Patriotism, an Abomination

in #patriotism7 years ago (edited)

The ultimate travesty that comes from the belief in political “authority” is not that it helps evil people to commit evil (which it does), but that it dupes well-intentioned, decent human beings into accepting, condoning, or even committing evil themselves, without even noticing that they are doing so. That is one of the main reasons why I find July 4th to be so discouraging and depressing.

Every July 4th many millions of Americans, in one way or another, partake in the loud, ostentatious spectacle of celebrating “Independence Day,” having parades and picnics, waving flags and watching fireworks, in order to commemorate and honor … what, exactly? Some people who, over two centuries ago, didn’t want to pay taxes on tea and paper? Or something about “taxation without representation”? Well, whatever it was, it definitely had something to do with being for freedom and against tyranny. Somehow.

And that’s about as precise as most Americans' thoughts about “Independence Day” are. Indeed, the day is less about thoughts and more about feelings: feelings of camaraderie, or loyalty, maybe some rebellion, definitely a heavy dose of patriotism, and some general notion that we should be thankful for the “service” of some people who “fought for our freedoms,” or something like that. Never mind the specifics, just feel good, swell with pride when you hear nationalistic songs, and then proudly recite your oath of loyalty (written by a national socialist), swearing fealty to your political masters.

Wait, what? How exactly does “celebrating freedom” equate to swearing allegiance to a republic (which is a form of “government,” or ruling class)? Well, it doesn’t. And, for those who dare to look, this is where the true, diabolical nature of “patriotism” starts to rear its ugly head.

Once upon a time—a few short generations ago—nationalism and patriotism were openly war-like, an overt expression of pack-mentality and a sense of superiority. The basic tone was something like, “We rule and you suck, so we’re gonna kill you and take your stuff.” One empire after another has violently conquered vast territories driven by that evil, but at least honest, outlook. The agenda of those in power hasn’t changed much since then, but because most people today don’t think that killing his neighbor and stealing his stuff is okay—even if the guy looks, sounds, or thinks a bit differently—the propaganda and spin used by those in power is now a lot different, in order to deceive decent, peaceful people into supporting authoritarian agendas.

And patriotism is among the most powerful tools of the tyrants. Through prolonged exposure to feel-good nationalistic propaganda, the average American now has, inside his head, a jumble of unrelated, even contradictory concepts all muddled together into one indecipherable mess. The average person will proudly proclaim that he loves his country, and will express that love by displaying the American flag. To him, the symbol vaguely represents some combination of freedom, and goodness, and everything that is familiar and comfortable to him—parades and fireworks and hot dogs and beer and apple pie.

And then, with those positive feelings in his heart, he will proudly recite something which is the precise opposite of freedom and independence: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands.” In short, all the feel-good, emotionalistic jingoism is there to make him enjoy swearing loyalty to a ruling class. That is what it means to giving an oath of allegiance to a republic. And every July 4th, many millions of Americans miss the drastic irony of celebrating an act of illegal, treasonous rebellion against the state (i.e., the signing of the Declaration of Independence) by swearing fealty to a ruling class.

And that was by design. People have been intentionally conditioned and trained to confuse the concepts of freedom, and “country,” and independence, and “patriotism,” and one’s home and his neighbors, the things he loves, and the “government” that exploits and controls him. In short, “patriotism” is used by tyrants to exploit people’s devotion to the good things they love and cherish, and twist it into an emotional attachment to a political entity—a ruling class—which is in every way the arch enemy of those good things (freedom, peace, justice, etc.).

That is why the sight of American flags everywhere, frankly, sickens me now. Of course, the people who display those flags aren’t trying to condone oppression, imperialism and slavery. They mean well, and they imagine that they are cheering for liberty and goodness. But the symbol they are using literally represents a parasitical authoritarian monstrosity (ironically, one far worse than what the people here in 1776 were declaring independence from). If you want to know what public displays of nationalism look like to me, then look at some pictures of little German children waving the Nazi flag.

To a small child in the United States, the American flag means happy celebrations; it means his friends, his family, his home, his country (whatever a “country” is). But to a small child in the Middle East, that same flag can mean armed invaders, terror and death.

So which does it “really” mean? Well, you aren’t really supposed to ponder that, especially when everyone around you is feeling so good (and thinking so little) while waving “Old Glory” around. But to try to pretend that it still represents freedom, while that same flag flies in front of IRS, ATF and DEA offices, while that same flag adorns the soldiers and war machines committing terrorism, torture and murder around the world, is the result of willful blindness. Loyalty to freedom and loyalty to one’s “country” (a political entity) have always been, and will always be, incompatible. The American Revolution, at least in the minds of most of those who fought it, may have been about freedom, but the creation of a new ruling class (by way of the Constitution) was not, no matter how hard the statist propagandists pretend otherwise. In fact, that is the real abomination of “Independence Day”: watching power-happy crooks continue to hijack people’s love of freedom, and twist and mangle it into loyalty to a ruling class, when the two are exact and precise opposites.

