dre Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) I've been to Houston and a little town called Kemah, and like you, I found all of the people quite friendly -- and there were cultural differences from where I live, too. Which only makes sense considering the size of the U.S., the number of states, and the vast differences among them. There is an element of patriotism at ballgames, I agree. It's part of the fun. But I think that's true in Canada, too. At least I thought so when I went to a Blue Jays game in Toronto. I do agree, though, that each society expresses its patriotism in its own way. I've seen very strong exhibitions of patriotism from other nations, and I think it's great. I think allegiance to one's country is a good thing. I've seen very strong exhibitions of patriotism from other nations, and I think it's great. Thats certainly the conventional wisdom, but its good to question conventional wisdom once in a while too. Patriotism is a uniting force but it can also be a dangerous one. Heres an article that talks about some of the dangers. http://www.swarthmore.edu/Humanities/tkitao1/patriotism.html Edited January 14, 2011 by dre Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
Shady Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 Patriotism is a uniting force but it can also be a dangerous one. Yep, just like red wine or a good cigar. Give it a rest already. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 Heres an article that talks about some of the dangers. Meh...a lot of "humanity" is trying to get to Canada or the USA for citizenship. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
pinko Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) I've been to Houston and a little town called Kemah, and like you, I found all of the people quite friendly -- and there were cultural differences from where I live, too. Which only makes sense considering the size of the U.S., the number of states, and the vast differences among them. There is an element of patriotism at ballgames, I agree. It's part of the fun. But I think that's true in Canada, too. At least I thought so when I went to a Blue Jays game in Toronto. I do agree, though, that each society expresses its patriotism in its own way. I've seen very strong exhibitions of patriotism from other nations, and I think it's great. I think allegiance to one's country is a good thing. I agree that allegiance to one's country is fine provided that doesn't foreclose criticism of government policy from time to time. The Blue Jays had a pretty good team in the 90s. You might notice expressions of patriotism at hockey games especially when Canada is playing the Russians or Americans. The Russians beat us recently in the junior tournament. Edited January 14, 2011 by pinko Quote
jbg Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Posted January 14, 2011 I agree that allegiance to one's country is fine provided that doesn't foreclose criticism of government policy from time to time. In my humble opinion it absolutely does not. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Guest American Woman Posted January 14, 2011 Report Posted January 14, 2011 I agree that allegiance to one's country is fine provided that doesn't foreclose criticism of government policy from time to time. The Blue Jays had a pretty good team in the 90s. You might notice expressions of patriotism at hockey games especially when Canada is playing the Russians or Americans. The Russians beat us recently in the junior tournament. I don't think people can have true allegiance to their country if they don't ever criticize government policy and try to change what's wrong; I think dedication to one's country involves caring enough to want to try to change things if the country is going in the wrong direction. I think there's a huge difference between allegiance and blind acceptance, which I don't see as the definition of patriotism -- and many a great American hasn't seen it that way, either. This country wasn't made great by blind acceptance of government policy, and I don't believe any Democracy can thrive under such conditions. The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox at the game I was at. And yes, I've noticed Canadian expressions of patriotism at hockey games..... Quote
wyly Posted January 15, 2011 Report Posted January 15, 2011 You quoted me on that but It wasnt me that said it. I see very few national flags in front of peoples homes where I live. In fact I cant think of any. I've got a few years behind me I can only ever recall one home with a canadian flag, and I'm not even sure about that it was so long ago...there is a home down the street from me with an american flag... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
wyly Posted January 15, 2011 Report Posted January 15, 2011 I agree that allegiance to one's country is fine provided that doesn't foreclose criticism of government policy from time to time. The Blue Jays had a pretty good team in the 90s. You might notice expressions of patriotism at hockey games especially when Canada is playing the Russians or Americans. The Russians beat us recently in the junior tournament. I have a little sports patriotism but even then it's only a game...if my city actually had hockey players that weren't paid mercenaries I might even have some civic patriotism but I don't Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
Guest American Woman Posted January 15, 2011 Report Posted January 15, 2011 I've got a few years behind me I can only ever recall one home with a canadian flag, and I'm not even sure about that it was so long ago... :lol: Yeah, right. I think your recollection says a lot more about your powers of observation/memory than it does about the number of houses flying the Canadian flag. Quote
pinko Posted January 15, 2011 Report Posted January 15, 2011 I have a little sports patriotism but even then it's only a game...if my city actually had hockey players that weren't paid mercenaries I might even have some civic patriotism but I don't I tend to agree with you although in the case of the junior players they haven't attained the status of paid mecenaries. Monetary considerations aside I really enjoy Olympic hockey as it is fast and exciting in addition to highlighting the skills of these elite athletes. Quote
Smallc Posted January 15, 2011 Report Posted January 15, 2011 I've got a few years behind me I can only ever recall one home with a canadian flag, and I'm not even sure about that it was so long ago...there is a home down the street from me with an american flag... Where I live, there are literally Canada flags on every third home.....right now, mine has an NS flag, but usually it has a Canada flag. Quote
Guest TrueMetis Posted January 16, 2011 Report Posted January 16, 2011 Where I live, there are literally Canada flags on every third home.....right now, mine has an NS flag, but usually it has a Canada flag. I've seen a couple of houses with Canadian flags around my town, including my own. Quote
Guest American Woman Posted January 16, 2011 Report Posted January 16, 2011 I've seen many a Canadian flag flying during my time in Canada. Canada's flags, since I don't see them every day, really stand out when I see them, the way American flags most likely stand out to visitors to the U.S. On the other hand, U.S. flags don't particularly stand out to me, so I'm not as likely to notice them. I would say a lot more Canadian flags are flying than some Canadians apparently notice while American flags stand out disproportionately to these people. I do, however, find it very interesting that some seem to take pride in the idea that not many Canadians fly Canada's flag, and all I can to is laugh, because that's just the opposite side of the coin of taking pride in flying the flag, which these people seem to find some kind of fault with. As a side note, if I ever get to the point where I care whether or not people from another nation fly their flag or pledge allegiance to their country, I'll question the state of my mental health. Quote
wyly Posted January 16, 2011 Report Posted January 16, 2011 I've seen a couple of houses with Canadian flags around my town, including my own. possible but I'm skeptical of smallc's "every third home"...I live in the heart of redneck land I've yet to see even one...though I think the american down the street flies our flag when he puts up his stars and stripes... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
Smallc Posted January 17, 2011 Report Posted January 17, 2011 possible but I'm skeptical of smallc's "every third home"...I live in the heart of redneck land I've yet to see even one...though I think the american down the street flies our flag when he puts up his stars and stripes... Well then you can't have your eyes open. Outside of urban areas, the flag is everywhere. Quote
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