Obama and "Super-Patriotism" (1298 hits)
Category: Politics -> LibertariansRating: 1.07 on 52 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Flack: Shitting On Your Virtual World Since 2004 (View user info) at 2008-03-18 02:54:38 EDT
U.S. Code: Title 36 : Section 301
National anthem
(a) Designation. - The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing. - During a rendition of the national anthem -
(1) when the flag is displayed - A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
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I have a real problem with this. But the bigger problem is why every other political camp seems to think it makes sense.
Before I start my little rant, let me be clear about one thing: I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT. I am a card-carrying Libertarian and I actually registered Republican this year in order to vote in the primaries. I have not decided who I will vote for, or if I will at all (like the last two elections I didn't vote in). That being said here it goes:
Super-Patriotism. Super-Patriotism is way of thinking in which you basically pup your arms in the air and go on and on about how your country is "the best."
I consider myself a pretty patriotic guy. I am a veteran and I take great pride in my heritage as an American. That being said, I DO NOT think the USA is "the best country in the world." I do believe it is the best country for ME, but not for everybody.
Now I really feel a need to address this issue. A while back, presidential hopeful Barrack Obama was filmed during the playing of the national anthem without putting his hand over his heart. IF it wasn't for the stupid fucking federal government and thier dumbass code, it probably wouldnt make as much of a stir as it did. Obama also doesn't wear an American Flag pin on his lapel. Oh no!!!!! her come the super-patriots:
"Well goddamn!! That nigger just done disrespected mah flag n shit. Git me mah truck! We're gonna have a good old fashioned lynching! Fun fer the whole family! Yee Haw! We shore do love being the reason that da rest of da werld hates us."
Why is it that we, as Americans, feel the need to make a law saying that EVERYBODY has to do THIS when THAT happens? Thats fucking stupid. If we, as a free society (ha ha), think that the federal government should have the right to legislate how we act when the national anthem, or any song for that matter, then we are fucking stupid to let it go unnoticed. Thats not freedom. That is the government using its power to tell you what to do. And that is defined as Fascism.
In our country it is perfectly legal to burn, stomp, spit, etc on the flag. Its a hallmark of our first, and most important, right: Freedom of Speech. So who the fuck is the government to say "Oh you can burn it, but you better stand and put your fucking hand over your fucking heart, sheep!"
In a free society, you should be able to pursue your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as long as you don't infringe on someone else and their pursuit of the same. And if burning the flag or just ignoring it during the anthem makes you happy and you don't hurt anyone else, then go on ahead. It should fall right under "Freedom of Speech."
I love my country. I love my flag. I would never disrespect it. But I would gladly fight for any body's right to do whatever the fuck they want. And the Super-Patriots who get all butt hurt about something as dumb as a hand over the heart od a fucking lapel pin need to take a fucking pill and go back to their holes. They are not the real America.
But I am. And so are millions of other TRUE Americans who could give two shits about what a bunch of assholes with a red, white and blue stick up their asses think about someone who never hurt anybody with what he did.
Fuck U.S. Code: Title 36 : Section 301. It should be taken out of the book, wrapped around a 2-liter soda bottle, and shoved up on of these "Super-Patriots" asses.
America. Fuck yeah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8QCkgg5Kjo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2La7lBKS6U&feature=related
and I'm sorry for the language, but its St. Patty's for fucks sake!
User Reviews
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-20 23:45:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
dumbfuck.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-20 23:44:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by UCSBguy (user info) at 2008-03-20 22:11:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You are a fucking retard who has no idea what the definition of facism is. Having a government tell you what to do does not constitute facism.
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*SIGH*
how does a moron like this guy get into college?
"Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole. Fascists seek to forge a type of national unity, usually based on (but not limited to) ethnic, cultural, racial, religious attributes. Various scholars attribute different characteristics to fascism, but the following elements are usually seen as its integral parts: patriotism, nationalism, statism, militarism, totalitarianism, anti-communism, corporatism, populism, collectivism, autocracy and opposition to political and economic liberalism."
it's basically saying that having a government tell you what to do constitutes fascism.
basically.
