What a wonderful country we have.

[rasputin1952]

I am watching "Lady By The Sea" on the History Channel, and I am reminded by what a wonderful country we have. Sometimes I just need a kick in the butt to realize that all is not gray and gloomy, this did it for me.

All of the immigrants to this nation have made it possible for this nation to be as diverse a culture and society as it is.

Now I know that many came here under the pall of slavery and indentured servitude, but eventually we overcame those horrid institutions. Unfortunately, it took far to long, and cost many lives, but, by the grace of God, that is behind us. Perhaps someday, we can finally find equality for everyone in this nation.

Look at how immigrants have made contributions to this nation, the diversity, the clash of cultures. It is marvelous that we have been so lucky as to have had open borders, and acceptance of all of the cultures.

We've got our faults, but we overcome them. That is why Progressives will always be a mile ahead of the neo-cons.

Liberty....She stands tall in the harbor. She is still a Beacon of Freedom for all to see.

O8)

[Dirk39]

1. I'm jealous...

exactly the things you've mentioned about the USA, without letting the dark sides unmentioned, are still a reason, even far left wingers from Germany like me admire the USA and defend it against vulgar anti-americanism.
I'm pretty much allergic against nationalism, flags and patriotism.
It has something to do with nationalism in Europe - France is different in a way - and in Germany. Esp. in Germany nationalism was always founded on race and blood. Not on values, not on freedom, not on democrazy and not on a civil war or a revolution. It's one of the things that made Hitler possible.

But I still thing, one has to put things apart. Nationalism is always kind of irrational. You can't take Miles Davis, the KKK, Nixon, Bush and Benjamin Franklin, put Martin Luther King on top, put it in a box, shake it - and what comes out is a country to be proud of.

I like your statement, 'cause you took the best of the USA and combined it with a wish that it may be stronger than the not so good things that happened in the past and happen still.

When I did read the inscript on the liberty statue for the first time - in a german book as a kind of motto and not aware of what I was reading, I thought it would have been written by a communist or socialist.

I'm really jealous,
Dirk

[...Alltogethernow]

2. I'm proud to be an American too, but ...

... we have much to improve on

[rasputin1952]

5. I agree wholeheartedly...

but all is not gloom and doom. There is hope alive, as long as we strive to move the country forward.

As a culture, we are always expecting immediate change, just because change is possible. Women did not get the Right to Vote until 1920! That is 55 years after the abolition of slavery! And even after the abolition of slavery, it was almost 100 years before things started to pan out for the Black Americans.

Much work needs to be done, but that is why Progressives and Liberals exist, to constantly move forward.

O8)

[rasputin1952]

6. Some of the best people in the US came from Germany...

as in my ancestors. :eyes:

This country, like all others, has a problem with nationalism vs. patriotism. True patriots look for the best ways to serve the country and its citizens. Just as we are going through turmoil now, we will persevere.

Sometimes you have to go through rough times, just to realize how good it can get, when the right path is taken.

O8)

[lapauvre]

3. Statue of Liberty?

Wonder the neo-cons didn't egg or melt down that American symbol of freedom during the yahoo phase of dumping French wine and cheese. Wonder they didn't insist we uproot the "lady with the lamp," and send her back to France.

[Dirk39]

4. Yes, she's a disgusting liberal coward with a welcome for the

tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched, the homeless...
Exactly like all these liberals with their blablabla about healthcare,
it's disgusting:-)
Dirk

[rasputin1952]

7. I think the previous poster was being sarcastic...

Fortunately, the rabid RW'ers didn't send her packing to back to France! But I wouldn't be surprised if it crossed their minds! :silly:


O8)

[Dirk39]

8. I was.....

it did really remind me of statements I've read from Republicans about healthcare and righ-wing americans about liberals.
It's even somehow not so easy, to google after the inscript. You find tons of pictures, explanations, but you have to dig a bit deeper to find these wonderfull wonderfull words.
O.K. I don't want to become sentimental, but was there ever any other country in the history of mankind, who did welcome everyone with words like these?
And if there's any proof that the civil society in the USA is still alive, despite Fox, despite Bush, despite many other things, it's DU!!!

I've never seen any other webpage that unites so many different people with so many different views and it still works and people still respect one another.
I'm just a guest following DU for about half a year now, and I'm quite controversial sometimes. And I did offend people, and they used their god given right to offend me, too.
But although I'm not a US citizen and I did even offend some candidates of the democrats, not one single DUer ever said: what the hell do you stupid foreigner think you are, to contribute to an american discussion forum and think you're allowed to comment about our candidates. They offended me for what I was saying, not for who I am or where I'm coming from...

This is only possible in the USA, I guess.
Without the american liberals and leftwingers and progressive people, we're lost anyway, we need you so badly!
Thank you DU and all DUer,
Dirk in Germany.

[rasputin1952]

9. I spent time in Germany...

Wiesbaden to be precise. Best tour of duty I ever had. You have a great country over there, and I am proud to have been a guest.

Here on DU, it is easy to catch some heat on some items, but like you say, I cannopt recall anyone ever giving som,eone heat over where they came from, (unless it is the RW side of the US).

In either case, I have seen you post often, and am glad you come here. Perhaps someday we could all meet up in a better world. My door is always open.

O8)