When people are happily celebrating, feeling positive, empowered and hopeful, part of me doesn’t want to upset them by pointing out the hypocrisy, insanity, and downright evil that they are indirectly and inadvertently advancing. I don’t particularly want to offend all the military veterans by pointing out that, while they are being showered with praise today, all they actually did was to act as both pawns and victims of the politicians’ war machine. They never “fought for our freedoms.” Yes, I want people to enjoy life, and be happy, and have hope for the future. But I also want them to understand that subservience and loyalty to imaginary political “authorities” is not the road that leads there. Ever.

That is why the modern-day spectacle of “Independence Day,” where millions of Americans display their profound misunderstanding and confusion by giving lip service to “liberty and justice for all,” while proudly flying the flag of their captors and oppressors, is just depressing to me.

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If you have nothing to be proud about or you are too weak to work towards something worthy then well, yes national pride might be something for you.

I believe that 99% of the time, those "fighting for our freedom" (in the US) aren't fighting for the continued existence of their people. It's pretty much common knowledge that they are bribed into fighting for the one percent after being backed into a socioeconomic corner. In that case, I agree that they are deluded into national pride.

That being said, there are plenty of nations, or peoples, who are proud of their modern achievements in the fight for the preservation of their identity. If a people becomes apathetic and divests from their tradition and heritage, it will be taken from them. For example, the US government has perpetuated cultural genocide on American Indians, but they keep fighting for their traditions. They are quite the opposite of weak or unaccomplished. They continue to fight and pass down tradition in spite of being massacred and starved. I would be very proud if I was a part of such a nation.

But ethnic groups and nations have achieved the preservation of their traditions, their values, and their livelihood. Nothing wrong with being proud of your forefathers who fought for your people's right to exist.

Carlin's quote makes sense in the US, where the American people have been reduced to a homogenous mass of individuals. We are exactly where the State wants us: helpless. At best, one belongs to a nuclear family unit, the church, school, or sports team. That is the extent of any real communal pride most of us feel.

My issue is this: patriotism/nationalism, being a fan of a particular football club, etc...it's a form of psychological investment.

It is natural for us to invest ourselves into an idea. What a thousand people marching, waving American flags, have in common is not love of the country that they live in, but an investment in an idea of love for the country. The thing I observe frequently is that the majority of people heavily invested in things outside of themselves (God, country, football club) are those who find little or no deep meaning or emotional investment in ideas closer to home - no deep love for their work, no meaningful connections with others and a sense of powerlessness (which is compensated through feeling part of the group).

My hope is that people can find ideas to invest their energy in a little bit closer to home.

A quirky example: To preserve a nature park, you don't need to love it because it's an American park - you can love it because it is beautiful and special.

I agree @anarchospace the national pride that we are told to feel on July 4 is more of a covert mobilization effort to keep the imperial machine alive. But I wasn't talking about Americans.

I was responding to your Carlin quote, "why...be proud of any [nationality/ethinicity]?"

My point is that if one doesn't take pride in their heritage and tradition, then it will be taken from them. Those who still fight to preserve what's left of their traditional culture do indeed have very much to celebrate. It's not just some birth trait. People fight and die to this day for the self determination of their people.

Most Americans have no idea what it means to truly fight for their traditional heritage, unless you consider metropolitan consumer culture to be a tradition.

I used Americans as an example, but I was speaking in general. I have many friends in the Balkans and I can tell you that patriotism/nationalism is not a very useful thing for people there. It allows them to be manipulated and leads to loss of sovereignty, not to its strenghtening.

The most powerful advocates for sovereignty in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia that I know are libertarians and conservatives who very much feel like citizens of the world, but love their homes, their languages. They may even be patriotic, but that in itself is not their strength, while it can potentially be a weakness.

It is their principles and love of freedom, and respect for their fellow man that keeps their traditions and values strong.

Forgive my ignorance, but does love of freedom/ respect for one's fellow man negate nationalism? People like to live near those who share their values and traditions. It makes for good society and economy. I believe different groups can respect each other while maintaining boundaries.

Carlin really put is best...

Now Carlin would have drained the swamp, RIP.

Reading this is feels like people have a chance to not kill each over in nuclear war.

So would you agree that patriotism is glorufied form of nationalism?

