NationStates Jolt Archive

Simple question. What do you think?

Simple question. What do you think?
fourth reich

Simple question. What do you think?

Easy game in the next round of the world cup :D

"When does the propaganda start?"

Denny's.

Freedom, the constitution, McDonalds, bagels, the american accent, hollywood, capitalism, the senate, the current president. The flag I associate with a great many things, some good, some bad. (Bagels = good)

Apathy, apathy, and sum' more apathy...

That it could happen again. (http://www.knowledgedrivenrevolution.com/Profiles/Bush_GW/Multimedia/Bush_Salute.jpg)

(Not really.) :rolleyes:

Actually my thoughts are rather more mundane, I think of the annoying American tourists I encounter in every European country. Especially the white girls having a loud racist conversation in a youth hostel near Arnhem, where I was staying while visiting the WW2 battlefields and memorials. Talk about an enduring bad memory. :rolleyes:

A country with more illegals than most countries have people. :D

(Oh, wait! Sorry! I was thinking about Mexican flags in the US...)

What do I think? I think of how I am forced to pledge to it and mean it.. how I am forced to wake up for two seconds of my nap time (home room), stand up and lie. What do I think when I see the flag? I think of facist jello.

When I see the flag, I see what America is supposed to stand for. A place where if one works hard andf obeys the lawws, can become successful and live happy. A place for immigrants to come in search of a better life. A flag that is universal for democracy and freedom. Where I can speak my mind and express my views, unoppressed. I love America, but hate the present government. I am proud and disappointed when I see the American flag.

Apathy, apathy, and sum' more apathy...
Seconded

A worthless piece of cloth to which some people attach far too much importance.

That it could happen again. (http://www.knowledgedrivenrevolution.com/Profiles/Bush_GW/Multimedia/Bush_Salute.jpg)

(Not really.) :rolleyes:

Actually my thoughts are rather more mundane, I think of the annoying American tourists I encounter in every European country. Especially the white girls having a loud racist conversation in a youth hostel near Arnhem, where I was staying while visiting the WW2 battlefields and memorials. Talk about an enduring bad memory. :rolleyes:

My one memory is of a bunch of students walking down the Lake Constance coastline. They looked at a map on the promenade and one of the boys asked his mate:

"Dude, where's Switzerland?"

"Over there man" *points at the other coastline*

The all too serious reply followed...

"Man thats a small country."

Commercialism. Someone trying to sell you something you don't need and shouldn't buy. (US flags here are mostly seen on wrappers for awful food.)

The one thing I don't like are those cheesy t-shirts with the U.S. flag with some stupid picture or dumb saying.

"What do you think when you see the US flag?"

I think of all who have died to insure it remains the American flag. As a retired/disabled soldier, what else should I think?

The one thing I don't like are those cheesy t-shirts with the U.S. flag with some stupid picture or dumb saying.
Why?

I think "Another mindless patriot..."

fourth reich
And you are from where?

It's commercialism.

What do I think? I think of how I am forced to pledge to it and mean it.. how I am forced to wake up for two seconds of my nap time (home room), stand up and lie. What do I think when I see the flag? I think of facist jello.
:(

And you are from where?
iceland. why?

I feel more..... defensive when I see one.

I dunno, recently it has begun to represent a lot more negative things then it used to I'm sorry to say.

iceland. why?
Uh ... how about because you don't indicate that on the line provided for "Location?" :rolleyes:

:(
:(

I'm sorry, but.. the flag is just a flag to me.. maybe I'm just a blind child *shrugs*

I don't have an automatic, trendy line that my mind comes up whenever I see a US flag. It's just there.

It depends on the situation and if I happen to think about it deeply, or at all. Usually I don't. I've spent more time thinking about it just in thinking about what I might think about it, then in simply seeing a flag somewhere.

Myself, I think Bush.

Uh ... how about because you don't indicate that on the line provided for "Location?" :rolleyes:
Oh. I thought that was optional.

i think of this (http://static.flickr.com/44/132443565_d3629120c6.jpg?v=0)

but seriously, i think of Apathy, apathy, and sum' more apathy...

Depends, I usually see the flag in two situations:

1. On American tourists, at which case I have mixed feelings about about being happy to see my fellow countrymen and out flag, but also being annoyed at listening to constant slams against Japan (Why don't they have more signs in English? :rolleyes: ).

2. On some really weird Japanese product, at which case I am left wondering why Japan made a cloth wraping paper with the Stars and Stripes and why one of my students is currently using it as a table cloth when eating lunch.

