Politics, ex Dixie Chicks Thread Options

[Wambangalang]

you got it my American brother!

wtf?

you love a piece of land because some anglo saxon drew a border and declared it theirs? Patriotism destroyed yugoslavia (something i know all too well) and blinds people to the realities of a situation. Take a step back and look at your country objectively

[WaiterAtCliftons]

wtf?

you love a piece of land because some anglo saxon drew a border and declared it theirs? Patriotism destroyed yugoslavia (something i know all too well) and blinds people to the realities of a situation. Take a step back and look at your country objectively

Ok I look at our Country and yes I do love where I live.

Some are saying whats the big deal about having to love where you live.

Well whats the big fucking deal about "loving" where you live. I wouldn't wanna live anywhere else. And its not that I love a peice of land....I love America and what America stands for a lot more than just some peice of land. It has giving me the oppurtunity to live free and and prosper. Which it has REALLY done for the Dixie Chicks which is why I have a big fucking problem with the comments they make.

The Dixie Chicks are free to say what they want, but that doesn't mean someone won't have a problem with it. People jump down others throats because they think someone is against free speech when they lash out at someone who says something controversial. But thats not the case. Free speech also allows you to offer your opinon back to the person who makes the comments in the first place.

[LiveRoCkS77]

It has giving me the oppurtunity to live free and and prosper. Which it has REALLY done for the Dixie Chicks which is why I have a big fucking problem with the comments they make.

That's very true. Seems a bit hypocritical when I think of it that way.....Still don't get the patriotism thing though.

[LiveRoCkS77]

I have very little interest in politics and such. I do partly agree with this quote though;

I was born in NZ and have lived here all my life; I enjoy living here. As far as 'loving' my country goes though, it's just a place. It's land. People live here. Some of those people have opinions I agree with, some don't, some have similar interets to me and some don't. We have systems in place, some of which I agree with and some of which I do not. I'm not personally going to be able to change anything that I don't like, nor will I try.

I feel at home here- if I were to move, I would miss my home country. But I don't feel compelled to defend or admire every action 'NZ' decides to make. I'm not about to raise an NZ flag outside my house, or sing the national anthem when I wake up. Maybe if I was American I'd have a completely different attitude towards patriotism (though personally I find the amount of American patriotism displayed through the media over here almost sickening). In general, the USA seems to have a much higher regard for it than what I have experienced in my country.

No offence to anyone; just my opinion.

Good post.

From my experiences, almost everybody I know hates what America is today. They stand for freedom and democracy and yet they oppress just about everybody. Some with their beliefs and some with their military. I think their ideals are great too but it seems that they think those ideals only apply to themselves.

I think it's fine to love your country, although I don't care for mine personally. But there's a difference between loving your country and thinking that your country is gods gift to everything. I think american patriotism has extended into a lot of them thinking that because their American, they're better then everyone else. I, and many I know, think Americans are the most self righteous, arrogant assholes on the planet.

They brag about their big bad military and how they fight as a nation for freedom and democracy. Well, that's great but how about cleaning up your own backyard first? How about educating your children and fighting poverty instead of spending 10 billion fucking dollars a year on space exploration. Fucking priorities anyone? Finding a new planet more important then feeding your own starving children? Or educating people so they can get better jobs in order to afford them and their families healthcare? I could go on and on and on and on about shit like this for hours.

I just couldn't be proud to live in a country like that. a country where crime is rampant. People shooting each other left, right and center. I mean 12,000 gun deaths a year? More then the rest of the G EIGHT countries combined? A country who elects a president who sends his soldiers to die so he can fill his own agenda, then re elects him?

I think american patriotism is making people sick just about everywhere.

