do you agree with Cleo's sentiments?

*Lu-Lu* · November 2008

Just curious if the way cleo feels is common. I just cannot understand not having a love for your country, no matter who the leader is.

**BAC*** · November 2008

I am proud to be an American. Always have been, always will.

I was not sure how to respond to her post.

berry25 · November 2008

No, and I'm still in shock that she actually posted what she did.

shopgirl78 · November 2008

Not at all, maybe its different when you grow up military?

I've said all morning, I am going to support the president elect because it what is best for America, after her post, I wanted to waiver

buffalo_buckeye · November 2008

No...this election was historic in certain ways, but in no way makes me more or less proud to be an American.

getnmarried910 · November 2008

No...I'm not thrilled about the way the election turned out (not because of color because I do think this is monumental, but because I'm ultra-conservative), but I am proud to be an American. I don't think anyone other country gives as much freedom as we have.

elm1032004 · November 2008

I think this is the greatest country on earth and am very proud to be an American even when I don't agree with certain things.

Makinroom4baby · November 2008

I think that what she posted is just being taken the worng way. I find that with politics (or any controversial issue) on the net, you need to be sure not to leave out ANY minor detail and to be as clear and concise as possible about what it is you are saying/feeling. So maybe she wasn't as clear, but I did understand what she was trying to say. I am and have always been prod to be an american. Even before my parents' parents' parents' were born AMERICANS of all colors were making strides in order to make this a better place for us to live in. I believe that Cleo is talking from a political stand point and finally feeling as if her voice has been heard. Sure we won't all agree and that's also the beauty of being American b/c we don't all have to agree.

pincushion · November 2008

Not at all.

camrude · November 2008

I am proud everytime I vote, everytime I use my freedom of speech, everytime I get email updates on my friends and family serving overseas...I could go on and on. And to quote a song...I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. I've been to countries where freedom does not exist and it's scary - it makes me appreciate the US, warts and all.

Zenya · November 2008

I didn't grow up here (but I was born here and have been back for 10 years now) but I understand what she's saying. I tend to have an outsiders view of the US though.

mlm1128 · November 2008

No, not at all. But I have been known to cry when someone sings the National Anthem...I may be over the op full of pride for this country. I know alot of people that have served in the military, etc.

magnoliablossom · November 2008

elm1032004:
I think this is the greatest country on earth and am very proud to be an American even when I don't agree with certain things.

Right on!

*Lu-Lu* · November 2008

Makinroom4baby:
I think that what she posted is just being taken the worng way. I find that with politics (or any controversial issue) on the net, you need to be sure not to leave out ANY minor detail and to be as clear and concise as possible about what it is you are saying/feeling. So maybe she wasn't as clear, but I did understand what she was trying to say. I am and have always been prod to be an american. Even before my parents' parents' parents' were born AMERICANS of all colors were making strides in order to make this a better place for us to live in. I believe that Cleo is talking from a political stand point and finally feeling as if her voice has been heard. Sure we won't all agree and that's also the beauty of being American b/c we don't all have to agree.

I want to agree with you in this, but Cleo did write back to specify that certain moments in history make her sad or evoke emotion but none have sparked the patriotism that she now feels. I also do understand that it is extremely difficult to relay feelings across the internet. I just honestly think she has had no patriotism until now. Interesting.

berry25 · November 2008

Ditto Lulu. I don't think this is a misunderstanding - she was pretty clear. She wasn't patriotic until a presidential election went her way.

CleoKitty · November 2008

berry25:
Ditto Lulu. I don't think this is a misunderstanding - she was pretty clear. She wasn't patriotic until a presidential election went her way.