That's where we're headed unfortunately. I just hope it isn't a nuclear one, but it probably will be. Continue to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. All the blind nationalists though don't give a warm and fuzzy feeling...

@larkenrose
This article rules, babe (or doesn't, because you don't want to rule anyone :P)!

Yeah, it's hard for me to see people waving a flag around and ignorantly saying things like "this is greatest country on earth"?

Huh? Do you know what those words even mean? Do you know what a country even is? What the governments of most countries spend their time doing? What thousands of this country's own veterans have suffered because they found out what they were REALLY following orders for (pure evil)?

Yeah, I was once the average american clueless kid, but I grew the hell up. I think anyone who is using their brain should at least, by now, have some clue that 1. government isn't interested in our freedoms, and 2. The U.S. government is an out-of-control war machine built by psychopaths.

Patriotism isn't love for a country's government. It's love for the country. You can hate the government and love your country at the same time.

The 4th of July: Another mythical holyday the servants to the matrix use as an excuse to get drunk, eat dead animals, and praise the lord that they live in " the land of the fee and the home of the slave."

Larken, Your book "The Most Dangerous Superstition" has adorned my bookshelf for years. Your book helped to "awaken" my husband. That book is a must-read for anyone wanting to see through the illusion in order to get on the other side so that we can free this planet. Thank you.

Long live patriotism!!

I find such ignorance astonishing.

Perhaps the miracle of the American Revolution means nothing to you. Perhaps you despise the freedoms of speech, worship, property, and self defense. Perhaps these things are cheap to one such as yourself.

But to anyone with even a cursory understanding of history, the fact that these things are found anywhere on Earth is nothing short of heart-stopping. I am forever humbled by the sacrifices of men and women who gambled everything to create a truly free country. The people you describe as simply being unhappy about their taxes are people whose boots you are not worthy to lick.

When people celebrate the 4th of July, they honor not only our brilliant founders, not only our men and women in uniform, but the communities where they live. Our farmers, our bus drivers, our school teachers, our neighbors and friends. It's an opportunity to give thanks for all the people who make up our nation (for surely, a nation is nothing more or less than the people who live there).

And I understand that you're trying to be iconoclastic. You want to be the edgy, "cool" kid who doesn't salute the flag. Let me tell you something: that flag will still be inspiring poets, philosophers, and humanitarians when you are nothing but a box of dirt in the ground.

And I understand you will take issue with my posting here. To which I say, do whatever you want to me, but don't presume to think you're righteous enough to judge my country.

Agreed.

...honestly sounds like repeated rhetoric. Like many arguments the more you insist on repeating the more some will believe.
However, the genetic mishap of being born into a nation does have consequences. We all inherit our parent's unresolved psychological issues AND the collective conscience of the society (Nation) we are born into.
Germans perhaps still struggle with their recent history, the Israelis too. The Brits are delusionally clinging on to memories of their colonial past (but perhaps the tide is changing). Americans might feel proud of their role in 20th century history.
The rest about forefathers and taxes are like details in a story book. Do the Italians celebrate Garibaldi as a unifier of the Italian nation? Not really. Nobody really cares.

By the way, before proclaiming how great "freedom of speech" in the U.S. is, make sure you're not talking to someone who was CAGED for a year by the ruling class you swear loyalty to, for the sin of SAYING THINGS the feds didn't want said.

Before the Nazi flag was waved, the German flag had to be ousted, and books burned. Be careful what you wish for! The flag you burn today could be replaced by the equivalent of a swastika. Then, with G-d's help I would be a Bonhoeffer. Let's hope it never comes to that!

You are nothing.

Translation: "You upset me with your facts. I can't refute them or explain their relevance because I am overwhelmed by emotion."

Here's a fact: American patriots destroyed Nazism, liberated the prisoners of concentration camps, and freed Europe from totalitarian rule.

If you can still call patriotism an "abomination" after that, then my assessment is true: you are nothing. Go cry to someone else, gnat.

Here is a fact: Nazi Germany was largely funded and supported by American businessmen and bankers. Otherwise, there would have been no WW2

Your tin-foil-hat conspiracy theory is noted.

Absolutely correct and my fellow country men/women still believe this crap that Germany started 2 world wars where in fact the globalist cabal had their money and fingers in both of them. The winners always dictate the history narrative and this is a very persistent one.

He's an apostate from your religion, which is why you can't just click on something else and go about your day.

Your hallucination is noted.

Truly Free you are not.

