Are you patriotic?

[Ali_Cat]

Since there are users from all over the world here on VT, I just wanted to know if anyone is fairly patriotic, supports thier country, etc.

Personally, I`m not all that patriotic.
Do I support my country? (America) Well, yes and no.
When I compare my country to others, whos citizens are alot less fortunate, then I do enjoy living here. However it seems more and more often I`m almost ashamed to live here. While there may be some good on our part, I honestly feel America is a big bully, that sticks its noes into buisness it shoulden`t. Not to mention the turmoil the country has within itself.
Anywho, I don`t mean to get into all that, I`m just wondering if anyone else feels the same as I do about thier own country.

[Sage]

No. Borders divide us.

[Cryofthewolf]

I do love my country, but I think it is a bad thing to be too patriotic. Like religious fanatics, those who are too invested in their country would follow it without question, potentially harming others without a second thought. (Nazi Germany anyone?)

Even though I love my country, there are a lot of things I find wrong with it. Our eagerness to go into war, as Ali Cat said, our tendency to butt into other people's business, and the political divisions that go on in our social media, news networks, and within our political buildings. I also can't honestly say that it is my favorite country. Yes, it has kept me safe over the years. I also enjoy the freedom to be who I want to be and do what I want to do as much as the next person, but it just isn't my favorite country.

Of the few countries that I have been to, my favorite would have to be Switzerland. It was clean, the people were friendly, an there was culture everywhere. It was also exciting to be standing in places that go back thousands of years, compared to around 250 back home. I know this sounds cliche, but people just looked healthier than they do here, and the country itself doesn't get itself involved much in what other countries are doing. Heck, they aren't even a part of the European Union.

I'm sure it has its bad qualities, and I'm sure there are bad people and political strife there as well. Those things can't really be changed, I'm afraid, but I still love the country and can't wait to go back. <3

[DinoCrisisFan]

yes.

[Continuum]

Fuck the Philippines. I fucking hate nationalist scum. Most of them are even just being hypocrites to a God-forsaken country, I fear it became a worthless trend for the youth. I mean, it's disgusting. They fail to uphold the bad qualities and sometimes they don't mention it altogether. Yes, I am not hypocritical, they may go and suck my all-foreign minded cock.

Emotions aside, I still do not like the idea of nationhood. It gets all-too-clichèd, we're not living in World War 2 era anymore. There are no wars for it to be expressed on. There are barely anything to say about my country. Food and Smog, yes, but every country has them. It's not unique anymore.

[Suicune]

Not really.
I like this country a lot, it has it's charm, but I'm not like "GOD BLESS AMERICA LAWDY LAWDY RED WHITE AND BLUE FUCK YEAH"
I've stopped doing the Pledge of Allegiance at school.

And if I didn't have family here I'd probably move to Canada. It's so close yet so far.

[Vonn]

Not really. I like America and all, but I'm not going to treat it like a god.

[Azunite]

There is a very thin red line between patriotism and fascism,
I hope you people can stabilise both.

Yeah I am a patriot but I have lost a great part of faith in my country

[FullyAlive]

Quite a bit, I love it when England all gets together for stuff like the world cup.
I think I'm quite proud if my British ness :)

[scuba steve]

Somewhat, for some reason if someone puts the country down I could get randomly defensive even though the country is a shit hole. My ambition in life is to leave the UK to some other English speaking country, the only thing I want to keep is my accent, it scares people when i'm abroad for some reason.

[Cryofthewolf]

Somewhat, for some reason if someone puts the country down I could get randomly defensive even though the country is a shit hole. My ambition in life is to leave the UK to some other English speaking country, the only thing I want to keep is my accent, it scares people when i'm abroad for some reason.

Hm, can only think of four, but then again, I never had a geography class...

USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand

There you go. According to me, all the English-speaking countries in the world. ;-)

[Amnesiac]

Hm, can only think of four, but then again, I never had a geography class...

USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand

There you go. According to me, all the English-speaking countries in the world. ;-)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Anglospeak(800px)Countries.png

Dark blue: English is an official language.
Light blue: English is a secondary language.

As for the OP's question, I'm proud of my home country of Australia and all its bad-assery, but I definitely don't support everything my government is doing right now. Specifically the mandatory Internet filter.

[scuba steve]

Hm, can only think of four, but then again, I never had a geography class...

