The_Raven on 16/2/2008 at 17:19
Patriotism is just a made up politician's word. I'm really surprised that so many people buy into it. I'm not saying that some of the ideas behind it are complete bullshit, but they're most certainly misplaced. When everything is said and done, it's not a system of government or a piece of land that really matters: it's the people. I'm as far from a hippy as you can get, I actually hate them with a passion. Symbolism is a powerful tool in the right hands, but people take it too fucking far.
I'm reminded me of one of my favorite segments from The Simpsons. Not surprisingly, it's on (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxzuot8xnw0) YouTube.
Mr.Duck on 16/2/2008 at 17:53
Quote Posted by PigLick
i could really do with a kebab right now
Fuck you, Piggy, me too now :(
Pass me some more flags to keep the fire burning, baaaaaaby!
irony, olol
Muzman on 16/2/2008 at 18:46
Vehement anti-government protests in Berkeley of all places. What is the world coming to.
jay pettitt on 16/2/2008 at 19:02
I'm going to burn a US flag or three just this very evening for no other reason than I think there US citizens who I think aren't happy unless they've got something to whimper about - no matter how unreasonable. Gah, what next - cartoons of Mohammed?!?!
Turtle on 16/2/2008 at 19:28
Quote Posted by Briareos H
get over it
Perfected with the first response.
justin1001 on 16/2/2008 at 20:01
Quote Posted by catbarf
I think we could do with a little less apple-pie-shitting-patriotism. The fact that people get so worked up over burning a cloth with funny colors is amusing at best. You shouldn't need to stick up flags everywhere to remind you of what country you live it, nor should you need them everywhere to support your country. And if someone wants to burn it to show displeasure with their country, how is that worse than hosting a rally, march, or campaign?
Moi Dix Mois- It's interesting in that the US is far more similar to fundamentalist Middle-Eastern countries than any of Europe- in quite a few ways.
You know why people in the US get worked up? Because they actually love their country and what it stands for. They are proud to be Americans because of the great freedoms enjoyed here. These freedoms are valuable, and are bought and protected with a great price.
The founding fathers didn't write the first amendment so people could go around desecrating flags with impunity. Wow, if someone had tried to do that back then, they would probably have been hanged publicly in the street. The first amendment was supposed to be for people to speak publicly against government oppression and tyranny. Does burning flags apply here? I don't think so. Because, as I said, the flag is not the symbol of the government. It is the symbol of the people. And in America, the government is beholden to the people. Therefore, if the people are disrespected and threatened, the government should do it's job and allow people to protect themselves and their way of life.
Rug Burn Junky on 16/2/2008 at 20:14
Actually, I'd be willing to bet that the founding fathers wouldn't get all worked up over an arbitrary symbol and wouldn't really give two shits about it.
And jesus christ how do you manage to type that stupid, simplistic shit without your head exploding.
a flower in hell on 16/2/2008 at 20:22
You know why the idiots in Berkley are burning flags? Because they get a negative reaction from the people they're targeting.
If you ignore them, they'll stop feeling important and go back to trying to save the rainforests.
justin1001 on 16/2/2008 at 21:50
Why don't you ask a WWII vet if it's an arbitrary symbol.
Actually, why don't you ask an Iraqi if he thinks it's an arbitrary symbol. If it is, why would they have turned out in thousands on the streets of Baghdad waving American flags?
