I am proud to be American. Am I the only one?

reply to post by TechniXcality




Where did I state I have seen combat? I don't see that in any of my posts. I implied the value of my life far out ways people who couldn't give a # less what you do for them. That is the sad fact about America. You did nothing for anyones freedoms. Sorry. You suffered those injuries due to being a political pawn. Not insuring freedom. I am selfish. I'm an American. Of course I'm selfish. The day when our country goes to war to actually protect our freedoms, I'll thank the soldiers. The wars going on now were started by lies and greed. That doesn't have # to do with my freedom. I was born into this country and I pay for it. I'm not free. I'm a slave to a failed society.

By the way, did you ever kill an innocent person while fighting for this country? If so, does it haunt you or do you just chalk it up to a statistic? Curious really. Ever killed a child or gone on a mission that took the life of a child?

reply to post by TheFrenchPickler


America is NOT the government. Americans living here are America. Yes, we do have a government that agree or disagree with fine, but don't lump me in and generalize me with what is perceived to be wrong with America. Still plenty of good here and plenty of good people comprising this country. I know, I see them every single day in small town Main Street America. I'm living it, seeing it on a daily basis and the good still outweighs the bad, IMO.

Originally posted by RSF77
Proud to stand on the gunpowder, blood, sweat and tears that my ancestors built.

Proud to read the history books.

Proud to be a damn American.

So sue me... haha.

So you're proud of the genocide this country has caused... Hmmmm... you're a bit sick.

reply to post by queenofsheba


Actually America is a continent. If everyone wants to get picky. That includes Canada. So either you're a proud American because of the continent you live on and share with others, or you're an American becuase of the flag you live under. If it's for the latter, then that is saying you're for the government and the # it stands for and has stood for.

Originally posted by RSF77

Proud to read the history books.

You mean, "history" books.

Second line.

Originally posted by crohny
reply to post by TechniXcality

 

Where did I state I have seen combat? I don't see that in any of my posts. I implied the value of my life far out ways people who couldn't give a # less what you do for them. That is the sad fact about America. You did nothing for anyones freedoms. Sorry. You suffered those injuries due to being a political pawn. Not insuring freedom. I am selfish. I'm an American. Of course I'm selfish. The day when our country goes to war to actually protect our freedoms, I'll thank the soldiers. The wars going on now were started by lies and greed. That doesn't have # to do with my freedom. I was born into this country and I pay for it. I'm not free. I'm a slave to a failed society.

By the way, did you ever kill an innocent person while fighting for this country? If so, does it haunt you or do you just chalk it up to a statistic? Curious really. Ever killed a child or gone on a mission that took the life of a child?

I really have to ask you before i answer any of your rhetoric questions. Are you defining who i am? or am i defining who you are? Once again i protect your right to free thought, gosh im glad to know you were that idiot in the air port who spit on me. Good for you have you accomplished your mission? what is your mission? it seems entierly selfish and self surveing? correct me if im wrong. Not saying a nationalistic view point of society is fruitful. However i will once again protect your right to spit on me so that you can, spit on me.

Great song-great lyrics-dedicated to the PEOPLE of America who keep this country running day in and day out- all of you "America haters" need to stop confusing the "people" with the "politicians"......

Originally posted by tgidkp

Originally posted by popsmayhem

YOUR A GREAT AMERICAN!!

this is troubling.

what, exactly, has the OP done to qualify himself as a "great American"? making a patriotic statement? that is not much of a qualification, and undoubtedly one that a quantifiaby "not-great American" could pull-off quite easily.

and that is the point really, isn't it?... that at its root, nationalism is a very shallow concept, nearly meaningless in the modern age (or it ought to be), and so easily abused by those who wish to control a society?


to quote Gore Vidal, "patriotism is the final refuge of the idiots and the scoundrels."

Could be that I am wrong, but I suspect you are relatively young... It's kind of dumb, not really try9ing to be offensive, to use Gore Vidal as a guide on patriotism. And it's more than a little frightening that you will live your life using bits of literary quotes as your life guide.

Proud to be from Mexico, Canada, or the United States? America is a continent.... and why so proud?

Having been around a long time and having been associated with folks from all walks of life and people of just about every creed and ethnicity, I've come to notice this:

The most intelligent people, and the coolest people in general are the ones who don't make a big deal out of reveling in pride for their national origin, skin color, or place of birth. They simply don't make an issue of it, in the same manner they don't show disdain for other peoples' backgrounds.

I'm sick of ignorant jerks who go out of their way to let you know how delighted they are to be a member of their clique, and how they must constantly "celebrate" their whatever-ness because they're God's gift to humankind.

I'm no more proud that I'm an American than I am that I have brown hair.

Originally posted by TechniXcality

Originally posted by ipsedixit
reply to post by grayeagle

 

I think that is well put.

The last major nation to make a cult of national pride was Nazi Germany. This led to regarding others as "subhumans" upon whom all manner of gross indignities could be visited. Some people believe that America has tested grotesque new weapons on the Iraqis.

Do Americans regard others as subhumans?

