[Tuor]

Originally posted by Silver Cheetah: Patriotism. Bizarre concept. Personally, I don't have it. And I certainly don't believe in 'my country right or wrong'. Why is one country better than another just because I live in it? I like England a lot. I like Holland too, and Italy. I have lived in all three. I don't think there is anything intrinsically better about England because I was born there, in fact in many ways Holland is superior (socially) as is Italy (culinarily!). England is beautiful, though. But so is every other country I have visited. I like English people. I like Dutch people too, and Italian people, and American people, and Chinese people.... I don't think one is better than another. Patriotism encourages the view that your country is better than another country, when in fact that may not be so, at least it does in the sense that most people on the board seem to be using it. I do think patriotism can make people accept courses of action taken by their own leaders that perhaps they wouldnt' accept in leaders of other countries. It seems to blunts the discerning faculties. It can easily lead to racism, and has, time and time again. (ie. the idea of being superior to those who are different.) You have a country? Great. Celebrate it! But don't back it against all comers, right or wrong. Why is an action your country takes right, just because it is taken by your country? I'm not saying for a moment that everyone on this forum thinks that way. But I've heard a lot of Americans speaking on radio, and reported in the newspapers over the past month or so, and there is a good deal of that attitude. It's right because we're doing it.

I think this is a unique moment, I actually agree wholeheartedly with something Silver Cheetah has posted. I bet it doesn't happen agan though.

But I'll defend your right to say whatever you want to my dying breath