THANK YOU!!!! As a PROUD Marine Corps wife, I was disgusted at this person's post. When that person said that our Flag means horrible things to children in foreign countries, that just goes to show how truly uneducated the author of that post REALLY is. It's people like that who believe everything mainstream media puts out there, when in reality they NEVER ONCE report about all the great things our men and women in uniform have done and continue to do. They NEVER report how greatful the people of those foreign countries are to have our military's support and defense from true terrorists. It's because of our four fathers and those who serve today that idiots like that use and abuse not only their freedom of speech, but take all their freedoms for granted. I usually remind people who have such reservations about their country, they are free to leave any time. If they're not happy with where they're at, they can pack their $h!+ and find somewhere else to call home. I could go on and on about all the uneducated statements in the previous post, but I'll close with this. I try not to be too political on my page, I try to keep things fun and lite, but your comment deserves a huge thank you! Hope you check out my page and know that because of your response to this ridiculous post, I've decided to follow your page. HAPPY 4th OF JULY MY FELLOW AMERICAN!
~Dive Diva

Most Decorated Marine, two time Medal of Honor, General Smedly Butler would disagree. Many Infantry would also.

And much more dead innocent citizens would disagree too.

Guess why overseas terrorism was born?

Such ignorance. Do you know why the Marines were created? Do you know where the term "Leather-neck" came from? The Marines were formed to protect trade ships from Muslim nations that captured the ships and demanded ransom for them. At first we paid, but the ransom that they were demanding grew higher, and so we formed the marines. The term "Leather-neck" comes from the thick strip of leather that the marines wore around their necks to prevent their heads from being cut off by these barbaric TERRORIST.

Don't pretend to know shit about history. You don't. The west did not create terrorism. How fucking stupid do you need to be in order to blame the west for a Shiite Muslim strapping on a suicide vest and killing 300 Sunni Muslims? They kill each-other more than anyone else, so take your stupid ass ignorant "The west has created terrorism and the world would be peaceful if not for us" mentality and shove it up your ass.

First of all Thank you for civilized reply friend.

I didn't imply that the west created terrorism in anyway or another but for every action there's a reaction simple maths in basic human natures (and in which I don't support) I hate terrorism and the fact that the media has gotten through times and times again of repeating nonsense that terrorism is just an act done by radical Muslims gets on my nerves so much. Terrorism nowadays has this single stupid look of a bearded guy and bombs strapped around his waist. But what really is terrorism? If you check the dictionary or even Google the term this is what you'll get "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." That term only is enough to think about it just take a deep breath, get over the hate and anger planted and forced down upon you by dictators and regimes who's only concern is to spread hate and war between human beings for their own well being.

PS I'm a practicing Muslim with the number 1 terrorist name and what you stated about Marines and Muslim nations is just hoax.
As for Shiite and Sunni well it's been a while since any terror acts happened between them

Peace, love and Freedom

Ahmed

"how greatful the people of those foreign countries are to have our military's support and defense from true terrorists" wtf?

You really should rethink the reasons for your husband being in a foreign nation. None of what he did was in defense of America.

Why don't you travel to Syria and Iraq and say hello to all the war victims that great US has brought "democracy" to. I am sure they appreciate this kind of generous help to completely destroy their countries because a self-proclaimed hegemony wants to destabilize an entire region and thanks to that we are now welcoming millions of refugees in Europe. Thank you US army, navy etc. Keep up the "great work" of destroying this planet with lies, deceit and murder under the disguise of "democracy" where have you ever brought democracy to?????????????

America isn't the only country out there that's free and has to go out killing people for reasons the corrupt media tells u. I mean i dont see Canada going off and bombing places, and you can have freedom without a central intelligence agency monitoring everything u do, say, go, etc.

there's no reason great people shouldn't be celebrated, soldiers, workers, etc. but America is no longer of the people, by the people, or for the people. It's controlled and manipulated by very rich people, like the Clintons, like trump, like Rupert Murdoch the owner of fox news, etc.

America is a great land but i think it needs a reformation to have the credit you're giving it

I don't think that a large group of people can be governed well, only small communities can provide fair governance, in my opinion.

Actually Canada pretty much follows both the Great Britain and US party line, after all we are their biggest trade partner. They have a long history of being involved in wars. Check out their wars here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Canada

thanks for correcting me, I had no idea, I guess I was wrong to assume they were substantially more peaceful.
i'm hoping there are free countries out there that get by without partaking in wars often.

"Perhaps you despise the freedoms of speech" No...no he doesn't at all, but I can tell you are about to despise his ideas because he is using his speech to freely express them.

I love how people like you can bash the people that critic this country but won't say ANYTHING about the specific people that are actually corrupt and a complete disgrace to the memory of those that gave their lives. Truth tellers are not our foe, corrupt politicians are. Americans are not free, their economy is entirely manipulated by the central bank interest rate which controls the value of the dollar.