[LiveOne]

As much as I love being an American, those of us who are citizens would have to be blind not to have at least *noticed* the hypocrisy and contradiction that abounds here (and is often proliferated by our own government).
We preach the joys of freedom of speech…and yet we ostracize members of our own society who voice an opinion that differs from “popular” sentiment (anti-patriotism is just one example). We advocate the virtues of the “separation of church and state”…and yet we have to have our highest court making SPLIT rulings as to whether the 10 Commandments have a place in public (state-sponsored) institutions of education …and we make people swear on THE BIBLE that they are going to tell the truth when the testify in our court system.

I dearly love what America stands for (on a fundamental level), but I don’t love what America has become. Our government stopped being “For the People, By the People” a very long time ago. It’s about agenda now…and who’s agenda has more money (i.e., power) behind it. There is no better evidence of this than in our lobbying system. Unfortunately, I really feel that our government has become an entity that cares less and less about the citizens it’s supposed to be serving and more and more about big business, personal gain, and staying in power. Republicans blame the Democrats; Democrats blame the Republicans, but both sides are EQUALLY GUILTY! Politicians love to stand behind podiums and lecture about the “right” way to operate a country, and yet few of them seem interested in doing the right thing by the constituents they supposedly represent. Unfortunately, I think it’s a flaw in the way our system is structured…it takes BIG money to run for office, so politicians look for big businesses and special interest groups with lots of moolah to back their campaigns, but in return, certain promises are made about returning favors when legislation is passed that benefits that same corporate entity or special interest group. Typically, legislation that benefits special interest groups does little to nothing for the average citizen. It’s a slippery slope…and it sucks for those of us who are expected to support our government and the decisions it makes, but get nothing but bureaucratic BS when we ask about things like healthcare, education, and Social Security…you know, those things might actually make OUR lives a little easier.

I don’t know…I just think that our government has forgotten what this country is supposed to be about. Often, all us “peons” are left to cling to is an *ideal* that’s preached, but not necessarily practiced. And believe me, we do CLING to it…

[Lively Chick]

I hate their music, but I agree with some of what they said in that clip.

Primarily, it was sickening how the entire country music industry teamed up on them for excercising their right to free speech. After their comments about Bush and the war, country radio refused to play their songs and, as the clip says, country artists began using the furor over the controversy to overdose on patriotism in an attempt to brown-nose to the stations and to fans of the genre.

Although we're supposed to be living in a land of free speech, the country stations made it blatantly clear -- if you don't support Bush and the war, we're not going to play your music. Not only does that put a major stranglehold on the free speech of any other country acts who want to take the Dixie Chicks' side, it also makes a pretty disgusting assumption that all country listeners are Republican Bush-backers who don't want to hear the Chicks' music based due to their political views -- thereby alienating and depriving those fans of the genre who do not feel the same way.

All I can say is, thank God rock music allows its artists and listeners to speak their minds without fear of banishment.

Brilliant Post!!!!! I totally agree with you

[Lively Chick]

wtf?

you love a piece of land because some anglo saxon drew a border and declared it theirs? Patriotism destroyed yugoslavia (something i know all too well) and blinds people to the realities of a situation. Take a step back and look at your country objectively

Man I gotta say I love your post. And I agree with you This I would definately put on a huge billboard for all to see.
Another brilliant post!!!!!!!!!

[Lively Chick]

As much as I love being an American, those of us who are citizens would have to be blind not to have at least *noticed* the hypocrisy and contradiction that abounds here (and is often proliferated by our own government).
We preach the joys of freedom of speech…and yet we ostracize members of our own society who voice an opinion that differs from “popular” sentiment (anti-patriotism is just one example). We advocate the virtues of the “separation of church and state”…and yet we have to have our highest court making SPLIT rulings as to whether the 10 Commandments have a place in public (state-sponsored) institutions of education …and we make people swear on THE BIBLE that they are going to tell the truth when the testify in our court system.