Submitted by UCSBguy (user info) at 2008-03-20 22:11:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
You are a fucking retard who has no idea what the definition of facism is. Having a government tell you what to do does not constitute facism.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-20 16:36:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Chroniclysm (user info) at 2008-03-20 11:31:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Agreed. Hand over the heart on the pledge of allegiance, but it has nothing to do with the national anthem. I think you should take your hat off, but what you do after that is whateverever.
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i think if you're going to show respect for the flag or the national anthem, you should do it in whatever way suits you. if that's sitting down and taking a moment of silence instead of standing up and taking off your hat, that's fine.
and if you don't want to at all, that's fine too.
what does it matter if you take off your hat? military members don't take off their hats. they salute instead. some guy a long time ago said it's respectful to take off your hat (HIS OWN OPINION) and now all of a sudden it's an absolute truth? it's a matter of culture when someone tells you that you are supposed to remove your hat when the national anthem is played. there are many cultural activities that members of a country take part in which helps unify them as a people. i think the great thing about the US and many countries for that matter is that you aren't REQUIRED to follow these cultural "rules" like in some countries like say, in the middle east.
anyway, i don't think you should take off your hat if you don't feel like it during the national anthem just because someone told you it's the respectful thing to do.
Submitted by Chroniclysm (user info) at 2008-03-20 11:31:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Agreed. Hand over the heart on the pledge of allegiance, but it has nothing to do with the national anthem. I think you should take your hat off, but what you do after that is whateverever.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-20 07:34:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:34:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
My next 20 posts I will try to be the biggest dick I can be. Thanks for the idea, hidden.
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hahaha. you're welcome.
i know how you really feel about our liberties in this country. i think it just hit a nerve with you.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:46:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
(I get it)
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:44:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_absurdum
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:34:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
My next 20 posts I will try to be the biggest dick I can be. Thanks for the idea, hidden.
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:25:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"""I just said to some people the flag means something...I wasn't even talking about myself. It is a fact.""""
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Seeing Jesus in a slice of toast means something to some people, but in reality it isn't worth shit. Same goes for flags. That's my opinion, if you weren't clear.
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"""PepsiCoke, on the other hand, says the "Flag don't mean shit." in a way as if it was a fact. If he said "The Flag don't mean shit to me." It would be accurate.
You may be right on saying I'm being a dick about it. I'm certain there are comments I've made as "fact" even if they were opinion. Half the time I'm joking about it to get a rise out of folks, though. That is hard to come across right on the net anyway.... probably should stop."""
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Well, I hope some day you won't be so confused. Next time I say "Blowjobs are great!" should I preface it with "In my humble opinion..."?
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:17:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
reading stabkill reviews is more depressing than the end of winter
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:12:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
PepsiCoke, you aren't just stating your opinion. You are stating your opinion as if it was a fact.
I'm not even stating my opinion. I'm stating fact. Some people believe the flag means something. Is this not true? I didn't say how I "feel" about the flag myself.
Hidden was right. I am being a dick about it.
Most of my posts where I state my opinion it often is similar ... Hmmm. Of course, I'm usually not serious and will concede it is an opinion if questioned on it.
The bible is full of shit... Hmmm. Is that an opinion or fact? That's hard to say. Personally, I think 2 of every creature (dinosaurs included) on a boat while the earth is flooded seems pretty fake to me. So I may be stating a fact when I say stuff like that.
I'm going to stop being a hypocrite myself and be more of a dick... if that is possible.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-20 01:05:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I don't have a problem with your view, Hidden. I agree with your statement. I actually said something similar already.
I just said to some people the flag means something...I wasn't even talking about myself. It is a fact.
PepsiCoke, on the other hand, says the "Flag don't mean shit." in a way as if it was a fact. If he said "The Flag don't mean shit to me." It would be accurate.
You may be right on saying I'm being a dick about it. I'm certain there are comments I've made as "fact" even if they were opinion. Half the time I'm joking about it to get a rise out of folks, though. That is hard to come across right on the net anyway.... probably should stop.
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-20 00:03:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:20:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And don't accuse me of being one of those right wing nutters that want to outlaw burning the flag. I do know that a bunch of fools burning an American flag won't take away any rights but outlawing the act actually will.
I have no dispute with people who hate what it stands for or love what it stands for...that's the opinion everyone is entitled to. I do have a dispute with people who want to say everyone should respect and love it OR it is worthless and it should mean nothing to everyone. That's shoving your opinion onto others. And if you like doing that, maybe a nutty mormon should shove their opinion on you.
