Is it okay to do absolutely anything (even if it's unethical / immoral) in the name of patriotism?

Question

Time and again we see nations encroaching, fighting, lying, denying and doing things which would be called unethical and immoral in our day to day lives.

I quote an example, “Between 1945 and 2005 the United States has attempted to overthrow more than 40 foreign governments, and to crush more than 30 populist-nationalist movements struggling against intolerable regimes... In the process, the U.S. caused the end of life for several million people, and condemned many millions more to a life of agony and despair.”

US is not the only nation to do this, but is the most recent and brazen example of this behaviour.

How many of you think that any action, be it immoral or unethical, is justified to further one's national interest? Or should we judge a country's collective actions within the same parameters as we would judge individual actions?

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_State:_A_Guide_to_the_World%27s_Only_Superpower

People are quick to point out that I used wikipedia as a source, but it's just an intermediate source. The article that I am referring to is about a book written by an American author who worked with the State Dept and the CIA.

People are quick to deviate the focus from the actual question I asked and divert it to source of information. Please refrain from doing this, and answer my question to the point.

Answer 1

Machiavelli wrote "The Prince", stating much of that. The Ends Justify the Means.

I wonder if Mr. Bush read it, since he seems to Live it so well.

I think the World Opinion of the US in the last 8 Years speaks for itself.

Yes, the US is Not the Only one to Do those Actions, Most Nations that have the Means try to.
But How many of them Declare themselves to be the Land of the Free, and Champions of Democracy?

Judge the Leadership by their Actions: Are they Doing what you'd be Proud of? Are you Better off Today because of their Results?
Vote as Often as you Can. Republicrat, Demublican, Indepennants....Whoever you Feel can make the Difference you would like to see. Then Pay Attention to What they are Doing!

I was about to Snap at a French Tourist who said, "Damn Americans, Think you are the only nation in the World." Then I realized he was Correct, and I wasn't Proud of that. I commented about the Americans that Died in France in WW1 and WW2. He apologized for his Generalization, but pointed out That was 60 years ago....I apologized that I had to back up 60 years to make a Foreign Visitor Proud of us.

I don't want there to be 60 Years before the World can be Proud of us Again!

Answer 2

The United States of America is the most evil, war-mongering state on the planet today. Not since the days of Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Idi Amin and Saddam Hussein has the world seen such unjustifiable carnage.
In a recent magazine article, the Dali Lama said: "To use the power of the gun is a sign of weakness."
George W. Bush is a weak, cowardly, corrupt world leader who should be indicted for high crimes against humanity, and - if convicted - should be publicly hanged just as hanged Saddam Hussein to 'get even' and satisfy the Bush family's personal vendetta against Hussein.
Of course, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld and all 535 members of the most incompetent, contemptible, wicked, arrogant, greedy, cowardly, corrupt Republican-led Congress in U.S. history - that turned its back while Bush ran rip shod over our Constitution - should also be tried in that same international tribunal.
Of course, all 535 members of the current most incompetent, contemptible, wicked, arrogant, greedy, cowardly, corrupt Democratic-led Congress in U.S. history - that promised to end the Iraqi war, and has done nothing of the sort - should also be tried in that same international tribunal.
Surely Satan has reserved a special oil-soaked, blood-stained corner of Hell for all of these bast*rds who believe war is an avenue toward peace. May God damn them all! -RKO- 08/12/07

Answer 3

Well, it would make more sense to enrich the entire ppopulace of the unethical country for doing such things. But that isn't how the rich play their game. They keep the spoils all to themselves. So, while I'm not an angel, I say f*** the rich for being immoral and unethical. They're too greedy to even implicate the rest of us!

Answer 4

Adultery is immoral, but not illegal. Running an unlicensed, unregistered still to make untaxed moonshine is illegal ... but not unethical or immoral. Just a couple of examples to prove that legal, moral, and ethical are three different things.

Answer 5

It is interesting to note that the US government will not allow ANY international controls(UN) on war crimes and the rules of war unless they are made exempt.
Also remember it was the US that kept Saddam in power until he crossed the line.They also put Shah Pahlavi arguably one of the most vicious dictators,in history in power with the help of the British.

Answer 6

No, it is not OK to do absolutely anything especially if it is unethical and/or immoral in the "name of patriotism". The terms "unethical" and "immoral" are direct, clear descriptive words regarding conduct that is undesirable, destructive & wrong - regardless of one's nationality or misguided patriotism.

Answer 7

Whether it is unethical or immoral is often in the eyes of the beholder. In the eyes of a terrorist supporter like you, the occupier may be the devil, but in the eyes of the people they are trying to save from you, they are not.

Answer 8

Just exactly how do you think a nation is suppose to maintain it's position in the world when another country wants to take it away? I really would like to know in simple terms without dragging everything into it how it's done.

Answer 9

If you are looking for atonement for your sins, good luck. There is not an entity in the universe who cares for all the wrongs and misdeeds being done by humanity.

Answer 10

Ask Bush