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**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 04:48

Canada is protected by our shield of uselessness.

**Dis** · March 22, 2003, 04:49

I'm sorry Asher, but you are young and don't seem to understand the way the world works.

Whether patriotism is right or wrong is meaningless. In a perfect world patriotism would be unecessary.

But what you don't realize there are people in other countries that want to see us dead. We could either A) give it to them- as tehy deserver what we have. Or B) realize we live in a pretty decent place, and refuse to give it to them.

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 04:50

Patriotism is a nicer word for fanaticism, it's almost as silly as religion.

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 04:52

Originally posted by Dissident
I'm sorry Asher, but you are young and don't seem to understand the way the world works.

Whether patriotism is right or wrong is meaningless. In a perfect world patriotism would be unecessary.

But what you don't realize there are people in other countries that want to see us dead. We could either A) give it to them- as tehy deserver what we have. Or B) realize we live in a pretty decent place, and refuse to give it to them.

I'm not saying you shouldn't defend your country, I'm saying it's stupid to drive around, in your country, with a large American flag spread in the back of your Ford pickup truck with Tim McGraw blaring and screaming "USA! USA! USA!".

EDIT: s/McCraw/McGraw

**Dis** · March 22, 2003, 04:54

I don't do that.

But I do realize I live in a pretty nice country. And I will do what it takes to prevent that country from being taken away by terrorists.

And yes they can defeat us. they have already succeeded in spreading a large amount of fear throughout the U.S.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 22, 2003, 04:55

I'm not saying you shouldn't defend your country

Isn't that patriotism?

The rest of the stuff you are describing would be called 'nationalism'.

P.S. it's Tim McGraw, and what's wrong with a flag attached to the end of your pickup

**Dis** · March 22, 2003, 04:58

and the only flag I own is the flag I got for my father's funeral (memorial service actually)- as he was a veteran.

It is in a case, I never fly it.

I don't go flag waving, I consider myself a patriot because I have been in the military, and would gladly do so again if I felt I was needed to prevent my country from being destroyed/taken over.

**Kramerman** · March 22, 2003, 04:59

Originally posted by Asher
Patriotism is a nicer word for fanaticism, it's almost as silly as religion.

I partially agree, but not entirely. Patriotism can be fanatical, as colorfully detailed by your subsequent post (

), but it is necessarily. Patriotism is like team spirit. When I was on the basketball and track team, we proudly wore shirts that bore our sport, and our school mascot. It was team spirit, it was pride. We were proud to be a varsity player, representing our school.

Patriotism can be analogous. Patriots can be fanatical, or they can just be proud.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 22, 2003, 05:02

... and patriotism is usually required for a real defense of a country. Without it, everyone would merely just fight for themselves or their localities.

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 05:05

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

I'm not saying you shouldn't defend your country

Isn't that patriotism?

I suppose, I consider it more of protecting my investment (tax money and whatnot

).

I was referring more of the "USA! USA USA!" type patriotism with American-Flag everything rather than defending your country when it's attacked.

P.S. it's Tim McGraw

Yeah, I know that, I don't know why I typed McCraw.

and what's wrong with a flag attached to the end of your pickup

You need to get out of the south...and fast...

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 05:07

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
... and patriotism is usually required for a real defense of a country. Without it, everyone would merely just fight for themselves or their localities.

And yeah, for "real defense" you need to find lots of people indoctrined and convinced to be so patriotic to their country that they'll kill and be killed for it.

**Imran Siddiqui** · March 22, 2003, 05:08

You need to get out of the south...and fast...

Seriously. I assume you'd say there is nothing wrong with flag bumper stickers on cars. And there is nothing wrong with pickups (I see as many down here as I saw in Jersey, btw), especially Fords (F-350 is quite nice).

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 05:11

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Seriously. I assume you'd say there is nothing wrong with flag bumper stickers on cars.

Why would you assume that?

Bumper stickers are even more tacky.

And there is nothing wrong with pickups (I see as many down here as I saw in Jersey, btw), especially Fords (F-350 is quite nice).

There's nothing wrong with pickups, as long as you use them as pickups...how many people really do that.

Even better are the Soccer Moms in the F-350 Super Duties.

Awesome.

Imagine...Soccer Mom in F-350 with a "My Son is an Honor Student" bumpersticker, Jesus fish, with a large American flag in the bed of the pickup (w00t).

**Kramerman** · March 22, 2003, 05:13

Originally posted by Asher

And yeah, for "real defense" you need to find lots of people indoctrined and convinced to be so patriotic to their country that they'll kill and be killed for it.

You seem condecending towards those who want to protect their life style and the life style of those they love

**Asher** · March 22, 2003, 05:15

Originally posted by Kramerman
You seem condecending towards those who want to protect their life style and the life style of those they love

Nah, people can do what they want, I don't think any less of them.

But it's a simple fact that to have an effective military, they do have to be indoctrined properly (what do you think boot camp is for?).

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