THEWULFMAN wrote:Okay, now you're being offensive(again). So all Americans are uncivil fanatical patriots without a brain in their head? That's sure is what it sounds like.
As cute as it is that you're trying so hard, Wulf, you've completely missed my entire point. And as sadly entertaining as these last few responses have been to me, I'm actually feeling somewhat compelled to explain, lest this fracas continue in its utter stupidity.
THEWULFMAN wrote:What if I said I was eternally thankful I wasn't born a Canadian? ... Wouldn't you be offended? Of course. That's offensive.
No, I would not be offended. I would simply call that reasonable dialogue, and honestly, the very first thing that I would want to consider would be
why you would feel that way. You are welcome to your own opinions and perspectives, just as you are welcome to share them. And admittedly, yes, you are just as welcome to tell me off for expressing mine. But there is a dichotomy here that is generally overlooked when
patriotism comes into play.
If I had stated that I was eternally thankful I was not born as a man, does that give every male on these forums the right to insult me?
If I had stated that I was eternally thankful I was not born as a Muslim, does that give... (random Muslim poster?) the right to insult me?
If I had stated that I was eternally thankful I was not born as a math prodigy, does that give 3.14pi the right to insult me?
Yes, you are certainly welcome to tell me off on the issue of patriotism, but where the average individual would either scoff at or at least stop and consider the above statements as possibly ridiculous, more often than not, when it comes to American patriotism, these rules do not apply. If you do not agree with American patriotism, then you are an enemy who must be denigrated and belittled. This is the way the social dynamic of patriotism currently functions. Someone here (I forget who?) has a signature from a famous author relating much of the same.
All four of the above are not made by choice. They are just a part of who you are (at least until the age when parental choices are unable to dictate). So why is it, then, that one of these is not like the other? Why is patriotism so exempt from the rules of conduct and decency that we hold ourselves to with things like gender and religion?
EDIT: Wait, that was a stupid sentence. Tch. 
All you have done here is prove my point.
THEWULFMAN wrote:Matthew's Dad (an exceedingly obvious patriotic retired-military man) only insulted you (though he did go way too far in my opinion) after you insulted his country.
I am aware (in internet relativity, anyways) of what kind of person MD is. I vaguely recall reading somewhere on here that he has also served in combat (correct person, yes?), which also deservedly affords him respect. I am clearly cognizant of the fact that I insulted his country, as was my intentions, so it would be illogical for me to actually hold anything against him for
slandering me on the internet. Oh noes.
I have nothing against MD. He is one of the more upstanding members of this board. Which only goes to further prove my point when someone who should clearly carry himself with such respect and dignity would resort to flinging feces on the Internet over patriotism. (My apologies for targeting you with that one, MD, but... it was you.) Honestly, it would actually be somewhat irresponsible to be offended by anything MD had said when I pretty much baited him into saying it.
But as to the actual posts I made.... Story time!
I was having a discussion about the ridiculousness of this upcoming Total Recall remake with my boyfriend when the conversation inevitably turned to Batman, and before long, some interview he saw with that Micheal Moore about how it relates to gun control. I mentioned that this thread existed and my various rationales for staying out of it (as described above), including the fact that I expected it to be positively dripping with enough patriotism to warrant needing wet floor signage. My boyfriend then proceeded to argue this fact with me, going so far as to say that I would only find a reasonable and responsible debate about gun control, and that nobody would be offended if I expressed this point of view.
So we made a bet, and we agreed upon the rules, and then I made my post - innocently incendiary, but on purpose, because
I knew someone would get butt-hurt and start insulting me right away. I didn't know that it would be MD, but I knew someone would, and as I laughingly told my boyfriend, I was (am?) maybe... two? posts away from being told that I am less than human and / or deserve to die.
Or, perhaps the more realistic outcome, I'd simply be banned, which somehow makes duping my boyfriend into paying me $10 less... rewarding.
Seriously, though, let's be realistic here. What, exactly, do you think I have to gain by wading into a thread full of American patriots, half of them with military backgrounds, and making anti-American statements? Why would I do this? What is the rationale? What could I possibly be getting out of it?
None of these things occurred to you because I am simply 'the enemy'. Patriotism is the only subject in which this occurs with such tantamount surety as the sun rising. You will not see this happen so regularly with any other
topic, only other
individuals.
My first post accomplished three very distinct things; it proved my point of view right, first and foremost. Secondly, it won me a free lunch. And lastly, it gave me the curiously alarming awareness that my boyfriend has apparently never set foot on the Internet before.
For my
second post? No ulterior motives there. That was actually all me, because that is my personal view, and while tossing gasoline on a fire with my name on it is not always the brightest course of action, my own sense of personal accountability will dictate that I at least give a reasonable rationale for my actions, even if I'm a [female dog] in the process.
In the end, however, my original sentiment still stands; I really detest these type of threads, because nobody wins, and someone, somewhere, gets butt-hurt. And this discussion doesn't actually mean enough to me personally to justify wanting to publicly argue / defend it
on the Internet. Because let's be honest, now, what bearing does it really have on my life? And even if I am right, so what? Who cares?
So now that I've won my $10 and hopefully explained this in a way that makes sense, I will again resume my avoidance. Hate me, don't hate me, insult me, dissect my post, whatever floats your boat. If you wants to reasonably discuss this with me, you know where to find me. Otherwise, have fun in here, and don't shoot each other.