The trouble is, people in the United States are so obsessed with their flag that and saturate their media with it so much that whenever I see any flag I think, "U.S. flag." This is why I believe Australia should invert the whole concept and declare our national flag to be an empty space. That's the only way to beat the Americans at the flag game.

I know alot of PR companies who would pay alot of money to see this thread. Or just pay someone to create it and then give it to them.

Easy game in the next round of the world cup :D


We lose in soccer on purpose, to throw the rest of the world a bone.

It's all fake, like the moon landing and moussaoui.

Hey... I've been quoted, in a good way, twice!

GO APATHY!!!!!!!!!!!!

The trouble is, people in the United States are so obsessed with their flag that and saturate their media with it so much that whenever I see any flag I think, "U.S. flag." This is why I believe Australia should invert the whole concept and declare our national flag to be an empty space. That's the only way to beat the Americans at the flag game.


I like the Aussie flag.

I know alot of PR companies who would pay alot of money to see this thread....
Why would they?

I second that.

Simple question. What do you think?
Crap! Where's the hammer and sickle?

I'm either in the US or in propinquity to a US owned property...

To be honest, my first thoughts are usually either something like this (http://www.theforumsite.com/images/galleries/mid_fccf0db64799ce0299a0ca7b417700b0.jpg), or just "How tacky!".

Oh. I thought that was optional.
Yes, it is optional.

Simple question. What do you think?

I don't really think about it at all.

Now ... when I see the Texas flag, my heart swells with pride.

I prefer the Pennsylvanian flag. Pennsylvanians unite!

iceland. why?


Stop making up countries.

Iceland.

God, you're a riot.

A land of ice? Hahaha!! :D

Maybe it's possible in an imaginary world

I'm with Santa Barbara and Keruvalia. I think, "That's the U.S. flag." It doesn't inspire any commentary in me, only witness.

I don't really think about it at all.

Now ... when I see the Texas flag, my heart swells with pride.

I'm the same, except with the Michigan flag. Although it'd swell up with even more pride if we could design a flag that wasn't crap.

I used to be very "USA! USA!", but I've become very disillusioned with the very idea of a Federal government. And since I feel Washington doesn't deserve my allegience, Lansing gets it instead.

A land of ice? Hahaha!! :D

Maybe it's possible in an imaginary world
No, you don't get it...it is not of ice, it has ice on it...in places.

I know, I'm just being sarcastic

I used to be very "USA! USA!", but I've become very disillusioned with the very idea of a Federal government. And since I feel Washington doesn't deserve my allegience, Lansing gets it instead.

Well I'm a very proud Texan. My family has been in Texas since it was Texico and some of my family has been here since before a Spaniard ever set foot on its hallowed soil.

Whenever I've travelled and people ask if I'm an American, I boldly say "Hell no! I'm a Texan!" Federal allegiance is little more than Corporate allegiance. I'm not about to pledge allegiance to Shell Oil.

No, you don't get it...it is not of ice, it has ice on it...in places.
And lots of vlocanic activity, yes?

I know, I'm just being sarcastic
so was I

I actually associate myself with being a Pennsylvanian more than an American.

And lots of vlocanic activity, yes?
lots and lots

I actually associate myself with being a Pennsylvanian more than an American.

Awesome. :)

What I think about, except "nice flagpole" or "how the hell did that flag get there"?

McDonald's. And Mickey Mouse. Not much else...

No, you don't get it...it is not of ice, it has ice on it...in places.


The mythical land of Iceland was said to be made of 100% ice.

No vegetation.

Just a savage, bleary land of blood thirsty polar bears and ruthless penguins.

After Franz Ferdinand travelled the world via hot air balloon, Iceland was proven a myth.

I actually associate myself with being a Pennsylvanian more than an American.
Hell yeah!

:fluffle:

Maybe I do that because the state government has more influence over my life that the federal. And, Pennsylvania is a great state. And the government isn't as corrupt or messed up as the nationl gov't. Though, the pay raise bill lawmakers tried to pass made me mad, I've partially forgiven them.

The mythical land of Iceland was said to be made of 100% ice.

No vegetation.

Just a savage, bleary land of blood thirsty polar bears and ruthless penguins.

After Franz Ferdinand travelled the world via hot air balloon, Iceland was proven a myth.
Penguins can be pretty ruthless, though.

Are some of you from PA?

My country. And even though I hate President Bush and everything that he's done to fuck this country over, I'm still proud of my country when I look at the flag

I think about how lucky I am to live in a country where I am free, about the people who died to protect my rights, and about how I hope that the whole thing doesn't go down the tubes before my children are old enough to understand.