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Yeah, I'm "shoving" my opinion onto you. I think I'm just "stating" my opinion, but if you wanna say "shoving" then that's just you being an idiot.
How is my opinion "shoving" and yours isn't? Neither of us is arguing for repealing any rights. We're both arguing about the value of the flag. Did you just get pissy and give up? You'd rather accuse everyone of being too pushy instead of actually defending your stupid opinion.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:54:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
sometimes i feel very, very foreign.
i mean really, who gives a fuck.
live your life, do your thing.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:25:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:06:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
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Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-19 21:35:52 CDT (#)
Ranking: 0
you're being a dick, Stabby.
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Why not?
If one can't associate anything postive to a flag other than "piece of cloth" then one certainly can't put any kind of sentimental value in ANY worthless object as well because the concept is nearly the same.
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no one is saying YOU can't have strong feelings for the flag or even that you shouldn't. what i am saying is that Americans should have the right NOT to recognize the flag as a symbol or be required to stand and hold their hand over their heart during the national anthem. that is the basic premise that this country was founded on and if you don't agree with that, then it kinda sounds like you don't really understand what makes this country so great....
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:20:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And don't accuse me of being one of those right wing nutters that want to outlaw burning the flag. I do know that a bunch of fools burning an American flag won't take away any rights but outlawing the act actually will.
I have no dispute with people who hate what it stands for or love what it stands for...that's the opinion everyone is entitled to. I do have a dispute with people who want to say everyone should respect and love it OR it is worthless and it should mean nothing to everyone. That's shoving your opinion onto others. And if you like doing that, maybe a nutty mormon should shove their opinion on you.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 23:06:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
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Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-19 21:35:52 CDT (#)
Ranking: 0
you're being a dick, Stabby.
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Why not?
If one can't associate anything postive to a flag other than "piece of cloth" then one certainly can't put any kind of sentimental value in ANY worthless object as well because the concept is nearly the same.
People don't burn the flag because it is a "piece of cloth" as what would be the point of that? So why DO people burn the U.S. flag?
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-19 22:36:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-19 22:33:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 16:54:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Your gravestone is just a piece of granite and doesn't represent shit so I hope your family won't be crying over that shit.
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Thanks for making my exact point.
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-19 22:35:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
you're being a dick, Stabby.
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-19 22:33:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 16:54:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
PepsiCoke, you are an arrogant prick and your views don't apply to everyone no matter how much you think they are right.
I'm fine with your stupid views, however. You are entitled to be a dumbass prick. Hopefully you will encounter someone as equally shitty on the "other side" and that overly patriotic corn-fed redneck ex-marine will cave in your face.
Your gravestone is just a piece of granite and doesn't represent shit so I hope your family won't be crying over that shit.
Things represent things to people whether it is right or wrong... it still means something to them. And I guarantee there is something in your life that means something to you. To others, it is just a "thing". You are likely a hypocrite.
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YOU CONVINCED ME
Submitted by hidden101 (user info) at 2008-03-19 22:15:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
the government has gotten so big and powerful that most people don't even realize that our government is not supposed to have the power to tell us how to live our lives. it is there to allow us to live our lives how we want (IE, the pursuit of happiness).
it's ridiculous that so many Americans do not understand their own government. it is a government BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. the founders had the BALLS to stand up and say "hey, why are we being taxed without having a say in the matter? why does the monarchy create the illusion that they are somehow entitled to power that they may use however it pleases? why can't just anyone be allowed to realize the limitless potential of the human spirit?" etc, etc.
can you even fathom what it took to decide to form a brand new country, a revolutionary republic where the people controlled how it would operate? i don't think the people involved in the decision even realized what they were doing for a while until it finally hit them one day and it was probably an overwhelming feeling. it's incredible what came of that decision and sacrifice it took to back it.
i love this country. it's an amazing place. there are lots of countries that are great places to live besides the US, but this country is my favorite. there are several countries that aren't really all that different than the US in terms of government and quality of life. but since i grew up here, i'm a bit biased when i say i like it more than the other countries i've visited.
i joined the military to do my part to defend the country i love. i did it because i thought of the extreme sacrifice it took to ensure this country survived in the beginning and it inspired me. little did i know i would be used as a political tool in games played by powerful rich men, but oh well, shit happens.