How about a big red white and blue middle finger for you? and also a great big American welcoming, thank you for comparing America to Nazi Germany, well done. Star for you

1930s Germans refused to believe the "National Socialist" political party, and leader, were perpetrating evil... denial is nothing new... historically average.

You're living in a proto-4th Reich.. look around you, then I dare you to compare it to Nazi Germany. A history lesson: Google "End of America" by Naomi Wolf.

Compare what happen to Nazi Germany after the staged Reichstag fire..& 9/11.. Germany passed the Enabling act, compare it to the PATRIOT act.. it allows the same things. Germany set up a court system outside standard rule of law, "Peoples courts" and prisons outside standard scrutiny, like Guantanamo. Plus torture, kidnapping and politicians making hit lists in secret.

btw being "proud" of things you had nothing to do with.. is no better than pretending to be a war hero. It's un earned and fake.. just people with no personal accomplishments, pretending to bask in the glow of others glam. Sad really.

Do something to be proud of.. earn it, don't fool yourselves into believing what other men did 100s of years ago reflects on future strangers.. laughably delusional.

reply to post by SkipperJohn

You know. I am so old I remember when I went to school in the morning and stood in front of the flag and it was legal. I am so old I remember when america was free!

You stood in front of the flag, and thought you were free?

Are you proud to be a men/woman?

Are you proud to have black/brown/blond hair or green/blue eyes?

You are american because you were born there. Thats it. Nothing more. Your father ****ed your mother. Its rude but thats it. And guess what. This is how everyone born everywhere in the world.

Do something to be proud of.

You are proud because you were born in a geological location. Sorry guys but this is very silly and you are brainwashed.

reply to post by sigung86


no. I am no longer in the same zip code as "relatively young".

I do also find people who use quotable quotes odd. jokes are also not my forte.

but on rare occasion I encounter an idea that somehow makes a strong impression on me.


if you read my other responses in this thread, I hope you will find that mine is not an inexperienced opinion.

I gotta tell you, I'm not proud of being human...don't get me started on Americans.

Show me someone who's proud to be an American, and I'll show you someone who hasn't been paying attention.

Originally posted by ColeYounger
Having been around a long time and having been associated with folks from all walks of life and people of just about every creed and ethnicity, I've come to notice this:

The most intelligent people, and the coolest people in general are the ones who don't make a big deal out of reveling in pride for their national origin, skin color, or place of birth. They simply don't make an issue of it, in the same manner they don't show disdain for other peoples' backgrounds.

I'm sick of ignorant jerks who go out of their way to let you know how delighted they are to be a member of their clique, and how they must constantly "celebrate" their whatever-ness because they're God's gift to humankind.

I'm no more proud that I'm an American than I am that I have brown hair.

What a beautiful experince, please spread this to the world. Make them understand, i agree im irish and sicillian but what dose that matter im an American mut, but thats what it is to be American the differences in philosophy culture, and all coming to one to represent one counrty that stands amongst the others. American pride is entirley different, than our genetic upbrinings we are based on opinions, like hands that mold the clay of democracy, each pressing our idea's upon that maluable substance that become's the great, United States of America. what country would you rather live in? if you equate descent to being American? But isnt this contridictory? as to be American is to be of different orgin with different idea's, freed with liberty? Why have we lost sight of our nature? Why are we forsaking ourselfs? Can we really pray to God, When we are the ones unnatural and unjust?

Originally posted by TechniXcality
but thats what it is to be American the differences in philosophy culture, and all coming to one to represent one counrty that stands amongst the others.

Originally posted by v1rtu0s0
Proud to be from Mexico, Canada, or the United States? America is a continent....

reply to post by lonewolf19792000

You should never be ashamed to hold or espouse what you believe in my opinion.

Personally, I can't find it within myself to feel pride about happening to be born in one location versus any other. I didn't do anything to achieve my birth here. I am, however, proud of believing in ideals such as liberty, equal protection, equal rights, due process, justice, freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and all of the other liberties and principles ensconced within the Constitution. That's something I can actually put into practice, believe in, and have some pride in, as opposed to the passive act of simply being born into being a member of one group versus another.

But those principles are not limited by national boundaries in my opinion. They constitute human rights. And I do feel that in many instances those rights are violated, both abroad, and increasingly, here at home. I can say that and still be proud of those ideals without the two being mutually exclusive. Too often people equate criticism of policy with a lack of pride in liberty. They are not one and the same. Indeed, dissent is essential to liberty in my opinion.

The phrase "unlawful regime in power" specifically refers to the many unconstitutional laws that have been passed and government organizations that have been formed in the last 100 years.

I agree fully that your rights are inborn, everyone's are. If all individuals felt the same way that we do then we could do away with all governments, unfortunately most people don't.

As some of my other posts have stated; my pride is not in the government, the organization that currently runs our nation, it is in the ideals it is founded upon and the opportunities it has granted in the past.

As a patriot, I believe that it is the duty of all who wish to call themselves citizens to do their utmost to return our country to the ideals espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.