Arrogant Patriotism

[1jfuddle]

Is anyone else out there uneasy about being "the strongest"(military, that is)nation on Earth" when it means we can and will do what we darned well want? You know, "all power tends to corrupt, . . . ." With about one out of every 22 people on planet Earth an American, is anyone else offended by the ethnocentric arrogance of the ubiquitous "God Bless America" bumper sticker? Religious belief thant engendered World flags and "God Bless People" would have more appeal for me. Still more impressive, imagine seeing "God Bless Life and Mother Earth" on an occasional Lexus, Cadillac SUV and Dodge-Hemi truck!

[kalian]

1. "strongest military nation on Earth".....ummm...

only of you count invading and occupying third and fourth world
countries.
I'd like to see the US take on somebody that can fight...namely,
the Russians, Chinese, heck, even the Germans and French would put
up quite a fight...

Let's stop kidding ourselves about how "strong" we are militarially.

[ancillaryidealist]

2. United Front

I think it would be even worse if the United States ever ran into a coalition of some of the above mentioned nations.

I've talked to several veterans who think that the United States is only powerful because of technology and that hides how back wards are tactical practices are.

We also seem to choose to fight enemies that are weaker than us.

[kalian]

5. Quite true and an excellent point....

Its the bully mentality...plain and simple.

[ancillaryidealist]

7. Bully Mentality

I wonder when I look at the makeup of PNAC if these individuals were the bullied kids in school. Now that power is in their hands its time for some revenge.

Would be an interesting question for any therapists/psychologists.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

12. I agree technology has alot to do with it...

...still not too sure we are any good up against irrregualr forces or guerilla insuregencys....

[squidbro]

11. Even strong military force is limited in what it can accomplish

I would suggest avoiding a fight with such nations. Unless, we are prepared for the inevitable nuclear fallout that will result.

But I do understand what you are saying.

Heck, our "mighty" military, the same one that helped defeat the German and Japanese armies of WWII was humiliated by hordes of Chinese peasants in the Korean War. To make matters worse, our military "lost" the Vietnam war.

The threat of force has no meaning to those who would lay down their lives for a cause or an idea.

Somehow, Americans believe that self-preservation will compel people to capitulate.

So we go about putting together the greatest collection of war material the planet has ever seen.

What kind of a message does that send?

It leads nations like Iran and North Korea on a frantic frenzy to develop nuclear weapons.

But Kim Jong-Il is a fanatic according to the right. He may well be. But then why should fanatics like the present Bush administration be allowed to have them?

Perhaps more Americans should look to the history of the ancient world for ideas of how not to develop policy.

The Assyrians were a people who subjected other peoples with ruthless force. They created so much hatred that they were totally annihilated eventually when everyone around them rose up simultaneously.

The U.S. seems bent on following the same policy regarding the use of force. We need to stop the nonsense now. Bush absolutely has to go.

[Bluzmann57]

3. Well, I am a Patriot

but I also understand that EVERY OTHER race, creed, religion, etc has a right to be here on this planet. And why shouldn't a German love his or her country, or a French person, or an Iraqi for that matter? There is nothing wrong with patriotism, unless it is bastardized like it is now.

[IronLionZion]

4. It's nationalism

hmmm... and what is wrong with nationalism?

[IronLionZion]

6. The good Congressman Hoeffel is not part of that post

he's just in my sig!

[ancillaryidealist]

8. I was wondering...

He does kind of look like the German officer from "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade" :7

[IronLionZion]

10. Haha, he is German, but no Nazi!

He's a good liberal.

[whistle]

9. I am uneasy, but not about the U.S. military...

More on the U.S. national debt, from Al Martin Raw, the article "Scoreboard 2003". Seems to be in the member area, but somebody sent me an e-mail copy.

The total national debt of the United States on a fully realized basis, inclusive of federal, state, county and local debt stood at a record $20.613 trillion (83.73% of said debt having been created from 1981-92 and from 2001 to present.) The total public and private indebtedness of the United States ended the year 2003 at $39.384 trillion. The total public and private assets of the United States ended the year 2003 at $26.134 trillion. Thus, the United States by the end of 2003 has a negative net worth of approximately $13 trillion. The total debt service of the United States ended the year 2003 at 309.4% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

These are numbers never before seen. This is a higher debt to gross domestic product ratio than any other country on earth, which still services its debt.

[IronLionZion]

13. definitions of patriotism, nationalism, and fascism

patriotism

\Pa"tri*ot*ism\, n. Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country; the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which inspires one to serve one's country. --Berkley.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

nationalism

n the conviction that the culture and interests of your nation are superior to those of any other nation

Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

fas·cism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (fshzm)
n.

1. often Fascism
1. A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.
2. A political philosophy or movement based on or advocating such a system of government.
2. Oppressive, dictatorial control.