4 ms·

Modern American "patriotism" begins with nationalism, and gets darker and weirder from there. As an exercise, imagine someone who self-identifies as a patriot.

by RajT88 4y ago

Modern American "patriotism" begins with nationalism, and gets darker and weirder from there. As an exercise, imagine someone who self-identifies as a patriot. Ask them what makes them a patriot. (If you're not American, you might not get what I am getting at, but probably Canadians get it)

dsfyu404ed 4y ago
The Party(TM) must love types like you. There's a huge subset (dare I say majority) of those "patriots" you deride who don't like this stuff, don't think their goings on are any of the government's business. But of course you ignore that because they don't want what you want on meaningless social issues.
- RajT88 4y ago
  Real patriots, in my experience: 1. Don't talk long and loud about being patriots (i.e. don't self-identify) 2. Tend to work for the government. Career govvies or military. They show their patriotism through action. > There's a huge subset (dare I say majority) of those "patriots" you deride who don't like this stuff, don't think their goings on are any of the government's business. I know the type well, as that describes one side of my family. Despite your protestations, we're saying the same thing.
  - prottog 4y ago
    > Tend to work for the government. Career govvies or military. They show their patriotism through action. I just want to chime in here and say that working for the government isn't the only way to be a patriot (i.e. serve the country). Upholding American values is something anyone can do in any part of society.
    - RajT88 4y ago
      That's fair enough. What's fresh in my memory is a few weeks back, I was at Quantico for the graduation of a family member from the FBI academy, where the convocation speech was delivered by Christopher Wray. I cannot imagine a more patriotic group of people - genuinely people who dedicate their whole lives to the betterment of the nation. It was really inspiring.
      - dragonwriter 4y ago
        > I cannot imagine a more patriotic group of people - genuinely people who dedicate their whole lives to the betterment of the nation. The actual history of the FBI (whether the near universal perjury in fiber “analysis” cases, the repeated use of provocateurs to discredit protest, especially civil rights, movements — up through the last few years — etc.) tells of a very different culture.
        lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
        Still makes sense in a way. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, as it goes. Though it certainly seems some influential people had (and have) more selfish intentions with their influence. It would be truly epic incompetence otherwise.
        RajT88 4y ago
        /\--- this.
bregma 4y ago
Real patriots fly flags from their honking F-150s, play in bouncy castles, shit in snowbanks, and call to engage in fervent sexual congress with democratically elected leaders who have great hair. Do I win a prize?

by RajT88 4y ago

dsfyu404ed 4y ago

The Party(TM) must love types like you. There's a huge subset (dare I say majority) of those "patriots" you deride who don't like this stuff, don't think their goings on are any of the government's business. But of course you ignore that because they don't want what you want on meaningless social issues.

RajT88 4y ago
Real patriots, in my experience: 1. Don't talk long and loud about being patriots (i.e. don't self-identify) 2. Tend to work for the government. Career govvies or military. They show their patriotism through action. > There's a huge subset (dare I say majority) of those "patriots" you deride who don't like this stuff, don't think their goings on are any of the government's business. I know the type well, as that describes one side of my family. Despite your protestations, we're saying the same thing.
- prottog 4y ago
  > Tend to work for the government. Career govvies or military. They show their patriotism through action. I just want to chime in here and say that working for the government isn't the only way to be a patriot (i.e. serve the country). Upholding American values is something anyone can do in any part of society.
  - RajT88 4y ago
    That's fair enough. What's fresh in my memory is a few weeks back, I was at Quantico for the graduation of a family member from the FBI academy, where the convocation speech was delivered by Christopher Wray. I cannot imagine a more patriotic group of people - genuinely people who dedicate their whole lives to the betterment of the nation. It was really inspiring.
    - dragonwriter 4y ago
      > I cannot imagine a more patriotic group of people - genuinely people who dedicate their whole lives to the betterment of the nation. The actual history of the FBI (whether the near universal perjury in fiber “analysis” cases, the repeated use of provocateurs to discredit protest, especially civil rights, movements — up through the last few years — etc.) tells of a very different culture.
      - lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 4y ago
        Still makes sense in a way. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, as it goes. Though it certainly seems some influential people had (and have) more selfish intentions with their influence. It would be truly epic incompetence otherwise.
        RajT88 4y ago
        /\--- this.

bregma 4y ago

Real patriots fly flags from their honking F-150s, play in bouncy castles, shit in snowbanks, and call to engage in fervent sexual congress with democratically elected leaders who have great hair. Do I win a prize?