Patriotism is much like drinking. People who drink more than I do are alcoholics and people who drink less need to loosen up a little.
Patriotism is a good thing, right? I for one would hate to be in a country where the populace resented/feared/opposed the governing body. It is a great luxury to be proud of where you are from. Patriotism does not mean you are fully happy, but you feel that a system is in place that you can work with to effect change.
It seems to me that whenever an American speaks out in favor of his country, he is given the label "blindly patriotic". Sort of unfairly puts the burden of proof on the accused.
Why is the American so poised to defend his country? Are we all walking, talking Bush drones. No, not really. In fact, Americans in general don't talk about politics. They talk about sports, the weather, and those Goddamned kids today. We are not, as a whole, interested in the subject. Why? Because although things are not perfect here, we really don't have to. Our president is our greatest source for parody, tune into SNL sometime. This is a good thing.
I learned in Spanish class how passionate South Americans are about politics and how it is a real nidus for discussion among friends. This does not reflect a fundamental difference between us and them, but rather for them, it is a matter of necessity.
Why do we come off so vehemently patriotic if we are not really interested in politics? Human nature, simple as that.
For example, if young EBP goes to his brother and complains that their f*cking sister is a bitch, because she told Mom about his stash and got him grounded, that is ok. There is the tacit understanding that although he is mad at her right now, he still loves her in that unique sibling/family unit way.
Young EBP then goes to buy some smokes. On the way to the store his sisters' boyfriend says, "I f*cked your sister, that bitch". EBP then procedes to go medievil on his ass. Why? These two have no such tacit agreement. Respect/love for the sister is not a given.
This is akin to Clocker and J2K4 in disagreement. They are unified by a pride in their country (the tacit understanding), but differ as to what course it should take to a successful future.
Compare this to J2K4 and EBP/Myfiles/Echidna. These outsiders they tend to post inflammatory anti-American government threads with regularity. Without a common understanding, J2's natural instincts are to protect his FAMILY (the US) as he/we have been disrespected.
So if non-Americans want to engage us in discussion, bring forth your concerns, not in the form of scathing articles, but with kidgloves. Take it from me, you can effect people more with sugar than vinegar (it took me some time to learn this). Otherwise it just appears that you are just trying to piss us off. Like I said before, pelting us with rocks from behind your bush. That is ok, every now and then, we all get really pissed on occassion, but try not to make it the rule.
Well, it's getting dark here, time to go blow something up!
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