NationStates Jolt Archive

So, in response to the increasing number of pro-America/anti-America threads, I've decided to post this one.

Everybody in the world (with very few exceptions) are going to like their country. So, when a poll like "Which country is the best" pops up, it only shows that people will cling to that point of view.
Furthermore, all countries do wrong. To think otherwise is first-degree naivete.

For instance (I'm Canadian): In WWII, Canada, along with other western nations, had a racist immigration policy against Jews. This was one of the main reasons so many Jews died in the Holocaust, simply because countries did not want them inside their borders.

Well, those are my thoughts.

So, unless you disagree, could we lay off all the nationalist propoganda for a little while?

done and done. to befair, i layed off it about 19 years ago.

Tht's the problem with this sort of suggestion. I'm preaching to the choir.

I don't think nationalism is a bad thing, to a certain degree. When you let it directly and negatively influence your dealings with people from other nations however, I think it becomes a bad thing.

The problem is that we have at least 4 threads directly because of nationalist over-reaction. People blaming America for everything, and Americans unable to accept that their country occasionally does bad things. Hence this thread.

So, in response to the increasing number of pro-America/anti-America threads, I've decided to post this one.

Everybody in the world (with very few exceptions) are going to like their country. So, when a poll like "Which country is the best" pops up, it only shows that people will cling to that point of view.
Furthermore, all countries do wrong. To think otherwise is first-degree naivete.

For instance (I'm Canadian): In WWII, Canada, along with other western nations, had a racist immigration policy against Jews. This was one of the main reasons so many Jews died in the Holocaust, simply because countries did not want them inside their borders.

Well, those are my thoughts.

So, unless you disagree, could we lay off all the nationalist propoganda for a little while?
I promise to avoid it like the plague ...if ... I don't get a case of the azz because some incredi-dweeb is ranting about how he/she hates America. Fair???

I promise to avoid it like the plague ...if ... I don't get a case of the azz because some incredi-dweeb is ranting about how he/she hates America. Fair???

:D Done.
(Sorry, but in some of the other threads the discussion is getting a little bit moronic, and that's on both sides.)

What was the quote?

A patriot loves his country, a nationalist hate everyone elses.
-Albert Einstein (paraphrased)

I love my country, warts and all.

Whenever I hear the "my country, right or wrong" quote I feel nauseated. I want my country to do things right. I want them to be responsible internationally.
Warts, though, not being morally classifiable, are acceptable :D

I should point out that about half the americans on these threads speak ill of their own country. You can't really say that about other countries. THAT'S WHAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT!

[Just being ironic]

[not that I mean America isn't great, I mean it's a blatantly nationalistic comment, which is ironic against the root thread.]

[Sorry for over explaining myself]

[I should really stop that now.]

See what I mean?
Millions have died from US foreign policy. Now I'm not saying the US alone has blood on it's hands. It's had plenty of junior partners. But the US had the lead. It's mostly an historical accident, true. All empires are blood thirsty monsters and the US just happened to be the pre-eminant military and economic power during the 20th century. This just gave them the opportunity to resort to violence on a wider scale.
When I read this sort of nonsense, I can't decide whether to shit or go blind! GRRRRRR!

Nationalism is foolishness.

Nationalism is the religion of the atheist . . . and occasionally also those who do believe in God. . . . it is an excuse to substitute blind belief for thought.

I don't think nationalism is a bad thing, to a certain degree. When you let it directly and negatively influence your dealings with people from other nations however, I think it becomes a bad thing.

Nationalism is always a bad thing. Patriotism can be helpful for a country, and is usually a good thing. Patriotism is the belief and love in one's country, while Nationalism elevates that country above all other countries.

I doubt it can be helpful for anyone to be arrogant.

See what I mean?

When I read this sort of nonsense, I can't decide whether to shit or go blind! GRRRRRR!


But all nations have that blood on their hands, some more so than others, but none are above the others.

whats so great about one's own country? i was born here quite by luck, and certainly not by choice. there are qualities about my country that i can be proud of and stand up for, but simply being proud of the nation itself doesn't make much sense to me, personally.
from that you may gather that i am not a nationalist ;) (or a patriot)