US Patriotism.
Jul 4th 2008, 6:10 pm
#61
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Baltimore, USA
Posts: 526
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriotism in this country is a form of mind control. You are either 'for us' or 'against us' (sound familiar?). Whenever a politician mentions 'the troops' everyone seems to fall into almost religious silence. 'The troops' are the holy grail of patriotism. As a Brit, it all just seems a little fake and forced(even though the intention may be real. It is ok to love your country). A country is great because it just is, if a country has to keep reminding itself of its greatness, how great can it be??
Jul 4th 2008, 6:14 pm
#62
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: US Patriotism.
Holy Jesus y Maria.. the parade must be getting ready to start; we just got buzzed by a 'miltary flyover'. Yikes, I wonder who it was?!
Last edited by meauxna; Jul 4th 2008 at 6:19 pm.
Jul 4th 2008, 6:15 pm
#63
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriotism in this country is a form of mind control. You are either 'for us' or 'against us' (sound familiar?). Whenever a politician mentions 'the troops' everyone seems to fall into almost religious silence. 'The troops' are the holy grail of patriotism. As a Brit, it all just seems a little fake and forced(even though the intention may be real. It is ok to love your country). A country is great because it just is, if a country has to keep reminding itself of its greatness, how great can it be??
Jul 4th 2008, 6:17 pm
#64
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriotism is love for one's country, but I dont think that love should be blind. What annoys me about US patriotism is how so many people can talk about supporting the troops and defending freedom, and yet have no idea about what is going on around the world. The people who actively went to the streets to protest against this bullshit war are the true patriots because they actually care about the US's role in the world. I know people who talk about supporting the troops and defeating 'the terrorists in Iraq' and yet could not tell you anything about the situation. I've met people who still think that the 9/11 attackers were Iraqi! I dont see how you can simultaneously love your country and yet know nothing about it. To me patriotism requires taking an active interest in your country and speaking out when you feel something is wrong, not just blindly waving flags at every opportunity.
Jul 4th 2008, 6:33 pm
#65
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: US Patriotism.
we just didn't expect to see anything that in some quarters, by some people, could be seen as "unpatriotic". There was also some outright political advertising in our parade - some would-be congressman had an entire float to himself and he and his family were yelling about how he was "rollin' onto congress".
Jul 4th 2008, 7:14 pm
#66
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,547
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriotism is love for one's country, but I dont think that love should be blind. What annoys me about US patriotism is how so many people can talk about supporting the troops and defending freedom, and yet have no idea about what is going on around the world.................
Goes with the territory of being the superpower..
Jul 4th 2008, 7:22 pm
#67
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,547
Re: US Patriotism.
So we just got back from cheering on our local 4th of July parade. Most of it was the usual kind of stuff: marching bands, a beauty queen, bagpipes, vintage cars, a truckload of grizzled WW2 veterans, fire engines, brownies, Trash Gordon from Sesame Street, and Governor John Corzine. But then in the middle of it all was this (photos). We didn't really expect to see this kind of thing - is it unusual for a 4th of July Parade? What do our resident Americans think?
Jul 4th 2008, 7:28 pm
#68
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Re: US Patriotism.
we just didn't expect to see anything that in some quarters, by some people, could be seen as "unpatriotic". There was also some outright political advertising in our parade - some would-be congressman had an entire float to himself and he and his family were yelling about how he was "rollin' onto congress".
Jul 4th 2008, 7:43 pm
#69
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Jul 4th 2008, 9:21 pm
#70
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriot... Anarchist... Terrorist... Freedom Fighter... it all depends on your POV.
Ian
Ian
Jul 4th 2008, 10:15 pm
#71
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: US Patriotism.
Not a bad statement. I do wholeheartedly support the troops because, well, I used to be one, but I also 100% support anyone who'll try and bring a conclusion to the whole Iraq farce as soon as possible, rather than prolonging it for the greed of war profiteers; as is currently the case, it is only them who are benefiting.
Jul 4th 2008, 10:19 pm
#72
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: US Patriotism.
we just didn't expect to see anything that in some quarters, by some people, could be seen as "unpatriotic". There was also some outright political advertising in our parade - some would-be congressman had an entire float to himself and he and his family were yelling about how he was "rollin' onto congress".
Jul 4th 2008, 10:22 pm
#73
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: US Patriotism.
Patriotism in this country is a form of mind control. You are either 'for us' or 'against us' (sound familiar?). Whenever a politician mentions 'the troops' everyone seems to fall into almost religious silence. 'The troops' are the holy grail of patriotism. As a Brit, it all just seems a little fake and forced(even though the intention may be real. It is ok to love your country). A country is great because it just is, if a country has to keep reminding itself of its greatness, how great can it be??
Jul 4th 2008, 10:27 pm
#74
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: US Patriotism.
So we just got back from cheering on our local 4th of July parade. Most of it was the usual kind of stuff: marching bands, a beauty queen, bagpipes, vintage cars, a truckload of grizzled WW2 veterans, fire engines, brownies, Trash Gordon from Sesame Street, and Governor John Corzine. But then in the middle of it all was this (photos). We didn't really expect to see this kind of thing - is it unusual for a 4th of July Parade? What do our resident Americans think?
I got a kick out of seeing the sign for Lemonade.
Sincerely, thank you for posting the pics.
Jul 4th 2008, 10:42 pm
#75
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,547
Re: US Patriotism.
Just talked to my daughter - she got to drive the National Seashore Fire Truck in her town's parade! She doesn't work for the National Park Service; but all their firefighters were shipped out yesterday, to help with the fires in California. I'll be doing the atheist's equivalent for praying for their safe return...