Poll: Do you know the words to your national anthem?

[Bloodstain]

As I said before, everyone should identify with the country they live in, regardless from race and their place of birth.
I don't think so. Everyone should decide for himself whether he likes identifying himself with his country or not.

It provides a common identity [Unity]As explained before, I don't want nor need a common identity based on a country. I regard myself as "me", not as "a German". A common identity based on friendship, a sports club or whatever is just fine, but not based on a country, because there is one difference: You can choose friends. You can choose clubs. But in many cases, you can't choose your homeland. Either you don't have enough money to leave it, or you're simply not allowed (I'm underage, therefore no leaving for me). And even if I went to another country; since I spent most of my days here in Germany, I will still be "a German".

The problem is, we simply disagree here. And for the case you can't identify with the country you live in, I suggest moving to a country you like better when you have the means. It's for your own good to live in a place you like.

The problem is, I can't think of a country I would actually care about. Of course there are beautiful countries...in fact, Germany can be beautiful as well. It's just that the entity "country" is not important to me. Besides, my friends are here in Germany. As long as they are here, I won't leave.

Just because you spent your youth in Germany doesn't mean that you are a German for the rest of your life. I mean, if someone comes to Germany from another country and actually identifies with it, she or he is a German from my point of view. So it has to work into the opposite direction too.

True that. Still, I would feel "German".

It preserves culture and values [Tradition]
Germany? Culture? German culture? What? Ever since World War II, Germany does its best to give up its tradition to adapt to other European and American standards. Because it wants to show how open-minded and great and whatever it is, so that nobody ever thinks of Germany as a nazi country. Which is kind of stupid, because noone with an IQ higher than a potato's would think that Germany is still full of nazis.
But okay, that's a whole different problem.
The thing is, thanks to globalization, western countries don't have that unique culture anymore, they adapt to each other. I don't think globalization is bad, though.
Even if it weren't like that, I wouldn't care. As said before, I don't care about Germany. I'm not even sure if I want to stay here when I finished school.

The German culture may seem a bit lost, but this doesn't mean we can't restore it. Historically it "left" with good ol' Adenauer, but we can bring it back just like we abandoned it.

I don't think so. Bringing back something like culture can't be done easily, if it can be done in the first place.

Globalization in general is not a bad thing, as I think mankind should grow closer together. But we should know where it should end, to know the past and the roots is always very important as it is the spine of a good future.

Globalization is a never ending process. You can't just stop somewhere. Of course, it's unfortunate you lose cultural individuality, but that's how it goes.

Good of the country > life of the individual(s) [Logic]
Umm...let me introduce you.
Welcome to Germany, the land of screwed up politics!
Seriously...our bad education policy is the best example. And now that FDP and CDU rule...ugh. I'm not sure if we have good parties at all, but the worst are definitely FDP and Die Linke. Therefore: Who the hell elected FDP?

Bottom line aka TL;DR:
- Personal identity > Common identity
- Germany has screwed up politics, therefore sucks and doesn't deserve that much backup from its inhabitants


Oooohh yeeeaah.

Who elected them? The majority, and the majority we have is unfit to govern itself through democracy.
Our current government doesn't deserve support, but the country does. The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
Also, the existence of a strong common identity doesn't mean that there's no personal identity. We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.

That's all I can say to this, really. It's my opinion.

Nope. The majority didn't elect them. Its representatives elected them. That's a huge difference. It's a representative democracy, unfortunately. Personally, I'd prefer a direct one.
The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
I wouldn't say so...in my humble opinion, you're thinking far too general, taking things for granted and projecting your character on others.
We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.
Who decides what's wrong and what's right? There's no general need for a common identity. In fact, just because you one, it doesn't mean everybody does. But don't think I'm judging you. In my opinion, needing a common identity (based on a country, that is) isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm just saying that you shouldn't take for granted that everybody needs one.
To me, personal identity is the most important identity. It defines who I am. Also important are identites based on, for example, friendships and love.

