Give your patriotism a boost here: Share what makes you feel patriotic

Akubra Man · Oct 16, 2008

I am Canadian and part of our collective national culture is to not overtly express our patriotic selves very often. One time that our nation goes wild with patriotic fervor is when one of our national hockey teams participates at the international level in competition and wins the big prize. Many Canadians view hockey as our game and for many years we felt entitled to win everything when our best players donned the national uniform. Now the rest of the world is on par with us in hockey and when one of our national teams wins it is hard earned and not a forgone conclusion. Those moments when the Canadian National anthem is played are the moments we Canadians feel very proud because for one brief moment we are recognized as the best. At the Salt Lake City winter Olympics the Canadian Women and Men both won the gold. It was a big moment for Canadians and our national pride. In Canada hockey unifies our country from one end to the other.

Naama · Oct 16, 2008

I'm also not patriotic in anyway... At the moment I'm away from my home and I never missed it, not even for a moment (only people, but not the country). I don't know, I just somehow don't feel attatched to my nationality at all [huh]

Naama

Miss_Bella_Hell · Oct 16, 2008

Manhattan. What a great city. What great architecture. What diverse people.

Spitfire · Oct 16, 2008

Miss_Bella_Hell said:
Manhattan. What a great city. What great architecture. What diverse people.

I am with you on that one. (Does that make me an american patriot??

)

Story · Oct 16, 2008

Spitfire said:
I really do not share some of the very patriotic feelings here. Like Edward I find the concept of being special patriotic to a place where you - for some reason - was born, quite strange.

Spitfire said:

Story:
But I do love my country - I just don't wave around with flags or believe we are better, smarter, stronger, richer, happier etc. etc. than anybody else.

Click to expand...

You find an aspect of our culture 'quite strange' and I extended a friendly gesture to share my perspective of what makes me proud of my country.

I fail to see where anything I wrote indicates anything you list above, nor did I infer anywhere that you don't love your country.

I forget, have you visited my country or is the sum of your knowledge about us gleaned from what you've seen on your TV? [huh]

You get over my way and are willing to listen, the offer still stands. 'Til then, happy trails.

Nighthawk · Oct 16, 2008

^ Geez, give Spitfire a break. I found nothing rude in his comments.

Funny how these types of threads, while not overtly political, always end up being so....................

NH

Miss Neecerie · Oct 16, 2008

Story said:
You find an aspect of our culture 'quite strange' and I extended a friendly gesture to share my perspective of what makes me proud of my country.

I fail to see where anything I wrote indicates anything you list above, nor did I infer anywhere that you don't love your country. Your response is rude, sir.

Actually, I also took this statement of yours below to imply exactly what Spitfire did, ie. that unless you share the same definition of patriotism, you might not love your country.

Story said:
That might make our wide definitions of patriotism easier to understand: in spite of all our mistakes, morons of horrendous magnitude, faults and shortcomings, the more I learn about my country (a constant process) the more I love her.

and he was not rude at all.

He is perfectly capable of responding for himself, but I just wanted you to realize that others saw the same implications in your phrasing as he did.

Story · Oct 16, 2008

Nighthawk said:
^ Geez, give Spitfire a break.
NH

Duely amended. Perhaps it's an error of interpretation, but hardly politics.

Miss_Bella_Hell · Oct 16, 2008

Spitfire said:
I am with you on that one. (Does that make me an american patriot??)

