America ranked as "most patriotic"

[The Persnickety Platypus]

When it comes to national pride, Americans are No. 1, according to a survey of 34 countries patriotism.

In a related story, The senate is closer than ever to passing a flag burning ban, which would join America with the ranks of Saudi Arabia, Afganistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and former Communist Cambodia as the only countries to ban flag desecration.

Now, I have never personally burned the American flag. But I'll tell you what, the day Congress bans it is the day I do.

Patriotism: how much is too much?

To gauge America's patriotism, I will compare our current administration/society to fascist Italy:

A large percentage of citizens with the physical inability to see any flaws in their nation's policy- Check

Centralization of authority under a dictator- We're getting there. I keep waiting for George to vye for an illicit third term.

Suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship- Flag burning ban

A policy of belligerent nationalism- Do you know what some people would do to me if I came out of the closet as being anti-American?

Corporate control over ecomony- Wal-Mart wages, Oil Companies supressing alternative energy industries and raking in record profits while the consumer suffers, single-source campaign contributer's deciding elections, tax breaks for the rich, overhaul of estate tax, ect.

Self-centered economic policies indifferent of other nation's needs- Definetly.

International attitude of arrogance and assertivness- No sh*t.

Invading foriegn countries simply power, influence, and economic assets- Iraq, Afganistan, soon to be Iran (in addition to the many secret wars and invasions that us normal folk may never know about)





Americans today are completely disconnected. I wish to delve deeper into this, but first, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Is America too partriotic?
How much is too patriotic?

[McCulloch]

Is America too partriotic?
How much is too patriotic?

As one who has lived his entire life as a near neighbour to the USA, I would answer yes. However, I think that the comparison with facsism is over-the-top.

[juliod]

Now, I have never personally burned the American flag. But I'll tell you what, the day Congress bans it is the day I do.

Me too. I vowed that long ago.

This whole thing is pissing me off.

The right to political dissent is our most important freedom (all the rest depend on it). Yet these apes in senator suits are going to give it away in the interests of a demogogic shirt-puffing excercise.

It's all the christian's fault. I would expect them to lead the rearguard against idolatry. But they seem so intent on whorshipping money, Big Oil, and our nation that they have rjected their own doctrine.

I think that the comparison with facsism is over-the-top.

I don't. I think the Dubya administration as a whole is a technical example of fascism. Unitary Executive Theory is pure fascism, and I think Cheney consideres himself to be our Albert Speer.

DanZ

[McCulloch]

How much is too patriotic?

"My country right or wrong" is too much.
Flag idolatry is too much.
Treating the constitution as Holy Writ is too much.

[juliod]

Treating the constitution as Holy Writ is too much.

I think you meant "Treating the Holy writ as the Consititution is too much."

DanZ

[McCulloch]

Treating the constitution as Holy Writ is too much.

I think you meant "Treating the Holy writ as the Consititution is too much."

Well, that was not what I had in mind.
What I had in mind were the sorts who behave as if the constitution was inspired by God, a sacred text inscribed by the finger of God and delivered to the Founding Fathers.
But your point, too, would be too much. Taking any particular religion's holy writ (the Ten Commandments for example) and treating them as part of the constitution, thus violating the separtion of church and state.

[Easyrider]

Now, I have never personally burned the American flag. But I'll tell you what, the day Congress bans it is the day I do.

A word of caution: I highly recommend, in the interest of the preservation of those who would want to burn our flag, that you don't do it in the presence of military veterans, especially war veterans. Though there may be a few vets who might support the right to burn an American flag, one's chances of not getting severerly pummeled in the act are not good. It is highly INCITEFUL.

Like I said, just a word of caution.....

[kiwimac]

I am very GLAD I am not an American. Your flag and the empire-building which goes along with it is simply disgusting.

[Easyrider]

I am very GLAD I am not an American. Your flag and the empire-building which goes along with it is simply disgusting.

I'm quite glad you're not an American either. Most of the Kiwi's I encountered in Vietnam were real men who understood the difference between trying to liberate people from oppression and engaging in so-called "empire" building (which is an absurd claim).

[kiwimac]

I'm quite glad you're not an American either. Most of the Kiwi's I encountered in Vietnam were real men who understood the difference between trying to liberate people from oppression and engaging in so-called "empire" building (which is an absurd claim).

LOL

I can, if necessary prove I am a 'real man', but you might not like HOW I prove it. As for the claims of 'Empire building' your history speaks for itself.

Kiwimac