As most of you know, I’m a pretty patriotic guy. I love this country and all it *really* stands for (as opposed to the greed, theocracy, and intolerance that fills our courtrooms and political offices nowadays).But sometimes I feel like a tool for waving the flag. So many do it blindly and ignorantly, that it makes those of us who KNOW what the Constitution says look bad — even foolish.Then there’s the whole patriotism/religion link. Am I pro-America JUST because I was born here? Would I love America had I been born in Canada? Probably not, because I never would have studied that theocratic greedy nation to the south. But having been here for 41 years, I definitely have a sense of attachment to the Constitution and the flag that represents it.At any rate, the American thing to do is discuss it. Patriotism. Happy Flag Day.
Two things bother me about the flag:
1) No one ever “died for the flag” as some people claim. Many brave people died for what the flag symbolizes, but not for the literal flag.
2) I will not pledge allegiance to the flag. It’s funny how in the pledge the flag comes first and then the country for which he stands is almost an afterthought.
Patriotism is far too jingoistic these days to engender any respect.
Flags are symbols of national identity. The excessive domestic use of the US flag, in my opinion, only serves to trivialize it’s potential impact. When i see a politician standing in front of what appears to be a dozen or so flags, I have to wonder what message they are trying to send.
When it comes to flags, IMO, less is most certainly more.
Muchsarcasm:
Actually I’m pretty sure somebody had to have died for the “literal flag” because of our century of “formal warfare”, and the importance of the flag never touching the ground in that manner of warfare. Things can get pretty crazy in war, and I’m sure someone paid the ultimate sacrifice for it.
Not “nuts” about the pledge myself… but old glory still holds’ a lot of meaning.(at least until we become a “full blown” theocracy) Shouldn’t we try to show some solidarity at this time? (Especially when then the Republicans are desperately looking for an excuse to goosestep on top of us) just saying…
Anyway… I would like to tell everybody about keith olbermann’s blog. It has less trafic than this one and maybe by posting there… as well as here, our voices will be heard. (it also might turn up on NBC news… who knows?)
Hurrah for Flag Day! I am going to put out my US flag and my North Carolina flag. I’m with Dave on this one.
For all its faults, I love this country and our flag. We proudly fly it often at our house and will definitely have it out and waving tomorrow.
Since tomorrow is flag day here is a treat for the patriotic. These little gals are 8 to 13 years old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284
I fly Old Glory and the Union Flag both at my house to remind me of where I come from but how lucky I am to be where I am now.
USA! USA! USA! (in Homer Simpson’s voice)
Flag worship, gawd worship … both tools to manipulate the group. Have fun w’ dat.
Jingoism is approximately like religion in my book. A little patriotism is ok. But extreme patriotism is the manipulation plaything of politicians.
Although the jingostic flag-veneration of the Right often borders on idolatry, patriotism can still be a good thing. I found this quote quote in William Martin’s What Liberal Believe:
?It occurs to me that my patriotic duty is to recapture my flag from the men now waving it in the name of jingoism and censorship.? (p. 395, Barbara Kingsolver, ?And Our Flag Was Still There,? San Francisco Chronicle, 25 September 2001)
The Canadian school system actually does focus alot on teaching about the United States. In grade 9 and 12 it is a major focus, and is taught just as much as Canadian history. All the other grades also focus a large amounts on the current events of the United States, such as the War in Iraq. They do a pretty impartial job of it too, I don’t think I’ve ever been told that Canada is better than the United States. But having seen both, I must say that as a matter of personal preference I like Canada more.
Also, in Grade 12 the organization of the 3 branches of government, the type of senate (Canada’s is appointed), the power of the Head of State, and the whole process of legislation, of Canada, the United States, and Sweden are studied equally for the first half of the semester. The bizarre thing is that in Canada the Prime Minister theoretically has far more power to abuse than the President of the United States, and yet the president seems to do much more to violate human rights.
Patriotic gestures are kind of sickening in politics. These tactics are apparently effective (or politicians would quit doing it) so no side in the debate can quit. To do so would be to invite silly claims of un-patriotism like Obama faces.
What are you saying you support when you wave the flag?
-Freedom?
-the Native American genocide?
-Steady progress towards a more just society?
-The Iraq debacle?
-A fair judicial system?
-A geographical area of dirt?
-Democracy?
-Your own political party?
-What you wish the US was?
It’s almost too non-specific. Maybe I should just write “Freedom!” on a bedsheet and fly it in front of my house. That’s part of what I stand for. But then again, why give up my country, or any symbol thereof, to the people who hate freedom. Back to square one…
Group loyalty is one of those five moral foundations that seem to exist in all people (google “moral instinct”). Loyalty to ones family or tribe benefits that groups genes. If you extrapolate this to the nation, you might as well extrapolate to mankind. But try as I might, I can?t rationalize away that feeling that I am proud to be an American. I suppose there is something good to be said about the foundations of our government, but those foundations aren’t wholly unique to America either.
An open letter to the AA board
I am not satisfied with the shut-up-and-go-along attitude and language that AA members are receiving in response to our inquiries about Ellen Johnson’s fire from both the AA presidency and the AA board. I will no longer be supporting this once just worthy and bold organization.
What, here’s an idea – instead of giving or withdrawing your support from various organizations, why don’t you start your own? Or at the very least, why don’t you get out there in public with your real name and identity and do some hands-on activism?
(sorry about the off-topic thread post).
Kathy
Chris B
A whole buncha real good points.
As of now I think of the flag as the Geographic location , a pop art GPS indicator. I’d like to see a flag for everything on your list,especially freedom ,if we loose much more this place will be intolerable. The biggest problem with a freedom flag is making it politically neutral or all inclusive.
I think Americans have taken their attitude to their flag well beyond quiet pride and a positive self image.
I see the emphasis that so many put on their flag to be a symptom of Exceptionalism. This is not a good thing when it is taken to mean that the US can do no wrong in any situation.
When the elephant starts waving a flag and stomping around, this mouse gets worried.
If Americans here want to try seeing themselves through other’s eyes, have a look at the Wiki entry for American Exceptionalism.
You know, one of these years, I’ll have to find that Canadian flag we have and put it up on Canada Day. Not that I have a flag pole or that anyone could see it through the trees.
I always thought and was brought up to believe that America was the land of the free. To me that means Free Thinking. I realize that this was probably an illusion and I’d actually probably be more comforable in Amsterdam or something.