It's much more than just that and hard to articulate- after all, the presidential election went "my way" twice in a row with Clinton.

wellfleet04 · November 2008

I wouldn't say I am overly patriotic and last night didn't really change that for me. I can see how the US is a great country and we have a lot of freedoms and opportunities, and I am very fortunate to live here as opposed to say, Saudia Arabia, but I don't always think that the US is the greatest country on earth and I am not always proud of the US and our decisions as a country. I think there are many other countries with similar freedoms and opportunites and some things I think are better than the US (healthcare for all, gay rights, etc). The US does not rank highly among developed countries in many measures.

I was not proud of the US during Hurricane Katrina. I'm not proud of the fact that every single anti-gay marriage/adoption ballot measure passed last night. I'm not proud of how the rest of the world sees us as arroagant and unilateral. I'm not proud of the measly percentage of our GDP we give to foreign aid. I can certainly appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of our military, and I do admire their service and dedication to this country, but I'm not always proud of the things they do (Abu Grhaib).

I think the US is a great country, but it is not always the "greatest." I'm very glad I live here and have the opportunites and freedoms I have, but I really do think I could be equally happy living in Scadanavia, Canada, or somewhere else.

DaisyAdair · November 2008

I'm always proud to be an American. Whether I woke up to President McCain or President Obama.....I'm always proud and happy that I get to call this great place my home.

To be honest, if I didn't feel that way, I'd leave. Not in an Alec Baldwin bitter sort of way, but a desire to be somewhere where I WAS happy. If I wasn't happy and proud to live here, why stay?

berry25 · November 2008

Being patriotic doesn't mean you don't acknowledge that your country isn't perfect. No country is, but America comes closest, in my opinion.

wellfleet04 · November 2008

I definitely AM happy to live here, and I am proud of many things in this country. I'm super proud to live in MA, the first state to legalize gay marriage. I love voting, and I love that we have a free press and truly free speech. I know this country is great, but I guess I feel like other countries are equally great. Not that I'd move, because I do love my life here, but I don't see us as "above" all other countries. Does that make me unpatriotic?

amanda&rob · November 2008

No, but I don't judge her for feeling the way she does-even if I don't understand it.

berry25 · November 2008

If you say like Cleo that you haven't felt patriotic, then you aren't patriotic. No one is accusing her (or you) of something - she said it herself. So I guess only you can answer that question. My point was that people who are patriotic don't necessarily think America is perfect. That's not a requirement for being patriotic.

mikeandmonica · November 2008

I definitely don't feel the way she does. I get that it makes you sad to think of the people that died to have their names on the war, the emotion that is there when families are reunited, etc. - but in that sadness, it makes me extremely proud. Even after 9/11 - seeing how everyone came together - yes, it is scary/uncertain, but it still made me feel proud of us as a country. I didn't vote for Obama - I realize that it is extremely historic, and I think that is great, but I am a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous) about what the next four years will bring. I would have been nervous either way, but this way I'm much more nervous.

CleoKitty · November 2008

wellfleet04:
I can see how the US is a great country and we have a lot of freedoms and opportunities, and I am very fortunate to live here as opposed to say, Saudia Arabia, but I don't always think that the US is the greatest country on earth and I am not always proud of the US and our decisions as a country. I think there are many other countries with similar freedoms and opportunites and some things I think are better than the US (healthcare for all, gay rights, etc). The US does not rank highly among developed countries in many measures.
I was not proud of the US during Hurricane Katrina. I'm not proud of the fact that every single anti-gay marriage/adoption ballot measure passed last night. I'm not proud of how the rest of the world sees us as arroagant and unilateral. I'm not proud of the measly percentage of our GDP we give to foreign aid. I can certainly appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of our military, and I do admire their service and dedication to this country, but I'm not always proud of the things they do (Abu Grhaib).

I think the US is a great country, but it is not always the "greatest." I'm very glad I live here and have the opportunites and freedoms I have, but I really do think I could be equally happy living in Scadanavia, Canada, or somewhere else.

Exactly! I acknowledge that the US is a decent place to live compared to many places and appreciate that I was born here instead of say, Sudan, but there are many other places where I'd be equally as fortunate.

shopgirl78 · November 2008

No. Patriotism is simply a love and devotion for one's country.

