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I never feel patriotic. I think it's something we inherited from British monarchy. Early Americans had a recent history of ruler worship, and the founding fathers of this country exploited it by transfering the feelings of blind love and devotion to this red white and blue abstraction.

There is nothing new or special about American patriotism. Whether it's a force of good or evil, I think the overwhelming majority of the above posts have it right. What more can I say?

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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I don't think we're patient enough to wait the 1000 or so years it will take for intermarriage to make us all the same color. People talk about it because they want equality and forgiveness for themselves or at least their children.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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The main theme in this discussion is "everybody's guilty," but I don't see that kind of balance in the racism problem. Racial breakdowns of impoverished or imprisoned Americans are wa-a-a-ay too out of balance to say that racism affects all Americans equally. The war on drugs, Hurricane Katrina, and the disproportionate number of blacks and other minorities hurt in the subprime meltdown also illustrate the problem. Sure those individuals are all responsible for their own actions, but how do you explain that blacks and other minorities are always disproportionately affected by poverty, ignorance, and violence? Is it because they just "can't get over it"?

The reaction to Rev. Wright's speech is a nightmare illustration of the mistrust between white and black culture (and some white and black individuals) that still exists in America. I think most of what Wright said is absolutely true! But the media's reaction to his words show that white people are also too sensitive about racism. As a white person, I admit that I'm very paranoid about looking or seeming racist around black people.

For whites, racism feels like Original Sin, something no one is personally responsible for, but for which everyone still feels a need for forgiveness. I don't want to stretch the simile too far, but electing Obama could act as a baptism for our culture, accomplishing through symbolism what no amount of cultural education and diversity training can.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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Very interesting theory.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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I'm sure all those hipsters own "Straight Outta Compton" as well! I don't think music tastes are as important as socio-economics and education, when considering the differences between gang members and hipsters.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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I don't know what the definition of terrorism is, but this can't be it. This is property crime, not mass murder.

At best, I think these prosecutions result from some overactive imaginations at the justice department. At worst, it's a deeper example of the politicization of that office, with individuals targeted for prosecution based on their ideology instead of their crimes. It's hard to imagine an extreme anti-abortionist who burns down a clinic (or stalks and murders the doctor) getting the same treatment under this administration.

Just to keep it in perspective, at least Briana Waters and Tre Arrow get trials, and at least they won't be sent to Guantanamo for torture and indefinite imprisonment. At least they've been charged with something! These "environmental terrorism" cases aren't handled like the Islamic extremist version. I wonder how seriously the justice department takes its own charges, here. If it doesn't consider these arsons "serious" terrorism, but rather applies the term for political reasons, I think this is unacceptable -- especially considering the voice that polluting industries have in the white house, and maybe even the justice department itself.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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