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Author
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Topic: Going against all that america stands for to be pro-american
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Mr. HappyPants
Self-Made User
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posted September 27, 2001 11:25 AM
  
Throughout childhood, I was taught to value freedom, I was taught that America is America because of our freedoms, because of our ability to speak our opinions, because of our ability to express judgement towards those in power, because we can change and question what we value (In high school, I learned that America is America for entirely diferent reasons, but most people prefer to believe that America is what it is because of our freedoms), I was not taught to value, respect, or defend every one of my governments actions, I was not taught to value, respect, or defend America's military, and I was not taught to value, respect, or defend politicians who are complete assholes, I was led to believe that to be pro-American, you aren't required to respect America's actions, you aren't required to respect America's leaders, and you aren't required to respect America's military, but you are required to respect and defend your freedoms. And I will continue to believe this...
That is why it depresses me to see that in the past two weeks, most Americans have been silencing themselves, holding in their opinions, and scolding those who choose to express themselves, it depresses me how a person called me anti-american today when I stated "Some parts of Bush's proposed anti-terrorism act seem a bit harsh", it depresses me to watch the news to see children in a grossly underfunded school waving tiny American flags, it depresses me to walk down the street to see a homeless man getting spit on for holding a sign saying "Bush is still a monster", it depresses me to see people removing anti-bush material from the internet, it depresses me to see that politically incorrect will be canceled because Bill Mahr chose to call our military cowardly, and it depresses me to hear a white house press secretary say the equivelent to it's innapropriate to use your first ammendment right, even more at a time in which it might be neccessary.
It depresses me that so many people are trying to be pro-american by displacing what we are taught to value america for.
(posted while drunk)[This message has been edited by Mr. HappyPants (edited September 28, 2001).] IP: Logged |
jarbabyj
Scrappy Doo
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posted September 27, 2001 11:34 AM
I partially agree with you. But I also think America will quickly return to thinking Bush is a monster and that schools are grossly underfunded. Citizens will quickly return to skepticism, criticism and hatred.But at this point in time, however, nerves and emotions are still raw, and I'm sure the vast majority of Americans feel it's important to at least PRESENT a unified front, to make us feel a little more secure, a little closer as a community. And while I'm not a Bush hater or lover (lukewarm on the issue), I do not envy what he must go through, having every word, movement, facial expression and thought second guessed by everyone in the nation. An even moderate show of support for our government (no matter how tepid) will help everyone through this rough time. Just my opinion. jarbaby ------------------
Some lives are filled with pain, some with sorrow...some with a chewy nougat center - Tom Servo IP: Logged |
Toon
Shuttlecock
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posted September 28, 2001 12:30 PM
Uhhhh...
silencing oneself is not censorship.
Freedom of speech includes freedom to be silent when you think it's wiser.------------------
-=> Toon "Toon, it's okay -- just think of the config.sys file as bizarre post-modern poetry."
-Rob Wynne on #filkhaven IP: Logged |
McDuff
Self-Made User
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posted September 28, 2001 06:38 PM
Yes, silencing oneself is not censorship. But living in a land where you feel it is dangerous to speak, that's different.There are always things which need to be said, no matter how uncomfortable they are. If you can't face the ugly reality of the situation, even in a time like this when it's staring you in the face, then when can you face it? Having said that, there is more than one way to say something. Tact does help to oil the wheels in these situations, and being tactless can prevent you from being heard. ------------------
Ack, bec's geometry homework wants to sell me a Tiny Wireless Camera! - Cropherb, via IRC Barbies are melting TODAY. - Jesse Dangerously IP: Logged |
Devin Austra
Self-Made User
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posted September 28, 2001 09:33 PM
Like I said earlier, it's just business as usual for the human race.
This happens in every country that is attacked by another entity: Everyone bands together not because they want to be patriotic, but because they want to work together to eliminate the threat and get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. I guess that's the whole idea, though. Many people aren't standing up for America because they feel Bush is right or because they agree with everything our government is now doing.......they're just jumping on the bandwagon for the most part. It's beneficial to them to be patriotic during this time and detrimental to be critical. Nothing brings a country together like being attacked & threatened. ------------------
Night breeds its own sort of anticipation.
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Eggy Toast
Self-Made User
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posted September 29, 2001 12:26 AM
Or, nothing brings a group of people together more than an outside force that tries to change the group. Which can be applied to both parties involved in this situation.IP: Logged | |
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