USA
Canada
Australiahttp://www.virtualteen.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
New Zealand

There you go. According to me, all the English-speaking countries in the world. ;-)

The UK/USA community, yes. So far i've kind of ruled out Australia because of the heat, i'd still like somewhere to have a great winter, and ruling more towards the US. :)

[Cryofthewolf]

The UK/USA community, yes. So far i've kind of ruled out Australia because of the heat, i'd still like somewhere to have a great winter, and ruling more towards the US. :)

We'd be happy to have you. The only problem would be picking a state. :P

[scuba steve]

We'd be happy to have you. The only problem would be picking a state. :P

Massachusetts, actually :P
My aunt and uncle live there so that would be the most likely choice.

[Cryofthewolf]

Massachusetts, actually :P
My aunt and uncle live there so that would be the most likely choice.

Nice, that's where I live *points under avatar*

Whereabouts in Mass do they live?

[Iceman]

Eh.. not really. There's no point to recite a pledge in the morning if you think about it. The flag honestly doesn't care if gets sung to or not

[TopGear]

Image (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Anglospeak(800px)Countries.png)

Dark blue: English is an official language.
Light blue: English is a secondary language.

As for the OP's question, I'm proud of my home country of Australia and all its bad-assery, but I definitely don't support everything my government is doing right now. Specifically the mandatory Internet filter.

The United States doesn't have a Official Language. The majority speaks english, but it is not our official language.

[Severus Snape]

I am increasingly coming to find that patriotism (read nationalism, patriotism is just a term used to describe nationalism in a more positive light) is a ridiculous concept. The US is not #1, it has and continues to commit despicable crimes, and yet this is the norm for every nation on earth. I don't blindly support my country, I acknowledge our selfish desires to dominate resources vital to my standard of living. I give a sort of half hearted support in light of this. America is no more "the land of the free"than Somalia. In many ways Somalia is more free than the US. Everything is relative.

[TopGear]

I am increasingly coming to find that patriotism (read nationalism, patriotism is just a term used to describe nationalism in a more positive light) is a ridiculous concept. The US is not #1, it has and continues to commit despicable crimes, and yet this is the norm for every nation on earth. I don't blindly support my country, I acknowledge our selfish desires to dominate resources vital to my standard of living. I give a sort of half hearted support in light of this. America is no more "the land of the free"than Somalia. In many ways Somalia is more free than the US. Everything is relative.

I would have to strongly disagree with all of that. You can not judge an entire country and rank them by their "despicable crimes" and how can you support this statement:

America is no more "the land of the free"than Somalia. In many ways Somalia is more free than the US. Everything is relative.

[Severus Snape]

I would have to strongly disagree with all of that. You can not judge an entire country and rank them by their "despicable crimes"

Of course I can. The US has done some very naughty things in the past 100 years. I can't deny they have greatly benefited the nation, and, by extension, myself, but that does not change the fact that bad things have been done.

and how can you support this statement:

Up until the turn of this century it was illegal for a man to have sex with a man in the USA. A 20 year old may not purchase, consume, or posses alcohol. If a 19 year old wants to make love to his 16 year old girlfriend he cannot, because it is considered rape. A seventeen year old may not smoke tobacco. You may not use or possess marijuana. In Somalia, Denmark, or India you may do any of these things proscribed by US law. Our "rights" are very limited and special only in a 18th century context.

[Amnesiac]

The United States doesn't have a Official Language. The majority speaks english, but it is not our official language.

Blue also includes de facto official languages, where the nation hasn't declared it an official language but it is the primary language spoken in the country and used on government documents.

[TopGear]

Up until the turn of this century it was illegal for a man to have sex with a man in the USA. A 20 year old may not purchase, consume, or posses alcohol. If a 19 year old wants to make love to his 16 year old girlfriend he cannot, because it is considered rape. A seventeen year old may not smoke tobacco. You may not use or possess marijuana. In Somalia, Denmark, or India you may do any of these things proscribed by US law. Our "rights" are very limited and special only in a 18th century context.

Fair enough, after reading and you explaining your statement, I agree with you. I agree about all of those subjects. But, there are laws and regulations that we have that keep us safe and make us (as people of the US and the US itself) great.

Commander Awesome - Oh gotcha didn't think of that. Thanks for the clarification.

[The Dark Lord]

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” Mark Twain sums up my views on patriotism

[Sage]

in the words of mark twain, patriotism is supporting your army all of the time and your government when it suits you.

That's not what he said.

[The Dark Lord]

That's not what he said.

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”~ Mark Twain.

I'll edit my original post.

[steve1234]

I used to be patriotic about the UK, but now I don't really care. Mostly because my country is an embarrasment, but also because I'm starting the think the world should be more united, and less against each other (even if that does sound impossible).

