patriotism in other countries

[amelie]

I am going to put my subject here because its last place didn"t seem right!
Quote:
Originally Posted by amelie
hello! i am sorry but i am not sure that my message have any meaning with this subject but i am a fifteen year old french girl and since i was very young i am very interested in the USA!This country is so wonderful!My english is not perfect but i would like telling you that your site is very very nice!In France, it would not exist a website such as this.Well done!Bravo!Here, patriotism don't exist any more.that drives me sad! My country is good too..!does anybody know why americans are so proud of their flag or their country?it is very well!I would like doing a website such as this about patriotism in France but people would insult me and would say i am racist.For some people loving her country means hating by example imigrants.
I hope you will understand what i mean.
So,continue your website on the road of the patriotism!

[sarahw]

Hello, Amelie,

I do think that America is unique in its patriotism, and in the fact that you can be patriotic without standing 100 percent behind your government or being considered against other countries.

During the recent World Cup, I read that people in Germany were happy to have a reason to feel patriotic again and to get to express patriotism and not feel like the world was thinking they were Nazis just because they were proud to be German. Every country has done bad things and good things, and just because you are proud of where you are from does not mean you support everything your country has ever done.

I've been thinking a lot lately about why the American flag is such a potent symbol, probably more than any other flag on the planet. I haven't come up with a satisfying answer, but I'm sure some of it has to do with the reverence and respect we show to the flag. We are raised to treat the flag as this powerful symbol, so that's what it is for us.

If anyone has a better answer I'd love to hear it.

Sarah

[amelie]

thank you for your answer!good bye !

[vol]

i am a russian .i love the USA

[teatime]

Well, there were times in French history when the fleg was more of a symbol than now. But don't forget that we had to fight 2 world wars on our territory and that each side was proud of it's flag. It is hard not to think of all the wars that were fought when you see the flag. People in Europe are being cautious which doesn't mean they don't love their country.

[american_flag_uk]

im English and love the usa.... im glad to be surrounded by other foreigners that feel the same!

1st i starting loving th American flag then i started studying its history and now i collect them too! i have 38 so far. !
it also prompted me to be interested in flags of the states the confederate flags and international flags and indeed my own flag! now i can call myself a beginner vexillologist! my most known about flag has to be the USA flag

[Phil_US]

USA USA USA USA
I love to say that word, because i love usa. USA is the best country of the world. God Bless USA. THANKS!!

[Peter Ansoff]

Well, there were times in French history when the fleg was more of a symbol than now.

I was in Rheims many years ago during the Bastille Day celebrations. The sight of all those beautiful tricolors snapping in the wind against the blue sky was one of the most inspiring things that I've ever seen. The French flag is still a great symbol!

Peter Ansoff

[TMHowlett]

Amelie,
For me, I guess, what patriotism means most is remembering those that died to give us the right to believe what we wish, and to live the way we want. I have the good fortune to have been born into a family who has always stood behind our flag and what it stands for, (even if that meant that they had to fight for it, though we have always tried to find another way), and that is "Freedom". We may not always agree with our government, but as my grandfather once told me that as long as we vote them into office we have the right and responsibility to tell them when we do not like what they are doing.
So make your website, and I think that you may find that there are more folks out there that are just like you, and just do not know how to show it!!
This world would be a much better place if we "ALL" showed our pride in it a little more.

[TMHowlett]

Amelie,
For me, I guess, what patriotism means most is I'm free, and remembering those that died to give us that right. As well as the right to believe what we wish, and to live the way we want. I wish everyone in the world could have those same rights.
I had the good fortune to have been born into a family who has always stood behind our flag and what it stands for, (even if that meant that they had to fight for it, though we have always tried to find another way), and that is "Freedom". We may not always agree with our government, but as my grandfather once told me that as long as we vote them into office we have the right and responsibility to tell them when we do not like what they are doing.
So make your website, and I think that you may find that there are more folks out there that are just like you, and just do not know how to show it!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND BEST WISHES Amelie, I will be looking forward to seeing your site if you get it working.