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To be fair other developed countries, with exception to China, do not spend what the US spends on its military as a percentage of their GDP. Many NATO members,

To be fair other developed countries, with exception to China, do not spend what the US spends on its military as a percentage of their GDP. Many NATO members, for example, contribute less than their required percentage of GDP on national defense. https://time.com/4680885/nato-defense-spending-budget-trump/ https://time.com/4680885/nato-defense-spending-budget-trump/ There really does seem to be a correlation with the supposed excessive obsession of a nation's military praise to the percentage of funding allotted to that military. I don't consider praise to be excessive obsession though.

lotsofpulp 7y ago
There’s praise, and then there is national anthems at every sports game, military jet flyovers, military personnel standing at the side of sports games or holding a huge flag, people caring about kneeling or what others do during national anthems, etc. All obviously recruitment tactics. Especially when many times, it’s been proven that your country is the aggressor working in the interest of profit for private entities. I’m as patriotic as anyone else, I don’t need to sing a song or display a piece of cloth with certain colors and designs on it. My problem is that if you don’t bend over for these meaningless gestures, then you get branded as unpatriotic or worse.
- austincheney 7y ago
  The national anthem is not a military symbol or related to the military and neither is the national flag. Perhaps interpretation of symbols is the cause of this confusion. > My problem is that if you don’t bend over for these meaningless gestures, then you get branded as unpatriotic or worse. I suggest worrying less about what ignorant strangers think.
  - lotsofpulp 7y ago
    They are when they’re used as advertisements at the beginning of a sports game. And it’s necessary to worry about what ignorant strangers think if you want to win in politics, or end up in a situation like this: https://myfox8.com/2019/08/06/man-accused-of-fracturing-13-year-olds-skull-for-not-removing-hat-during-national-anthem/ https://myfox8.com/2019/08/06/man-accused-of-fracturing-13-y...

lotsofpulp 7y ago

There’s praise, and then there is national anthems at every sports game, military jet flyovers, military personnel standing at the side of sports games or holding a huge flag, people caring about kneeling or what others do during national anthems, etc. All obviously recruitment tactics. Especially when many times, it’s been proven that your country is the aggressor working in the interest of profit for private entities. I’m as patriotic as anyone else, I don’t need to sing a song or display a piece of cloth with certain colors and designs on it. My problem is that if you don’t bend over for these meaningless gestures, then you get branded as unpatriotic or worse.

austincheney 7y ago
The national anthem is not a military symbol or related to the military and neither is the national flag. Perhaps interpretation of symbols is the cause of this confusion. > My problem is that if you don’t bend over for these meaningless gestures, then you get branded as unpatriotic or worse. I suggest worrying less about what ignorant strangers think.
- lotsofpulp 7y ago
  They are when they’re used as advertisements at the beginning of a sports game. And it’s necessary to worry about what ignorant strangers think if you want to win in politics, or end up in a situation like this: https://myfox8.com/2019/08/06/man-accused-of-fracturing-13-year-olds-skull-for-not-removing-hat-during-national-anthem/ https://myfox8.com/2019/08/06/man-accused-of-fracturing-13-y...