As a Canadian for most of my life patriotism was associated with  Americanism especially anything to with the military and was generally seen as obnoxious (unless it was remembrance day then it was sort of okay). Then Afghanistan happened. and all of a sudden we have military fever all of a sudden we went from a country built on negotiation like I was taught in high school to a country forged in war at Vimy etc . On one hand I like the fact kids are interested in our military history and it's helped draw attention issues in like veterans. But I can't help  feeling  it's a campaign of nationalist propaganda ripped straight from an American political playbook. And will be used and abused the same way.

I don't understand patriotism.
I kinda like where I live, but I wouldn't go around claiming its the best damn country in the world.

(March 10, 2017 at 1:02 pm)Thumpalumpacus Wrote: I don't find blind patriotism fearful. It's contemptible.

Same.

In a word, absolutely. I found the sort of blind patriotism I encountered in my 6 years of military service quite distasteful - which to me is not patriotism at all. Thankfully it was not universal, but opposition to it was not something that was safe to advertise.

The kind of patriotism I do value is that which does what is right by one's community and country regardless of what the political masters wish. "My country right or wrong" is a disgusting position.

(March 10, 2017 at 4:27 am)It_Was_me Wrote: This is honestly one of my biggest pet peeves of all time. I really don't mind taking pride in your country, but I do believe many Americans take it way too far. I recall a news story a few years ago in my home state Arizona. Sort of Dumbfuckistan 2.0 but we're on the verge of turning blue by 2020. This is due to the influx if people from Mexico. But anyways, there was a story about the noise of a nearby Air force base in a part of Phoenix. I proceeded to complain and say it's obnoxious. Someone replied with the following: "IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN MOVE OUT OF THIS COUNTRY!!! THATS THE SOUND OF FREEDOM!!!"

That's just an example I experienced. My favorite is a recent story on how there are some U.S. Troops being deployed in Syria, and I see many Trump supporters trying to use that as a way into guilt people into "standing behind out president". lmao

I couldn't agree more about Luke Air Force base.  It is the sound of money being pissed away.

I never understood the concept of being PROUD to be British or American or whatever. I am British and some of the things done by Britain have been good, other things have not, but I am British by accident of birth, I have not DONE anything to achieve it so how can I be proud of it? It makes as much sense as being proud to have a nose!

Doesn't Tib's suffer from Patriot-ism? It seems pretty blind.

I'm a skeptical patriot.

(March 10, 2017 at 4:33 pm)zebo-the-fat Wrote: I never understood the concept of being PROUD to be British or American or whatever. I am British and some of the things done by Britain have been good, other things have not, but I am British by accident of birth, I have not DONE anything to achieve it so how can I be proud of it? It makes as much sense as being proud to have a nose!

This is generally how I feel, too. I enjoy living here (USA) for the most part, but it doesn't make me prideful in any way. I just happened to be born here as opposed to somewhere else. I also recognize that there are a few other countries that I would feel about as comfortable in, if not more so.

(March 10, 2017 at 6:40 am)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: 'Support your country alwayss and your government when it deserves it.' - Mark Twain

Boru

My country right or wrong is absolutely indistinguishable from country is always right, and both are as horrendous abrogations of moral responsibility as has ever been perpetrated under any name in the history of men.

By the definition below, I would say that I am patriotic. Not blindly but I do value my country and would defend it if needed. This does not mean that I agree with my government. It is always full of shit one way or another.