I think of people who blindly follow whatever's told to them by their government and never question it because they think that's what patriotism is. And it makes me angry. :mad:

The flag should be a symbol of true patriotism, of wanting the best for your country and your people without having to hurt people of other countries to get it. It should be about questioning your government and everything around you and constantly searching for a way to make things better.

I think about how lucky I am to live in a country where I am free, about the people who died to protect my rights, and about how I hope that the whole thing doesn't go down the tubes before my children are old enough to understand.
:fluffle:

I generally think "Oh look, it's a US flag."

Are some of you from PA?
*raises hand*

Are some of you from PA?
I use to be. Went to undergraduate school there too. :)

Fantastic!! Pennsylvania's in da house!

I'm from, and in, Pennsylvania. Planning to flee to New Mexico or Vermont, though, if the christists finish their takeover of marriage here.

I actually associate myself with being a Pennsylvanian more than an American.

Wasn't Pennsylvania the state that invented "America"?

A strong sense of nationalism, patriotism, pride, democracy, a world powerhouse, strong military, imperialism, etc.

No, Deleware was the first state to be admitted into the Union.

Philadelphia was the national capital for a few years though.

Philadelphia was the national capital for a few years though.
But philadelphia sucks so it doesn't count. :p

I've never been there so I wouldn't know if it sucks or not. I was in Harrisburg a few years back and thought it was a nice city, for what parts of it I did see.

Philadelphia was the national capital for a few years though.
Still should be.

Philadelphia was the national capital for a few years though.

So was New York City. :rolleyes:

Yep, it was the fisrt capital, then Philadelphia, then Hoboken NJ, and finally in Washington D.C.

But philadelphia sucks so it doesn't count. :p
OH MY GOD.

I use to look up to you and admire your coolness.. not no more, not no more.

:(

I'm sure it was unintentional, apologize!

When I see the flag, I just think, "Man, the Soviet flag was so much cooler."

Hammers and sickles beat the shit out of stars and stripes.

Usually, when I see the American flag, it's on TV. Usually, the first thing that pops into my head (sometimes unconsciously) is: "what retarded thing have they got up to now?"

fourth reich
I agree with that.

Freedom, power, wealth, safety, fast food, Hollywood, baseball, the Bill of Rights, oppurtunity and I remind myself that Bush is not America, the people make up this country and not one idiot president.

The modern Roman Empire ... just have a look how Roman some US government buildings are.

That's the problem, people associate Bush with America. That puts a stain on America. But luckily it doesn't do that to Pennsylvania :D

OH MY GOD.

I use to look up to you and admire your coolness.. not no more, not no more.

:(
It's called sarcasm, use it. :rolleyes:

I have been to Philly and it's rather nice, although there were a lot of tourists there when I went... I still prefer Gibraltar though. -_-

The modern Roman Empire ... just have a look how Roman some US government buildings are.

Our founders had a classical influence. What is wrong with that?

Jersey pwns Philly.

The Flyers SUCK!!!

It's called sarcasm, use it. :rolleyes:

I have been to Philly and it's rather nice, although there were a lot of tourists there when I went... I still prefer Gibraltar though. -_-
Say you love Philly, and I will love you.. long time.

Let's settle this deabte and just conclude that Pittsburgh's the best.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=418845

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=418845
Mod's pet... POINT AND LAUGH! POINT AND LAUGH!

Scram! It's the mods!!

*Flipd over table, jumps out window and onto moving train*

"So long suckers!"

Jersey pwns Philly.

The Flyers SUCK!!!
*gasp*

Philly: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Goomg/philly/
vs.
Joisy: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y79/Goomg/joisy/

If you ask me, Philly looks much better.

:p

Pennsylvania freedom!!

What do I think? I think of how I am forced to pledge to it and mean it.. how I am forced to wake up for two seconds of my nap time (home room), stand up and lie. What do I think when I see the flag? I think of facist jello.


Actually you don't need to say it, you only have to be standing during the pledge, and you can exempt any word that you don't adhere too. Every day when I say it, I exempt "under god".

I see red white and blue.

I see red, white, and crue

I think of what the country is SUPPOSED to stand for, and how that's been thrown out the window. :mad: :upyours: :headbang:

The only time I think about the media is when I need something to write about in English. :D Makes for a good essay/speech.. hehe.

And sometimes I wonder when another star will pop up...

But when I see the Ohio penant... i think... OWNED!
Same for the NC flag. :D

BUCKEYES AND TARHEELS UNITE!!! :cool::D

Keystone State!!

