Why does disagreeing with our government equate to "not liking America?"

[Jeff in BigD]

I think the thing is this:

When someone says "well in France, they do ___" the other person sometimes hears it as "France is better because they do ___ ". If someone is driving a Ford & always talks about how great features on a Chevy are, after a while wouldn't some people wonder that person's driving a Ford? (& Chevy keeps getting financial aid from Ford, only to compete with them).

There are people that have legitimate gripes, but there are also people that aren't happy unless they're complaining about something.

I'm assuming the debate was in regards to the military as that's where most of the "unAmerican" labels get used. I think a lot of people (even our age) have the image of the anit-War demonstrators as drugged out hippies that throw rocks & spit on Vets. That's a hard pill to swallow & I can't understand how anyone could have done that & still be proud to call themselves a hippie. Also occasionally we'll see another country holding a demonstration, upset about whatever & burning American flags. Those are hard images to erase or get past.

Questioning governmental policy is your right (heaven knows I did a lot of it from 1993-2001) as someone has the right to blindly accept it or agree with it after considering pros & cons.

Finally you have to know the person (meant in general, not someone specifically) you're debating. If they can't discuss things on a purely intellectual level without getting emotional, you might want to avoid future debates with them.

 

[jjskribs]

I usually wear a small American flag pin to school each day. Last week one of my colleagues asked me why I was wearing the flag if I was a Democrat who is against the administration's policy toward Iraq. I didn't realize that the flag "belonged" to one political party. During the Vietnam War the flag became a symbol of "for the war". I will never let anyone take the flag away from me again.

 

[EROS]

Good for you, jjskribs . I wear an American flag lapel pin every day as well in spite of my disgust with BUSH and his bloodthirst .........

 

[glo]

I mentioned the "if you do not like it here , then leave" comment yesterday, but it was taken out of context. I was mentioning that the reason people don't leave is because we can say what we want and not suffer reprecussions. I for one believe in free speech, and EROS no matter what you think, I will fight and have fought for your right to do so, as well as anyone else here.

I also stated that I am not a partyline person. I know people who go in the voting booth and vote strictly Democrat or Republican. That in my eyes, is giving away your rights to that freedom, just a blind following.

America has made it's share of mistakes and we are not the all perfect Nation, but when it comes down to it, we are also far from being the worse. I am grateful to be here.

Goverment will always be goverment, and I am not blind to it's ways. I will say honestly, that it is spread amoung all the parties. I do not think though that making fun of the President accomp-lishes anything. One can state their veiw w/o being condescending or rude to the opinion of others. Again I am not pointing at anyone, and not leaving myself out of the equation.

I do believe we should be respectful, and we can demonstrate and give our opinions in that manner. If I offended anyone, I am sorry, it was not intentional.

Seems to me at this point, it is easier just to agree to disagree.

 

[EROS]

GLO, thanks for your comments. I still love ya .

There WAS a time during the Vietnam war when AMERICA was HIGHLY POLARIZED. Either one was behind the Administration......or one was labeled as a pinko, sex-crazed, drug-abusing hippie who should "leave the country" .

Things are not that bad again.............YET. However, there ARE right-wing elements on this board who clearly view lack of support for this administration as UNPATRIOTIC..............shame on them .........

 

[pokiemomo181]

Babar, Disagreeing with the policies of this country is our right and is also our obligation as Americans. That doesn't mean you don't love this country. I disagree with many of the policies of this country. I still feel I'm a very good american. I may not be as vocal as some, but I also feel there are times when even if you disagree with a policy the way in which you disagree can be different from your fellow americans. No one veiws the same thing in the same way. Thats what makes this country so great. I am not a flag burner, or demonstrater. Its just not my style. I show my disapproval in the voting booth. No arguements there just me and the ticket. LOL My vote doesn't always win, but thats american too. Take heart I get told I should be demonstrative and that I'm a follower because I don't rebel, but whats right for me isn't right for everyone, and vice versa.


Pokie

 

[shortbun]

Some may be suprised to hear that I am a
card carrying member of the D.A.R.! I treasure
my country-the Constitition-the Star Spangled Banner
and the freedoms I have because of the wisdom
and bravery of the early citizens. I do not feel that
the policies of one administration, that could hold
power for as short a time as four years, define
The United States of America. I am concerned that
the current administration's policies could further
sully our reputation in the world and cause an
escallation of the mistrust and hatred already shown
and felt around the world for the USA as an entity.
From time to time, I express my opinion. I don't
post here as much as many as I really do try to
work in the system and facilitate change as well as
running a very busy family and business. My dislike
of the current administration does not make me a
bad American. My love of Peace is just a strong as my
love for Freedom. I do not believe they are in contradiction.
I was outraged and profoundly saddened at the events
of September 11, 2001. For the first time in my mature
lifetime, I felt the use of military power and the action in
Afganistan justified. I did notice a real attitude in many
citizens of this dear country that the citizens of Afganistan
were simply an expendable commodity and a necessary
cost of our war. I did what I could from here; my son's
school raised enough school supplies to support 25
Afganistan classrooms complete with soccer balls and pumps, paper, pencils with no writing on them, chalkboards with
chalk and erasers, metric rulers and more. I AM an American,
red blooded. I cry when I sing the Star Spangled Banner, I
stand and salute the Flag every time it passes. Someone has
to work for Peace...an as an American, I am proud to do it.
BTW, as a "hippie" I was anti-war during the late 60's early
70's. I went to anti-war protests with my AWOL Marine fiance
and his pals who came to the protests, wore wigs and
returned to base to be shipped to Cambodia. When they and
their comrades returned sick, crazed, changed forever...I held
them, comforted them and supported them for their bravery.
They were my friends, the men I had grown up with, loved
and played with as a child. They were not the same-never
returned to their innocence and paid the price of a war the
Old White Men had waged because of money, ego and power.
Did I go and fight-nope, not allowed as a woman. Instead, I
stayed behind, wrote letters by the reams and assured my
friends and their comrades that we would keep working here
in this country to see that sometime, somehow those
politicians in charge would bring them home and stop the
insanity. The work of real Americans comes in all shapes and
sizes. I work for Peace. I AM an American.

 

[Mamu]

Babar bravo for you for speaking your mind. There would never be changes if we all agreed that everything our government does is for the good of all. It's not, if we walk around like robots and never question our rights think where we would be.

I love America, love the people in America, love the freedon to say and think what I feel. This is the greatest country in the world. It's that way because people have the freedom to speak out for injustices and make changes.

No our government doesn't always make the right decisions, but we as Americans have the freedon to speak out about these decision, and hopefully make the changes that need to be made for the good of Our Country.