Seasonal Patriotism?

[Scootin159]

Ok, I think first off it is most important I make this point clear: I love the United States, sure there are many things that I wish we could fix, but as far as the country in general, I love this country.

-but-

This recent wave of patriotism is really starting to make me sick. You can probably notice that just by looking at my avatar (I think that's what it's called - the little picture on the left-hand side), and that it is NOT an American flag, or a little red/white/blue ribbon, ect. It is just a simple picture which I feel best represents me. It's not that I'm ashamed to be an American, not by any means, but rather that I don't think this is any more special a time to be extra patriotic. I feel we should love our country all the time. If someone attacks us, we need to defend our homeland. It's not that I am not upset about the thousands who lost their life September 11th, but I don't think this is the only time that we should be proud to be Americans.

Please don't insult my lacking of structure in that paragraph, as it is 3:15am here right now. Maybe I'll edit it in the morning to make more sense.

 

[Mrfrog840]

amen

 

[gopunk]

well traditionally, and this happens in any country, community, etc, pride is at a high when something occurs to unite people. i don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[Looney]

I don't think this is the only time that we should be proud to be Americans.


I'm not even American, but i understand this outpouring of patriotism. There's a cause for it now... that's not to say people aren't patriotic the rest of the year, but do you really need to be patriotic when you make dinner? When you go to work? When you go to the park? When you go to sleep? No, but there has to be unity and patriotism when you're about to go to war, and send your children, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and your neighbor to war.

Really, wouldn't it be moronic to stand up and sing the National Anthem in the middle of the day at work if there's no cause for it? I would think anybody that did that was a little unbalanced.

 

[Vadatajs]

<< well traditionally, and this happens in any country, community, etc, pride is at a high when something occurs to unite people. i don't see anything wrong with it. >>



There is something wrong with it when people start using "patriotism" to support ideals that our country clearly doesn't stand for.

 

[Scootin159]

<<
I'm not even American, but i understand this outpouring of patriotism. There's a cause for it now... that's not to say people aren't patriotic the rest of the year, but do you really need to be patriotic when you make dinner? When you go to work? When you go to the park? When you go to sleep? No, but there has to be unity and patriotism when you're about to go to war, and send your children, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and your neighbor to war.

Really, wouldn't it be moronic to stand up and sing the National Anthem in the middle of the day at work if there's no cause for it? I would think anybody that did that was a little unbalanced. >>



I agree with what you say, but it just annoys me how all of a sudden it's nessesary to have so much patriotism. I think we should just go & take care of whoever did this, and make the point you don't mess with the US. I guess I'm just more annoyed with how people are doing just what you're saying right now.

 

[Ronstang]

I feel the same way about how everyone is nice to each other only at Christmas with that holiday spirit crap.....but that's another issue.

People aren't seasonal Patriots though, they are Patriots all the time but do not feel the need to display it because it is an understood emotion. Extreme situations and times, like these, remind us of feelings we have but don't necessarily express. They also remind us that we may not always be nice to our brothers. Combine the two and you have an outpouring that is hard to understand to some. It is also a way of helping oneself to deal with all of the crazy emotions one is feeling. When masses of people share an atrocious experience a common thread is usaully the most comforting focus, and Patriotism in this case is the most logical focus.

 

[gopunk]

There is something wrong with it when people start using "patriotism" to support ideals that our country clearly doesn't stand for.

well good for you, but that's not what this thread was about.

 

[pulse8]

The showing of our patriotism is to further bring us together. Like the other post said, patriotism is usually felt, but we are displaying support for our country in this time of crisis. If you can't understand that, then there's nothing more to be said.

 

[Vadatajs]

What is it about then? I guess it's not bad for people to attack anand and muslim-americans just because they're an "enemy." On monday their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness weren't in jepoardy by some gun-toting rednecks. It probably won't be once this is over either. I'll call that seasonal. Why don't you argue for slavery while you're at it?

 

[Looney]

I really don't understand what your issue is with patriotism... it kinda sounds like your intimidated by all the patriotism more than it being a 'seasonal' behaviorial.

 

[Vadatajs]

<< I really don't understand what your issue is with patriotism... it kinda sounds like your intimidated by all the patriotism more than it being a 'seasonal' behaviorial. >>



I don't have any issues with patriotism, it is a good thing. People do bad things claiming these actions are patriotic--that's bad. Jerry Falwell anyone? It's pretty clear.

 

[Scootin159]

<< I feel the same way about how everyone is nice to each other only at Christmas with that holiday spirit crap.....but that's another issue. >>



THANK YOU!!!!, but you're right...we'll bring that back up at Christmas



<< The showing of our patriotism is to further bring us together. Like the other post said, patriotism is usually felt, but we are displaying support for our country in this time of crisis. If you can't understand that, then there's nothing more to be said. >>



ok, I do understand that, if we all do similar things it will bring us closer together, but I just think that some people are taking it a little too far. I guess I am kinda annoyed by how my school has been sponsoring events on this EVERY NIGHT, and it's getting really old, really quick. I guess there should just be some sort of middle ground.



<< They also remind us that we may not always be nice to our brothers. >>



This goes back to the whole thing about how we should act out some of these emotions every day.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

<< I don't think this is any more special a time to be extra patriotic. >>

You must be rather young, having never experienced a period when America was truly at war. No disrespect to those who served in it, esp. those who did so and lost their lives, but the so-called Gulf War was an aberration.

 

[gopunk]

What is it about then?

the original poster was talking about how he was sickened because it takes something like this for people to get patriotic, when he feels they should always be like this.