I dearly love what America stands for (on a fundamental level), but I don’t love what America has become. Our government stopped being “For the People, By the People” a very long time ago. It’s about agenda now…and who’s agenda has more money (i.e., power) behind it. There is no better evidence of this than in our lobbying system. Unfortunately, I really feel that our government has become an entity that cares less and less about the citizens it’s supposed to be serving and more and more about big business, personal gain, and staying in power. Republicans blame the Democrats; Democrats blame the Republicans, but both sides are EQUALLY GUILTY! Politicians love to stand behind podiums and lecture about the “right” way to operate a country, and yet few of them seem interested in doing the right thing by the constituents they supposedly represent. Unfortunately, I think it’s a flaw in the way our system is structured…it takes BIG money to run for office, so politicians look for big businesses and special interest groups with lots of moolah to back their campaigns, but in return, certain promises are made about returning favors when legislation is passed that benefits that same corporate entity or special interest group. Typically, legislation that benefits special interest groups does little to nothing for the average citizen. It’s a slippery slope…and it sucks for those of us who are expected to support our government and the decisions it makes, but get nothing but bureaucratic BS when we ask about things like healthcare, education, and Social Security…you know, those things might actually make OUR lives a little easier.

I don’t know…I just think that our government has forgotten what this country is supposed to be about. Often, all us “peons” are left to cling to is an *ideal* that’s preached, but not necessarily practiced. And believe me, we do CLING to it…

Another brilliant post especially where you highlight the lobbying system

[the_wretched1]

As much as I love being an American, those of us who are citizens would have to be blind not to have at least *noticed* the hypocrisy and contradiction that abounds here (and is often proliferated by our own government).
We preach the joys of freedom of speech…and yet we ostracize members of our own society who voice an opinion that differs from “popular” sentiment (anti-patriotism is just one example). We advocate the virtues of the “separation of church and state”…and yet we have to have our highest court making SPLIT rulings as to whether the 10 Commandments have a place in public (state-sponsored) institutions of education …and we make people swear on THE BIBLE that they are going to tell the truth when the testify in our court system.

I dearly love what America stands for (on a fundamental level), but I don’t love what America has become. Our government stopped being “For the People, By the People” a very long time ago. It’s about agenda now…and who’s agenda has more money (i.e., power) behind it. There is no better evidence of this than in our lobbying system. Unfortunately, I really feel that our government has become an entity that cares less and less about the citizens it’s supposed to be serving and more and more about big business, personal gain, and staying in power. Republicans blame the Democrats; Democrats blame the Republicans, but both sides are EQUALLY GUILTY! Politicians love to stand behind podiums and lecture about the “right” way to operate a country, and yet few of them seem interested in doing the right thing by the constituents they supposedly represent. Unfortunately, I think it’s a flaw in the way our system is structured…it takes BIG money to run for office, so politicians look for big businesses and special interest groups with lots of moolah to back their campaigns, but in return, certain promises are made about returning favors when legislation is passed that benefits that same corporate entity or special interest group. Typically, legislation that benefits special interest groups does little to nothing for the average citizen. It’s a slippery slope…and it sucks for those of us who are expected to support our government and the decisions it makes, but get nothing but bureaucratic BS when we ask about things like healthcare, education, and Social Security…you know, those things might actually make OUR lives a little easier.

I don’t know…I just think that our government has forgotten what this country is supposed to be about. Often, all us “peons” are left to cling to is an *ideal* that’s preached, but not necessarily practiced. And believe me, we do CLING to it…

And aren't us Australians lucky that our prime minister is completely in love with Georgie to the point that he's totally fucking our country up trying to make us like the US. Did anyone see the goofy "in love" expression on Little Johnny's face when he was talking about how his boyfriend called him up to offer help after Cyclone Larry?? Made me sick!!!

[sandkind]

Ok I look at our Country and yes I do love where I live.

Some are saying whats the big deal about having to love where you live.

Well whats the big fucking deal about "loving" where you live. I wouldn't wanna live anywhere else. And its not that I love a peice of land....I love America and what America stands for a lot more than just some peice of land. It has giving me the oppurtunity to live free and and prosper. Which it has REALLY done for the Dixie Chicks which is why I have a big fucking problem with the comments they make.

