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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 2:08 am
I'm not from America.
Most of my interaction with Americans stems from chat rooms and being on here. From Americans I've interacted with lots of them criticize the military so I don't believe you're not allowed to.
Not being from there I don't have experience of what it's like to socially be around lots of Americans in person and to experience how patriotic the average American is.
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 2:15 am
Hang on, I'll ask them.
(a few hours later)
They said... meh. It seems that Murika-bashing isn't such a fun sport anymore. Most foreigners polled bowed their heads in in sympathy.
The PURPOSE of life is to replicate our DNA ................. (from Darwin)
The MEANING of life is the experience of living ... (from Frank Herbert)
The VALUE of life is the legacy we leave behind ..... (from observation)
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 4:44 am
(March 21, 2018 at 11:36 pm)Libertarian God Wrote: I have always wondered this. Mostly because I feel some in this country [United States] take patriotism way way too far. For instance, not allowed to criticize the military or even choosing not to recite the pledge or standing for the flag.
I don't know where you get the idea that you aren't allowed to criticize the military. Most of my friends do all the time. Most Americans I know, both on and off these forums are more likely to trash on America than anything else.
I mean, people literally are not standing for the national anthem on tv this whole year. That they have gotten some criticism and some praise doesn't make America more or less patriotic than anywhere else. I'm in Spain on a bike tour right now, and you definitely see more Spanish flags on people's houses and apartments than you see American flags back home.
Same with Canada. I'd say Canadians are way more patriotic than Americans. Americans are kind of self loathing actually.
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 5:01 pm
(March 22, 2018 at 2:00 am)Minimalist Wrote: Quote: I live in Arizona, need I say more? We are basically a wannabe Mississippi
We're getting there.
Quote:Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels. We are a nation of exceptional scoundrels.
It used to be. Now religion is the last refuge.... but patriotism still ranks very high.
I hope so. It seems we are becoming more like California one day then Mississippi the very next
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 5:04 pm
(March 21, 2018 at 11:49 pm)Tizheruk Wrote: Yup Americans take it way too far
Way
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Too far 
FTFY. 
"Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat."
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 5:13 pm
I'm ex-US Army.
Do what you want with your freedoms.
Criticize the military all you like, I do.
Dissent is, IMO, far more patriotic than adherence to orthodoxy.
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 6:05 pm
hooah.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 6:25 pm
It disgusts me and I served 10 years in the US Air Force. I would never have done it in the conditions we have today.
I recently bought a used pickup and it had an American flag decal in the back window. I needed a razor blade to completely get rid of it but that was the first thing I did when I got it home.
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 6:46 pm
(This post was last modified: March 22, 2018 at 6:48 pm by brewer.)
(March 21, 2018 at 11:36 pm)Libertarian God Wrote: I have always wondered this. Mostly because I feel some in this country [United States] take patriotism way way too far. For instance, not allowed to criticize the military or even choosing not to recite the pledge or standing for the flag.
Not allowed to criticize the military how? At an individual level I have a lot of respect for those that serve. They are doing something that I was unwilling to even think of and their service is necessary. I do criticize how the military has been used, from Vietnam up thru today (there are a few exceptions). I will criticize the hawk actions but not the defenders.
I'll recite the pledge (sans god) and stand (national anthem also), not for the flag itself, but for the republic that it represents. It causes me no cognitive stress. But I don't really give a shit if others do or not.
I guess that as a centrist (or so I'm told) I don't really understand or condone either extreme, the militant/fanatic haters or lovers.
And yeah, there are a lot of other glass houses out there.
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
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RE: What do foreigners think of America's cult like Patriotism?
March 22, 2018 at 6:58 pm
I'm a military brat and a Texan... yes I'm overly patriotic, no I don't like when people bash on America/military/Texas.
Do I tell people to stop? No but I most likely will get pissed off and not talk to you for awhile.
Do I realize the flag is just a flag and there should be no legal consequences to burning or stepping on one? Yes.
Will I still look at you in disgust if you do it? Yes.
As long as we aren't forcing it on anyone I don't see the problem with being patriotic.
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Also if your signature makes my scrolling mess up "you're tacky and I hate you."
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