Ashamed of America

[SoDesuKa]

Browsing through the history section of the library, I found myself hesitating to reach for what looked like an interesting survey of American history. When I analyzed my hesitancy, I was surprised at what caused it - shame. It's not just the revelations of abuse and torture, it's the way Americans have responded to them. We look for ways to justify it, to find some way to place blame on the victims.

I used to have positive images of America. At one time I genuinely believed that this country was a beacon of freedom ... but just look at us now. Imagine clean cut American young people doing things so barbaric and shameful it makes me push thoughts of patriotism away from me. It's all so disheartening. I wonder when it will end.

[southpaw]

1. I wouldn't say I'm 'ashamed' of America...

but I have an instinctive revulsion to overtly patriotic displays like 'flag-and-eagle' motifs...

too Freeperish...

[lil-petunia]

2. an interesting viewpoint

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4567.shtml

I don't think he cares for the president much.

[CulturalNomad]

3. I wouldn't feel shame for the following reason

what America has done and is doing is no different than what others have and continue to do - the BS is this idea that has been fed to us that we are 'exceptional', different (read superior) to all other peoples and races regardless of their history and situation. That leads us to think that we can do exceptional things. To some extent we have: the civil rights movement was a social victory that transcends our borders, but the breakdown of apartheid in South Africa without intense bloodshed was too. By feeling superior we imagine that we will always do noble and lofty things - we wont, we will behave like any other rich society through history. What we can hope to achieve is adherence to principles and ideals that have universal applicability.....i.e. treat others outside our borders in the same manner as we would treat ourselves.

[lil-petunia]

7. I dunno, I think I disagree.

WE are capable of exceptional things. The rise of our industry, our moon program, our overwhelming economic strength in the face of three world wars ( I include the cold one as III), those are exceptional. The installation of a democratic system in the face of superior forces, an evil merchantilistic economy run by brit monarchs, and a very wide, diverse political, religious, cultural and economic divide that existed in the original 13. That is an exceptional history.

The mere creation of a document, a balanced, insightful, and elegant thing of beauty, our constitution is exceptional. Like it or not, we were/are/will be the beacon of hope and democracy around the globe, that is if Shrub doesn't try to create some biblical rapture-like world disaster once he sees that he is losing the election.

Attitude is critical to success. Ben Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, all knew it. So did Truman, Kennedy, even Nixon. Bush thinks bible-speak, not about the exceptional abilities and attitudes of the US. Our productivity is still higher than most of EU. Our ability to create solutions to unique problems is legendary. All we have to do is set our goals on the stars, and they will be ours. If our f8(ked-up leasdership doesn't get in our way.

That is not to say that others can't be as capable. But, their societies have to let them act in that way, and that is one major advantage we have (at least, until this administration stole power)

[wtmusic]

4. I wonder when it all started

after reading "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. In regards to US history, public education only gives us half the story.

[CityZen-X]

5. I'm Ashamed!

Of this vile, odious, traitorous, government and it's corporate masters. But I am not ashamed of America. I may be ashamed of it's ignorant masses though!

[Joanne98]

6. There are two Americas. Since I'm not a member of the Nazi maggot

slime half, I don't have to be ashamed. I'm proud of MY America. I just hope the rest of the world knows that the reds and the blues have NOTHING in common.

[indigobusiness]

8. The rationalizing of atrocity, from all sides, is chilling.

I'm hearing the most bizarre analysis of America's bad behavior from all points on the political spectrum. The rhetoric seems so manipulative: geared to achieve personal agendas. What happenend to doing the right thing for its own sake?