I dunno, but we'll take ya!

thunderw21 · Oct 16, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COBL6dJ9VmA

My grandpa at 2:35 on the right.

reetpleat · Oct 16, 2008

dhermann1 said:
Just to add something to the above. Being something of a British history buff, I find it interesting how Brits of today have such cynical attitudes about the subject of patriotism. The British Empire in its heyday was characterized by a mentality of total self assurance, even arrogance, about the superiority of the English way of thinking. Brits can be very rueful and embarrassed about it now, after a couple of generations of ridiculing the cock sure British attitude, but I think if you compare Britain's imperialism with that of the other major European powers, there was also a sincere, if sometimes, make that often, misguided, aspect to it.
One example is the Boer War. Yes, you can argue it was a naked grab on the British part, but there was also the clash of one side who at least paid major lip service to the idea that all races and peoples could some day live together as equals, and the other side, who adamently believed that the "inferior races" should always remain utterly subjegated. Britain has always stood for fair play and decency. It was often honored more in the breach than in the observance, but the idea was always there. Something at least not to be embarrassed by. For all the harm they may have done, Britain always left something worth holding onto when they left.
I think that if you believe your country stands for something, then you should be proud of it, and do your best to make sure that it continues to be that way. We all have the obligation to try to make the world a better place. Part of this is to see to it that our countries continue to be the best selves they can be as well.

Not sure if I agree so much. Britain would not be the first or last country to invade, colonize and supress foreign countries, all the while claiming to be bringing them god, culture, democracy, civilization, education etc. Forgive me if I am cynical about it moreso than some.

Not to pick on the Brits. It is pretty standard procedure. I do not think governments and the controlling wealthy powers would be able to sell their wars and invasions and colonizations if they told the truth about it. Because the average person in a culture has that sense of decency and fair play and you could not get them to go along with it otherwise.

I consider it a good thing that Brits are not patriotic in the way that Americans are. Yes, they love their country, and yes, they love the good people and things and culture of their country. But they may be less quick to claim to be "Patriots" Another factor is that many countries have had many governments, and with a parliamentary system it is quite normal for the citizens to speak of new governments on a regular basis. The peculiar fact that the US has had only one government leads to an equation of love of country with love or support of government (no saying anyone here is saying that) But it many countries it is quite acceptable and patriotic to denounce the particular government they are under at the moment.

I would say many countries that do not posses the same empire they used to are naturally less Patriotic with a capitol P, let's say. Yet they are still proud of who they are and what their country stands for. And indeed, if being a patriotic american means being proud of what we supposedly stand for, them by all means, I am with you. But too often, in any country, patriotism ends up meaning a justification of the belief you are better or superior to others and have a right to force your will on them. Heck, Hitler did what he did through a strong sense of german nationalism that he fostered very well.

I do think it is human nature to identify with your group, be it village, city state, or country. Keep ini mind that patriotism is a relatively new concept, but the idea of us and them is not.

I also think it is hard for Americans to understand different forms of patriotism and how they manifest in other countries, since patriotism has become rather codified and specific.

Anyway, just some thoughts. Not saying anything specific to or about anyone here.

dhermann1 · Oct 16, 2008

I didn't mean to justify imperialism AT ALL. I think my comments seem to do that. Not really my intention. I just wanted to say that Brits shouldn't be so negative about being proud of their country.
My point was that patriotism and love of country is good, but nationalism and xenophobia are bad.

StaceFace · Oct 16, 2008

My job. I hear some pretty sobering stories from my patients, most of them WWII veterans.

thunderw21 - Beautiful tribute!

HoosierDaddy · Oct 16, 2008

Give your PARTRIOTISM a BOOST here: Share WHAT makes you FEEL PATRIOTIC

It seems that many things that once were considered simple...are now dissected...inspected...and rejected with attempts at intellectual sophistication often prefered with a "We are the world" cosmopolitan flair. The ME generation. Fear of blind allegiance...but perhaps blind to the other side of the coin. Accepting a lingering devised dissent for power that leaves us continually divided and most always at odds. Gridlock that allows little to be accomplished and hampering any completed missions on hardly any front.
I still feel priviledged and blessed to be born in a country of unsurpassed opportunity...prosperity..and freedom. I'm honored to fly the colorful flag of my country..which represents those all across America in small backroad towns...farms...ranches...who still manage to live life with unchanging simple basic values..a sense of community...hardwork and taking care of their families....charity for those in need...and willing to fight to keep it that way. It isn't a fairy tale..or land of OZ. Although greed and selfishness has ruined much of it...I still see it every summer traveling (retired) by motorcycle or car...avoiding big cities with all those ever evolving "grey areas" of confusion.
Many of"We the people" still possess true principles of MY country...(many who only want government to mostly stay out of thier lives)...this certainly means much more to me than any winning USA sports team.....
HD