Americans are the most free people in history. And love of country is no abomination.

Now you're just being delusional. The U.S. is not the most free country in the world, not economically, not socially, not by any measure. And it is infinitely LESS free than the American colonies were under King George III, in 1776. Again, more FACT and less MYTHOLOGY would change how you see the world.

http://www.heritage.org/index/

As free as the natives that they enslaved and killed?

I can't even go fishing 1 day out of the year without having to pay $30 for a license

Tell that to the multigenerational concentration camps in North Korea.

Taxes and regulations may be onerous, or even unjust, but they don't mean that this is not a free country.

i'm not saying fighting evil is bad, but fighting evil to sustain evil is.

they use causes aginst evils to justify their evils

Did the Germans once express an exceptional love of their nation?

The vast majority of people that died for this country did so for oil, conquest, political gain. Get a grip, your nothing more then a slave to the oligarchy. An oligarchy that clothes itself in the garments of patriotism and nationalism

that's really not true at all. the people that want oil conquest and political gain aren't the ones dying for it. they're manipulating people into doing it. I do not blame soldiers for war or anything, and I do think they kill bad guys sometimes, but the ones to blame are the ones at the top that send those people over seas.

Every unlawful order followed is the soldiers fault. Each and every time. Each unlawful order an officer follows is the officer's fault, each and every time. It's not the people at the top that kill anyone, it's those that are pulling the trigger who's doing the killing, and a lot of them know it, that's why they signed up, to be killers.

you have a good point, I was typing something like "it's not their fault they're easily manipulated" but stopped haha, because when you put that into other scenarios and what not it doesn't seem right and I realized I was giving people more credit because America is where I'm from.

but I also think about terrosists, those are bad people, killing them is a good thing, but whats not easily factored in is that our own government created those terrorist groups and stuff so idk

it's a hard line for me to define, I hope that doesnt make me seem blind but rather cautious about the views I form. i'm thinking things out in a very similar way to you

but I also think about terrosists, those are bad people,

If someone forces you to blow yourself up or they murder all of your relatives in a slow torturous way, and you believe this, or know this, then are you a bad person?

If someone is mentally weak, if someone is implanted behavioral programing or even worse remote controlled, are they a bad person?

If someone blows scopalnamine in someone's face or inhibits someone's judgement and self control through drugs/alcohol, and they do some horrible thing, are they a bad person?

If someone actively fights the state and it's aggressors, of all ranks and files, are they a bad person?

are you just stating scenarios to encourage my mind to work through and find insight?

that's how it feels

definitely following you, it's great to come across a person that thinks.

In basic training in 1989, we had a whole class on following illegal orders and Nuremburg was heavily discussed. It is the soldier's responsibility to disobey if he believes an order is illegal.

If I get conned, it's partly my fault. I am responsible for my ignorance and my mistaken decisions. When the invasion of 'Nam was seen by enough people to be a mistake, the war ended. As long as enough people blindly support their rulers (so-called reps) their will be blood.

Although I disagree with the American foreign policy proceeding the Korean War(i.e. Vietnam, Iraq) the US did play a crucial role in preventing a further holocaust in WW2 and also keeping the people of South Korea free. Many great men have committed the ultimate sacrifice for something they believe in. For you to say the vast majority died for oil or conquest is entirely inaccurate. I would also argue that patriotism and nationalism is a rebellion against oligarchy. The true oligarchy is the United Nations, the Counsel on Foreign Relations, the international monetary fund, Bilderberg etc.....They want a one world government which people that post things against things such as nationalism seem to support.

1 - Before you cheer too proudly about Hitler being defeated (which was mostly accomplished by Russia, not the U.S.), you might want to keep in mind that World War II ended with the Allies basically giving the second worst mass murder in history (Stalin) half of Europe.

2 - To argue about nationalism versus globalism is only arguing over the SIZE of the save plantation. Either way you are not arguing for freedom.

What is freedom for you?

American imperialism is at least 120 years old. Ask people in the Philippines - they too fought a war of independence.

I mark the beginning of the US Empire at the invasion by the Northern states into the Confederacy. This was a denial of state sovereignty and their right to secede. Lincoln justified this aggression with his imperialistic ambition for control of all states, all the time, as if "Union" was more important than anything else. He didn't say why. He just proclaimed it. He assumed the power to do so, just as he assumed the power to free the slaves. If the president is vested with such power, the president can one day reverse it. How is that power less than a king's? Doesn't freedom come from our humanity, not from the dictate of a ruler? If so, no dictate is needed or necessary to free slaves. They only need to exercise that freedom, if they chose. Freedom/slavery begin in the mind, not with some dictate.

