Correlation of patriotism and blindness.

[Prelewd]

Just curious about everybodies thoughts on this topic. When I say blindness, I mean closed-mindedness and the like. When I say patriotism, I mean to the point that people start to stop questioning what their govt is doing.

Lately, it seems that people have been uber patriotic and it's getting a little nausiating. There can be too much of a good thing, IMO.

As a disclaimer, because there's always that one person that goes nuts, I'm not one of those hippies that hates the govt and wants everything to be anarchy. I am just trying to get an alternative viewpoint.

[DGB454]

Question everything and everyone.(especially politicians)

[TankMMC]

You don't have to be proud of your government to be proud of your country.

[YogsVR4]

Its a funny argument.

Most people think its ok to question government. However, there are some that think you shouldn't. Those people are wrong.

Some people question the people questioning government. The funny part come here. Some of the people questioning the government don't like to be questioned. They either feel that they shouldn't be (which puts them in the same league as the people who say you can't question government) or that the person questioning them is a government supporter (which it does not).

And it goes on and on.

As long as people realize that criticism is a multi road street, we’ll all be better off.

[lazysmurff]

the difference your seeing, prelewd, is one between patriotism and nationalism.

patriotism is the "i love my country and what it stands for. my government may be wrong, and it is my duty to question it to help make my country greater"

nationalism is the the "toby kieth, my country right or wrong" stance. nationalism, as einstien said, is the measles of the human race.

the question for me, is, where do i draw the line between between my country's words, and my country's actions. I love what america is supposed to stand for, but i keep wondering if we are able to live up to those ideals any more.

[Prelewd]

Originally Posted by lazysmurff

the difference your seeing, prelewd, is one between patriotism and nationalism.

patriotism is the "i love my country and what it stands for. my government may be wrong, and it is my duty to question it to help make my country greater"

nationalism is the the "toby kieth, my country right or wrong" stance. nationalism, as einstien said, is the measles of the human race.

the question for me, is, where do i draw the line between between my country's words, and my country's actions. I love what america is supposed to stand for, but i keep wondering if we are able to live up to those ideals any more.

that's what I thought I was seeing lazy, thanks for clearing that up for me.

your last paragraph pretty much sums up what i mean when i say that the patriotism is becoming nausiating. i love to love what our country stands for (freedom), but we are losing rights by the day with many of the bullshit acts and laws being passed. Personally, I don't really feel like I have a voice in what is said, whether I vote or not.

[lazysmurff]

Originally Posted by Prelewd

Personally, I don't really feel like I have a voice in what is said, whether I vote or not.

thats why you join the ACLU and get a lobbying permit

[Cobra01TT]

It's times like these when I remember that a little revolution is good now and then. I believe that Thomas Jefferson said something more or less like that.

[lazysmurff]

"a little revolution, now and then, is a good thing. it's as natural as lightning"-T Jefferson

that the quote your looking for?

revolution starts at the ballot box

[Prelewd]

Originally Posted by lazysmurff

revolution starts at the ballot box

when there is nobody good to vote for..? i don't want to turn this into a political debate, just raising a point. i don't get to decide who gets to run.. i just vote for the lesser of two evils.

[lazysmurff]

therein lies the problem. the lesser of two evils is a myth.

there are several canidates running for president. research them. find one that agrees with your points of view the most, who you think will instate policies you think best, and then vote for them, even if they are third party.

there is no such thing as a thrown away vote. thats just republicans and democrats call it when you dont vote for them.

[Steel]

YEah, i sort of wonder about the government after the new seatblet law has gone into effect here in mass. I mean, sure, ther'es always been a seatbelt law, but now they're actaully ENFORCING it. Why must the government try to live our lives FOR us? Yeah, i wear my helmet and leathers on my bike, wear my seatblet in my car, but i think you should have the choice not to if you really down't want to

what's next, cant smoke because its not good for you? it's sure as hell heading that way.