are you proud to be an American?

[John Dibble]

No, but I'm not ashamed of it either. In fact I'm quite glad I was born in America because it's one of the best countries you can possibly live in. I'm not proud of it because it's incidental, it's not something I've personally accomplished.

I'm not proud of a lot of things about myself that I also happen to like. For instance I'm rather smart, but I didn't do anything to be smart, I just lucked out with good genes and whatnot so there's nothing to be proud of. On the other hand I'm proud of my academic achievements because I actually had to work for those.

[Jake]

No, but not because I don't think you should or can be proud of a geographic entity, but because so much about American culture is repugnant.

[Meeker]

Of course. I love America.

[opebo]

"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

That's a funny song because the dumb singer thinks americans are 'free', or anyway claims they are free.  Or perhaps he's just putting on a redneck persona ironically.  In any case, the 'free' claim always makes me laugh/cringe at the same time.

[Keystone Phil]

An argument could be made that city's are "things" in a way that nation states aren't, that they actually have an existence independent of the whims of boundary-drawers.

And if cities do, why wouldn't a country?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

An argument could be made that city's are "things" in a way that nation states aren't, that they actually have an existence independent of the whims of boundary-drawers.

And if cities do, why wouldn't a country?

Can you tell that you're in a different country just by looking at the landscape?

[Tetro Kornbluth]

An argument could be made that city's are "things" in a way that nation states aren't, that they actually have an existence independent of the whims of boundary-drawers.

And if cities do, why wouldn't a country?

To a certain extent a city is an actual community, while a country is, to invoke Benedict Anderson, an "imagined" one. Say you were never told you were American, that nationality had no imprint on local culture and society.. would you really say that life would be much different?

[JSojourner]

Damn right I am.  I love my country, warts and all. 

But I do believe a patriot's duty is to remove the warts whenever and wherever possible.

[Lief 🗽]

I'm not proud to be an American, because I didn't really do anything to be an American; it was just luck of the draw. I am proud of America and its accomplishments though.

[Keystone Phil]

An argument could be made that city's are "things" in a way that nation states aren't, that they actually have an existence independent of the whims of boundary-drawers.

And if cities do, why wouldn't a country?

Can you tell that you're in a different country just by looking at the landscape?

Uh...is this serious? Can you tell that you're in a different city just by looking at the landscape? No, not always but I don't find that relevant at all.

Here's your argument: Country based only on geography. No sense in pride. City based on more than just geography so you can be proud.

It's a silly argument.

An argument could be made that city's are "things" in a way that nation states aren't, that they actually have an existence independent of the whims of boundary-drawers.

And if cities do, why wouldn't a country?

To a certain extent a city is an actual community, while a country is, to invoke Benedict Anderson, an "imagined" one. Say you were never told you were American, that nationality had no imprint on local culture and society.. would you really say that life would be much different?

Would life be much different if BRTD wasn't a citizen of Minneapolis? No, it wasn't. He acted the same way and had the same feelings when he lived in Mankato or whatever.

[phk]

Absolutely, I'm immensely greatful that my parents could immigrate to this country. Theres many things that I wouldn't have been able to do had they chosen to live in Pakistan.

I hold dual citizenship from birth.

[opebo]

Damn right I am.  I love my country, warts and all. 

But I do believe a patriot's duty is to remove the warts whenever and wherever possible.

The warts (the owning class) do not want to be removed, and will damned well have you eliminated if you try.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Yes, of course.  She makes me sick sometimes too, but the things right with America are still stronger than the things wrong.

Damn right I am.  I love my country, warts and all. 

But I do believe a patriot's duty is to remove the warts whenever and wherever possible.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Uh...is this serious?

I think it is. Yes. It must be, and is.

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If we're talking actual cities (or towns, frankly), sure. Though the cute, no, quaint, American tendency to call any group of more than about three houses a "city" might confuse that.

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It's relevant in that it is proof that cities are real things.

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That's not my argument.

[Torie]

Of course! I am blessed to be so lucky.

[patrick1]

Yes. 

[Keystone Phil]

It's relevant in that it is proof that cities are real things.

Ok but I don't know how that changes anything. 

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Your argument is that you can tell the difference between cities but not necessarily between countries so you can take pride in one (because it is unique) and not the other (because it's generic). It's a lame argument.

[Хahar 🤔]

Ah, the old argument again.

Here in the States (or at least this part) no jurisdictions mean anything at all. They're all lines on a map. The real borders are all gradual in nature (except the Mexican border).

[Storebought]

As a nation that exists only the basis of an idea, to a large extent, one must be proud, that is, to embrace the ideals and accept the realities of the US, to be "American". To put it simpler, to be American means agreeing with hocus-pocus behind it all -- delegating responsibility of your own life to a set of officials who "promise" to work for your well-being on your behalf.

[Xobile]

Proud of America in terms of founding ideals, but not so proud of our government (not an Anarchist or even Libertarian) for its recent actions over the last eight years of so from both parties.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Ok but I don't know how that changes anything. 

Depends on the argument you're making, doesn't it.

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That's not my argument either.

[Barack Hussian YO MAMA!!!!]

     yes  in many ways I take great pride in being an American  our culture,
our constitution, our history, our people but at the same time our Government has done some bad
things and is capable of doing bad things, I don't  think we should use patriotism as an excuse to
be immoral, sometimes people think America is capable of doing no wrong and accuse people
who critical of the Government of being unpatriotic. discent is patriotic this country was founded
on the notion they we have certain unable rights's.   

[??????????]

Yes! Damn proud to be a citizen of the best country on earth! And yes, I'm a PROUD Nationalist!

[Keystone Phil]

Ok but I don't know how that changes anything. 

Depends on the argument you're making, doesn't it.

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That's not my argument either.

I noticed that you really so no other point than to spew vague, annoying statements around. You don't clarify anything and think you're a genius with your "insight."

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Yes, insofar as this is a freer, more stable country than the large majority of those in the world. I would be much prouder to be an Englishman, though that I am not.