Honestly, I'd hope Obama would have shunned her for suck a ridiculous statement. (Sorry, I think this is the most miffed I've been on the nest).

femmegem · November 2008

wellfleet04:
I wouldn't say I am overly patriotic and last night didn't really change that for me. I can see how the US is a great country and we have a lot of freedoms and opportunities, and I am very fortunate to live here as opposed to say, Saudia Arabia, but I don't always think that the US is the greatest country on earth and I am not always proud of the US and our decisions as a country. I think there are many other countries with similar freedoms and opportunites and some things I think are better than the US (healthcare for all, gay rights, etc). The US does not rank highly among developed countries in many measures.

I was not proud of the US during Hurricane Katrina. I'm not proud of the fact that every single anti-gay marriage/adoption ballot measure passed last night. I'm not proud of how the rest of the world sees us as arroagant and unilateral. I'm not proud of the measly percentage of our GDP we give to foreign aid. I can certainly appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of our military, and I do admire their service and dedication to this country, but I'm not always proud of the things they do (Abu Grhaib).

I think the US is a great country, but it is not always the "greatest." I'm very glad I live here and have the opportunites and freedoms I have, but I really do think I could be equally happy living in Scadanavia, Canada, or somewhere else.

Exactly. Put much better than I could have done since I have so much work to do (I really have GOT to work today!). But if you really think the US is so above every other country in the world I think you should do some more traveling and research.

I understand patriotism. I'm glad people are patriotic and love the country they live in. I'm glad to live here and think there are some really good opportunities here. But do I think this is the BEST PLACE in the whole world? Um, no. Am I ALWAYS proud to be an American? Hell no. I was living in Greece when Bill Clinton's impeachment was going on and I was far from proud to be an American then. It was embarrassing.

I have got to log off and got some work done now. Gah.

DaisyAdair · November 2008

My kids aren't perfect and I wouldn't pretend they were. But, that doesn't mean I'd want other kids or that I'd be just as happy if someone traded me for theirs who were better behaved.

America isn't perfect, but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

eclaires · November 2008

No, I honestly find it bizarre.

I have traveled outside this country. I've also studied the history of other western nations, like France, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain. So it's not like I love the US because it's all I know or think everywhere else is like the Sudan.

I love this country because I can fight to be heard, and I never give up hope on this country either. Yes there are times where things go on here that I question, that I wonder about or that make me sad, but no matter what I am always proud of my heritage and this country and the people who came before me to make it a great place.

And I think it's odd to take such issue with using the word "greatest" or "best" - because no one here has said that. IMO, no place on earth is the greatest or best because that's just impossible. But am I patriotic? Yes. I cheesily love this country every day and I will fight for this country and what it stands for. I love the American spirit.

I have to ask, if you do not love this country (because that is what patriotism is), why bother fighting for it? Why bother fighting to make it the place you want it to be? And if takes your candidate winning for you to feel patriotic, well, then I don't know what to say anymore. Maybe I should be more cynical than I already am about the political process in this country.

wellfleet04 · November 2008

eclaires, people in this post did say the US was the "greatest country on earth" as a way of demonstrating their patriotism. I guess that was my point. I don't define patriotism the way it seems like a lot of people do (not just in this post, but in general). I don;t think you have to always support the president or think the US is the greatest country on earth or above other countries to appreciate this country's values and what it stands for. I don't think you have to ALWAYS be proud to be an American to be patriotic. I don't agree with Cleo that I've NEVER felt patriotic, but I don't think it has to be a 100% of the time thing.

The definition of patriotism over the last 8 years (the whole "you're either with us, or your against us" mentality and the idea that you are unpatriotic if you don't support every.single. anti-terrorism propopsal, Patriot Act, etc) has really rubbed people the wrong way, including me, and I'm guessing Cleo. I think you can be patriotic without being exclusionary. Does that make sense?

eclaires · November 2008

Certainly. I totally disagree with that sentiment - the either you're with us or you're against us one.