There is no right to secede.

"Freedom/slavery begin in the mind, not some dictate."..........Tell that to the women and children being trafficked in third world countries. No matter how hard they try in their mind to be free, they are still slaves. Mind power only gets you so far. Freedom and slavery are a paradox. If freedom equals sexual liberty than you are a slave to your sexual desires. If freedom to you equals financial freedeom(money) than you are a slave to money. If freedom to you means being able to say whatever/whenever than you are a slave to pride. To me true freedom is not being able to do whatever you want whenever you want. True freedom is living in accordance with the Creator.

And you're a buffoon who spews talking points.

Get over yourself.

You nailed it Mr Horne; See the ranking of such idiotic dogma? Is it reasonable? Absolutely not, but profitable maybe. Best not to feed pearls to the swine who have no appreciation in what real value truly is... For many it is just a job...

Pearls to swine is Two Time Medal of Honor, most decorated Marine General Smedley Butler, who wrote about his experience: War Is A Racket.

It would be kind of narrow minded to think that all of anything can be categorized in one way or the other don't you think Mr baah?
"war is a racket" as in every war fo every kind? I doubt that...

Instead of putting words into my mouth, the person that jumped onto the Ad Hominem to gang up with the first attacker and defend the attacker (despicable acts, from despicable narrow minded assholes), read what it says again: WAR IS A RACKET. Does it say "Every kind of war is a racket". I doubt that...

The mark of a truly critical self thinker is OMITTING using or relying on ellipsis/omison and instead of the fallacious "Draw your own conclusion" the ... begs, they chose to make a complete thought, a critical argument, and make it SHARP, and not blunt and dumb bell like, but swift and to the point, like sWords, practicing precise, and specifics instead of TALKING POINTS (lolololol).

Ah so you expect everyone to be able to read between the lines of what you write? I thought you might be a man who means what he says, sorry...

You nailed it Mr Horne;

No why or how, just agreement that the ad hominem was justified, the lowest scum of the lowest scum.

See the ranking of such idiotic dogma?

Complex question fallacy, best responded with a question questioning the premise of the loaded question fallacy: So what's your point?

Is it reasonable? Absolutely not, but profitable maybe.

Rhetorical device which doesn't answer how or why, instead it only begs the question which it answers without critical thought, devoid of reason or method for concluding it's not reasonable (ironic).

Best not to feed pearls to the swine who have no appreciation in what real value truly is... For many it is just a job...

"..." or ellipsis is an Omission. Because of that it intentionally foregoes the formation of a complete thought, and simply implies one and only conclusion, effectively forcing people to read between the lines instead of expressing what it omits, such argument is always begging for a certain conclusion and because of that function it's the equivalent of draw your own conclusion fallacy, regardless that the thought itself is a sweeping remark about people, thus the fallacy of stereotyping/pigeonholing.

Indeed, turn all that around and direct it at the original post of deformation in "Patriotism" and you will have a very conclusive point...

The subject isn't the article itself, I brought up that to exemplify your actions, to weigh your words and question your conclusion, the subject is your actions in response to the actions of others.

The use of ellipsis/omission was used to say the conversation is not closed...
By the way was your reply about war in general being a racket somewhat a fallacy in stereotyping?

Nobody said anything about War In General Being A Racket. Do you have a problem with the phrase War is a racket, I mentioned that you're swine and I'm pelting you with pearls, you cannot appreciate it, just as you cannot close a sentence or finish a thought, and so to answer your question, you can stereotype people, but not events, or objects, you can only typecast and pigeonhole individuals.

The use of ellipsis/omission was used to say the conversation is not closed...

Omission is used to NOT SAY something. Instead of relying on people interpreting your omissions and effectively CLOSING THE CONVERSATION, maybe make your thought clear, concise, and conclusive, or COMPLETE.

I used ellipsis/omission to IMPLY the conversation was not closed.

That wasn't hard, it takes a little effort to be specific and correct, to mean what you say, and say what you mean.

Why do you need to say/imply that the conversation is not closed, ever? Are you saying that if someone replies back you will reply back to them or what is the motive for saying that, and how does that communicate that the conversation isn't over?

That's an amusing comment, since your entire original comment was a recitation of self-contradictory, emotional nationalistic mythology you've been taught all your life.

Your cognitive dissonance is noted.

