[Heineken]

We've had similar threads.

This is a subject on which I'm torn. However . . .

In the final analysis, I consider nationalism to be a destructive and illogical force that's blighted the lives of most individuals and the earth.

It cannot come to good and will probably do us all in.

There are certain positions Obama could adopt that would make me much prouder to be an American, but I don't think he's going to take any of them.

I don't expect America as we know it to survive. It's already half dead.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Auntie_Cipation', 'P')ride is a response to a specific accomplishment, not a general feeling....

[PrestonSturges]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AlexdeLarge', 'I') am very proud to be American!! ( But then I know what its like to live elsewhere.)

You have been poisoned by listenening to the mainstream media trash America at every opportunity in order to demonize Bush and get their pigeon elected. "The One's" mentor Rev. Wright hates the country and his best buddy Bill Ayers wipes his feet on the flag. But I'm sure the messiah was not influenced by their tutoring and at least his wife is finally proud to be a citizen.

So now we have a whole government that dispises their country and its traditions and will do their level best to remake it into some new "honorable" nation. How very nice of them.

[Carlhole]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'S')eems to me there must be at least one other person at PO.com proud to be an American at this time.

Or am I wrong?

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Auntie_Cipation', 'P')ride is a response to a specific accomplishment, not a general feeling....

[Pops]

I guess you all are right.

We as a world/country/town/neighborhood/species are fucked.


Enjoy your evening watching Fox and eating chicken nuggets.

[AlexdeLarge]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrestonSturges', '
')
That's more like alcoholic pride than national pride.

[Heineken]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', 'I') guess you all are right.

We as a world/country/town/neighborhood/species are Fark.


Enjoy your evening watching Fox and eating chicken nuggets.

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')But it is not a dramatic change of government. The same exact groups remain in power. Even many of the same individuals.

[Schmuto]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', 'I') used to be. Not anymore.

Not because we as a nation are any worse than we've ever been. Nor because other nations are any better.

It's because I'm seeing the bigger picture now. And it's all about resources. Our nation has done well because of its natural resources. Anyone in charge of such wealth would do well. We were born on third base and thought we hit a triple.

[Schmuto]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Heineken', '
')But it is not a dramatic change of government. The same exact groups remain in power. Even many of the same individuals.

[RdSnt]

I suppose you can be proud, provided you ignore both the internal and international murder and theft that has allowed you to live in a debt riddled fantasy of success.
I'm not sure standing on a large pile of shit is much to brag about.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', '
')
It's a dramatic change of government compared to BushCo

[Schmuto]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RdSnt', 'I') suppose you can be proud, provided you ignore both the internal and international murder and theft that has allowed you to live in a debt riddled fantasy of success.
I'm not sure standing on a large pile of crap is much to brag about.

[Pops]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schmuto', 'S')chmut...

[Schmuto]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Pops', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schmuto', 'S')chmut...

[RdSnt]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schmuto', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RdSnt', 'I') suppose you can be proud, provided you ignore both the internal and international murder and theft that has allowed you to live in a debt riddled fantasy of success.
I'm not sure standing on a large pile of crap is much to brag about.

[mefistofeles]

The first House TARP vote. At that moment I was proud to be an American. I don't think the vote on something like the TARP would have failed in any other country except the United States.

Although the TARP eventually passed it was a great moment where the normally legislators stood and said no to morally and economically bankrupt forces that hold so much sway over the country's economy.

At that moment the desire to do what was right was more important than Wall Street or the moneyed financial interest. In that shining moment we as a people made the decision to do the right thing and not the expedient or convenient thing.

TARP was a defining moment in American history and if we had chosen properly America could have been a great nation that stood for accountability honesty and decency. Unfortunately that's not what happened but for one moment we as a country/nation and a people did something great. Even if it was for only a moment voting down the TARP was a true reason to feel proud to be an American.

[misterno]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schmuto', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Leanan', 'I') used to be. Not anymore.

Not because we as a nation are any worse than we've ever been. Nor because other nations are any better.

It's because I'm seeing the bigger picture now. And it's all about resources. Our nation has done well because of its natural resources. Anyone in charge of such wealth would do well. We were born on third base and thought we hit a triple.

[NoWorries]

I'll just follow up by adding I agree with those who say America's moment as the indispensable nation has passed, or is passing quickly. But I take no pleasure in it. I think a period of serious instability and upheaval will follow soon.

Nelson Mandela told historian Niall Ferguson (in "The Rise and Fall of the British Empire") of how proud he was, as a boy growing up in Africa, to be raised under "the British system". Because Britain, as he put it, "represented everything that was best in the world". And despite all, he was not shy to admit that the British Empire was ultimately a force for good in the world.

When I read this at first it surprised me, but then I saw Mandela's wisdom. After all, the very system that subjugated him also gave him the means to overcome, and assume the highest office in the land. You can't say that about Russian oppression, or Communist China's oppression of its citizens. Likewise, I believe there are many countries with a track record far worse than the United States, particularly where human rights are concerned. Just travel abroad for any period of time and you'll quickly discover this.