I love this country because we can disagree and because our laws and our systems are set up to enable that. And I love that Americans fight back and fight for what they believe in.

I guess my definition of patriotism is loving for and fighting for this country, not "America, fuuuuck yeah!"

So based on my definition I am a little taken aback when people say things like what Cleo said. But I can see where the issues lie based on the past 8 years, I guess.

sweetie1528 · November 2008

I have to read her post. but I cannot imagine not loving my coutry. I just can't.

Angela814 · November 2008

femmegem:
wellfleet04:
I wouldn't say I am overly patriotic and last night didn't really change that for me. I can see how the US is a great country and we have a lot of freedoms and opportunities, and I am very fortunate to live here as opposed to say, Saudia Arabia, but I don't always think that the US is the greatest country on earth and I am not always proud of the US and our decisions as a country. I think there are many other countries with similar freedoms and opportunites and some things I think are better than the US (healthcare for all, gay rights, etc). The US does not rank highly among developed countries in many measures.

I was not proud of the US during Hurricane Katrina. I'm not proud of the fact that every single anti-gay marriage/adoption ballot measure passed last night. I'm not proud of how the rest of the world sees us as arroagant and unilateral. I'm not proud of the measly percentage of our GDP we give to foreign aid. I can certainly appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of our military, and I do admire their service and dedication to this country, but I'm not always proud of the things they do (Abu Grhaib).

I think the US is a great country, but it is not always the "greatest." I'm very glad I live here and have the opportunites and freedoms I have, but I really do think I could be equally happy living in Scadanavia, Canada, or somewhere else.
Exactly. Put much better than I could have done since I have so much work to do (I really have GOT to work today!). But if you really think the US is so above every other country in the world I think you should do some more traveling and research.
I understand patriotism. I'm glad people are patriotic and love the country they live in. I'm glad to live here and think there are some really good opportunities here. But do I think this is the BEST PLACE in the whole world? Um, no. Am I ALWAYS proud to be an American? Hell no. I was living in Greece when Bill Clinton's impeachment was going on and I was far from proud to be an American then. It was embarrassing.
I have got to log off and got some work done now. Gah.

wellfleet04:
eclaires, people in this post did say the US was the "greatest country on earth" as a way of demonstrating their patriotism. I guess that was my point. I don't define patriotism the way it seems like a lot of people do (not just in this post, but in general). I don;t think you have to always support the president or think the US is the greatest country on earth or above other countries to appreciate this country's values and what it stands for. I don't think you have to ALWAYS be proud to be an American to be patriotic. I don't agree with Cleo that I've NEVER felt patriotic, but I don't think it has to be a 100% of the time thing.

The definition of patriotism over the last 8 years (the whole "you're either with us, or your against us" mentality and the idea that you are unpatriotic if you don't support every.single. anti-terrorism propopsal, Patriot Act, etc) has really rubbed people the wrong way, including me, and I'm guessing Cleo. I think you can be patriotic without being exclusionary. Does that make sense?

I love the quote feature, and I love that you ladies said everything I was thinking.

To me patriotism is about more than just loving this country. I am happy that I live in the United States. I am happy with the opportunities and rights that I have. I feel like this is such a historical moment for the US. We came together and put prejudices aside when choosing to elect the nation's first African American president. I feel like patriotism is about loving the country and being proud of her people and having hope for the future. I have all three of those things now.

eclaires · November 2008

Angela, I can honestly say, I feel that way every day. Even if there are some bad people here. Even if the country is going a way I might disagree with. Every day is a day I love this country, have hope for the future and am proud of the citizens here.

mags2041 · November 2008

I feel love for my country - I'm luck to have been born here, wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. But this is the most proud I've ever been of my country.

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