Well, thanks for giving such a clear example (albeit by accident) of the profound confusion that "patriotism" creates. You are obviously angry at me for not bowing to the political class whose flag you wave. You then jumble together the people who resisted British rule with the people who more recently have acted as global aggressors for the U.S. politicians, as if what they do has anything at all to do with "protecting our freedom." By the way, the "Founders" consisted of several nearly principled individuals like Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson (though all had their flaws), a long with a bunch of opportunistic politicians who betrayed and destroyed the ideas expressed by those three (and others). If you want to unravel the truth, from the mythology you were taught, you can start here:

You compared people waving the American flag today to those people who waved the Nazi flag during WW2, as if there were some kind of equivalency there.

Apparently, you never learned that the people who broke open the concentration camps and freed the prisoners there wore the American flag, and waved it, too. Any comparisons between these saviors of men and the monsters they fought is a false equivalency of the most egregious kind.

You are unworthy to breathe the same air as the people you decry. Patriots have been some of the most remarkable people in history.

Ben Franklin was the man who tamed lightning.

George Washington was one of the greatest tactical minds in history.

Thomas Jefferson was a writer without equal.

Yet you would dismiss all these as simply men who were unhappy about their taxes.

Perhaps we should try to hold your achievements up against theirs, and see how the scales of history judge.

Again, you could use more actual information and less mythology. Franklin, Jefferson and Washington all OPPOSED the existence of the standing army you now worship. But you are simply reacting emotionally to feelings your rulers trained you to feel, lashing out at those who actually advocate freedom and justice. As Voltaire put it, "It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere."

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This is my country as much as it is yours. maybe more and the truth of the 4th being Independence Day is hypocritical, we should celebrate the birth of this nation but don't try to lie to the world about independence. Our armed forces have been mostly used for protecting rich peoples monies and property.seeing that our soldiers are paid to defy the thou shalt not kill commandment even flies in the face of Xhristianity.
Juneteenth is a truer Independence Day seeing the kidnaped African slaves in American had been freed (all people actually). Now freedom is being free so if one third (est) of a population was truly free how can we truly have Independence. Only a privilege class couldn't see this reality.

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No freedom of speech, worship, property or self-defense. It'd be great if it were true, and there might be a little hope for those ideas since so many Americans think dearly of these supposed freedoms they think they have, but I'm not sure any of those things have ever existed in the US.

It's not a bad thing to want your country to do better or love it above all others, the bad thing is that there's no way to make it better if we can never recognize anything wrong with it, when you see criticism as treason.

"Think they have", little check here, did someone censor what you just typed?

This is Steemit, not America. I'm not saying any country in particular is doing better than America, this is not a competition. I've always found it funny how some people try to get out of criticism by talking about places that may have it worst.

Maybe you should spend some time in North Korea or Saudi Arabia. Then you can tell me how we don't have freedoms here in America.

Honestly, it's like you have no awareness of the state of the world.

So as long as somewhere else is worse, it's blasphemy to point out injustices and oppressions here? Interesting premise. By the way, are you at least aware that the U.S. today is infinitely LESS free than the colonies were under British rule in 1776?

Two examples, to qualify the state of the world?

People have had anarchy for over two thousand years in Zomia, a population of over 100 million and never fought ONE WAR, or invaded anyone, 5 different cultures all fundamentally anarchists. Every other nation that has a charter or document of inception guarantees equal freedoms, the racket is that you offer protection in return for mandatory subscription. It's not a miracle, it's not magic, it's fear and feelings substituted for Grammar (who, what, where, when), Reason (why) and Rhetoric (how).

It's like you have no awareness of these things. (personal attack- sharp argumentation exemplifying the decidedly fallacious remarks of qualifying the State of the World by two extreme examples, which was conclusive after a red herring was thrown up "we have freedoms because North Korea doesn't have freedoms")
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I think patriotism is mean when you stay in your country and defend your country and your territory not go out there where you didn't ask to come and enforce your democracy.

That's like cheering for your tax farm over another. People should be patriotic to causes, not places.

Certainly. And there can be many different ideas about what patriotism entails.

But when the author of the above post claims that patriotism is "an abomination", and says that people waving the American flag are no different than the people who waved the Nazi flag, I have to take umbrage.

Take all the umbrage you want. The U.S. military kills more innocents every year than all the other "terrorists" in the world put together. The fact that you were taught (very successfully, it seems) to worship the U.S. war machine doesn't make it good. Since you don't want to hear it from me, try reading "War Is a Racket," by Smedley Butler, the most decorated U.S. Marine in history at the time of his death. Maybe you'll listen to him.

This is correct.

I no longer like dollarvigilante seeing he resteemed this garbage of a post! Some of these supposed unpatriotic types are welcomed to move to france and venezuela! Right now they dont care much about their countries patriotism so enjoy. :)

It.BLOWS.MY.MIND that those with whom I share this country lick the boots of authority---completely blind to the fact that the founding of this nation was by revolutionaries against the so called authorities of the culture that raised them. Larken talks and writes like the founders did, repudiating bogus authority, condemning 'the rule of law' and condemning 'order' and 'orders' that violate the freedom of the individual.

