Patriotic -Are You?

[Ending]

After some discussion on another board about patrionism and nationalism, I thought to ask about it here too (in a simple manner). So, do you count yourself to be patriotic or not? If yes, would you go to war if the call came?

Myself, I wouldn't go to the frontier even if Finland was the defending country. Help behind the lines, maybe; but wouldn't risk my life for it. I'm not patriotic in any other ways either, and I think it is rather odd to "worship" your country like some strange idol or a moral symbol. That is what I think, but what is your opinion?

Discussion.

[Scrumhalf]

I'm patriotic.

100% proud to be an Australian.

I usually express my patriotism during a game of representative football, rugby, or cricket. It's always a great thrill to see the Green & Gold thrash rival sporting nations like the Poms (England), and the Kiwis (New Zealand).

Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!

[Bracken33]

I´m not very patriotic. Though my country germany is a nice place to live but other countries here in Europe are as fine.
So germany is not so special for me.

I usually express my patriotism during a game of representative football, rugby, or cricket.

Have I already mentioned that we must beat the dutch in soccer today ?

If yes, would you go to war if the call came?

I never served but in some situations I would defend my country.
In the near future I cannot see a scenario in Europe where this would be necessary.
Also NATO has nuclear weapons so the war will last only a few minutes anyway. Armageddon...

I would never volunteer for a war like Afghanistan or Iraq.

...but wouldn't risk my life for it.

WW 2 was a really bad war for civilians. WW 1 was very bad if you were a soldier.
Nobody knows how the next war in Europe looks like. So staying at home is probably as dangerous as fighting, or maybe even more dangerous.

I´m a bit of topic. Hmmm .

[Slade xTekno]

I used to be. Then Bush entered office, and it all changed...
Now the US looks like an imperialistic ass.

[dragonz20]

Very patriotic.

[Shadowlord]

Not really, im proud to be Canadian, but there are other countries I would be just as proud to be part of. If there was a war, I might enlist. If they were trying to force me, then no. I'd probably just join the air force though if I decided to join.

[Bun-kun]

I'm patriotic, but some people(republican party) would consider me a traitor. You know their whole, either you're with us or against us thing. For crying out loud republicans, the US is a free country where people have the right to their own opinions, and the freedom to speak out against what is unjust, i.e Iraq War, No child left behind (I wish we would just leave Bush behind), and the stupid "patriot act". oh well all I can do as an American is to vote him out this November, or try to at least :P

[DAK]

I'm canadian and I'm very patriotic. I think that if a war started, I would join up and fight for my country. But, only if it's a major conflict, it's required to defend my country. When it comes to stuff like the Iraq conflict, no I would not signup.

[hunterx]

Of course I'll join up to fight a war especially if it was for defending my country. Sometimes I wish I was in WWII though. Imho people who have never seen war tend to be fat, stupid and ignorant about most things.

[Yamano667]

I am proud to be EU citizen (France) and proud to be Canadian

[Sun_Tze]

*looks to the Portuguese flag behind him*

Very patriotic

[Bun-kun]

hmmm lets make this conversation a little more interesting. Do you think being a too patriotic can lead to racism? I mean look at the Nazi they played on patriotism to get the support of the country. I guess another question would be do you feel people can sometimes be blinded by their patriotism?

[Silent Otaku]

I love my country and think the people who live in it are decent people, unfortunately the current control is in the wrong hand .

[SimplyEd]

Nope, not at all.
It was pure coincidence that i was born around where i live and i don't see why i should be proud about something that i didn't have any control over (i don't believe in fate btw). In my opinion you can be proud about the things you accomplish for yourself or for those who are dear to you, but not about something abstract like a nation/country. Blind patriotism can lead to rather negative results as it easily leads to convictions of superiority and being righteous about everything at any given time.
I consider myself an international freelancer without any spiritual chains (atheist) ^^

[Tsu]

I'm having trouble just comprehending what motivates someone to be patriotic, so no, I can't say I am myself.

[kj1980]

From my previous rants, you will know that I have a very pessimistic view of my country. While there are signs of improvement nowadays (finally), it has been a long and cold decade long recession with runaway suicide rates and crimes.


Confidence in the state diminishes when you have seen enough of people killing themselves by jumping onto an oncoming train. It also ends when you see Japanese schoolgirls as low as 13 selling their own bodies for +50,000 yen in "assisted dating" so they can get money to buy the latest Prada and Louis Vitton selections.

