I am an American first.

[William769]

That doesn't mean I support my Government, what it does mean for all you out there that knock America over a Foreign power... Heres a thought Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you. I don't see many of you running to live in those Countries.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. I actually care about America.

And because I do, I critize it because I expect it to behave better than some tin-pot third world dictatorship.

[William769]

2. I don't have a problem criticizing what the Government does.

I have a problem when I hear a fellow American doing it to AMerica. There is a difference.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Blah blah blah.

Tell you what. Criticizing America is as American as apple pie. In fact, it goes way back to this thing called the Constitution which allowed, nay, encouraged people to criticize America.

But tell you what. If you've got a problem with Americans criticizing America, why don't you leave? Don't let the back door hit you and all that jazz.

[William769]

11. Well for one reason I am a proud America

Which is more than I can say for some.

This is a issue the other side has hijacked and it's because of certain people on our side that let them do it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Obviously.

Unfortunately you don't seem particularly concerned about America having something to be proud about.

You seem more concerned about protecting your pride than protecting America itself.

[William769]

16. To me they go hand in hand.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

20. It doesn't seem to me like it.

You rather pretend everything's hunkydorey than admit there's problems.

[Dhalgren]

3. Want to share a little clue as to what the hell you're talking about?

[William769]

5. That would be against DU rules.

All I can say is just read for awhile.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Huh?

So, one cannot criticize a gov't OF, BY, and FOR the people. Hey slick, I AM THE GOVERNMENT! So are you. If we didn't criticize, we'd be doing it wrong. And it's ridiculous to think there are no lessons to be learned from anyone else, just because they are from a different country. Geez, think BEFORE you rant.
The Professor

[William769]

6. Well I am by no means slick

I suggest you read before you post.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Nice Non-Answer

One word is all you grasp at a time? Answer the question!

You made a nebulous post, full of parochial vigor and chauvanistic fervor and i asked you a question specific to your original post. And, this answer is all you've got?

You sure you really belong on a discussion board? You don't seem amenable to discussing anything. Slick!
The Professor

[bryant69]

7. I don't know what you mean

But it reads like this --> "America is the Bestest country in the whole world and anybody who says that any other country is better is a doo doo head. THey should just go live in some other country if they don't appreciate how great America is."

I can't believe that's what you actually mean, but that's how it reads.

Bryatn
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[knowbody0]

9. as an American,

I am accountable for my government's policies, foreign and domestic, and when they are corrupt and immoral, it is my duty to shout it out. Is that knocking it over a foreign power? Asking me to leave?

[nashville_brook]

12. wow. that's cool dude.

take a few more of the blue ones.

[Dhalgren]

13. Actually, I consider myself a Human Being, first.

Next would be, father.
Then, husband
Then, son.
Then, brother.

My ancestors were here before the nation started, so I don't see the US of A as being anything other than a kind of arbitrary thing...

[OneBlueSky]

14. I'm a human being first . . . but being an American is somewhere . . .

in my top five . . . I think . . .

[magellan]

17. Is this flame-bait?

Who are you to tell others to leave if they don't like it?

[Hav]

18. .

I just had an odd thought. Some people might actually be idiots first.

[riverwalker]

19. I have no comment

Just wanted to add to the Crazy Horse disputed image avatar thread. ;) :crazy:

[Dhalgren]

23. Even if he isn't Crazy Horse, he's a damn good looking NA!

:hi:

[Rex]

21. People who have to tell others that they are patriotic, well,

you know. What a non-issue, issue.

[LSK]

22. heres a little old document that I like

http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

[Xenotime]

26. Will this document be banned in schools..

for having the phrase "...and of Nature's God..." and "...endowed by their Creator..."?

[Zomby Woof]

24. Some of us have evolved beyond nationalism

I am human being first. I have had it with "my tribe can beat up your tribe". As for "running" to live somewhere else, I wouldn't mind sometimes, especially if the country being considered is less jingoistic, militaristic, superstitious, and fascistic than America. But why the hostility? Are you giving us free thinkers a "love it or leave it" ultimatum? :eyes:

I don't love any country. I love my wife-to-be, my family, and my friends. The idea of loving an artificial political entity is repulsive. It is time for the species to grow up and get past that thinking. It is subservience, which makes one a perfect stooge for authoritarianism.

[Arugula Latte]

25. Let me also ask: What the hell are you saying?

We're here because we want this country to live up to its potential. We don't think it should invade countries for no good reason and slaughter tens of thousands. We think in a land of untold riches, people should not be hungry. We don't think that corporations should dictate all government policy. And so on. So, we're trying to improve things. What are you doing besides throwing insults at Americans who don't go along with lies and propaganda?

[stillcool]

27. what is America without it's government?

my ancestory goes back to the 1700's...and while I was born here...it was through no choice of my own. It is the only country I know, and the only government I am intimate with. The consequences of my governments actions on my life have been immense...hence my interest in the political landscape that enables horrific actions to further the interests of it's most entitled elites. I can not measure my government's actions against another...because as I said...I am only intimate with my own...however...I can also not belittle another, or assume superiority for the same reason. I can only take care of my side of the street...and that is proving difficult enough.

[damntexdem]

28. I am a Terran first.

That doesn't mean that I support the governments, nor even the UN. What it does mean for all you out there that knock the Earth (sic) over a foreign planet. Here's a thought: DLTDYWTGLSY. I don't see many of you running to live on those planets (well, maybe a few of you in northern Florida).

[BurtWorm]

29. I readily knock the Bushist power over any competent, good-faith power

no matter where it comes from. I don't confuse the government with "America." I wish no one would.

[G_j]

30. huh?

knock America over a Foreign power..

your whole premise sounds a bit strange

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

31. "Patriotism is the most foolish of passions and the passion of fools."

Schopenhauer

[pazuzu]

32. If I had the financial resources, I would have fled in 2000

When the SCOTUS appointed George W. Bush. They feared that counting the votes in Florida would do "irreparble harm" to Bush's prospects of becoming president.

[pazuzu]

34. America is now just a monolithic corporation

[WilliamPitt]

33. ...pzzzzcheeeeezzzzz...

[buddhamama]

35. I am People first

I stay in this country because IT's mine too
and, I work to enact change here to the betterment of people everywhere.

[buddhamama]

36. I am People first

I stay in this country because IT's mine too
and, I work to enact change here to the betterment of people everywhere.

[genie_weenie]

37. Down with all governments!

I'm a human first...

[Odin2005]

38. Nationalism is stupid, throw rocks at it.

I am a human over anything else. You cant choose which country you're born in, why should you be proud of it? I'd rather we have a single global government.