Also, if you are patriotic in my country, people assume you are a BNP supporter (British National Party, aka British Nazi Party), which is not good lol.

[Cudder]

Heck yes I'm patriotic. It's America, a dream country. You have to be patriotic about that

[Azunite]

Oh yeah
Be proud of America and it's men:
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6053/58563666.jpg (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/58563666.jpg/)

[Severus Snape]

Heck yes I'm patriotic. It's America, a dream country. You have to be patriotic about that

A dream country for the Cherokee and Seminoles? Probably not, since they died in droves on a forced march to Oklahoma by the US government.

[The Dark Lord]

Also, if you are patriotic in my country, people assume you are a BNP supporter (British National Party, aka British Nazi Party), which is not good lol.

No they don't.

[scuba steve]

Also, if you are patriotic in my country, people assume you are a BNP supporter (British National Party, aka British Nazi Party), which is not good lol.

No, to be part of the BNP just means your a dumb fuck skin head.

[PJay]

Interesting thread. I really can't decide if I'm patriotic or not. I suppose its because there's a lot of good things about the UK and a lot of things I don't like. I'd fight to protect my friends and family, but I'm not sure I'd fight to protect my country because Im' not sure about what exactly that means.

[Severus Snape]

Interesting thread. I really can't decide if I'm patriotic or not. I suppose its because there's a lot of good things about the UK and a lot of things I don't like. I'd fight to protect my friends and family, but I'm not sure I'd fight to protect my country because Im' not sure about what exactly that means.

Fight in the defense of you government, culture, constitution, national interest, etc. It is a pretty broad subject.

[Sage]

Heck yes I'm patriotic. It's America, a dream country. You have to be patriotic about that

America isn't a country, it's two continents, and there is nothing dreamy about your country or any other country for that matter. There are skeletons in every closet. I advise you start living in the real world and stop overlooking the faults of your government and society.

[Azunite]

America isn't a country, it's two continents, and there is nothing dreamy about your country or any other country for that matter. There are skeletons in every closet. I advise you start living in the real world and stop overlooking the faults of your government and society.

Exactly this

[steve1234]

No they don't.

Maybe not everyone, but a lot of people do. I remember having a Union Jack flag in my window during the World Cup, and someone accused me of being a BNP supporter. Obviously thats just one person, and its not everyone, but I've heard many similar stories.

[The Dark Lord]

Maybe not everyone, but a lot of people do. I remember having a Union Jack flag in my window during the World Cup, and someone accused me of being a BNP supporter. Obviously thats just one person, and its not everyone, but I've heard many similar stories.

No the majority of people who vote BNP are considered racists, not patriotics. It also depends in what part of the country you live in.

[TopGear]

Oh yeah
Be proud of America and it's men:
Image (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/58563666.jpg/)

I take that to be very insulting. Im sorry that you can't be proud of your sorry ass country. Last time I checked we still have one of the Best economies in the world, even when its low for our standards. We have the finest military that any country could ask for and we live in a free (to an extent) society. The United States offer free public school for ALL children of all ages. It's also one of the safest countries to live in.

I am very proud about my country and will continue to be till it can make me think otherwise.

[The Dark Lord]

I take that to be very insulting. Im sorry that you can't be proud of your sorry ass country. Last time I checked we still have one of the Best economies in the world, even when its low for our standards. We have the finest military that any country could ask for and we live in a free (to an extent) society. The United States offer free public school for ALL children of all ages. It's also one of the safest countries to live in.

I am very proud about my country and will continue to be till it can make me think otherwise.

America's unemployment is what roughly 10%, hardly one of best economies in the world, finest military is pushing it given the lack of progress in Afganistan. There is a different between being patriotic and supporting your country blindly, which is what I think you do.

[Wicked_Syn]

I live in America, and I am not very patriotic at all. It's just something I don't want to get mixed into. I don't feel like taking the time to get to understand the political system, but, from what we've been through in the past, I can't say I am to strong for my country, but hey, I do like it here.

[Jess]

I'm not really patriotic. though sometimes I'm proud to be Chinese..or proud to be American....:S

[Severus Snape]

I live in America, and I am not very patriotic at all. It's just something I don't want to get mixed into. I don't feel like taking the time to get to understand the political system, but, from what we've been through in the past, I can't say I am to strong for my country, but hey, I do like it here.

Being patriotic has little to do with understanding the US political system.