TL;DR 2:

- Identifying with the country you live in is important, both for you / your happiness and the good / spirit of the community

As said before: That's how it is for you. It doesn't mean that it's like that for everybody. To me, it isn't important for my happiness. For instance, it makes me happy to be loved and to be shown how important I am to friends. That has nothing to do with the country, does it?

- Globalization isn't bad, the loss of culture is bad (Regulation is important here)

As I stated, I don't think stopping globalization at a certain point is possible.

- Culture and a common identity can be restored with the right means (e.g. re-education)

Again, see above.
Also: Who decides whether it must be restored or not? In your opinion, it has to. But other people may not share your opinion.
Personally, I think culture is important, but it can't be restored that easily. Whereas common identity is not mandatorily important to everyone. You can't be forced to support something you don't need.

- The fact that the government is bad doesn't mean that the country itself is bad

In that case, the government kind of is the country. At least that's how I see it. Of course there are criteria like landscape or culture; the government is an important aspect, though.
Besides, is there such a thing as a "bad government"? Let's say "inefficient".

 

[Totenkopf]

The problem is, we simply disagree here. And for the case you can't identify with the country you live in, I suggest moving to a country you like better when you have the means. It's for your own good to live in a place you like.

The problem is, I can't think of a country I would actually care about. Of course there are beautiful countries...in fact, Germany can be beautiful as well. It's just that the entity "country" is not important to me. Besides, my friends are here in Germany. As long as they are here, I won't leave.

Just because you spent your youth in Germany doesn't mean that you are a German for the rest of your life. I mean, if someone comes to Germany from another country and actually identifies with it, she or he is a German from my point of view. So it has to work into the opposite direction too.

True that. Still, I would feel "German".

Okay, you can't identify with your country, but consider yourself as a German.
Frankly, I can't comprehend that. Care to explain?

The German culture may seem a bit lost, but this doesn't mean we can't restore it. Historically it "left" with good ol' Adenauer, but we can bring it back just like we abandoned it.

I don't think so. Bringing back something like culture can't be done easily, if it can be done in the first place.

Globalization in general is not a bad thing, as I think mankind should grow closer together. But we should know where it should end, to know the past and the roots is always very important as it is the spine of a good future.

Globalization is a never ending process. You can't just stop somewhere. Of course, it's unfortunate you lose cultural individuality, but that's how it goes.

Consider, I'm thinking outside of the democratic frame. Re-education and other rather "drastic" measures are valid options for me.

Who elected them? The majority, and the majority we have is unfit to govern itself through democracy.
Our current government doesn't deserve support, but the country does. The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
Also, the existence of a strong common identity doesn't mean that there's no personal identity. We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.

That's all I can say to this, really. It's my opinion.

Nope. The majority didn't elect them. Its representatives elected them. That's a huge difference. It's a representative democracy, unfortunately. Personally, I'd prefer a direct one.
The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
I wouldn't say so...in my humble opinion, you're thinking far too general, taking things for granted and projecting your character on others.
We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.
Who decides what's wrong and what's right? There's no general need for a common identity. In fact, just because you one, it doesn't mean everybody does. But don't think I'm judging you. In my opinion, needing a common identity (based on a country, that is) isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm just saying that you shouldn't take for granted that everybody needs one.
To me, personal identity is the most important identity. It defines who I am. Also important are identites based on, for example, friendships and love.

I know that there's a differnce between direct democracy and indirect ones. But you know, it stays always in the same frame.

And now we can have it the exact other way, just because you think it may not be important, it doesn't mean that it's not important. Maybe we need a common identity in order to prevent the death of human goodness, and we just don't realize it?
What if placing the individual over the community harms humanity?

