I ask this because as Australians we are often baffled by the parades and pomp we see displayed during many other country's national days (such as Bastille Day, Independence Day etc.), when Australia Day is usually seen as an excuse to gather with mates around the BBQ.
As well as this, we are often faced with the likes of America with their "aren't we just grand?" type attitudes, leaving us Aussies often scratching our heads in utter disbelief.
So I ask - is patriotism just another form of arrogance, or is it just that it is often taken to the point of excessiveness?
2006-10-29 19:21:19 · 16 answers · asked by freddy.jumpfrog 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
True patriotism is having the courage to disagree with what your
country does in your name, BECAUSE you love it.
Nationalism, is the cowardly fear of disagreeing with your country
even when you KNOW it is wrong.
Judge each individual on his own merits, and make up your own
mind about what kind of person they are.
2006-10-29 20:06:13 · answer #1 · answered by Farnham the Freeholder 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Excessive Patriotism
2017-01-15 04:34:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being an American, I celebrate independence day the way most Americans do. Have a BBQ, and go see fireworks. It seems fairly low key to me. However, The movies and TV portray the event in a much more stereotypical light, so I can understand the misinterpretation other countries have of July fourth, and maybe a couple of other patriotic holidays. On the other hand, despite our "arrogance" and all of our other negitive traits, We have a surprising amount of immigrants from these countries who shake their fingers at what a terrible country we have.
2006-10-30 00:04:35 · answer #3 · answered by bumppo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The patriotism that is far to excessive is a way to say, "Hey! I'm a good guy! Don't shoot! I'm waving a flag, see??" I don't own anything with the colors red, white and blue on the same thing, I just picked about five flags out of the flowerbed at my new house. Maybe its the same as when the Jews painted their doorways with blood for the first Passover. "I'm a good American!" is all that says. I consider myself a patriot in the original sense. In the Revolutionary War model. Fight the power that's oppressive for peace and freedom.
Real patriots don't need to wave flags.
2006-10-30 03:39:58 · answer #4 · answered by mindrizzle 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The excessive celebrations and parades arent just for their patriotism. On 4th of July EVERYONE in America parties and yada yada, yet liberals have no sense of pride in their country or as you said patriotism, allegiance. So its not patriotism were talking about, its just a reason to gather around and drink and do something that you dont get to do everyday. You can have a BBQ with friends anyday, you dont get to get drunk and shoot off fireworks til 4 AM all the time...
2006-10-29 19:33:11 · answer #5 · answered by wcbaseball4 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it is.
What you must ask is how important is your country before you make judgments.
If you think of your country the same as you think of your children, you will soon find that arrogance is a mild word for the feeling.
There are many different ways to show your feelings toward your country. Parades are just a cymbal of that feeling.
2006-11-01 14:44:05 · answer #6 · answered by Mr.Been there 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree it is......only when taken to the point of excess......I suppose we have our bbq's and watch the fa/18's fly overhead on this day because it's not an independence day like the other countries mentioned...we didn't go to war for ours...like many countries...we just signed something and that was that...i think we probably take ours a bit more for granted too because of it......we show our pride more on anzac day...
2006-10-29 19:38:18 · answer #7 · answered by 67ImpalaSS 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How can the decendants of a British prison colony have any pride at all from where they are from? Americans have something to celebrate of July 4th, your right. The Australians have no such holiday that they hold sacred, for that, I'm sorry for you and any other pathetic Australian that would mock the US's Patriotism. Go ahead and gather around your BBQ, while will build the future here in the US.
2006-10-29 19:32:44 · answer #8 · answered by Tim 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
What you see in the news is not what relay happens. yes there are a few parades with the boyscouts and vets. It give the school marching bands sometime to do. For the most part it is a time to think about friends and family as well as why we are free.
2006-10-30 02:46:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well...ask yourself this: are you proud to be Australian? Do you believe in what your country stands for? Do you support your system (contribute to society, etc)? Would you defend your homeland (even if it's your own private property) in the event of a foreign invasion? If you answered "Yes" to any of the above, that would make you patriotic...it would NOT necessarily make you arrogant. If you were to adopt the typical American attitude of "We're nember one and f--k the lot of ya!" then you'd be arrogant. Generally, I find the Aussies I've met over the years to be quite modest vis-a-vis their national pride, which I actually find quite refreshing...I'm no fan of the American attitude myself. Even us Canadians aren't that gung-ho, and thank Christ for that...being America's next door neighbour is probably our biggest cross to bear.
2006-10-29 21:39:10 · answer #10 · answered by J.A.R. 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Patriotism formed from reason is the only kind that is not a faith.
On Independence day I consider the things that Americans have lost.
2006-10-29 19:26:01 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