I see red, white, and crue

Please tell me that is a joke. You can come up with better options then a Motley Crue album can't you?

It was a joke

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=418845
Um, hi there.

This thread is the original. Not a copy.

Actually you don't need to say it, you only have to be standing during the pledge, and you can exempt any word that you don't adhere too. Every day when I say it, I exempt "under god".
Can you add words?

I would say "under Tacos"

Actually you don't need to say it, you only have to be standing during the pledge, and you can exempt any word that you don't adhere too. Every day when I say it, I exempt "under god".
Meh, I don't say it.. too tired.. damn school times.

I dunno, but "under tacos" is just as good as "under god". Go for it :D

And by the way, when I see the flag, most of the time I'm proud of my country, and proud of our warriors, even if I don't believe in what their fighting for. And I think of my brother, who is going off to Basic Training in July.

Can you add words?

I would say "under Tacos"
"under facist jello statesmen"

I dunno, but "under tacos" is just as good as "under god". Go for it :D

And by the way, when I see the flag, most of the time I'm proud of my country, and proud of our warriors, even if I don't believe in what their fighting for. And I think of my brother, who is going off to Basic Training in July.
Meh, Canadian.

I also think of other things when I see a US flag (Other than Denny's, which I mentioned earlier - though that image certainly still looms large in my memory). I think about...

http://www.umich.edu/~uac/threeweeks/volume6.4/old-hippies.jpgxhttp://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/news/captain-america/captain-america-movie.jpgxhttp://redescolar.ilce.edu.mx/redescolar/efemerides/junio/interna/lincon.gifxhttp://www.childrensmuseum.org/birthday/images/moon_landing.jpgxhttp://www.project-wraith.de/files/nuke.jpg
xxxxxxxxxx...hippies...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx...Captain America...xxxxxxxxxx...Abe Lincoln...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...the Lunar Landing...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...nukes...

http://www.sfist.com/attachments/sfist_jon/DonnerParty.jpgxhttp://www.eondeck.net/user_folders/mcgeetree_com/las%20vegas.jpgxhttp://www.fiftiesweb.com/elvis-portrait3sm.jpgxhttp://www.sfist.com/archives/images/rice-a-roni-label-thumb.jpgxhttp://www.priceisrightinfo.com/BobBarkerAndBeauties.jpg
xxxxxxxxxx...the Donner Party...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...Vegas...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...Elvis...xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.. .Rice-a-Roni...xxxxxxxxxx...The Price Is Right...


*edit: aww, it didn't format right. Looked cool in the preview window.

When I see the US flag, first I think "Hey look, it's a US flag. Something must be American 'round here..." But then I can't help but think of a neo-liberal nation on a march towards theocracy and with a serious militarist bent, which is unfortunate indeed.

Personally, I think: "USA...that's the country that first put a human being onto the moon." No matter what else it does, whether it has fucked up (as some hold) or succeeded beautifully (as others do) nobody can take away from it this simple fact: it put somebody on the moon. I mean, hot fucking damn, eh? How cool is that? Every time I look at that flag, I am reminded of the fact that there are about seven of them currently on the moon that were placed there by the hands of its citizens. That deserves some serious respect. No, really, it's awesome.

I agree, there ain't no commie flags up there.

I think of what the country is SUPPOSED to stand for, and how that's been thrown out the window. :mad: :upyours: :headbang:

The only time I think about the media is when I need something to write about in English. :D Makes for a good essay/speech.. hehe.

And sometimes I wonder when another star will pop up...

But when I see the Ohio penant... i think... OWNED!
Same for the NC flag. :D

BUCKEYES AND TARHEELS UNITE!!! :cool::D

:D :fluffle: Ohio so totally PWNS!!(I'm a Buckeye, by the by:)) I also agree with the other stuff up there(before OH), though my wondering about another star is more or less along the lines of-Is the U.S. gonna last long enough to GET another star? And how dorky will the flag look with fifty-one stars, anyway?

Sometimes I see evil and unequality(in school during the Pledge) other times I see hope, care, and love(over my neighbor's garage). The US flag is easy on the eyes, peaceful looking, strong, and is one of the best looking flags.

This is coming from someone who greatly dislikes the US. ;)

Mod's pet... POINT AND LAUGH! POINT AND LAUGH!
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/taxi16.jpg
"Ya talkin to me?"


Um, hi there.
This thread is the original. Not a copy.
Hey hey. Yeah, I thought that much. But after having like three of these as the first threads on the first page I had hoped that reminding everyone might to the trick.

Anyway, to contribute to the thread:

Whenever I see the Stars & Stripes (which, apparently, one does very much lately) I have very mixed feelings about the whole thing.