Submitted by iddqd (user info) at 2008-03-19 21:24:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Symbols are necessary for people
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particularly phallic ones.
i slay me.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2008-03-19 20:54:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2008-03-19 20:48:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have to live here because "my people" are mutts and Old Country rejects like the rest of Americans. I don't like the direction this country is going any more than the majority of the rest of the country.
Submitted by williamson (user info) at 2008-03-19 20:02:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Damn right. Good rant.
A couple of years back I was attaching the Aussie flag to a flagpole at my fathers company.
As I was doing it I let the flag touch the ground.
A Taiwanese guy who works at the company and was helping me attach the flag (It was a 2-man job), told me that the flag shouldn't touch the ground at any time.
To me it didn't matter. I knew what the flag meant; and what is sacred about flags, songs and emblems isn't the symbol itself but what it represents. To me the flag was a cloth, but the motivation to fly it in pride was the freedom and history it represented.
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2008-03-19 19:05:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Symbols are necessary for people who don't have the ideological fortitude to concrete their own beliefs in metaphysical terms.
Why do you think people need to worship wooden Jesus' instead of the abstract entity 'God'? Or, to use Stabkills analogy, why do people need to mourn at gravestones instead of in the privacy of their own head?
It's because they are either unintellignet or unimaginative and cannot grapple with abstract concepts without fixing their thoughts on a physical item.
It's not a point of contention, it just means that Stabkill isn't particularly intelligent.
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2008-03-19 19:01:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by CarterPFly (user info) at 2008-03-19 05:42:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Paddy is short for Patrick.
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Actually, it's more accurate to say it's short for Padraig, the Gaelic equivalent of Patrick, hence the Ds and not Ts. If you were going to bother with that whole rant thingy, you could have mentioned that.
And I agree that code is shit.
Submitted by MyTeeOne (user info) at 2008-03-19 18:30:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I stand out of respect but I agree with what you're saying here.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-19 16:54:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
PepsiCoke, you are an arrogant prick and your views don't apply to everyone no matter how much you think they are right.
I'm fine with your stupid views, however. You are entitled to be a dumbass prick. Hopefully you will encounter someone as equally shitty on the "other side" and that overly patriotic corn-fed redneck ex-marine will cave in your face.
Your gravestone is just a piece of granite and doesn't represent shit so I hope your family won't be crying over that shit.
Things represent things to people whether it is right or wrong... it still means something to them. And I guarantee there is something in your life that means something to you. To others, it is just a "thing". You are likely a hypocrite.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2008-03-19 11:09:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Haha, who broke AlexPKeaton's brain below?
Submitted by CarterPFly (user info) at 2008-03-19 05:42:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Its not fucking "St Pattys" day you goddam fucking retard. For fucking Jesus fucking Christs sake, St Patrick is the most famous patron saint in the entire world. St Patricks day is celebrated practically everywhere on the planet but the only place so godawfully spasticated to call it St Pattys Day is the US of dumbfuck A. I really hope the chinese massacre each and every one of you inbred fucks. Fuck me, and FUCK YOU, this retardation makes my blood boil.
Paddy is short for Patrick. Patty is a girls name. Ya fucking deaf getting your phonetics wrong and not checking cunts. I mean you print it on cups and plates and on fifty foot fucking banners on the sides of skyscrapers to shout at the top of your lungs that you are all in fact fucking braindead. Perhaps it started off as a made in china Engrish misspelling and someone thought it funny and it caught on, Like some sort of neurological ebola. But its not cute, Funny, OK or otherwise. Its you cunts just unapolagetically fucking with everythingthing as always. You probably also think that the story about St Patrick and the snakes refers to real slither around legless paraplegic reptiles as opposed to the.....Oh fuck whats the use..
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2008-03-19 03:07:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ok i can see both sides. i am conflicted. i love america (america is number 1!) so i will keep standing and putting my hat over my heart but i still want to know who that basketball player was. somebody here is letting me down.
