About this Page -- This is a discussion on July in the United States of America Page 3. within the forum Tennessee Vols Football. Originally Posted by Pepe_Silvia
Not much to celebrate nowadays.
I disagree ...
really? hmmmm......well you could celebrate the fact that you had the privilege of posting the above quote...you could be in North Korea and not have that privilege or any others. just sayin.
I teach at UT, and my classes often involve a lot of readings/films that require a critical eye turned towards our government and our nation's past, whether that be our treatment of our country's indigenous population or our involvement in dictatorial coupes in the Middle East, for instance. However, I'm always careful to let my students know that this does not necessarily mean "America bashing." I tell them that just one of the things that makes this country so great is the fact that we can be (and are) critical of ourselves, our past, and of where we're going. Just like an individual who isn't critical of his or herself, a nation that refuses to be self-critical also risks missing out on numerous opportunities to improve not only the lives of its citizens but also the lives of countless others around the world. While we might all disagree about our nation's role as a superpower (and believe me, I'm often critical), I also remind my students that there has never been a more benevolent superpower in our world's history. This doesn't mean we always do right, by any means, but we try to do so much more than any other superpower that has been, and, quite frankly, is likely to come. And so I thank those men and women who have paved the way for us and made this possible. Do not take the freedom we have in this country for granted, and that not only means thanking our veterans and patriots but also thanking those who have fought so hard to ensure that our nation fulfills its democratic aspirations, from the protester on the street (who you might happen to disagree with) to the 18 year old kid in the foxhole. And please do not perceive this as a "political" post; it's an American post.
I'm going to miss celebrating the 4th of July with my family this year for the first time in 41 years.
I'm currently sitting in Hong Kong, about to cross the border into the mainland. If you don't think there is much to celebrate, I offer an open invitation. Any time you want to jump on a plane for 21 hours and visit a communist country such as this, I will gladly give you a personal tour.
We celebrate get to celebrate our independence and salute the men and women that protect us everyday.
The people here will never know what that is like, ever.
I teach at UT, and my classes often involve a lot of readings/films that require a critical eye turned towards our government and our nation's past, whether that be our treatment of our country's indigenous population or our involvement in dictatorial coupes in the Middle East, for instance. However, I'm always careful to let my students know that this does not necessarily mean "America bashing." I tell them that just one of the things that makes this country so great is the fact that we can be (and are) critical of ourselves, our past, and of where we're going. Just like an individual who isn't critical of his or herself, a nation that refuses to be self-critical also risks missing out on numerous opportunities to improve not only the lives of its citizens but also the lives of countless others around the world. While we might all disagree about our nation's role as a superpower (and believe me, I'm often critical), I also remind my students that there has never been a more benevolent superpower in our world's history. This doesn't mean we always do right, by any means, but we try to do so much more than any other superpower that has been, and, quite frankly, is likely to come. And so I thank those men and women who have paved the way for us and made this possible. Do not take the freedom we have in this country for granted, and that not only means thanking our veterans and patriots but also thanking those who have fought so hard to ensure that our nation fulfills its democratic aspirations, from the protester on the street (who you might happen to disagree with) to the 18 year old kid in the foxhole. And please do not perceive this as a "political" post; it's an American post.
I teach at UT, and my classes often involve a lot of readings/films that require a critical eye turned towards our government and our nation's past, whether that be our treatment of our country's indigenous population or our involvement in dictatorial coupes in the Middle East, for instance. However, I'm always careful to let my students know that this does not necessarily mean "America bashing." I tell them that just one of the things that makes this country so great is the fact that we can be (and are) critical of ourselves, our past, and of where we're going. Just like an individual who isn't critical of his or herself, a nation that refuses to be self-critical also risks missing out on numerous opportunities to improve not only the lives of its citizens but also the lives of countless others around the world. While we might all disagree about our nation's role as a superpower (and believe me, I'm often critical), I also remind my students that there has never been a more benevolent superpower in our world's history. This doesn't mean we always do right, by any means, but we try to do so much more than any other superpower that has been, and, quite frankly, is likely to come. And so I thank those men and women who have paved the way for us and made this possible. Do not take the freedom we have in this country for granted, and that not only means thanking our veterans and patriots but also thanking those who have fought so hard to ensure that our nation fulfills its democratic aspirations, from the protester on the street (who you might happen to disagree with) to the 18 year old kid in the foxhole. And please do not perceive this as a "political" post; it's an American post.
Do you let them know about all of the aid we send around the world? The money and food we pour into Africa expecting nothing in return. Do you tell them of how we helped liberate Europe from Naziism, Fascism and Communism and asked in return only a place to bury our dead? Do you tell them there has never been a greater force for good and individual liberty in the history of the world than the USA? I don't normally think to thank the agitators, race baiters, community organizers, 99%ers and birkenstock crowd for this country. I do recognize the great risk and vision of our founders as well as the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform make all of their discontent and self-loathing possible. Don't consider this political either.
Do you let them know about all of the aid we send around the world? The money and food we pour into Africa expecting nothing in return. Do you tell them of how we helped liberate Europe from Naziism, Fascism and Communism and asked in return only a place to bury our dead? Do you tell them there has never been a greater force for good and individual liberty in the history of the world than the USA? I don't normally think to thank the agitators, race baiters, community organizers, 99%ers and birkenstock crowd for this country. I do recognize the great risk and vision of our founders as well as the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform make all of their discontent and self-loathing possible. Don't consider this political either.
Just curious, bjd, what about my original post suggested that I don't say those things? Didn't I say that I am careful to remind all my students that this is a great country and that there has never been a more benevolent superpower? I don't know how you read anything to the contrary into my post just because I state that we should also be critical of ourselves. How else would we ever progress? Unless we haven't made any progress from a former slaveholding, Westward expansionist, gender inequitable society, among other things, but, once again, I think we have made progress for the most part from those things. I didn't necessarily expect my original post to be popular; I guess some people only like to hear positive things all the time, whether or not it's the whole truth. So, to reiterate once more, this is a damn good country! I don't disagree with anyone on that point.
And yes, I do teach in the Humanities. Humanities - teaching people how to think creatively and think for themselves since the Italian Renaissance! Anyhow, bjd, I'm not trying to get in a quarrel with you. The intent of my original post was not to make anyone mad, even though I figured it might not be well received. Quite frankly, I think you'd probably be amazed on how much we think alike concerning the goodness of this country.
Equating protesters and soldiers is creative as I can imagine. Tying them together with the idea that our forefathers valued opinions over sacrifice and hard work is to misconstrue how they viewed the world.
really? hmmmm......well you could celebrate the fact that you had the privilege of posting the above quote...you could be in North Korea and not have that privilege or any others. just sayin.
Let's compare USA to North America to help our arguement instead of facing the fact this country has taken some major steps back lately and right now there isnt much t be excited about.
We are still the greatest nation on earth but we appear to be doing our best to change it.
Let's compare USA to North America to help our arguement instead of facing the fact this country has taken some major steps back lately and right now there isnt much t be excited about.
We are still the greatest nation on earth but we appear to be doing our best to change it.
Ok, First of all the state of this country is no where near as bad as others. Compare it to North America...ok...how about Mexico? Do you have a house made of collected trash? Do you get to enjoy running water, drinkable water, indoor plumbing, decent medical facilities? We should be thankful and celebrate what we have and the men and women of the armed forces who make it possible.
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