TL;DR 2:

- Identifying with the country you live in is important, both for you / your happiness and the good / spirit of the community

As said before: That's how it is for you. It doesn't mean that it's like that for everybody. To me, it isn't important for my happiness. For instance, it makes me happy to be loved and to be shown how important I am to friends. That has nothing to do with the country, does it?

Okay, as long as you and the people you personally care about are fine, the world's okay.
Maybe I'm getting this wrong but for me it sounds very like you would downright oppose the idea of a universal brotherhood.

- Globalization isn't bad, the loss of culture is bad (Regulation is important here)

As I stated, I don't think stopping globalization at a certain point is possible.

- Culture and a common identity can be restored with the right means (e.g. re-education)

Again, see above.
Also: Who decides whether it must be restored or not? In your opinion, it has to. But other people may not share your opinion.
Personally, I think culture is important, but it can't be restored that easily. Whereas common identity is not mandatorily important to everyone. You can't be forced to support something you don't need.

As said above, we can change alot of things with the right amount of force.
Also, I don't openly force them to support those ideals, I simply indoctrinate them.
I make them want to support it.

You just have to manipulate the fool in order to have him doing the right things

- The fact that the government is bad doesn't mean that the country itself is bad

In that case, the government kind of is the country. At least that's how I see it. Of course there are criteria like landscape or culture; the government is an important aspect, though.
Besides, is there such a thing as a "bad government"? Let's say "inefficient".

Over the course of the 20th century governments have changed alot in Germany, but in my opinion Germany has always been the same during that.

 

[Aesir23]

Yep, it's kind of hard to forget when you had to listen to it almost every morning for 13 years. We actually had to sing Britain's as well until I was in Grade 4.

But no. While I'm very proud of my country and I will stand if it's required, I will not have my hand over my heart and tears will not be rolling down my cheeks.

I would put a video here, but the last thing I want right now is to delve into the cesspool of potential Darwin Award winners that is Youtube.

 

[Aux]

Not hard when you hear it every day for 14 years of your life.

 

[DarkHourPrince]

Yeah, I do. It's rather hard not to know it especially since my family and I used to watch baseball allt he time when I was younger and they sing it before every game.

 

[Numb1lp]

I think everyone should know their national anthem. I guess it's just sort of a pride thing.

 

[Sun Flash]

Scotland doesn't have an official National Anthem, but I know the words to Flower of Scotland. Although not God Save the Queen, she can take a running jump.

 

[Giest4life]

I do know the words to my national anthem, but the time when I actually cared is long gone:
The ephemeral chatter of politics and national egoism is beneath me.

 

[Timmons]

everyone, everyone around here, everyone is so near, its holding on, its holding on. everyone, everyone is so near, everyone has go the fear, its holding on, its holding on. TURN IT OFF. TURN IT OFF. TURN IT OFF

 

[Bloodstain]

Okay, you can't identify with your country, but consider yourself as a German.
Frankly, I can't comprehend that. Care to explain?

I don't identify with my country as in "I wouldn't fully support my country". I'm not even sure if I'd support Germany at all. I just don't care, it's unimportant to me. When I look at Germany I don't think "Yup, this is my homeland, here's where I want to stay".
Then again, I consider myself German. When someone asks me about my ethnicity, I answer "German". Not as in "I'm German and I'm proud of it!" but as in "I'm German, I guess that's how it is. Can't do anything about it, don't want to do anything about it."

The German culture may seem a bit lost, but this doesn't mean we can't restore it. Historically it "left" with good ol' Adenauer, but we can bring it back just like we abandoned it.

I don't think so. Bringing back something like culture can't be done easily, if it can be done in the first place.

Globalization in general is not a bad thing, as I think mankind should grow closer together. But we should know where it should end, to know the past and the roots is always very important as it is the spine of a good future.

Globalization is a never ending process. You can't just stop somewhere. Of course, it's unfortunate you lose cultural individuality, but that's how it goes.

Consider, I'm thinking outside of the democratic frame. Re-education and other rather "drastic" measures are valid options for me.

