[Faceman]

*Not an American but entering this interesting thread*

IMHO there's nothing wrong with some positive patriotism.
Some years ago a read a scintific study divinding between "good patriotism" and "bad patriotism".

Good patriotism basically is "I love my country (and therefore my fellow countrymen) and want to do everything to make living here better. I'm proud if the achievements of my country (of the inhabitants of my country) and its contribution to a better world". The Rambo quote fits here nicely.

Bad patriotism basically says: "My country is better than yours!"

The study also stated that the US and France were the countries with the highest rating of "bad patriotism" while Germany was the lowest. However in Germany "good patriotism" is also very low as patriotism in general.

Yet you can also watch extremely exaggerated display of patriotism in Indian films for example. Patriotism is an important ingredient in the glue that keeps huge countries together. If US citizens were not proud of their country where would be the sense in keeping the states together when economical and geographical differences between Nebraska and Florida are more than obvious.

[ 06-09-2003, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Faceman ]