Patriotism

[S O F I]

Do you feel a shift in the sense of what patriotism means to Americans after tonight?

When Bush was in power, patriotism seemed to be rooted in fear of the enemy and the hate for the enemy. Patriotism was fighting for your country in Iraq or voting for the Patriot Act. (patriot=patriotism, duh right?)

With Obama, I sense strong patriotism in the air but of a different kind. Patriotism in the sense of being inspired, motivated, and working together for a better future. Not me personally necessarily, but just from what I felt watching the election for most of the day today.

I can't predict the future, but I'm excited for these next 8 ( ) years. Tough times ahead.


Now, here's where Puff comes in and says "patriotism means paying higher taxes" thinking he's witty.

 

[ARon]

I would think Puff would say Patriotism means paying you $20! (At least I think it was him that made the bet.)

I agree with what you're saying though. This is an optimistic patriotism not one rooted in hate. It's something special, something I've never seen. Just seeing how people were acting on the news was amazing to watch, it was like we were all at our favorite concert or something. This is the first time that I've actually taken pride in what transpired on election day, I'm gonna remember it forever.

I'm glad Obama mentioned that we have a very tough road ahead of us cus him being elected was just the first step, we have a lot more work to do but people are inspired so I'm not worried.


Also...mother fuck Palin in 2012.

 

[Casey]

I agree. I know a lot of American expats who almost felt ashamed to be Americans in foreign countries because of Bush. Patriotic they were not. My wife even said she wouldn't move back to the States if McCain won.

Now they all feel proud to be American again and hopeful, because with Obama in power, the future is looking very good for America.

I think his story is inspirational to everyone. It's proof that in America, no matter your background, you really can do or be anything you want to if you set your mind to it. I mean, we're talking about a place where 50 years ago a minority couldn't even sit down on a damn bus, and now there's a black president! It's amazing.

 

[S. Fourteen]

There's a shift alright, and it seems all very artificial like a class room full of kids that just got a better looking younger teacher. I think Obama will be a good image for people of America but that's where my excitement ends.

Casey's wife is a great example - She wouldn't have moved back to the States if McCain won - like McCain is Bush's evil twin. It doesn't make sense to me. It's not a dictatorship like some people would want you to believe heh, why are we giving Obama two thumbs up even before he enters office? We're talking about a human being who is capable of making mistakes.

I know one thing, the President Elect has lots of work to do, especially with these high expectations or high hopes that people are displaying.

Then again, I'm talking about America here - just a major celebrity scandal away from a shift in attention.

... in America, no matter your background, you really can do or be anything you want to if you set your mind to it.

A conservative says that under the Bush Admin. and he gets called a fucking sheep. There's a shift alright.

 

[Casey]

A conservative says that under the Bush Admin. and he gets called a fucking sheep. There's a shift alright.

You can say it till you're blue in the face but Obama has proved it.

 

[ArtsyGirl]

It's definitely a more prideful patriotism. I think when Bush was re-elected it was more a "well I guess we better support our President". It was the most interesting American election I've seen.

 

[Casey]

Two more interesting examples.

My friends mom started a new job last Wednesday. The first thing the CEO of the company did at the first presentation was show a picture of Obama and he spoke about how this was the first time he was proud to be an American in 8 years.

And I heard on the news, that in Austria on Wednesday, a random woman ran up to a guy she heard speaking with an American accent, kissed him on the cheek and said 'Thank You'.

This is one very inspiring leader we have here folks, and I've said it from day one.

 

[Preach]

Two more interesting examples.

My friends mom started a new job last Wednesday. The first thing the CEO of the company did at the first presentation was show a picture of Obama and he spoke about how this was the first time he was proud to be an American in 8 years.

And I heard on the news, that in Austria on Wednesday, a random woman ran up to a guy she heard speaking with an American accent, kissed him on the cheek and said 'Thank You'.

This is one very inspiring leader we have here folks, and I've said it from day one.

maybe so, but just, rofl at that austrian woman if it's true. be more corny please.

 

[_carmi]

i was watching the news when he got elected, there were all kinds of people from all kinds (white, black, asians, hispanics, gays, straights, etc) and they were crying, smiling, looking at him like he was god and was going to change the world. it almost seemed like an american movie to me because it seemed so unreal. these everyday people were inspired by him, eating each and every of his words. i have to say it was quite incredible. never saw this in my life. he is the american dream after all.

 

[The.Menace]

I agree with what has been sad here. Bush did abuse the word. And hopefully it changes now, it's about time that the image of the US in the world changes for the better!