Submitted by PepsiCoke (user info) at 2008-03-19 01:36:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-18 10:14:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Refusing to stand is being an asshole. Refusing to put their hand over their heart or remove a cap is another issue, most certainly if they are not a U.S. citizen....they're not Americans! Just as much, U.S. players should stand at other nations national anthems as a sign of respect toward their host team/country.
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Bullshit. I usually don't stand and I sure as hell never put my hand over my heart. I stand up if I feel like it. I usually don't. I don't care what you think about that, because standing up for the flag is totally meaningless and isn't a statement of anything. If really you love your country, standing for the flag isn't helping any more than jacking off. Tradition and ceremony can be just as stupid as religion. It's not that I think the Pledge of Allegiance is the root of all evil in this country, it's just that I completely don't give a shit about it.
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People who have the views of this poster should question why we hold olympics with each country having their flag hoisted up. That's bullshit, eh? Why doesn't everyone just fly the banner of the U.N.?
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Who cares about fucking flags? Why not fly NO flags? What the fuck is the point? Are people going to forget what country they are in
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To many people, especially veterans, the flag represents 200+ years of history of our nation and the people who died before us to make it what it is today. It could be a soldier from the War of Independence, or your grandfather that died last week.
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The flag don't represent shit. You know what represents the 200+ years of our nation's history? The 200+ years of our nation's history. It's in textbooks and movies and culture and everything. If you think all that shit is somehow accurately reflected by a red, white and blue piece of fabric then you're an idiot. There's nothing magical about a flag.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-18 14:59:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
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Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2008-03-18 11:45:19 CDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ELECTION FREAK SHOW!
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It has already started if you haven't noticed. What is the funniest part about it? The democrats actually think Obama can win.
Submitted by The_taste_of_Monkeys (user info) at 2008-03-18 14:44:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
The Scottish national flag, the Saltire, represents one thing to me: A maddo in a gut-strewn field clutching a bloody broadsword and happening to look up at a cross-shaped cloud.
Hardly inspiring but thats what happened supposedly.
Flag worship is fucking stupid.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2008-03-18 12:45:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE ELECTION FREAK SHOW!
Submitted by icarus1987 (user info) at 2008-03-18 11:59:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What's really ironic is that there are issues out there; i.e. outsourcing, our shithole of an economy, the cost of oil and the development alternative fuels, the lies regarding the Iraq war and the effect it's had on our global image, accountability in the financial sector and the smoke and mirrors show that created the subprime mess. Now, you'd think patriots, being interested in the welfare of their nation, would be concerned with these issues, but they're not, because the majority of them are owned by the Chinese douchebag creditors who are doing their best to run the US economy into the ground. They're much more interested in focusing on something that's really stupid and pointless; like the Simon Says you're supposed to perform during some stupid song.
Submitted by Flack (user info) at 2008-03-18 11:34:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-18 09:57:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Average citizens should be able to do what the fuck they want.
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Agreed.
People who elect to be senators and representatives are supposed to have this country's interests at heart. Instead, they put their hand in their pockets with wads of cash (both Republicans and Democrats).
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True, but why is it such a big fucking deal? Shouldn't elected officials have the same rights as average citizens? even if they are lying, cheating, swindling fucks, they still have their rights just as we do. Its these "super-patriots" that elect these fucking tools anyways. I don't vote. I willonly vote for any election if I feel that its worth my vote. I refuse to vote for the lesser of two evils. I'd rather not vote, period, than to help elect one of these Republicrats.
I suppose you'd also think that soldiers aren't supposed to salute the flag at Reveille as well. Fuck it. They have nothing to fight for other than a paycheck.
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Not at all. As a soldier, you have given up ALOT of your rights. You are, by law, required to salute. I don't find anything wrong with this. It builds character, discipline, and esprit de corps. But I'm not talking about the military, I'm talking about civilians. People that HAVE a choice, or should.
And baseball players should whip out their dicks at the national anthem as well.
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No. That would be Indecent Exposure and that is highly illegal.
Go move to Canada.
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I've lived in Michigan most my life. That's the next best thing, really.
Submitted by sicosemen (user info) at 2008-03-18 11:11:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 front page because I'm miserably ill today and I couldn't possibly feel any worse.
Submitted by Ltap (user info) at 2008-03-18 10:21:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by dithered (user info) at 2008-03-18 10:18:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
You know Flack, I would be half-convinced to share your opinion here about the national anthem if it weren't for one point:
You cannot be arrested or otherwise detained (or even reprimanded) by an state or federal authority for NOT acting in accord with these national anthem 'rules'.
