Waving the flag.

[scottobear]

If you don't like it in the US... and you currently live here, here's another freedom open to you.

Leave. Hit the fricking road. Take a bite of a reality sandwich. See what life is like elsewhere.

Go Live in China for a year, see how wonderful life is there. Go to Afghanistan, and tell them you're an American, and see how well you get by telling them that you renounce our ways. Heck, spend some time in Germany or England, and try to get ahold of some of the "wrong" kind of literature.

I celebrate your freedom to an opinion, though I may deplore your ignorance and willful stupidity. I'd appreciate it if you thought before you started bitching about the way things are here. Vote, gather a petition, organize peaceably. If you have a problem, you can write your congressman, your local newspaper. Lay out exactly what your problems are, find folks of a similar mind, and do something about it.

Seriously. If you have a problem with the way things are here, at least you can make a difference. For such a young country, I think we've on the whole done a lot more good than bad. I think we've contributed far more positively than negatively to culture, society, technology and medicine than any other country on the planet for the last 200 years. This place is still a land of innovation and exceptional tolerance, especially compared to the entirety of the globe.

US life is probably some of the highest quality of life you can find, and that's coming from someone who's been homeless. There are problems with every system, but I feel that the one we have in place now is the best available. With the help of my nation and her citizens, I'm able to eat, sleep indoors, in a bed, love who I choose, travel freely, buy whatever books I like, work at a competitive wage, and help folks that don't have it so well to get back on their feet.

Tell me that you think we deserve most of the hate that we get, because of the country we live in... well... I'm sorry, but you're a fucking idiot.

Comments

[misspriss.livejournal.com]

Thank you for saying that; it needed to be said. People are so quick to complain, yet they don't want to DO anything about the "problems" they whine about. People are so quick to call President Bush names, and make fun of him - and although I do laugh when Will Ferrel does his impression of our president, the bashing is uncalled for. I know he is not the most impeccable public speaker, but we all have flaws. He has already proven to be better than Clinton, because we can trust him with the interns (heh). Seriously, though, he has given us no reason to hate him, and I think he is holding up very well through this time of crisis. I see no reason to blame him, for he is calling the world and our country together - he will get results and I believe he will lead us to punish the perpetrator/s.

This should be a time of working TOGETHER, not dividing ourselves by venting and making fun of our president - like it or not, he IS our leader and we need to support him.

I wish people could understand that

[drownedinink.livejournal.com]

Please don't be offended by what I have to say, but...

This isn't about America. Its about people. I mourn for all tragedies where thousands are killed for the stupid actions of their governments, whether it had been in Hiroshima or New York. I think its best to leave patriotic sentiment out of this...likewise, the actions of a nation do not deserve mass murder, so i'm horrified by the suggestion that those killed deserve this.

Agh, but I'm rambling...

One more point though, I have to take issue with your assertion that this nation is among the most tolerant in the world. I've spent a month on an Indian reservation, so I cannot believe that.

Again, I apologize if I offended or misinterpreted your statements.

[sweetalyssm.livejournal.com]

So, if someone came into your house and killed your whole family, it would not be about your family? Indeed, it is the job of the government to care for its people. It has a LOT to do with America.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Not really what I was talking about, at all. I was talking about people bitching about this country.

Regardless of our horrors and intolerance we do have, and have acted on in the past, I still think we're among the most tolerant.

[filthymonkey.livejournal.com]

Here comes the courseness...

It is about America. It is about Americans. It is about people. I mourn for all humans that die.

If you live in America; I don't expect you to be a certain religion. I don't expect you to be a certain color. I don't expect you to do anything else. But you better goddamn well consider yourself an American. Patriotism built this country. Patriotism built the people in this country. If you don't consider yourself an American, then we don't want you here.

This is America. If you live here, you're an American, and if you don't want to be an American and want to speak of leaving patriotism behind. GET THE FUCK OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!

Scotto, no hard feelings if you choose to delete this, I usually try to refrain from courseness in your journal.

[sida-al-hurra.livejournal.com]

Once again, Scottobear, so eloquently spoken. Most people here really DON'T know what it is like elsewhere. They don't know and they haven't had a reason to find out. They need to educate themselves and then see if they feel the same about this country.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

thank you. :)

Love it or LEAVE it

[darktrain.livejournal.com]

Amen Scotto

Re: Love it or LEAVE it

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

thnaks, DT.

[invisibella.livejournal.com]

Amen! I couldn't have said in better. In fact, I'm linking to this entry...

[hissyfit.livejournal.com]

so am i. thank you.

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

thank you. :) high praise indeed!

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

same here, thanks.

Re: Permanent Wave

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

well said, and wisely written, I think.

Thank you for your kind words of agreement. :)

[ex-neko700.livejournal.com]

i think the whole world has problems and everything is falling apart. but we do have the advantage and freedom most don't have and i am thankful for that. and our country is united for the most part..that is very good..

it's just too bad everything is all messy..i wonder if there was ever a moment in time where peace existed..