The Dixie Chicks are free to say what they want, but that doesn't mean someone won't have a problem with it. People jump down others throats because they think someone is against free speech when they lash out at someone who says something controversial. But thats not the case. Free speech also allows you to offer your opinon back to the person who makes the comments in the first place.

you are quite right again. i wouldn't necessarily expect a foreigner to understand; however, i welcome any that want to come to this country legally with open arms. the "why doesn't the U.S. butt out of everyone's business" attitude is mainly preached by those with little sense of history. this was exactly the attitude most americans had at the beginning of WWII, and look where it got the U.S. had we taken a more aggressive role at first, perhaps countless of our Jewish brethren would not have been slaughtered. the similarities between hussein and hitler are amazing, and regardless of what anyone says, we all know the world is a better place without him in power. had the clinton administration more aggressively pursued bin laden when we COULD and SHOULD have gotten him, 9/11 may have been diverted. you are right, MOST Americans do take patriotism very seriously; we take care of our own! we also recognize our responsibility to be a guiding light to the rest of the world. anyone can say what they will, but in their heart they know most of their countries would have been subjected to countless horrors such a rule by the former USSR, or in the case of the Aussies, Imperiel Japan. also if any democratic society is threatened, we all KNOW the first country they turn to. call me a zealot or whatever, i love my country and have a tremendous respect for all my brethren who have paid the ultimate price, not only for our country, but for much of the world.

[Lively Chick]

you are quite right again. i wouldn't necessarily expect a foreigner to understand; however, i welcome any that want to come to this country legally with open arms. the "why doesn't the U.S. butt out of everyone's business" attitude is mainly preached by those with little sense of history. this was exactly the attitude most americans had at the beginning of WWII, and look where it got the U.S. had we taken a more aggressive role at first, perhaps countless of our Jewish brethren would not have been slaughtered. the similarities between hussein and hitler are amazing, and regardless of what anyone says, we all know the world is a better place without him in power. had the clinton administration more aggressively pursued bin laden when we COULD and SHOULD have gotten him, 9/11 may have been diverted. you are right, MOST Americans do take patriotism very seriously; we take care of our own! we also recognize our responsibility to be a guiding light to the rest of the world. anyone can say what they will, but in their heart they know most of their countries would have been subjected to countless horrors such a rule by the former USSR, or in the case of the Aussies, Imperiel Japan. also if any democratic society is threatened, we all KNOW the first country they turn to. call me a zealot or whatever, i love my country and have a tremendous respect for all my brethren who have paid the ultimate price, not only for our country, but for much of the world.

Make no mistake this foreigner knows a lot about your history, and especially how it applies to Jamaica's history.
And about America's "responsibility to be the guiding light to the rest of the world". How you handled Katrina, hmm, was that a guiding light to the rest of the world?
I 'll definately agree with you though on the part that when countries are in need the US is one of the first countries they turn to for aid and support. But then again the US is a nation of foreigners who are in turn helping the countries of their grand and great grandfathers......

On another level, speaking as a black American, white Americans are more patriotic than black Americans and always will be because some things one should never and can never forget. I agree with Chris Rock's take on it. He said that to black people, America is like the uncle that sent you to college but who molested you too.
How can we be so patriotic when we are really still, in a lot of areas considered second class citizens. I have never in my life experienced racism until I came to this country.

