What still makes you proud to be an American?

[undeterred]

:patriot:

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Dissent

it is the highest form of patriotism today.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. You guys.

And all the other people who are trying so hard to stop the lunacy.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Al Gore & Russ Feingold come to mind.

Also Noam Chomsky.

[madmax]

4. Nothing

Since December 12, 2000 when the USSC broke my heart and forever shattered my faith in America.

Edit: blooper ;)

[Aristus]

5. Wow, you really ARE mad, aren't you, max?

The Extreme Court sElection of Bush was December 12, 2000, not 1999.

[madmax]

14. ooops.. thanks

[MoseyWalker]

6. A belief

that deception, hypocrisy, hatred and death will be seen by most, at some time, as being "unamerican".

[Peace Patriot]

7. This. n/t

[Connie_Corleone]

8. Democratic Underground. nt

[Nikki Stone 1]

9. The Dixie Chicks....and the fact that they're not in prison..........yet

I guess that would be dissent.

[marmar]

10. The hope that we're going to overcome all of this...

and John Conyers. And Al Gore. And New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Boston and big blue cities everywhere.

[rubberducky]

11. Being able to "talk with all of you and,

having the freedom to say what we want to say. And hearing the Star Spangled Banner!!!!!!!!!!!!

[patrice]

12. Freedom.

Autonomous Americans developed to the fullest of their potentials.

Our beautiful piece of Earth.

[stillcool]

13. the bill of rights....

[michreject]

43. ALL of them

not just the ones you agree with.

[madeline_con]

15. What proud2blid said n/t

[Tyo]

16. The fact that so many countries around the world

are trying to figure out WTF happened to us. I'm proud that we used to be so much better and I'm hoping we can bring that back.

[woo me with science]

17. public school teachers, the space program,

the Constitution (which is still worth fighting for)

[undeterred]

18. amen, amen, amen

[Kali]

19. The Constitution and the principles and ideals behind it

too bad much of it is being ignored or subverted by those in power must remember not for the first time either). American initiative and openeness are traits that I feel proud of.

[no_hypocrisy]

27. And the First Amendment being the jewel in the crown.

[MichaelHarris]

20. Apple pie

that's some good shit, especially with Blue Bell ice cream.

[unkachuck]

22. and how about....

....when you order fries you can still get ketchup at no extra charge....that makes me proud....

[MichaelHarris]

24. The

Mcdonalds here makes me beg for ketchup.

[Sabien]

21. election day

any election...

I'm proud that I live in the middle of the most red/conservative of areas and can "stick it to 'em all" with my ballot.

It's my duty and makes me proud.

[nickyt]

23. All of the above - and remember the response of The People to

Katrina? Old WWII pilots from Texas flying in to do what they could, stories like that? I was as proud of the efforts and caring of all these thousands of "regular People" as I disgusted at the federal "response".

[peacebuzzard]

25. ditto. and, I love american activists for animal rights.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

26. Jimmy Carter - even though he's disrespected

n/t

[Jamastiene]

46. Far too often might I add to that.

Well spoken.

[DivinBreuvage]

28. Tons of things, but to name just one person:

Robert Calef. Shame on any DUer who does not know his name. Look him up and find a new hero.

[WA98296]

29. Okay, I'll admit it...Keith Olberman (tee hee)

[pitohui]

30. well if we can expand that to include mexico

then this americana is glad that there is some protest being made of stolen elections

[DeepModem Mom]

31. The system the Founders gave us. nt

[undeterred]

38. Amen.

:kick:

[WilliamPitt]

32. You.

[Stardust]

33. This:

http://www.sorryeverybody.com/gallery/1/

[cali]

34. My entire

little state. From the attitude of the police chief in Brattleboro about nudity on the streets, to town meeting and the Tunsbridge World Fair, to Bernie Sanders, Pat Leahy and future congressman Peter Welch.

[leftchick]

35. nothing

and it will be less than nothing when the repukes steal yet another election on Nov. 7.

[KG]

36. why should i be 'proud' of a fortunate turn of events?

[LWolf]

37. I've never been proud, or ashamed.

The country of my birth doesn't define me.

Thankfully.

[neebob]

39. Proud, schmoud

That attitude is what got us where we are today. It's one thing to have a sense of community, but that's not what proud to be an American is.

Proud to be an American is an unquestioning mindset that grew up pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth and bought into all the false history that was written to justify aggression, theft, and slavery.

Proud to be an American is into mythology, too, and likes to imagine that America is more than a patch of ground and it's more than an accident to have been born on it.

Proud to be an American is too busy making money and buying stuff to really notice the vast machine above its head or think very hard about how that machine affects other citizens of the world and even lots of other citizens of America. Proud to be an American looks at someone who manages to rise to the top of the machine and assumes that person has admirable qualities and good intentions.

Proud to be an American is emotional and irrational. It fails to see things as they really are and is far too slow to recognize crimes and criminals. It's beyond time to stop thinking that way.

[undeterred]

42. ...

:hide:

[Kali]

44. I disagree.

There can be things that you are proud of while still being fully aware of reality and problems. (Do you have kids? That would be a prime example) I agree pride is emotional - but what is wrong with emotion, if you are aware of it?

You find nothing to be proud of in terms of this country? Yes there is plenty to be ashamed of, much to try to improve, truths to be exposed, but there are also good things that are uniquely American, aren't there?

[neebob]

45. Did I say there's nothing to be proud of

or anything to be ashamed of? No. I said this particular kind of pride - i.e., pride in being an American - is irrational, outdated, and dangerous. That you read my post and asked these questions illustrates how powerful the indoctrination is.

To answer your first question, yes, I have a kid. I'm proud of him, too, for lots of reasons - some of which I had little to no hand in and are therefore irrational.

[shadowknows69]

40. We have pretty nice summers

n/t

[Nimrod2005]

41. Possibility of watching BushCheneyRummyRice escorted into jail on live TV

One day would make me very proud of America...Proud that at the end of the day, people were held responsible!