I guess it's not bad for people to attack anand and muslim-americans just because they're an "enemy." On monday their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness weren't in jepoardy by some gun-toting rednecks. It probably won't be once this is over either. I'll call that seasonal. Why don't you argue for slavery while you're at it?

hey do you want to get a clue while you're busy putting words in my mouth? i predicted all this racist sh!t would happen from the moment this stuff broke the news, and i have denounced it every chance i've gotten. i NEVER said i condoned the attacks that are occuring, all i said was that it's normal for something like what happened to create a sense of patriotism. and that i don't see a problem with this fact. i was not referring to the concept of patriotism in general, i was referring to the circumstances under which this patriotism has occured. do a search and read my posts, you're sadly mistaken when it comes to my opinion on the racist attacks.

 

[Scootin159]

<< I really don't understand what your issue is with patriotism... it kinda sounds like your intimidated by all the patriotism more than it being a 'seasonal' behaviorial. >>



I'm not as much intimidated by it as I am annoyed with it. I guess it's mostly because since we don't show ANY of it 99% of the year, and a ton of it around events like these, that I see it as seasonal. I guess I just wish we could develop a perpetual feeling of patriotism.



<< What is it about then? I guess it's not bad for people to attack anand and muslim-americans just because they're an "enemy." On monday their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness weren't in jepoardy by some gun-toting rednecks. It probably won't be once this is over either. I'll call that seasonal. Why don't you argue for slavery while you're at it? >>



What are you talking about here? Of course it's bad for people to attack anyone based on their ethnic heritage anytime. It may be nessesary for you to attack someone based on their alliegience at some point, but there is a difference.

 

[Scootin159]

<< What is it about then?

the original poster was talking about how he was sickened because it takes something like this for people to get patriotic, when he feels they should always be like this. >>



Thank you... somebody got my point.



<< You must be rather young, having never experienced a period when America was truly at war. No disrespect to those who served in it, esp. those who did so and lost their lives, but the so-called Gulf War was an aberration. >>



You're right, I am young (19), but I do agree that the Gulf War was more a conflict than a war on the scale of WWII (or any other war of that level). Maybe if I were around for one of these events, I would see things differently, but I guess that's why I'm making this post. It's as much a learning experience for me, as it is a way for me to express my beliefs.

 

[Vadatajs]

So why don't you let me post my opinion like a good little non-moderator and I will stop putting words in your mouth. I agree it is disgusting that people don't love their country all the time, but sometimes they go too far. I still fail to see how I am not following the "original intent." of this thread.

 

[pulse8]

I'm not much older than you, but I've learned that when you're dealing with society, especially at a time like this, there is VERY LITTLE middle ground. Everyone at this point is either one extreme or the other. I think you're just going to have to deal with it and accept it.

 

[Looney]

I'm not as much intimidated by it as I am annoyed with it. I guess it's mostly because since we don't show ANY of it 99% of the year, and a ton of it around events like these, that I see it as seasonal. I guess I just wish we could develop a perpetual feeling of patriotism.

You do? then what is this statement about?



<< I guess I am kinda annoyed by how my school has been sponsoring events on this EVERY NIGHT, and it's getting really old, really quick. I guess there should just be some sort of middle ground.
>>



Sounds like to me you don't like the patriotism, yet you want it all year round?

Anyways, no emotion is static. It all fluctuates due to circumstances. You don't love your mother all year round, but if you haven't seen her in 2 yrs, your emotional reaction would be much more than it was when you had lived with her.

 

[Scootin159]

<< I'm not much older than you, but I've learned that when you're dealing with society, especially at a time like this, there is VERY LITTLE middle ground. Everyone at this point is either one extreme or the other. I think you're just going to have to deal with it and accept it. >>



I have realized that people are very much like this. It is the most annoying human charactaristic. Have any of you ever been to a huge christian youth rally? or how about some event where Billy Graham speaks? I think those are the same situation. People swing/sway too much.

 

[Scootin159]

<< Sounds like to me you don't like the patriotism, yet you want it all year round? >>



I'm not annoyed by patriotism, I'm annoyed with how people only do ANYTHING about it around events like these. one week ago (sunday) nobody would even stop talking for the pledge of aliegiece at the Bills game I was at, yet this week it's all they want to do.



<< Anyways, no emotion is static. It all fluctuates due to circumstances. You don't love your mother all year round, but if you haven't seen her in 2 yrs, your emotional reaction would be much more than it was when you had lived with her. >>



Honestly I have gone away for a few years at a time, and when I go home, I don't act any different. I may be excited to share some stories about my last few years, but other than that I'm not eager to go running down the airport to give her a hug or anything.

 

[pulse8]

<< I have realized that people are very much like this. It is the most annoying human charactaristic. >>



Then all I have to say is:

Would you like some cheese to go with that?

You're going to find a lot of things you don't like about a lot people. Get over it.

 

[Looney]

Honestly I have gone away for a few years at a time, and when I go home, I don't act any different. I may be excited to share some stories about my last few years, but other than that I'm not eager to go running down the airport to give her a hug or anything

Well then what i can say, you're warped. It's human nature to feel degrees of emotions dependent on the environment. It's like anything in life... some movies excite you more than others. Some restaurants make you more anticipated than others. Some football games (especially ones against rivals) brings out more spirit.

 

[Scootin159]

<< Honestly I have gone away for a few years at a time, and when I go home, I don't act any different. I may be excited to share some stories about my last few years, but other than that I'm not eager to go running down the airport to give her a hug or anything

Well then what i can say, you're warped. It's human nature to feel degrees of emotions dependent on the environment. It's like anything in life... some movies excite you more than others. Some restaurants make you more anticipated than others. Some football games (especially ones against rivals) brings out more spirit. >>



Maybe so

I think this is how every 'semi-deep' though I have ends...with me just as confused as I was when I started. Dang I wish we had simpler minds.