On the one hand it's connected with many good memories of the country and what I believe it stands for.

On the other hand it's the same flag that flies over the Guantanamo concentration camp and over the battle field in Iraq.

Right now I have very ambivalent feelings when I see it flown.

:D :fluffle: Ohio so totally PWNS!!(I'm a Buckeye, by the by:)) I also agree with the other stuff up there(before OH), though my wondering about another star is more or less along the lines of-Is the U.S. gonna last long enough to GET another star? And how dorky will the flag look with fifty-one stars, anyway?

Ohio? Feh. We never should have given up our Western Reserve. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Reserve

1. Can I climb the flagpole and nick it?

2. Is it flammable?

Seriously. It's a flag. Large piece of cloth, probably made by illegal immigrants and sold for a lot more than it cost. If I don't care about the Union Jack, why should I care about the US flag?

I'm the same, except with the Michigan flag. Although it'd swell up with even more pride if we could design a flag that wasn't crap.

I used to be very "USA! USA!", but I've become very disillusioned with the very idea of a Federal government. And since I feel Washington doesn't deserve my allegience, Lansing gets it instead.

An Independant Michigan!? Gadzooks! What a strange and frightening thought... (Beware the iron grip of the nation shaped like a hand...)

When I see the flag, I see what America is supposed to stand for. A place where if one works hard andf obeys the lawws, can become successful and live happy. A place for immigrants to come in search of a better life. A flag that is universal for democracy and freedom. Where I can speak my mind and express my views, unoppressed. I love America, but hate the present government. I am proud and disappointed when I see the American flag.

Very nice view of America.. And the beauty of your last 2 sentences, America allows you to say those things, as a God given right, that you may get killed for in other countries. It is in fact our DUTY as Americans to question authority, including our own government. Bless America!!

Very nice view of America.. And the beauty of your last 2 sentences, America allows you to say those things, as a God given right, that you may get killed for in other countries. It is in fact our DUTY as Americans to question authority, including our own government. Bless America!!
Hear! Hear! :)

What does the American Flag make me think of? Constant trips to the US for work. I felt like I was in some bizarro version of home, where everyone spoke my language but the names of the stores were wrong, the beer was crappier and available in grocery stores and I couldn't find a decent cup of coffee anywhere.

Thankfully Tim Hortons is making a difference.

(And all kidding aside, for whatever flaws it may have, the US is a great country. Like home, except larger portion sizes and a flag that looks like clown pants. :) )

I feel utterly sick, thinking about all the evil things the USA has ever done.

These tourists that came to where we work and tried to pay iun dollars. When we insisted on being given pounds thay had a massive argument about the dollar being 'the worlds currency' and being 'valid everywhere'. In the end we called the police.

And you wonder why your coutnry has a bad name?

I feel utterly sick, thinking about all the evil things the USA has ever done.
Just for chuckles, why not list some? :)

I feel utterly sick, thinking about all the evil things the USA has ever done.

Yeah... and every other country on Earth too. Like what the Scots did to York. :rolleyes:

To be a nation is to be evil is someone's eyes.

I feel utterly sick, thinking about all the evil things the USA has ever done.

Let's hear that whole list..... (all the while we feel so happy to be in the presence from the Mecca of peace and dignity that is scotland)

Just for chuckles, why not list some? :)
How about:
Killing millions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the Japanese had already offered to surrender
Overthrowing the democratically elected government of Guatemala in 1954
Providing assistance to Suharto's military régime in Indonesia which killed over a million innocent people (between 1967 and 1998)
Starting a war which killed 4 million innocent people in Vietnam
Helping to overthrow the democratically elected government of Chile in 1973
Ensuring the military régime of El Salvador which murdered Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980 remained in power
Funding and arming the fascist contra death squads in their war against the elected government of Nicaragua in the 1980s
and if I had the time I could list many more

Yeah... and every other country on Earth too. Like what the Scots did to York. :rolleyes:

To be a nation is to be evil is someone's eyes.
All countries have done evil things but the USA is the only one which is seriously trying to become the new Roman Empire by achieving "full spectrum dominance" of the planet, the only nation which believes it has the divine right to impose its will on everyone else regardless of the cost, the country which has done far more than any other to undermine democratic government around the world over the last 60 years.

All countries have done evil things but the USA is the only country which is seriously trying to become the new Roman Empire by achieving "full spectrum dominance" of the planet, the only nation which believes it has the divine right to impose its will on everyone else regardless of the cost, the country which has done far more than any other to undermine democratic government around the world over the last 60 years.

