Quote:
Originally posted by Nachtrafe:
And Dio! Shame on you. This whole 'Thread' is nothing more than a massive flamebait. Comparing contemporary Americans to Nazi's is designed to do nothing more than incite those same Americans to anger. I, and others, expect much better from you than petty incitement. 
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I was examining the notion of patriotism, love of country. I was NOT saying that the typcial american was a Nazi. Hell, the typical German wasn't a Nazi either, under Hitler's regime. However, I am convinced that the sentiment of nationalist patriotism is not a productive emotion, but rather one responsible for all sorts of evil in the world. The sentiment "my country, right or wrong" is an evil one, imo. It only serves to increase injustice in the world through the willingess of people to blindly give their support to their government, no matter what its policies, in the name of loyalty and duty.
As for your accusation that this whole thread is nothing but a flamebait, I am guilty of trying to provoke thought, yes, and I am not holding back much in doing so. However, this is not the same as "flamebaiting" and I find it disappointing when people take the attitude that trying to provoke thought is the same as trying to stir up trouble. Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it has been common throughout history for people trying to stir up thought to be accused of being troublemakers by apologists for the status quo.
[This message has been edited by Diogenes Of Pumpkintown (edited 10-08-2001).]