Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
After lurking in the national anthem thread, I felt compelled to make this thread:
I've never understood the near sacred treatment of things like the flag, the Pledge, the National Anthem, and other items or rituals that build you to be "Proud To Be An American". I never saw how it makes you a "good American" simply by waving a flag or reciting some words. What I think really makes me proud to be an American is when people go out and do things that make it a good country, not just simply saying that it's a good country.
That was poorly structured, I'll try to improve on it when I get some responses.
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:54 am Posts: 7189 Location: CA
Green Habit wrote:
After lurking in the national anthem thread, I felt compelled to make this thread:
I've never understood the near sacred treatment of things like the flag, the Pledge, the National Anthem, and other items or rituals that build you to be "Proud To Be An American". I never saw how it makes you a "good American" simply by waving a flag or reciting some words. What I think really makes me proud to be an American is when people go out and do things that make it a good country, not just simply saying that it's a good country.
That was poorly structured, I'll try to improve on it when I get some responses.
I think the constitution is deserving of esteem. Maybe not the flag and whatnot, but I'm pretty damn pleased with the constitution and the ideals that this country was founded on. But then of course I'm a white male American, so that might have something to do with it...
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
simple schoolboy wrote:
Green Habit wrote:
After lurking in the national anthem thread, I felt compelled to make this thread:
I've never understood the near sacred treatment of things like the flag, the Pledge, the National Anthem, and other items or rituals that build you to be "Proud To Be An American". I never saw how it makes you a "good American" simply by waving a flag or reciting some words. What I think really makes me proud to be an American is when people go out and do things that make it a good country, not just simply saying that it's a good country.
That was poorly structured, I'll try to improve on it when I get some responses.
I think the constitution is deserving of esteem. Maybe not the flag and whatnot, but I'm pretty damn pleased with the constitution and the ideals that this country was founded on. But then of course I'm a white male American, so that might have something to do with it...
I'll give you that, but I'd hardly call the Constitution a mere symbol.
they are symbols of a place most (who live here) will agree is the best place in the world to live in
to simply disregard these symbols and degrade them, whether in the name of free speech or not, is basically wiping shit on the country itself, and that tends to offend people
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
On a related note. I hate when people recite the Lord's Prayer. Jesus prayed that shit to teach you how to pray. If you recite it word for word, you're not praying. You're chanting. God knows what Jesus has to say. Tell him what you have to say. Make up your own damn prayer.
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:31 am Posts: 2622 Location: South of Boston, North of Stoughton
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
_________________ 06' Shows: Albany, Hartford, Boston 1&2, Denver 1&2
Panties aren't the best thing in the world but they are the closest thing to it
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
GrimmaceXX wrote:
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
Actually, I much more often cringe at the misuse of the national symbols.
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
i got chocked up listening to the anthem sung by carl lewis, but i think that was for all the wrong reasons
Having a flag up, reciting the pledge of allegence, or anything of that matter does not make you a better person, better american, anything. You are completly right in your first post, doing something good for the country, doing positive things for yourself and people around you/close to you. i dont support everything our country stands for, but i do think this is the greatest place to live in the world..i dont recite the pledge every day or remove my cap every time i hear the national anthem...but that doesn't make me or anyone else any less of a good american for it
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
Peeps wrote:
they are symbols of a place most (who live here) will agree is the best place in the world to live in
to simply disregard these symbols and degrade them, whether in the name of free speech or not, is basically wiping shit on the country itself, and that tends to offend people
Just so you know, I'm not too impressed with flag-burners and the like, either--they've always striked me as attention whores to whatever cause they're getting at.
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
B wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
Actually, I much more often cringe at the misuse of the national symbols.
Damnit, I want to find a picture of an SUV decked out with American flags, but I can't find one.
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:31 am Posts: 2622 Location: South of Boston, North of Stoughton
Green Habit wrote:
B wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
Actually, I much more often cringe at the misuse of the national symbols.
Damnit, I want to find a picture of an SUV decked out with American flags, but I can't find one.
why an SUV?
_________________ 06' Shows: Albany, Hartford, Boston 1&2, Denver 1&2
Panties aren't the best thing in the world but they are the closest thing to it
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:41 am Posts: 14208 Location: Lexington, KY Gender: Male
GrimmaceXX wrote:
Green Habit wrote:
B wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
Actually, I much more often cringe at the misuse of the national symbols.
Damnit, I want to find a picture of an SUV decked out with American flags, but I can't find one.
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:31 am Posts: 2622 Location: South of Boston, North of Stoughton
lefty wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
Green Habit wrote:
B wrote:
GrimmaceXX wrote:
It's hard to believe you havn't got choked up in the last 5 years after seeing the flag waving at certain moments, or hearing the National Anthem sung.
Actually, I much more often cringe at the misuse of the national symbols.
Damnit, I want to find a picture of an SUV decked out with American flags, but I can't find one.
why an SUV?
You probably drive one.
I do... an Explorer. But is there something wrong with that?
_________________ 06' Shows: Albany, Hartford, Boston 1&2, Denver 1&2
Panties aren't the best thing in the world but they are the closest thing to it
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
This kinda chokes me up.
*salutes*
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
