahead. but don't say you weren't warned. :) just promise me you'll stay away from the 'cream' filled ones.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • A Surprise Left
    A Surprise Left Posts: 743
    MOKELE M'BEMBE wrote:
    Can you drink the tapwater in Australia? If you can, don't bet on doing it anywhere else, 'cept Canada and the U.S. It's just not worthy the risk.

    Well in Adelaide you shouldn't do it and Sydney's isn't that great but the drinking water here in Melbourne is just fine (supposed to be the best in the world but I haven't tested that theory). The drinking water in New Zealand is as good as that found anywhere in Australia. I bet you can drink the tap water in Norway or Sweden or Germany for instance.
    The wind is blowing cold
    Have we lost our way tonight?
    Have we lost our hope to sorrow?

    Feels like were all alone
    Running further from what’s right
    And there are no more heroes to follow

    So what are we becoming?
    Where did we go wrong?

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