america: a fairweather nation?

smiley21 · #1 03-28-2003, 09:09 PM

i am a little mad and annoyed with america. when things are going fine, everyone is in to themselves. but it takes a crisis to bring the people together and get all patriotic. where was all the patriotism before the war? before 9-11? i just dont like how everyone waves their flags, sings america songs, and get mad at people who choose not to. why do we have to move with the tide? foreigners are right, america is an arrogant nation.

just a thought

navane · #2 03-28-2003, 09:48 PM

Ok right well I disagree. I currently live in Britain where most people don't even own a Union Jack flag. The Europeans in general see us Americans as a stereotypically "very patriotic" people at all times of the year. I mean, I've literally had people point this out to me. In a way they think it's amusing, and in a way they sort of admire it and wish it was more like that here.

Of course there is an increase in the feel-good factor when times are hard on the country. However, one just doesn't realize how "country lovin" we are until you live in another country for a while. We really aren't as "fairweather" as you might think.

.....Kelly

smiley21 · #3 03-28-2003, 10:05 PM

there may be patriotism all year round, but its doesnt explode like it does during times of turmoil. that is what annoys me.

damasa · #4 03-28-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiley21
there may be patriotism all year round, but its doesnt explode like it does during times of turmoil. that is what annoys me.

That doesn't mean we are a fair weather nation. There are times when people tend to feel more patriotic...and they show it more.

Being patriotic and feeling patriotic doesn't always go hand in hand with showing that you are patriotic.....

Just because people don't always show it..doesn't mean they don't feel it. And yes, at times like these many people might want to show it.....to signify unity? To signify the strength of the citizens of our country?

KillarneyRose · #5 03-28-2003, 11:51 PM

Depends on where you live, I guess. Annapolis is always a very outwardly patriotic place but that could be because we're a really Navy-oriented town. I've always thought JAX was that way too, but I guess not.

Cluey · #6 03-29-2003, 12:00 AM

It is weird that smiley and I could live in the same town and have differing experiences as far as patriotism goes.

One of my fellow teachers and I wanted to start a collection drive of items that may be needed by military members overseas, but we're running into a road block. The students that I work with (keep in mind these are apathetic high school students) were actually upset that there wasn't something they could do to help. We're still trying to figure something out because we all want to help out in whatever way we can.

Maybe it's just because I tend to want to focus on the positive, rather than the negative, but I think Jacksonville is a very patriotic place to live. You can't go half a mile in any direction without seeing a flag or something to do with the armed services. Maybe it's just me, though.

smiley21 · #7 03-29-2003, 12:07 AM

it is not just jacksonville. it is all of america. like i said before i am just frustrated with america

damasa · #8 03-29-2003, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiley21
it is not just jacksonville. it is all of america. like i said before i am just frustrated with america

I'm sorry, but do you live in all of America? Have you honestly visited every place in America? If not, please do not say that....

Refer to my previous post on this....just because people show it more now doesn't mean that they didn't feel or weren't patriotic before.

shopgirl · #9 03-29-2003, 03:27 AM

smiley21,

I can see where you are coming from. I don't feel the same way you do, but I can understand how you, or anyone, might feel that way.

Isn't it like school pride? Sure, you are proud of your school, but when they're on the brink of a championship, be it high school, college, or national, people tend to display their pride more i.e., wearing school colors and paraphanelia (sp)?

***I'm not comparing war to sports games. Just an analogy.

smiley21 · #10 03-29-2003, 10:37 AM

shopgirl: i understand what you are saying about school spirit. but i have an opinion about that too. i am not going to say.

to everyone, forget i brought this up. i am sorry for thinking this way. i dont want people hating me. there are plenty of reasons i am mad at america AS A NATION. i am not talking about every single state or person. please dont be mad at me. i just tried to bring up a rational subject. i dont like it when people get mad at me.

shopgirl · #11 03-29-2003, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by smiley21
shopgirl: i understand what you are saying about school spirit. but i have an opinion about that too. i am not going to say.

to everyone, forget i brought this up. i am sorry for thinking this way. i dont want people hating me. there are plenty of reasons i am mad at america AS A NATION. i am not talking about every single state or person. please dont be mad at me. i just tried to bring up a rational subject. i dont like it when people get mad at me.

Oh Smiley21,

Don't be so apologetic.

You remind me of myself!

Apologetic about my feelings and not wanting people to be mad at me. You have every right to feel the way you do. Own it, don't apologize for it...even if others disagree.

SilverTurtle · #12 03-29-2003, 06:33 PM

smiley,
I totally get where you are coming from. It seemed like immediately after "9/11" every car suddenly had at least 2 bumper stickers declaring "I'm Proud to be American", etc. And every other house put out their American flag. (Some of these flags have been up since then & are fadded and/or torn & need replaced

but that's a separate issue).

I don't think people suddenly became more patriotic, I think the tragedies simply reminded them of the good things about America, too. And they wanted to show solidarity & pride in America.

To make another analogy: Greeks can be really into wearing their letters, putting stickers on their cars, etc. when they 1st initiate into a chapter. After a couple of years that enthusiam wears off some. But then maybe they get a little, who's very excited & they go through the whole process & it comes to initiation. All of a sudden that pride is renewed because they're sharing it with someone. It never went away, it just resurfaced.

Peaches-n-Cream · #13 03-30-2003, 09:16 PM

I have had an American flag in my window since Sept. 12th, 2001. I think that we show our patriotism and unity in times of crisis or celebration.

Kevin · #14 03-30-2003, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cream
I have had an American flag in my window since Sept. 12th, 2001. I think that we show our patriotism and unity in times of crisis or celebration.

Agreed. Looking through the history of the US we have never been really flag flying unless it had something to do with overcoming an adversary as a country. See the Civil War, the World Wars, or just about anything.