Um... yeah. Sure.
Show me where the US has taken ANY territory since the Spanish American War.

Show me where the US is enslaving anybody.

Show me where the US is imposing its will. The UN won't take action on it's own initiatives. How about Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Iran... if the US *was* a modern version of Rome, don't you think they'd have been beaten down by now? How about France? Dont you think the US would have smacked it "into submission" as Rome did to Egypt?

Show me where Rome ever fought to free others and then let them rule themselves (WW1, WW2, Korea, Afghanistan, and Gulf Wars... the US has a long track record of this since the end of the 19th century.)

Undermine democracy? On the eve of WW1, there perhaps twenty democracies on Earth. Since then, it has become 200 in what has been called "The American Century". Hardly undermining, I would say.

No, the US isn't perfect. But it has been GENERALLY a more beneficial force in the world.

No one feels sick when they see the Pennsylvanian flag. Seeing it makes me proud and hopeful.

All countries have done evil things but the USA is the only one which is seriously trying to become the new Roman Empire by achieving "full spectrum dominance" of the planet, the only nation which believes it has the divine right to impose its will on everyone else regardless of the cost, the country which has done far more than any other to undermine democratic government around the world over the last 60 years.[/QUOTE]


You seriously believe the most successful Republic in history is trying to "UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY?" I love to see different peoples views, but you are insane.... I guess you can always take safety in the knowledge that in it's "quest for world domination" the entire land of Scotland has nothing worth taking or plundering... so you are safe.

Behold!

http://www.50states.com/flag/image/nunst064.gif

Isn't it wonderful. Virtue, Liberty and Independence

Um... yeah. Sure.

Show me where Rome ever fought to free others and then let them rule themselves (WW1, WW2, Korea, Afghanistan, and Gulf Wars... the US has a long track record of this since the end of the 19th century.)



No, the US isn't perfect. But it has been GENERALLY a more beneficial force in the world.


Bear in mind that the attacker against US Foreign policy, if not for the US in WWII, would most likely be speaking German now, cursing the US for not being more interventionist...

How about:
Killing millions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the Japanese had already offered to surrender
Overthrowing the democratically elected government of Guatemala in 1954
Providing assistance to Suharto's military régime in Indonesia which killed over a million innocent people (between 1967 and 1998)
Starting a war which killed 4 million innocent people in Vietnam
Helping to overthrow the democratically elected government of Chile in 1973
Ensuring the military régime of El Salvador which murdered Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980 remained in power
Funding and arming the fascist contra death squads in their war against the elected government of Nicaragua in the 1980s
and if I had the time I could list many more


All countries have done evil things but the USA is the only one which is seriously trying to become the new Roman Empire by achieving "full spectrum dominance" of the planet, the only nation which believes it has the divine right to impose its will on everyone else regardless of the cost, the country which has done far more than any other to undermine democratic government around the world over the last 60 years.

1. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: NERVUN has the full details, but although debatable, the Japanese had only surrendered on their own terms and not those of the US. I can't be bothered to go on, but there was a reason for the bombs. Morally wrong and militarily debatable, but still a point I want to make.

2. Technically the French/Japanese started Vietnam back as the Indochina conflict in...well, early 1930's if you want to go that far. The US just prolonged it.

No, thats about it. Just wanted to ensure historical accuracy.

I have a mixture of feelings when I see the United States flag. They are:

Respect.
Admiration
Liberty
Democracy
Merit
Dissappointment
Power
Jealousy
Hope

Freedom, accomplishment, hope.... These things are represented by the stars and stripes.

Depends on whether or not the girl who has it on her t-shirt is attractive.

If yes, then I probably think about her breasts.

If not, then, G I JOOOOOOOOOOOE!

Oh the subliminal messages of fighting communism

I see corporatism. The corporate US press have done a pretty good job of making me associate the flag with everything I think is wrong in the world. Sad, really.

Look! It's a shareholder, it's a tax evader, it's Corpotae America Man!!

*Cue dramatic music*

Yes, Corporate America Man can launder money into over sea bank accounts faster than a speeding bullet. Stronger than a president. Able to leap over government anti-trust laws in a single bound!

Um... yeah. Sure.
Show me where the US has taken ANY territory since the Spanish American War.
In the first half of the 19th century the USA stole half of Mexico's territory (including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah).

Show me where the US is enslaving anybody.
It may not be enslaving people in the classic sense but the USA is doing all it can to exploit other countries and to ensure they comply with its own views.