reetpleat · Oct 17, 2008

dhermann1 said:
I didn't mean to justify imperialism AT ALL. I think my comments seem to do that. Not really my intention. I just wanted to say that Brits shouldn't be so negative about being proud of their country.
My point was that patriotism and love of country is good, but nationalism and xenophobia are bad.

Noted. I agree. Every country should be proud of who they are and what they are. But when it crosses over the line of thinking you are better than any other country, or person, that is where people start to think that they have the right to tell others what to do.

I must admit, after four months in Cambodia Thailand and Viet nam years ago, the first time I heard the star spangled banner, I got choked up a little.

reetpleat · Oct 17, 2008

HoosierDaddy said:
It seems that many things that once were considered simple...are now dissected...inspected...and rejected with attempts at intellectual sophistication often prefered with a "We are the world" cosmopolitan flair. The ME generation. Fear of blind allegiance...but perhaps blind to the other side of the coin. Accepting a lingering devised dissent for power that leaves us continually divided and most always at odds. Gridlock that allows little to be accomplished and hampering any completed missions on hardly any front.
I still feel priviledged and blessed to be born in a country of unsurpassed opportunity...prosperity..and freedom. I'm honored to fly the colorful flag of my country..which represents those all across America in small backroad towns...farms...ranches...who still manage to live life with unchanging simple basic values..a sense of community...hardwork and taking care of their families....charity for those in need...and willing to fight to keep it that way. It isn't a fairy tale..or land of OZ. Although greed and selfishness has ruined much of it...I still see it every summer traveling (retired) by motorcycle or car...avoiding big cities with all those ever evolving "grey areas" of confusion.
Many of"We the people" still possess true principles of MY country...(many who only want government to mostly stay out of thier lives)...this certainly means much more to me than any winning USA sports team.....
HD

I think there is a bit of a myth about how all of a sudden, we are polarized and are not willing to be bi partisan to get things done. This country has been split in various ways since inception, or I should say, before including to rebel or remain with Britain.

Ironically though, the split you speak of, the rural versus the urban, is one of the central themes of the founding of the country, manufacturing versus agrarian.

carter · Oct 17, 2008

US Men and Women who died that others might be Free.

“Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.” Colin Powell, Gen. USA, ret.

I love The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America but no song brings me to tears more quickly than I'm Proud to be an American.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RINqibpWOzQ&feature=related

The service to the USA by generations of men in my family is a source of pride for me as the service and sacrifice of many other men and women is to families across our nation.

No nation is perfect and ours is no different. Democracy isn't simple. Emancipation and universal sufferage did not come easily. Too often principles have been honored more in their breach than their observance. The Great Experiment may be flawed, but it is valuable and it is a source of hope to many throughout our world. Freedom makes me proud.

DutchIndo · Oct 17, 2008

The smell of Cordite.

donCarlos · Oct 17, 2008

Czechs are not patriotic at all, there is no reason, because last 70 years were disaster.

However, when I go through the old streets of Prague, or when I hear that some foreigners know something about us (something different from football players, hockey team and beer) I feel kind of proud for being czech.
So, maybe history and culture are the things that makes me feel like patriot.

Rosie · Oct 17, 2008

I don't consider myself patriotic in the traditional sense at all. However, I do take great pride in my city, my neighborhood and my profession which is essentially building up young people and in many cases, helping young people stay the course or even find their course. This helps build a greater next generation so, in a way, that is a bit patriotic.

Give your patriotism a boost here: Share what makes you feel patriotic

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