Give America the credit due

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Roroshi14

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Dec 3, 2009
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I have been watching "America: the story of us" and I am not a huge patriot. Not even close, I would totally prefer to live in Japan, Spain or Canada. But watching this program has made me look at my home as something very important. Something that, without us the world would be set back at least a few hundred years.

So to Americans I wanna see something about this country your proud of.

To people around the world I would like to know something you respect about this country.

I know the US is WAY FAR from being perfect. We are now barely functional. But that is when we need to look for support from our friends and a pride from ourselves.
 

Giest4life

The Saucepan Man
Feb 13, 2010
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I hate patriotism and nationalism and any form of fundamentalist fervor--ironic, I know. But when it comes to our freedom of speech and other personal freedoms, this country is beyond par.
 

MuzzleFlash

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Sep 10, 2010
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By America, do you mean the United States?

I'm a great fan of the US, a lot of people are very quick to bash them but I have a great admiration for certain aspects of their history.

However, by 'a few hundred years', do you mean at least 300 years? Because the United States didn't exist in 1711. Either way, I don't think I can agree with that statement.
 

bobert17

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Jul 19, 2011
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It only took America 250 years to become the world power that it is today. Thats pretty remarkable if you ask me.
 

MuzzleFlash

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Sep 10, 2010
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bobert17 said:
It only took America 250 years to become the world power that it is today. Thats pretty remarkable if you ask me.
I would almost say it only took four years, 1941-1945.
 

Joseph Harrison

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Apr 5, 2010
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I've recently been reading a novel called The Next 100 years by George Friedman and its made me appreciate the fact that nationalism aside America is the most powerful nation on the planet right now for various reasons, all mentioned in the book, and it made me respect America alot more than I used to.
 

Roroshi14

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Dec 3, 2009
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MuzzleFlash said:
By America, do you mean the United States?

I'm a great fan of the US, a lot of people are very quick to bash them but I have a great admiration for certain aspects of their history.

However, by 'a few hundred years', do you mean at least 300 years? Because the United States didn't exist in 1711. Either way, I don't think I can agree with that statement.

What I meant was the technological increase from the late 1800's to the early 1990's. in about 100 years the US (with respect that this might cause flaming) carried the world from lanterns and horses with few trains and wooden ships, to light bulbs, cars, computers, modern metropolitan area, even to the moon, and the ability to connect with you guys in a matter of seconds. More advances came from the US in that short span of time than in the previous 450 years of the world put together.
 

Craorach

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Jan 17, 2011
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I have alot of respect for many of the ideals, and advances, that America was founded on.

However, it is a country that to me is.. like a teenage paranoid schizophrenic on a power trip... to many voices, to many ideas, not enough experience and convinced the world outside is out to get it.

People shouldn't slam America unfairly, but nor should people give it compliments without legitimate reason.
 

MuzzleFlash

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Sep 10, 2010
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Lagao said:
But without nationalism most of the current countries wouldn't exist now would they? Every country has nationalism, US, Germany, Italy, Hell even France.
I don't think nationalism really became a big deal until the late 19th Century (I'll concede this is when Germany and Italy came into being so you probably have a point), and was a strong factor in the tensions leading up to the first world war.
 

BlumiereBleck

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Dec 11, 2008
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The United States of America. Best damn country in the world! Patriotism is necessary for a country to thrive and continue to be. T
 

Matt Oliver

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Mar 15, 2011
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I'm american and love everything about our history, I am proud to be from Massachusetts as well, I'm not from any famous town or city, but paul revere stayed a night in my town and Old Iron Side was partially built in my town as well.
 

MuzzleFlash

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Sep 10, 2010
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Roroshi14 said:
What I meant was the technological increase from the late 1800's to the early 1990's. in about 100 years the US (with respect that this might cause flaming) carried the world from lanterns and horses with few trains and wooden ships, to light bulbs, cars, computers, modern metropolitan area, even to the moon, and the ability to connect with you guys in a matter of seconds. More advances came from the US in that short span of time than in the previous 450 years of the world put together.
I think cars were German (~1885), computers British (Charles Babige and difference engine, the electic computer, Colossus, during WW2), the moon was German scientists offered amnesty after WW2 (Von Braun) using American money (this isn't a knock, I'm an Aerospace student and as such NASA's biggest fan). I think the first 'Ironclad' warship was French though it's name escapes me.

I do like the US, I really do, I just think they have a stronger history of taking an already existing idea and throwing resources behind it.

I will have to concede mostly everything post-war though, the US basically carried the West on it's back.
 

Syzygy23

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Sep 20, 2010
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Roroshi14 said:
MuzzleFlash said:
By America, do you mean the United States?

I'm a great fan of the US, a lot of people are very quick to bash them but I have a great admiration for certain aspects of their history.

However, by 'a few hundred years', do you mean at least 300 years? Because the United States didn't exist in 1711. Either way, I don't think I can agree with that statement.

What I meant was the technological increase from the late 1800's to the early 1990's. in about 100 years the US (with respect that this might cause flaming) carried the world from lanterns and horses with few trains and wooden ships, to light bulbs, cars, computers, modern metropolitan area, even to the moon, and the ability to connect with you guys in a matter of seconds. More advances came from the US in that short span of time than in the previous 450 years of the world put together.
To be fair, a lot of the inventors of said technology came from other countries. Einstein = Germany, Nikola Tesla = Croatia, etc.

We do, however, get the Wright brothers. Remember, "Two wrongs don't make a right, but two Wrights make an airplane!"
 

Craorach

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Jan 17, 2011
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Matt Oliver said:
I'm american and love everything about our history, I am proud to be from Massachusetts as well, I'm not from any famous town or city, but paul revere stayed a night in my town and Old Iron Side was partially built in my town as well.
Really, you love /everything/ about your history. You approve off every act your nation has ever taken?

Statements like that need to be made extremely carefully..

I'm British, I'm extremely proud of my nation, but I do not love everything about our history.. we've done some appalling things over the years.

To love one's country is to accept its accurate history, warts and all, but to want to make it better than its darkest points.