Show me where the US is imposing its will. The UN won't take action on it's own initiatives. How about Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Iran... if the US *was* a modern version of Rome, don't you think they'd have been beaten down by now? How about France? Dont you think the US would have smacked it "into submission" as Rome did to Egypt?
If the USA could interfere in these nations it almost certainly would. It in fact has already tried to overthow Venezuela's government although fortunately this has as yet been a failure.

Show me where Rome ever fought to free others and then let them rule themselves (WW1, WW2, Korea, Afghanistan, and Gulf Wars... the US has a long track record of this since the end of the 19th century.)
"Letting them rule themselves" is certainly not what the USA is doing in the countries where it occupies since much of the time it ignores what the new governments, which they themselves have created, say. It also intends to establish permanent bases so it can interfere at any time in the future.

Undermine democracy? On the eve of WW1, there perhaps twenty democracies on Earth. Since then, it has become 200 in what has been called "The American Century". Hardly undermining, I would say.

No, the US isn't perfect. But it has been GENERALLY a more beneficial force in the world.
Democracy has almost always developed because of people's stuggles in their own country, not because it has been imposed by others. When this of course has not been to the benefit of the USA, eg. a left-wing government is elected, they won't hesitate to do all they can to undermine democracy and I've listed plenty of examples of that.

Freedom and Hope.

Bear in mind that the attacker against US Foreign policy, if not for the US in WWII, would most likely be speaking German now, cursing the US for not being more interventionist...

Yeah... You mean like how in NYC yesterday there were marches against being in Iraq, and today there are maches against the US NOT being in Darfur? :headbang: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Yeah... You mean like how in NYC yesterday there were marches against being in Iraq, and today there are maches against the US NOT being in Darfur? :headbang: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.Yes it's that simple. Either the US has a licence to assault, mug & capture entire nations, or they must ignore the fact they have the worlds largest army & could easily use it as a buffer to halt genocides & give the INVOLVED PARTIES a chance to work things out themselves.

I think its a very pretty flag. thats about it really. I like the stars especially. flags arent really that emotive to me. I saw a simpsons episode where they accidentally burned a british flag, and the british guy was crying, but we dont really have that kind of feeling about flags. theyre just pieces of fabric, sometimes pretty ones.

In the first half of the 19th century the USA stole half of Mexico's territory (including Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah).

(Looks at calendar) The Mexican American War was 40 years BEFORE the Spanish American War. Please try again.

It may not be enslaving people in the classic sense but the USA is doing all it can to exploit other countries and to ensure they comply with its own views.

Then it's not slavery, is it?

What you are describing is called International diplomacy. You'll find that EVERY country does that. The US has a louder voice due to it's size, economic strength and history. If the world were 5-10 degrees warmer, if might have well been the Canadians. Or had the Confederacy won. Or any one of a myriad of variables.

If the USA could interfere in these nations it almost certainly would. It in fact has already tried to overthow Venezuela's government although fortunately this has as yet been a failure.

Weak argument, I'm afraid. The US has been intervening in South American since the Monroe Doctrine. Even now the US is massively backing the Columbians in the drug wars.
We did? Link please.

"Letting them rule themselves" is certainly not what the USA is doing in the countries where it occupies since much of the time it ignores what the new governments, which they themselves have created, say. It also intends to establish permanent bases so it can interfere at any time in the future.

Which is it? It takes over the land, or it doesn't! The US is most certainly NOT running Japan or Germany or the Phillipeans or Grenada. It's not even running Panama or Afghanistan or Iraq!

By "permanent bases", I assume you mean Iraq. Yes, the US will likely do that. It'll also have invested over a TRILLION USD before a decade is out to clean up the mess it made by building up Saddam to fight the Iranians. If the US did totally leave soon, the situation would rapidly dissolve
By the same token, the US has MOVED its bases out of Saudi Arabia, as well as many out of Japan, and Germany by request of their governments.
The US is fighting insurgents in Iraq, NOT running the place. It would have been much easier if we had (say) send in 500.000 soldiers, given them a copy of our Constitution, etc. But that's not what happened.

One example, please, of foreign land the US is running. The only time it's ever happened was post WW2, where General McArthur ran Japan for a time.

Democracy has almost always developed because of people's stuggles in their own country, not because it has been imposed by others.

I agree with you here. But the US has AIDED many of those groups such as Solidarity in Poland, Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia, the South Koreans and the South Vietnamese (failingly, but still). Never mind all the aid to Israel or Western Europe back in the day.

When this of course has not been to the benefit of the USA, eg. a left-wing government is elected, they won't hesitate to do all they can to undermine democracy and I've listed plenty of examples of that.

