First, let us get the obvious out of the way.The United States is a country founded on genocide, slavery, and greed, it is a country with an ongoing history of hate and avarice. That said, millions of us still believe it is still a damn great place to live.
It is ok not to share in this belief. But if you extend beyond that non belief into a personal attack on those who do, you should not expect fawning and hospitality.
I also firmly believe if that you do not like this country, or it's people, then you should consider leaving. Why stay and be miserable if you are so put upon?
I'll make this very brief after the jump.
There is a diary that denounces those that dare celebrate this country's Independence Day:
I may be broadstroking here, but I say what I think.
All that flag waving and bombs bursting in air showing patriotism for America on the 4th is the biggest bunch of bullshit I know of, now that I am old enough to get it.
Apparently the 4th of July is reason enough to impugn the character and patriotism of all who dare celebrate:
What a shame.....we really are a bunch of people who feel they have to be patriotic and yet the majority who do go all out never served, obstruct and do not give a damn about America or it's people.
I think it is fair to criticize the government, bad policies, poor governmental services, the weather, and much much more. What is not acceptable is disparaging people for doing nothing more than getting together with family and friends to have a good time, maybe even watch some fireworks. independence
How do setting off fireworks and simulation of bombs bursting in air make us more patriotic? We have backlogs on veterans needing help....We have homeless, hungry americans. We have never ending war and too many injustices and corruption.
Most of us on this site are here because we believe that a far better, and more democratic, United States is possible. Is that wrong? And because we fight for progressive/liberal political solutions to our problems should we expect immunity from being challenged when we say things like:
Yeah OK I may be looking at this wrong in many's opinion but I sometimes wish the
British had won, maybe then the natives would not have had to be put on a trail of tears.
Putting aside the ridiculous notion that the Brits would have stopped genocide, I would argue that being on the correct side of politics and policies does not immunize us from how are words are perceived by others.
Finally, this is not some call for everyone to go grab a flagpin. This is not a proclamation of, "my country or the highway". No, my point is that we all have the right to speak our minds in this great imperfect country and we cannot expect others to defend themselves if we charge them with bad motives and willful ignorance for celebrating a holiday?
Remember, Independence Day is not Memorial Day or Veterans Day. If you want to be solemn on the 4th of July, fine. Just do not come for me and my family (who have fought and died for this country) and tell us we are foolish and expect silence and gratitude in return.
If you are at this point:
Am I glad to be an American? I don't know anymore. I have never left the country but once and that was to Mexico. I don't believe we are all that great ...I will say that.
That is your problem, not the rest of ours and kindly keep your issues to yourself.
Update:Despite the group of Thought Police stalking from diary to diary in some vain attempt to hide any and all comments they deem unacceptable, I have zero intention of just STFU. I will not stop commenting. I will not be intimidated. I will not censor my comments in hopes of voiding their offense.
That said, there are those who continue to pretend that I said something along the lines of, "Love it or Leave it". This is false. In fact, I was quite carefully to say that I do not like mindless patriotism:
Finally, this is not some call for everyone to go grab a flagpin. This is not a proclamation of, "my country or the highway". No, my point is that we all have the right to speak our minds in this great imperfect country and we cannot expect others to defend themselves if we charge them with bad motives and willful ignorance for celebrating a holiday?
5:30 PM PT: Update #2:I have removed the HR from the aforementioned diary. I did so because I wish to never HR a tip jar. I still believe with all of my heart that the diary is a Grade-A piece of trash that makes this community look bad.
I will continue to stand up to this group who now insist that celebrating this country's Independence Day is some sign of ignorance of history, blind patriotism, or is an endorsement of corporate rule, or any of the other spurious reasons the diarist and her Thought Police friends ascribe to those who celebrate.
The idea that this mob believes that it has the authority, and is justified in demanding that people explain their love of country is antithetical to every thing I stand for as a Progressive.