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Probably sometime before multi-celled life was here.

[ladyfire.livejournal.com]

::smile::

[ojdorson.livejournal.com]

Woo Hoo!

scottobear cursed! (http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?itemid=10487549&nc=3)

and he made really good points. Maybe he has read Robert Heinlein's story, Coventry?

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Yup.

I don't curse often. (More effective that way, when I do.)

Don't get me started on the Villian, Heinlein.

I have read coventry. Bleh. I've never been a fan of his stuff. mono-minded and one-sided.

His feelings aobut Engilsh teachers, psychological profiling and eventual development of scientology all stand out in that particualr story. again, I say bleh.

I share some of his beliefs, though, including a weakness for the redheaded mate of mine.

[laurak.livejournal.com]

I agree completely. The anti-American sentiment that is coming out of our own country is simply appaling to me. I think that a lot of people here are confusing patriotism for militancy. No country in the world should ever have to go through this, but sadly, many countries do go through it every day. I hope that this will serve as a wake up call to the world that this kind of thing simply cannot happen anymore.

And although I fully support and stand behind our government at this time, I will not agree with any actions which could lead to war, or otherwise killing other innocent individuals. Two wrongs do not make a right. If we resort to massive bombings or attacks, we will only sink down to the level of our attackers.

What was done to this country was an act of war, however this country does not deserve this anymore than any other country does.

I completely agree. Fucking idiots.

I agree... even in this entry....

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

people here are confusing patriotism for militancy...I suspect a lot of anti-american commentary is coming from folks that really aren't sure what they're talking about. I agree with you re:hurting more innocents, too. there may be no simple solutions, though... we'll see, I guess.

[rejectomorph]

I have also come across some posts that seem to be claiming that the (admitted) errors and injustices committed by the United States are somehow a justification for mass murder. It is an odious attitude. And I have seen posts going to the other extreme, of the "America can do no wrong" variety. Profoundly naive. My own feeling has long been that the United States is not the most perfect nation-state in the world, but very far from the worst. Both self-confidence and a capacity for self-criticism are essential to improvement, for cultures as well as for individuals. We can only do what we are able, to insure that a calm clear-sightedness, which is the burden and the glory of civilized people in all times and places, will ultimately prevail.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Well said.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

mostly good! :)

That freedom of speech thing is the only tricky part... that and geting an alien work visa! :)

[filleinvisible.livejournal.com]

Great minds think alike. We are in the same boat here Scotto.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

glad to hear it!

Nice Entry

[bookfoole.livejournal.com]

I like the way you didn't say "Love it or leave it," but instead said, "Love it or check out another country". Very few other countries have our level of acceptance for other cultures.

I'm rather troubled by the number of people who are saying we are responsible for this or we deserve it.

How much tolerance can you have for cultures of intolerance? And while I understand and even support people trying to humanize those in countries that support terrorism --I just wish they had a counterpart over there trying to humanize us. Very few other countries have our level of "political correctness", even European nations, who try to pass themselves off as more enlightened than us, would have a hard time justifying how they treat gypsies.

We're probably better than most countries in regards to morality. How many countries with our power, would have our restraint? Imagaine the Taliban with our economic and military strength. How many other countries suffering a tragedy like this would even consider saying they were responsible and to blame? It's not the way countries act --and if they did act that way, I really don't think they'd be acting in the interest of their citizens.

Re: Nice Entry

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

Thanks, BF.

Yeah, I don't want them gone, I just want them to sample what they might've gotten.

Wish I had Said That

[bsgi.livejournal.com]

Well said...kudos...I like what you said and how you said it...I only hope, that if they go, they don't decide to fan the flames further.

Re: Wish I had Said That

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

somehow, I think folks that leave will rush back in a hurry.

[lique.livejournal.com]

I'm working on it. ;)

You know me well enough to know I would never, ever say anyone deserves to be hurt in any way, for anything. But, I will also never apologise for not being a patriotic american ... I don't believe enough in the idea of national lines for that. And there those of us who, in all of our compassion, simply don't see enough accomplished through electoral politics to enact most of your suggestions ... that doesn't make us irresponsible. That simply makes us differently thinking ... I'd rather be building community centers than circulating petitions that likely won't get anything but a nice form letter back. And I'd rather not get into a situation where knowing there are worse places to be makes everything here okay.

I suppose what I'm asking is, don't assume those who believe there have been and are serious flaws in U.S. mid-eastern policy that need to be addressed are saying anyone deserves to suffer. And don't assume those who cringe a bit at the large display of patriotism and military support being shown across the country and around the world don't also feel very, very deeply and very, very personally anguish over what has occurred.

Re:

[scottobear.livejournal.com]

I hear you, and respect you for saying so. building a community center is a great way to change the environment for the better.

I don't confuse the two...I know that there are problems, and part of what makes it nice is that they can be addressed. The unthinking and uncivil were the crux of my complaint.