Patriotism ends when you see our so-called military (SDF) and the Ministry of Defense get into a stupid argument in Diet about whether Japanese peace keeping forces in Cambodia are allowed to carry handguns or not, with a yet another imprudent compromise - "Yes they will be allowed to carry handguns, but they cannot shoot unless they've been shot [at] first." Thanks a lot, Article 9.

When you hear enough stories about:
Teenagers having fun by "cleansing the streets" by randomly beating up homeless people
A middle school student decaptitating a mentally challenged child
Rampant teenage violence due to harsh bullying and the consequence of him/her committing suicide
Teachers molesting students
Students blackmailing teachers that they molested them when they didn't
A student killing another student because of a remark she made on an internet BBS board
A principal who died from overwork because the school board refused to accept his letter of resignation
An animator who died from overwork to keep up with time
Japanese salarymen who died from overwork because the corporate forces him to work excessive overtime
When a Japanese corporation refuses to give out overtime pay because they blame the employee for "lack of origanization" for "not completing his task at the given normal working hours"
When the term "death by overwork" actually becomes a justified term in the Japanese dictionary and is on gets on the list of insurance coverage
When you see the former Prime Minister continuing to play golf at an exclusive private course in a time of national emergency
When a governmental bill for our Ministry of Health and Welfare lists a incomprehensible listing of 1,000,000 yen for "soy sauce"
When the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor blames all the crimes and problem in Japan on "foreigners polluting our culture."
And countless others that I can't think of right now

I have to think "is my country worth dying for?" And why should I when my military doesn't even allow me to use weapons unless I am shot at? If an enemy targets me with an RPG, I can't shoot the guy because he hasn't fired it yet?


So, if my country goes to war, I'm moving my ass to Switzerland or Sweden.

[Blaat]

I think Switzerland would be a better choice

I have to say I'm not patriotic, only during a football match and even then its almost nothing. Frankly I don't see why I should be patriotic and in the past it didn't do Europe any good. Mainly because of misuse of patriotism can easily convince the people to go to war. Goebbels had a great quote on this.

[_Riku_]

not abit.. I like my country in sports.. but nothing els.. I hate the gov... socialists

[7thMethuselah]

Hmmm, patriotic, hard to say. I can't say I would go to war for my country.

However I am concerned about the decline of our culture (which is the Flemish Culture in belgium) because of the french and english influence. That really worries me, it also worries me that many of our kids no longer are interested in our flemish heritage, they don't care about our rich past, they don't seem to care about our language, they all wanna be americans or french or whatever.

Also as kj1980 mentioned, crime and suicides are going rampant these days. Alot of gangs from outside Flanders robbing banks and beating up people only to quickly escape over the border afterwards. And our flemish politicians who do nothing but suck up to the french. They all want Flanders and Belgium to be important in the world. Can't these fools see that a small country like ours with no economic, financial or political influence at all is better off trying to take care of its citizens and culture instead of trying to impress big nations...

Anyway, sorry about the rant. Am I a patriot? Dunno, but I love my country and culture, I'm a flemish nationalist ...



In case you wonder this is the official flag of Flanders, the dutch speaking part of belgium, which I believe should separate from Belgium and become an independant republic

[Laguna]

Originally Posted by Wirhe

After some discussion on another board about patrionism and nationalism, I thought to ask about it here too (in a simple manner). So, do you count yourself to be patriotic or not? If yes, would you go to war if the call came?

Myself, I wouldn't go to the frontier even if Finland was the defending country. Help behind the lines, maybe; but wouldn't risk my life for it. I'm not patriotic in any other ways either, and I think it is rather odd to "worship" your country like some strange idol or a moral symbol. That is what I think, but what is your opinion?

Discussion.

Nah, I don't really feel patritic in sense of that I believe my country to be greatest in world and other s*t like that. But I do like where I live (Finland), and I'm happy here. I would stand in line if war would come, but that's not because of name of my country, but because people close to me and my home is threatened.

I believe that indeed nationalism can lead into racism. I never really understood people who have so strong feelings toward something that doesn't really exist, that is nation. It is only illusionary trick to make bunch of people look like they are somehow different from other, which of course isn't true. Difference feeds fear, and fear leads to anger /with yoda tone

Well, now that globalization is rolling towards, and world is getting "smaller" I believe that patriotism and nationalism in old sense will eventually dissappear..