Where?

What do I think when I see the US flag? "Another country I haven't visited yet." I'd really like to visit New York and San Francisco, probably because I have a liking for suspension bridges.

Yep, it was the fisrt capital, then Philadelphia, then Hoboken NJ, and finally in Washington D.C.

...you forgot Annapolis.

False freedom. Corrupt politicians. That's what I see.

Get me a bucket, I need to puke is what I generally think when I see one.

Corporate America Man swoops down from his finely decorated office with a bucket entitled "Consumer"

"Go ahead, good citizen. I have a bucket for you"

I don't really think anything, in words at least. The US flag gives me a similar feeling to looking at any other symbol of worship that I don't believe in.

Corporate America Man swoops down from his finely decorated office with a bucket entitled "Consumer"

"Go ahead, good citizen. I have a bucket for you"
You mean "I'll sell you a bucket" right?

"Exactly, good citizen" responds Corporate America Man. "We'll throw in a Mexican , half off"

I think Capitalism, obnoxious tourists, unattractive women, lazy men, great education, and I think about a country which took me in.

I love the country, hate the people and the flag reminds me of that everytime I view it.

I think 'I hope these tourists think leprechauns are real'

I think 'I hope these tourists think leprechauns are real'

Have you been selling midgets again?

I think "It's an American flag." Seriously, it's just a piece of cloth. There's nothing important about it.

When I see a flag and bother to think about it at all:

I think about how cool it looks!
And, Capitalism and general exuberance! The US flag really captures this attitude well! I find this to be positive.

Other than that, not much, about the flag itself. There are so many US flags flying in my area (mainly on businesses) that I pretty much just keep going about my day without considering it too much. I don't have time to contemplate all that the US stands for (and my opinions on all those issues) every time I see a flag!

I do make some quick thoughts about the one flying it:
Civilian: Oh, a patriot. Probably a Republican. Which is not enough info for me to like/dislike the person, so it's just a tidbit of info to add into the overall picture. There's a lot of variety amongst flag-flyers. And, those who fly 'em tend to leave them up regardless of current politics.

A Business: They're too cheap to buy a giant sign, or they can't get a giant sign past the zoning board. So they're using a humongous flag to make their place stand out, instead. It'd be cool, but they ALL seem to do it, making it overused instead. Immigrant-run businesses have taken to flying big flags, too. So on businesses, at least in my area, it generally = an ad, not a real Statement.

False freedom. Corrupt politicians. That's what I see.

You do not know corrupt. You should've seen Ukraine before the Orange Revolution.

You do not know corrupt. You should've seen Ukraine before the Orange Revolution.
In Ukraine, everything is fine with corruption now -- my Ukrainian friends say it is even more rampant now than it was before the Orange revolution. :rolleyes:

the fourth reich. this time its against muslims.

Simple question. What do you think?

When i see the american flag i think...its the american flag!!!!! ;)

"Hmm, that appears to be the US flag"

You know what I think when I see the US flag?



















The US flag. Same as with every other flag.

Meh.

Blind Jingoism & Nationalism.

I think of: a superpower; McDonalds; people keeping mail in a breadbin on a stick :confused:; great movies (but also crappy movies with identical storylines that rely on ridiculous exposions); stunning variety of landscapes; accents; and guns.

Simple question. What do you think?
Overrated!

Myself, I think Bush.
That's what Bush wants you to think!

Crap! Where's the hammer and sickle?
Here you go! (http://www.amarxica.com/index.html)

I see a bunch of fabric sewn together.

I think it looked better with the Union Flag in the corner.

I think of a country so great that it allows the vast amount of people who hate it to thrive and continue to vote for democrats.

I think : "Who designed that tacky piece of crap?", followed by "It would look far better if it was actually a huge dollar bill, with some blood and oil stains and some soot on, and a cross in there too, to show the nation's interests".

Oooh, this time around it was different. I thought "I'm hungry" and "I want porno".

The US flag. Same as with every other flag.

Ditto, although being an american, I have a great deal of respect for the "grand experiment." I'm a lot bigger on what America is, than on the flag she represents.

Fantastic!! Pennsylvania's in da house!

I'm from PA too

and a Penn Stater, today marks the start of finals week...oh god...

Oh, and as for the flag, I think about the men and women who serve to defend it, those that have died for it, and what it stands for...the whole democracy/freedom thing.

I see the dream of the american revolution shattered by the sins of exploitation and imperialism.

False freedom. Corrupt politicians. That's what I see.

False freedom eh? Well when the government comes for you then I suppose it will be a lesson to not question our freedom! :D