How surreal, like an episode of twilight zone, being lectured on "PATRIOTSIM" by the very people who would have been supporting the troops and enlisting with the Redcoats to put down the radicalized liberty extremists who founded this nation.

You and the author of this shit post, and many of the commentators here, have completely failed to understand what patriotism is. Patriotism is not loving the government or authority, it's loving the country. Newsflash: You can hate the government and love your country at the same time.

Being a patriot, celebrating independence, and waving the american flag does not equal loving the government or agreeing with all military decisions of the past.

yessir........Freedom is a state of mind and a process I believe. I'm going to need you to become my comment editor. well put

Fail! You're the one licking boots of an anarchist, so therefore he does not speak or sound like the revolutionaries for which you mentioned. Now thats blindness. Do a lil research next time before easily getting twitterpated over some measly words that touched your heart strings.

A few relevant, choice words from the founder of the Nazi Gestapo:

"Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship… Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

Well why do you see this post as garbage? I don't think what he said touches any inch of his patriotism to the irony of the situation is how I see it is that this post is the ultimate patriotic I've read in a long time because it doesn't address one nationality and it was written for all nationalities and segments of people من كل حدب و صوب

(sorry for writing the last phrase in Arabic it's just I could not find an expression like it in English but it briefly means everywhere)

Well if that's ur reply to this post.

Then you're missing this post's whole core point.

Please read it again and again and again until you're able to see the "real" point behind it :)

Peace and love fellow Patriot

Based on larkenrose's own responses to my reply, it seems I interpreted the article exactly as the author intended.

Well after I've seen his response, my view couldn't be any clearer and I stand by my words friend.

Ask any 3rd world country citizen about the US politics and what does the flag of the USA represent and you'll see how different it is to yours.

Countries who've been on the lucky side of the American Army bombings can relate so much to the analogy of the Nazi kids waving the Nazi flag and American flags being waved today.

I don't hold anything against American citizens nor freedom.

I'm against the cunny and deceiving politics and politicians.

Please try and read the post again with calm and clear head and I hope you'll be able to see through the border wall

Courtesy of the brave U.S. warriors for freedom and justice:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_Massacre

Anyone who's mind is still on the same plane as reality understands that the My Lai massacre does not represent the U.S Military. or the United States, otherwise you would be seeing many more examples of that event.

and before you try and quote some bullshit from the Middle East, check your fucking statistics, because I won't be accepting any civilian death reports that come from "humanitarian" groups that literally get their data from the very terrorist organizations that we're fighting.

Ain't the these same terrorist organizations were funded and trained by your tax money and war professionals :)

Really? You think you live in a free country? That's cute.

Merica. Grab Her By the Pussy! Stand and fight. You can still have guns in Merica. More than I can say for your Anarchy retreats. You mess with the talon you get the horn biatch

my post jumped off that thread you were on and ended up here. I was just being one of your boys in the back of the video throwing up gang signs while you rap. yeah. epic fail.

Thanks for clarifying.

Even changing the name is part of the problem. It is "Independence Day" as in the day a people declared their independence from and declared war on a tyrannical global empire.

Liberty was worth any price--even death. Oh, how far we have come from those days!

Patriotism doesn't bring anything good to humankind because it divides us. I refuse to love my country more or less than any other country.

RIP, this guy was a HERO of mankind

No one knows how we are going to achieve civilization. It is a work in progress. But we have history to tell us what doesn't work. Any society that worships violence as supreme, over reason, over choice, over conscience, fails. How badly? Look at the degree of violence in a society. That will tell you. Are people dying to escape to N. Korea? Cuba? No, because they are very oppressive, violent. They don't value rights, individualism. Everyone is sacrificed to the collective, no one is safe, except the ruling elite.
What direction is the US Empire moving? Is it toward less violence, or more? Are non-violent people being violated? Are millions in prison who haven't had a complaint against them, haven't aggressed, haven't defrauded? Yes, more so than any other country. This is a national disgrace. So is life in the prison. It's torture.
No one is safe from authority, unless they are authority. It's a small club.

I agree with you on that nationalism, statism and government is a evil. It was Stefan Molyneux who convinced me about this years ago.

I responded to your question on the flat earth the other day and here are some videos that might can wake you up to this truth:

https://steemit.com/flatearth/@lasseehlers/flat-earth-on-steemit-do-you-remember-how-it-was-to-be-a-child-awakening-to-the-flat-earth

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This comment has received a 0.08 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @hamzaoui.