What is "America"?

[Goldmund]

I'm seriously asking this question.

Equivalently, what is "anti-American"? What does it mean to be "down on America"?

How can somebody who is an American simultaneously be "anti-American", if most of the things they love about their lives come from that same America -- if they're not masochistic or mentally ill, that is?

What is the caveat that makes this obvious logical contradiction sustainable in the minds of those who call certain American ideologies "anti-American"?

[Taxloss]

1. "America" is two continents in the Western hemisphere.

The last "anti-Americans" died when Christopher Columbus was still alive. They believed in a direct western sea route to China and the Indies.

"The United States of America" is a country occupying less than half of the northern American continent. The correct term for someone opposing the policies of its government is "progressive", "liberal", "left-wing", or "sane". The correct term for someone who hates the very idea of that country is ... I haven't a clue. Tell me when you meet one.

[KG]

2. to some appearently, a shining city on a hill from which flows

all the goodness in the world - every great thought ever thunk, and every great deed ever done.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. America used to be my home, now it is

a corporation with a west coast and an east coast, nothing more.

PS: This corporation has the rights of a citizen, while it deprives workers of these same rights. It's sick really... the dream is over, the age of innocence is behind us now. This country does not resemble the one I grew up in, not even a little. What a loss... what a tragic loss.

[Goldmund]

5. How old are you?

if it ain't a secret.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. I'll be eligible for membership in AARP in April this year. Do

the math :)

[H2O Man]

6. Refugee in America

There are words like freedom
Sweet and wonderful to say.
On my heart-strings freedom sings
All day everyday.

There are words like liberty
That almost make me cry.
If you had known what I knew
You would know why.

-Langston Hughes

[Karenina]

7. A myth

that is dying a horrific, "film at 11" death... :cry:

[Snotcicles]

9. Toast................eom