Question about Americans..

[duranman]

Are you proud of your nationality? I mean you've only been on the planet 5 minutes and you think you run the place. Um, but you do, don't you?...

 

[Fata Morgana]

Good evening! Not seen you about for a bit.

 

[Jennifer]

Personally, I do not. I think our country is a bad joke.

 

[Adre]

We're doing okay though we could go for some spotted dick or bubble and squeak if you're coming this way.

 

[marshalt]

I am proud of some of the people in America. I am not proud of the system of government we have in place.

 

[FGB]

Are you proud of your nationality? I mean you've only been on the planet 5 minutes and you think you run the place. Um, but you do, don't you?...

No wise ass, But somehow we get in the middle of the shit storm.

 

[Kitty]

I am proud of some of the people in America. I am not proud of the system of government we have in place.

Which people? lol

And I plead the fifth. The government could be spying on us right now!!!

 

[Kitty]

No wise ass, But somehow we get in the middle of the shit storm.

Somehow?

Um, legend has it, Americans can't mind their fucking business. Cough, Vietnam. Cough...um...everything.

In city schools, at least here, they banned the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements. Some schools I have been to in like Florida and upstate, say it. Even including the National Anthem that we have to stand through. And there was a time I refused to do it, because I had moved to an area where Tea Party members lived. I suspected teachers, classmates, the lunch ladies, the librarians, the janitors, the groundkeep, everyone, of being a Tea Party member. So I never stood up. One teacher, (who thought he was cool because he taught in the Bronx-before he got ran out ) my Chem teacher (who took the spot of a guy who got fired for stat rape), whispered in my ear: "You don't have to say it, but please get up at least. Do it for me; I've never disrespected you."

 

[ElijaRDC]

Are you proud of your nationality? I mean you've only been on the planet 5 minutes and you think you run the place. Um, but you do, don't you?...

Like anywhere, America isn't perfect, but it could be a hell of a lot worse.

 

[richard_daily]

Are you proud of your nationality? I mean you've only been on the planet 5 minutes and you think you run the place. Um, but you do, don't you?...

I think this country has potential to be great. It could be a leader and shaper of world policy, politics, and culture... but we've pretty much squandered that potential in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

At this point, we are the embarrassment of the first world in regards to income inequity, shoddy health care, lack of growth for the lower and middle class, crumbling infrastructure, backwards views on energy, and food policies (GMOs, agribusiness, etc).

Almost everything here boils down to how it can make someone a buck, there is no emphasis on sustainability and what kind of place we're going to leave for our children and future generations.

That's embarrassing.

 

[ElijaRDC]

there is no emphasis on sustainability and what kind of place we're going to leave for our children

I can't lie, that is one factor in my decision not to have children.

 

[oggbashan]

I'm not American.

But I am proud of Americans every time I visit the cemetery above Omaha Beach in Normandy. Thank you.

 

[Adre]

I'm not American.

But I am proud of Americans every time I visit the cemetery above Omaha Beach in Normandy. Thank you.

Thanks for this. Some of your snarkier countrymen here ignore things like this.

 

[oggbashan]

Thanks for this. Some of your snarkier countrymen here ignore things like this.

Unfortunately that can be reciprocated by some US people too. They forget their own war dead, and ignore the contributions of their Allies not just in WW2 but in more recent conflicts.

Visiting the British cemetery at Bayeux is an antidote. The main bypass road around Bayeux, built by US engineers in the days after D-Day, runs through the cemetery and vehicles slow down out of respect.

Also in Bayeux, and ignored by most of the world, is a memorial to all those news reporters and cameramen who have died reporting conflicts around the world. Too many of them are Americans.

http://www.prixbayeux.org/english/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/M%C3%A9morial-des-reporters1.jpeg


https://www.opcofamerica.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/StoryImage/images/TNs/n_paris_bday.jpg

The inscription to Robert Capa says: Creator of legendary pictures of D-Day.

 

[Paul_Chance]

I'm proud. I even put my hand over my heart when I say the Pledge.

 

[Ishmael]

Yes, yes I am.

Adding to what Ogg has had to say;

It was the US that financed the end of Small Pox. It is the US that is financing inoculations for children throughout the 3rd world. Whenever there is a catastrophe anywhere in the world it is the US through the government and via charitable contributions by the citizenry that is the first to offer aid. By leaps and bounds we are still the most charitable nation on the face of the earth due to the unselfish donations of the common man.

And it is our capitalistic system that makes all of the above possible, both government and private entities having the capital to finance the good works.

Sure, we have our problems and have made our share of mistakes, but the world would be a far poorer place without us.

Ishmael

 

[doctor_insanus]

I'm proud, but I despise the mindless jingoism that passes for patriotism these days. We could do with a lot less chest-thumping, and a lot more self-reflection, but we're not really into that sort of thing.

 

[Mr_Jon_Thon]

We give money and bombs freely. What's not to be proud of?

 

[oggbashan]

Adding to Ishmael's post above.

We Brits are not far behind in charitable and government financing of humanitarian aid. We have hundreds of volunteers currently fighting Ebola in West Africa in health centres built by British troops. We have consistently held to a target of a percentage of GDP spent on overseas aid, a target that other countries signed up to meet, and have failed.

We do things that the US cannot, because of poltical sensitivity, such as providing condoms and family planning in Africa. Both countries try to work together without duplication.

Both countries are usually there before United Nations agencies, and are more effective on the ground, whether from government resources of from charitable organisations.

The French, particularly Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), go where US and UK agencies cannot.

 

[Sean]

Adding to Ishmael's post above.

We Brits are not far behind in charitable and government financing of humanitarian aid. We have hundreds of volunteers currently fighting Ebola in West Africa in health centres built by British troops. We have consistently held to a target of a percentage of GDP spent on overseas aid, a target that other countries signed up to meet, and have failed.

We do things that the US cannot, because of poltical sensitivity, such as providing condoms and family planning in Africa. Both countries try to work together without duplication.

Both countries are usually there before United Nations agencies, and are more effective on the ground, whether from government resources of from charitable organisations.

The French, particularly Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), go where US and UK agencies cannot.

You know which country has more doctors in Africa fighting ebola then any other?

Cuba.

 

[Balladeer08]

I'm glad I'm an American,
I'm glad that I am free.
But I wish I were a dog
and Nixon were a tree.


(insert the name of the politician of your choice.)

 

[desertslave]

I'm not chest-thumpingly proud, but I've done a bit of traveling and I can only think of one or two other countries that I'd be willing to call home. We're by no means perfect, as a country or a people, but I think we earnestly try to be our best.

 

[Libsam]

I'm so glad I was born in America! It's got to be much better than say North Korea or rural NW China.

 

[prdigy666]

Hell yeah I'm proud to be an American... Not because of what we're doing right now, but because of our past and what we're capable of.

The contributions that we've made and opportunities that were granted. Have we fucked up? Of course we have... But tell me one country that hasn't.

You say in the 5 minutes that we've existed like it's an insult... The idea of the United States of America has been a blueprint of freedom for nations around the globe. Our ideals, principles and innovations have inspired people the world over. So in our 5 minutes the glimmer of hope we'd shown to the world is immeasurable.

That's why I'm proud to be an American. And hopefully, one day soon, we can quit the bullshit course we've put ourselves on and get back on track to who we once were. Is America the greatest country in the world? Not anymore... But we were. And we can be again...

 

[Not Normal]

I had nothing to do with where I was born, or the countries my ancestors came from. My nationalities are not a point of pride for me. They just are facts about me.