[scuba steve]

I'm not really patriotic. though sometimes I'm proud to be Chinese..or proud to be American....:S

Didn't you say you were born in Canada one time...? :P

[TopGear]

America's unemployment is what roughly 10%, hardly one of best economies in the world, finest military is pushing it given the lack of progress in Afganistan. There is a different between being patriotic and supporting your country blindly, which is what I think you do.

The United States unemployment rate is 9.2% so its not 10%, Also you can't judge a country's entire economy just by its unemployment rate, thats nonsense. I would have to disagree with you with you saying that its "pushing it given the lack of progress in Afganistan." My question is, have you been over there, have you served in the military, have you had a father over there? We aren't in a green zone, its a fucking war. They are trying there best to rebuild what we have either destroyed or what the Taliban has. From bridges to roads, to new building. By the way, be thankful thats its not over here. Thats why we have the Finest military in the world. People like you and others take our military for granted, you don't think about what we have and those who protect you day in and day out.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/15/interactive-infographic-of-the-worlds-best-countries.html

[Azunite]

Didn't you say you were born in Canada one time...? :P

Jess is busted :D

[Jess]

Didn't you say you were born in Canada one time...? :P

Yes, but I've only been to Canada 2 times, the last time was when I was really young, and I don't see myself as a Canadian even though I was born there. :S

But I can say I'm proud to be Canadian.......eh?

Jess is busted :D
:rolleyes:

[Aves]

I would not consider myself a "patriot" in any way. I live here, that's it.

[Skeptical Bear]

Well, I was born in America. Not that patriotic for here from what I witness. From where my parents came from(Dominican Republic) I'm not that patriotic either, but I'd still love to live there or visit the family again.

[The Dark Lord]

The United States unemployment rate is 9.2% so its not 10%,


Which is why I said roughly 10%

Also you can't judge a country's entire economy just by its unemployment rate, thats nonsense.


neither would I, but then you would have the argument of sacrifing jobs for a good economy, a jobless economy is as bad as a fucked economy

I would have to disagree with you with you saying that its "pushing it given the lack of progress in Afganistan." My question is, have you been over there, have you served in the military, have you had a father over there? We aren't in a green zone, its a fucking war. They are trying there best to rebuild what we have either destroyed or what the Taliban has. From bridges to roads, to new building.


Your dad is doing his job, while I respect his bravery, I still don't see much progress in Afganistan. It was the same with Iraq, a whole lot of neo-cons scheming to remove Saddam Hussien with no regard for the consequences. I'm patriotic, but I'm aware of my country's limitations. Hopefully, America will soon see theirs

By the way, be thankful thats its not over here. Thats why we have the Finest military in the world. People like you and others take our military for granted, you don't think about what we have and those who protect you day in and day out.


tbh I'd be more than happy if America stopped acting like the world's police service, then millions of people wouldn't be killed every day. Millions of Iraqis and Afgans dead because of an egotisical war that there is no hope of winning.

[Ali_Cat]

The United States unemployment rate is 9.2% so its not 10%, Also you can't judge a country's entire economy just by its unemployment rate, thats nonsense. I would have to disagree with you with you saying that its "pushing it given the lack of progress in Afganistan." My question is, have you been over there, have you served in the military, have you had a father over there? We aren't in a green zone, its a fucking war. They are trying there best to rebuild what we have either destroyed or what the Taliban has. From bridges to roads, to new building. By the way, be thankful thats its not over here. Thats why we have the Finest military in the world. People like you and others take our military for granted, you don't think about what we have and those who protect you day in and day out.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/15/interactive-infographic-of-the-worlds-best-countries.html

+2 I`ve got a fiance in the service right now. Alot of people are ignorant to all the the military has done, and continues to do. People hear things, and watch the new, and thats about it. They form conclusions based on little evidence. People generally have a hard time understanding unless they are somehow connected to it. (i.e- a family member or loved one in the military) You get a much greater insight (especially if they`re involved in top secret informations, as in my case) to all our military does that way. I won`t lie, I use to be very ignorant about the subject. I resented out military in a sense. But when someone you love takes that sort of dicision, you become much more open minded, and your views can change.

[Ihaveleftforever]

I am very :) But only to certain partys like French Canada Heritage and Quebec :) im not big on the anglos ppl but I guess Ill claim western canada over that MC'D's south of us any day

[Severus Snape]

Don't the Quebecois believe Quebec should be independent from Canada?

[Black Eight]

I'm glad I live in the US, but I'm not patriotic at all. I hate the arrogance of most Americans. We're ignorant too. I wish I could live in Canada or UK but it's my parents' decision.