[Wambangalang]

you are quite right again. i wouldn't necessarily expect a foreigner to understand; however, i welcome any that want to come to this country legally with open arms. the "why doesn't the U.S. butt out of everyone's business" attitude is mainly preached by those with little sense of history. this was exactly the attitude most americans had at the beginning of WWII, and look where it got the U.S. had we taken a more aggressive role at first, perhaps countless of our Jewish brethren would not have been slaughtered. the similarities between hussein and hitler are amazing, and regardless of what anyone says, we all know the world is a better place without him in power. had the clinton administration more aggressively pursued bin laden when we COULD and SHOULD have gotten him, 9/11 may have been diverted. you are right, MOST Americans do take patriotism very seriously; we take care of our own! we also recognize our responsibility to be a guiding light to the rest of the world. anyone can say what they will, but in their heart they know most of their countries would have been subjected to countless horrors such a rule by the former USSR, or in the case of the Aussies, Imperiel Japan. also if any democratic society is threatened, we all KNOW the first country they turn to. call me a zealot or whatever, i love my country and have a tremendous respect for all my brethren who have paid the ultimate price, not only for our country, but for much of the world.

http://www.theafrican.com/Magazine/jesse.htm

do some research before you demonstrate your ignorance

this is just africa, there are plenty more scenarios

[sandkind]

has the U.S. made mistakes? yes, of course, as have all countries. however, it is still an indisputable fact that the U.S. prevented the Japanese from invading Australia, and the U.S. has done much more good than harm. i could post a link in reply to yours, but it would be pointless and endless. i have seriously studied history and stand by my statements. if you want to call me ignorant, that is your right; however, you won't change me just like i won't change you.

chick, i know and have many black friends that are strong patriots. one of my dearest friends who i call me second mother is from san salvador, and oh yeah, she happens to be black. she loves the U.S. and respects its men and women in uniform, as she actually wears one herself. she would be the first to say one of the greatest things about this country is one's freedom to leave if they don't like it. you are correct that we should never forget our history; otherwise, we are bound to repeat some mistakes. fortunately, most of us learn from our mistakes and move on. is there still rascism in this country, of course there is, from several different directions; however, the country has grown as a whole and it is not even close to what it was even 50 years ago. i have faith we will continue to grow.

[LiveRoCkS77]

Yeah, hurricane Katrina. That was fucking disgusting and utterly dispicable. I couldn't fucking believe that idiot boy Bush screwed that up as bad as he did. Probably too busy playing with his dog to care about the thousands of people stranded without food or water. Fucking people trapped, dying in hospital that had no power or clean water and where is the military? Coast Guard? Bush? Anyone? Anyone?

Bush has fucked that country so far up the ass, it will be feeling the hurt for years to come.

I agree that the US has many times saved this world from some pretty scary shit. They are the only country that has the balls to. They continue to do it now with the danger in Iran and North Korea right now. But they have done many things that have resulted in those they've helped coming back on them as a bitter enemy. Bin Laden is a prime example as is Saddam Hussein. They had a fairly large role in putting that fucking idiot in power a long time ago, only to have to spend billions now to get the fucker out. Not to mention the 2,500 lives they've lost which is far more important.

With that said, without the US as a superpower and a deterrent to crazy motherfuckers running various countries, the planet would be in very big fucking trouble. That's a given.

[WaiterAtCliftons]

Yeah, hurricane Katrina. That was fucking disgusting and utterly dispicable. I couldn't fucking believe that idiot boy Bush screwed that up as bad as he did. Probably too busy playing with his dog to care about the thousands of people stranded without food or water. Fucking people trapped, dying in hospital that had no power or clean water and where is the military? Coast Guard? Bush? Anyone? Anyone?

The Katrina thing was horrible. We really need to learn from that mistake. The thing is though most of that isn't Bush's fault. Local and State government are supposed to be the first responders. Not the government (FEMA).

That dipshit Nagin and whatever the dumbfuck Governors name is couldn't put their partisan differences aside and work together to save more people than they did. Empty buses sat in parking lots because Nagin didn't put them in use to get the people who couldn't for some reason find a way out, out of the city.

There was so much politcal red tape getting in the way of Katrina from the Local side of things it made it difficult for anyone to get organized to do anything.

I highly doubt you will see anything like that in the future. Thats one great thing this country does and that is learn from our mistakes.