How many of our fellow citizens really hate the USA?

6SpeedTA95 · 09-09-2006, 03:33 PM

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: America-hating nutjob Fred Phelps condemns Stewart, Colbert

I've been doing some reading and just watched the above video and its got me thinking about how many of our fellow citizens hate this country? It seems that there's a fringe group, probably 1% of the population that really does hate this country. Both on the right and on the left.

Those on the far FAR right bitch and moan that we've become secular, that God is unleashing his wrath on the country for our openess and tolerance toward "sinful" behavior and individuals.

Those on the far FAR left hate it when America stands up for itself. They hate it when we take a stand for whats right. We deserved to be attacked on september 11th for our intolerance and us trying to force our views on the rest of the world.

Quite frankly I get sick of this crap. Granted their speech is protected under the first amendment but holy hell how do these nut jobs get so much press time?

JaJae · 09-09-2006, 03:36 PM

There will always be people who will dislike their home country. There always has been and always will be. The best we can do as a nation is listen to their message and tell them to fuck off if we disagree.

6SpeedTA95 · 09-09-2006, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by JaJae

There will always be people who will dislike their home country. There always has been and always will be. The best we can do as a nation is listen to their message and tell them to fuck off if we disagree.

Dislike is different than hate is it not? Seems to me that many of these people just flat hate this country. There's a lot of people that dislike the country or at least the leadership and direction of the country right now but they dont hate the country...or are we arguing of semantics here?

JaJae · 09-09-2006, 03:45 PM

Well hate is a degree of disliking.

Personally I find people who dislike our country to be annoying. I hate hearing people bitch about their country like they're ashamed or something. You can disagree, you can dislike the current officials, but to show blatand dislike for your nation as a whole I find irritating. Nobody is forcing you to live here. You don't like it, go to Mexico.

Obviously people will go through phases and may be in a love/hate relationship with America. But I find it annoying when people have nothing nice to say about their home country and do absolutely everything in their power to point out only the negative. These people also tend to have an elitist attitude as if they're smarter than the average person because they can see things that we can't. When in reality it's not that they can see things we're unable to, it's that they've put in on blinders and only choose to see the bad. This makes them annoying to the average citizen and often makes people they are discussing politics with to get annoyed and rather than argue their individual points, they end up arguing the logic and motives of the person. This often makes that person feel empowered as if they're being attacked because their debating opponent "can't" counter their point. When in reality we've just stopped caring what they have to say.

My brother is one of these people and I can't stand it. There are always a few on political forums. Some sites depending on their political affiliation whill have more (ie - Stormfront and Democratic Underground).

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-09-2006, 04:20 PM

I dunno and I don't care. I think it's irrelevant and lowers the political dialogue to even inquire. How someone feels about their country says nothing about their arguments about it, and bringing it up tends to lead to ad hominem name calling. Someone could absolutely hate the country and have a great argument about policy, while the most unwaivering, flag-wrapped patriot could have disasterous ideas.

Sandrabon · 09-09-2006, 05:54 PM

If people truly hate this country, they are free to leave. I don't understand the argument. Not liking things that are going on is far from hate, and when you don't like it in this country you have the right to voice your opinion or get out and do something about it. But hate? Americans who really "hate" America? If freedom is not their cup of tea, they can always leave. What keeps them here? The fact that in this country you are free to feel whatever you feel? So in the end do they really "hate"?

KatKanPlay · 09-09-2006, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

Hot Air » Blog Archive » Video: America-hating nutjob Fred Phelps condemns Stewart, Colbert

I've been doing some reading and just watched the above video and its got me thinking about how many of our fellow citizens hate this country? It seems that there's a fringe group, probably 1% of the population that really does hate this country. Both on the right and on the left.

Those on the far FAR right bitch and moan that we've become secular, that God is unleashing his wrath on the country for our openess and tolerance toward "sinful" behavior and individuals.

Those on the far FAR left hate it when America stands up for itself. They hate it when we take a stand for whats right. We deserved to be attacked on september 11th for our intolerance and us trying to force our views on the rest of the world.

Quite frankly I get sick of this crap. Granted their speech is protected under the first amendment but holy hell how do these nut jobs get so much press time?

After having just given 10 mins of my time for this topic, I am not sure I understand your use of this video to inspire a conversatiion as requested by the topic of your thread? What does a video spewing fire and brimstone at population at large have to do with hating America?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-09-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sandrabon

If freedom is not their cup of tea, they can always leave. What keeps them here? The fact that in this country you are free to feel whatever you feel? So in the end do they really "hate"?

What does freedom have to do with it? Most of the 1st world is just as free as America is. America is not special in that regard.

lew · 09-09-2006, 06:21 PM

I love my country.

I hate our government.

IminWonderland · 09-09-2006, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by lew

I love my country.

I hate our government.

Well, I think that's maybe when people are looked at like they "hate" their country, it's not necessarily the country, but the people running it may make the feel like they hate their country, but it's really the government they hate.

I love Caliornia. I consider myself a Californian. But, I hate California. I hate what it's become, and I hate the way it's going........Whatever that means...

Sandrabon · 09-09-2006, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by lew

I love my country.

I hate our government.

I agree, I too love my country, can't stand our government.

Sandrabon · 09-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

What does freedom have to do with it? Most of the 1st world is just as free as America is. America is not special in that regard.

That was the question. Why, if they hate this country, do they stay? It was a question, not an answer. I was supposing that they don't leave because they are free, however, the question remains - what is keeping them here if they hate it so much?

KatKanPlay · 09-09-2006, 06:55 PM

So if one doesnt agree with the video. Do they hate America?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 09-09-2006, 06:55 PM

Originally Posted by Sandrabon

I was supposing that they don't leave because they are free, however, the question remains - what is keeping them here if they hate it so much?

Practical considerations. You can't just pick up and move to another country. It's very difficult, if not impossible, for most people to gain citizenship or a work visa, not to mention finding work is going to be almost impossible if you don't speak the language well.

Thorgrim · 09-09-2006, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by lew

I love my country.

I hate our government.

US soldiers are government workers in a government program

You hate the government, you hate the troops

lew · 09-09-2006, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

US soldiers are government workers in a government program

You hate the government, you hate the troops

I do hate alot of troops. And alot of police. And alot of politicians.

But of course, when I said I hate our government, I meant it's system, not it's people. Although I do hate several of the people within that system.

IminWonderland · 09-10-2006, 03:12 AM

Originally Posted by lew

I do hate alot of troops. And alot of police. And alot of politicians.

But of course, when I said I hate our government, I meant it's system, not it's people. Although I do hate several of the people within that system.

Kytro · 09-10-2006, 06:55 AM

It doesn't help that idea of hating the US gets used a propaganda tool - this makes it hard to tell what people mean by hating the US.

With 9/11 for example, one could think the US deserved it without hating the US.

Ardentfrost · 09-10-2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

US soldiers are government workers in a government program

You hate the government, you hate the troops

That also must mean he hates himself then, since he works for the gov't.

Me too

beez · 09-10-2006, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

That also must mean he hates himself then, since he works for the gov't.

Me too

Quit stealing my hard-earned money