Hell, if I wanted to, I could jump up and down flailing my arms and belting out Iron Maiden lyrics during the national anthem if I wanted to. Who in a position of power is going to do anything about it?
NO ONE.
Herein lies a great reason to love our freedom even more.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-18 10:14:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
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Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2008-03-18 02:19:19 CDT (#)
Ranking: 2
who was the basketball player several years ago who refused to stand up during the playing of the national anthem? i thought he was an asshole at the time, and i was also like 9 years old and didnt know any better.
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Refusing to stand is being an asshole. Refusing to put their hand over their heart or remove a cap is another issue, most certainly if they are not a U.S. citizen....they're not Americans! Just as much, U.S. players should stand at other nations national anthems as a sign of respect toward their host team/country.
People who have the views of this poster should question why we hold olympics with each country having their flag hoisted up. That's bullshit, eh? Why doesn't everyone just fly the banner of the U.N.?
To many people, especially veterans, the flag represents 200+ years of history of our nation and the people who died before us to make it what it is today. It could be a soldier from the War of Independence, or your grandfather that died last week.
Obama obviously doesn't give a shit about this country and that's his right. Listening to his pastor for the last 20 years, it isn't hard to understand why.
It doesn't bother me and I'm not surprised by the behavior of Obama. The people who freak out over this issue and use this as the only reason not to vote for the guy are your ultra-patriots that have gone crazy.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2008-03-18 09:57:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Average citizens should be able to do what the fuck they want.
People who elect to be senators and representatives are supposed to have this country's interests at heart. Instead, they put their hand in their pockets with wads of cash (both Republicans and Democrats).
I suppose you'd also think that soldiers aren't supposed to salute the flag at Reveille as well. Fuck it. They have nothing to fight for other than a paycheck.
And baseball players should whip out their dicks at the national anthem as well.
Go move to Canada.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2008-03-18 09:14:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Agreed. I haven't said the pledge or followed any of that "code" since I was in high school as I don't believe in super-patriotism or that our country truly has "liberty and justice for all." But no one around me at a basketball game or other public event gets bent out of shape at me for this when I am quietly minding my own business. I don't believe Barack was making a big deal out of it, either...so so incredibly stupid that the media are making an issue of this.
Submitted by haikumikoo (user info) at 2008-03-18 06:30:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Agreed, but patriotism isn't the real reason why they (the folks in politics, not the ones with beer, guns, and missing teeth) are making such a big deal about this. I mean, if they thought telling people Barack refers to bottles clearly marked ketchup as catsup would deter people from voting for him, they would.
Submitted by orphelia (user info) at 2008-03-18 05:21:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Flack!
Submitted by hour_man (user info) at 2008-03-18 04:33:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Interesting post.
Submitted by Flack (user info) at 2008-03-18 04:25:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by DeathJester (user info) at 2008-03-18 03:49:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I am a card-carrying Libertarian and I actually registered Republican this year in order to vote in the primaries.
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You have to register your political affiliation as one of the contender parties to vote in your general election?
It's just one more reason to hate your fucking country, really...
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Only in certain states. For example, I'm from the state of Michigan, where you dont have to do that to vote in th primaries. However, I now live in North Carolina, where you do have to register your affiliation. Yeah, its gay, but the state, and the party, DO have the right to do that so I can't complain to much.
You don't have to register with a political party to vote in the general election. You do have to register to VOTE though, but thats becasue you have to be 18, selective service registered, etc. That is completely up for grabs. The primaries are just for each political party to decide who that party will nominate for the general election.
Submitted by HurtByTheSun (user info) at 2008-03-18 04:00:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good stuff.
Submitted by DeathJester (user info) at 2008-03-18 03:49:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I am a card-carrying Libertarian and I actually registered Republican this year in order to vote in the primaries.
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You have to register your political affiliation as one of the contender parties to vote in your general election?
It's just one more reason to hate your fucking country, really...
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2008-03-18 03:19:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
who was the basketball player several years ago who refused to stand up during the playing of the national anthem? i thought he was an asshole at the time, and i was also like 9 years old and didnt know any better.