Third Reich much?
There is neither a "right" nor "wrong", everything is subjective. You, for example, think globalization to a certain extent is okay, but anything beyond is bad and has to be prevented, even if it means drastic means like re-education and whatever. But that's only your opinion. Someone else may think that a fully globalized world is the best.
So who is in the position to decide which view is wrong or right?
The answer: Noone. Nobody can decide this.
That's why you can't say we need something like re-education, I assume you're not even in the position to do so and get anyone to listen.
There are a whole lot of people with individual opinions on anything, and noone's wright or wrong.

Who elected them? The majority, and the majority we have is unfit to govern itself through democracy.
Our current government doesn't deserve support, but the country does. The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
Also, the existence of a strong common identity doesn't mean that there's no personal identity. We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.

That's all I can say to this, really. It's my opinion.

Nope. The majority didn't elect them. Its representatives elected them. That's a huge difference. It's a representative democracy, unfortunately. Personally, I'd prefer a direct one.
The country always deserves every kind of support and love from it's inhabitants.
I wouldn't say so...in my humble opinion, you're thinking far too general, taking things for granted and projecting your character on others.
We just have it the wrong way: Only personal identity and no common at all.
Who decides what's wrong and what's right? There's no general need for a common identity. In fact, just because you one, it doesn't mean everybody does. But don't think I'm judging you. In my opinion, needing a common identity (based on a country, that is) isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm just saying that you shouldn't take for granted that everybody needs one.
To me, personal identity is the most important identity. It defines who I am. Also important are identites based on, for example, friendships and love.

I know that there's a differnce between direct democracy and indirect ones. But you know, it stays always in the same frame.

And now we can have it the exact other way, just because you think it may not be important, it doesn't mean that it's not important. Maybe we need a common identity in order to prevent the death of human goodness, and we just don't realize it?
What if placing the individual over the community harms humanity?

To me it's not important. As is everything else, so is my post subjective.
Maybe we need a common identity in order to prevent the death of human goodness, and we just don't realize it?
Then what is "human goodness"? As there is no "wrong" or "right", there is no "good" or "evil". What exactly is the human nature? I think whenever someone talks about "humanity" or "human goodness" he forgets that human nature isn't wholly "good". Egoism, jealousy etc. are part of us. So is, for example, killing each other (human beings are, in my opinion, just very advanced animals).

TL;DR 2:

- Identifying with the country you live in is important, both for you / your happiness and the good / spirit of the community

As said before: That's how it is for you. It doesn't mean that it's like that for everybody. To me, it isn't important for my happiness. For instance, it makes me happy to be loved and to be shown how important I am to friends. That has nothing to do with the country, does it?

Okay, as long as you and the people you personally care about are fine, the world's okay.
Maybe I'm getting this wrong but for me it sounds very like you would downright oppose the idea of a universal brotherhood.

No, I wouldn't. Even if you don't consider the fact that I (openly) oppose nearly nothing: I appreciate chosen brotherhood. You can't decide where you get born, so, in my opinion, national brotherhood is not important. Not bad in general, good god no, just for me personally unimportant. That's also why my family isn't important to me. I didn't choose being related to them, right? Being, for example, my brother is no real credit. I have very high expectations of human beings. So, to be called my friend, you have to be really, really important to me.
Note that if someday I have a wife and maybe kids, they will be the most important ones to me. After all, I wanted/want my wife to be my wife.
But if anyone says his parents are important to him, that's perfectly fine for me. That's his view of things, and I have got mine.

- Globalization isn't bad, the loss of culture is bad (Regulation is important here)

As I stated, I don't think stopping globalization at a certain point is possible.

- Culture and a common identity can be restored with the right means (e.g. re-education)

Again, see above.
Also: Who decides whether it must be restored or not? In your opinion, it has to. But other people may not share your opinion.
Personally, I think culture is important, but it can't be restored that easily. Whereas common identity is not mandatorily important to everyone. You can't be forced to support something you don't need.

