6May/115
Patriotism Is A Character Flaw
“USA! USA! USA!” the crowds chanted outside the White House. “USA! USA! USA!” the crowds chanted at the ballpark. What few of these people realize is that this feeling they have coursing through their veins as they shout their brains out - that’s the feeling that inspired the murder of everyone in the World Trade Center. That feeling is the cancer that has had the human race destroying itself for all of recorded history. It’s us against them. They call it patriotism. I call it disgusting.
I wrote a piece about my views on patriotism. Read the rest on Free Association: http://www.freeassn.com/drupal/node/39
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May 7th, 2011 - 19:01
With all due respect Paul, no one wants to hear your lame ass political views.
May 9th, 2011 - 15:52
I’d be happy to respond to intelligently stated disagreement with the points I made, but I don’t understand why you’d bother to comment without bothering to respond. My point is more philosophical than political, as it examines a major root of human conflict. Your reply does more to prove my point than dispute it. And with all due respect, your insult is offensive to cripples and donkeys.
May 10th, 2011 - 16:37
GB, utmost respect for this sort of an outlook on life. As an existentialist, this is exactly my line of thinking. Nationalism and patriotism only do damage by dividing us as citizens of the world. If you were born 1km on the other side of the border, suddenly you are someone completely different, with different rights, different strengths, different responsibilities. If anything, the case of Rwanda should silence anyone who thinks otherwise and has any grasp of logic and rational thought. What happened after Bin Laden was killed was no different. Its sad how a world which appears so evolved is still so primitive.
May 12th, 2011 - 02:27
“Is patriotism any different?
It’s that feeling of us and them.”
Great article; I really agree with the sentiments. At every massive display of patriotism I pretty much feel exactly as you did.
August 16th, 2011 - 19:14
But you have to differ between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is the love of the country (like you love your family more than another family-thats nature), but its not against another country (as you respect and support any other family around you). Nationalism is the wish to separate, to be on your own, sometimes (and historical) even to fight others. I think patriotism is the heart of different cultures, different mentalities, its enriches the world. However, many patriots are nationalists and not patriots and here I agree with your critcs.