As said above, we can change alot of things with the right amount of force.
Also, I don't openly force them to support those ideals, I simply indoctrinate them.
I make them want to support it.

You just have to manipulate the fool in order to have him doing the right things

"Indoctrinate"? Okay, really: Third Reich much.
"doing the right things" A-ha. I'd prefer replacing "right" with "what you think is right".
So it would be like this:
"You just have to manipulate the fool in order to have him doing the things that you think are right"

Geez, just let people be. You're opinions may differ from others, and you may even think that you are wright and they are wrong, but really, noone cares. Don't force anyone to anything.

Besides, I don't people would be manipulated by you easily (no offense).

- The fact that the government is bad doesn't mean that the country itself is bad

In that case, the government kind of is the country. At least that's how I see it. Of course there are criteria like landscape or culture; the government is an important aspect, though.
Besides, is there such a thing as a "bad government"? Let's say "inefficient".

Over the course of the 20th century governments have changed alot in Germany, but in my opinion Germany has always been the same during that.

You think so? I don't. Hmm.

Question: Would you consider yourself "left", "right" or central? In terms of political orientation.
Personally, I don't think I fit in any of these categories.
"I am on nobody's side because nobody's on my side"

 

[Squiggles]

If you know ALL the words to Advance Australia Fair then you are :
A) In primary School
B) In a professional sports team or
C) A SPY!!!!!

Australians don't know their own anthem for security reasons

Edit: wish I knew how to embed properly so here's a link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiEycVMKoJo

 

[Klarinette]

I love hearing an entire ball park/arena/stadium sing the National Anthem. And yes, I do know the lyrics, both the English and French versions. I also know the Italian National Anthem.

 

[regallmighty]

I know the canadain one all the way though, but there is an extened version i dont know very well

 

[Totenkopf]

*have to make this neater*

Third reich? No, the whole racist doctrine was proven wrong and is out-dated, I simply learn from all the mistakes and filter the success.

First of all, I know I can't claim that my opinion is the absolute truth. It's just what I think is suitable / necessary to make this earth a better place.
I'm just trying to improve the situation collecting knowledge and using my mind.
Those are simply my ideas of what I think is right. The only thing that can prove me right or wrong would be the progress of history if I have or have not my way. I think you need a certain amount of force to keep the people in line. It's just as simple as that.

In terms of political orientation? Hmm, I'm not quite sure. Probably I'd say right as I'm a patriot and some people say I have some strong militaristic / fascist tendencies. But I'm also quite open minded, so don't worry about that. There's not really any political movement I feel dedicated to at the moment (you can trash everything on the right side here in Germany, in my opinion).

 

[Spinozaad]

I know the first verse to the Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem.

But since there are 15 verses, pretty much nobody knows all of them. Why 15, you might ask? Because the first letter of each verse spells WILLEM VAN NASSOV.

But only the first and the sixth verse truly matter (as in: are being sung at official events). I only know the first, which is always sung. The sixth is often optional.

 

[Grubnar]

No, I do not.

In my defence I would like to point out that nobody knows the words to the Icelandic National Anthem. It is a horrible, horrible song. It is depressing on a level you would not belive and impossible to sing unless you are a professionaly trained singer.

I think we should just drop it and chose a new one. Hell! Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song comes to mind. Now that would make one hell of a national anthem!

 

[wkrepelin]

snip

You have the best avatar icon ever.

Edit: I now that's off topic but I did vote in the poll and yes, I do know the United States national anthem.

 

[Grubnar]

If you know ALL the words to Advance Australia Fair then you are :
A) In primary School
B) In a professional sports team or
C) A SPY!!!!!

Australians don't know their own anthem for security reasons

Edit: wish I knew how to embed properly so here's a link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiEycVMKoJo

Thank you for that link!
It is brilliant.

 

[Jackalb]

I usually just whistle.