• If you are unhappy with the state of your country, make it one you can be proud of.
    16 replies, posted
Nationalism and Patriotism, as most of us know, are two very different things. I was born in India, grew to the age of 13 in the Middle East, and then came to Canada. I've since come to love this country and all that it stands for. I don't have to like the conservative party in power - My views and theirs do not agree - But my love for Canada as a country remains undiminished. From all that I've seen, Canadians strive to uphold principles of liberty and equality. They seek less to judge others than to understand them, and they welcome foreigners and their cultures with a curious enthusiasm I have never seen anywhere else in the world. The goal of law enforcement here is not to be Justice's avenging sword, but to be a shield for the innocent, to serve and protect in the truest sense. I am proud to be a citizen of Canada. This land is our land, and I, for my part, will do my best to make it a country others will admire too. I also love America. Your country is a country in turmoil, but do not let yourself be discouraged. While there are an unfortunate number of Americans who seek to change the country to protect their own interests or harm those of a group they hate, there are many more who remember the principles upon which the country was founded and do their best to perpetuate them. For, in the words of Mark Twain, "in a republic, who is "the Country"? Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant — merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. Who, then, is "the country?" Is it the newspaper? Is it the pulpit? Is it the school-superintendent? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it; they have not command, they have only their little share in the command. They are but one in the thousand; it is in the thousand that command is lodged; they must determine what is right and what is wrong; they must decide who is a patriot and who isn’t. In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country; in a republic it is the common voice of the people. Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catch-phrases of politicians. Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country — hold up your head! You have nothing to be ashamed of." It does not matter whether you feel your country has changed or lost its way. You need to stand by what you believe in, and stand up for those beliefs, at any cost. You as an individual have tremendous power: The power to lead by example and the power to inspire, thereby giving courage and strength to those who have lost theirs. Seek not to dictate to others how they should live, but instead make yourself a shining example for all to see of the qualities you want to see in your country, and every life you touch will remember you. Many will admire you, and some may even follow you. That is how you can make a change for the better.
If you don't have money, as far as I can tell most representatives don't care. Sad world we live in, when we can't just outright impeach them because they don't listen to everyone who doesn't have money.
shut the fuck up archangel
Loving one's country is foolish; love is an irrational feeling and your love for your country will create a romanticised image, which ultimately turns out to be incorrect. Let us be realistic, an individual is extremely weak in a democratic society, while a group of individuals are stronger. That iss why your ideas and notions need support, simply being an individual driven by your political beliefs won't make you admirable, you need to have a rational presentation of your political beliefs, which the original poster lacks. His love for his country or possibly individualism in general has resulted in him presenting a romantised explanation which has no grip on reality. No, you must not have a "no compromise"-attitude by standing up for your beliefs at any cost, because of two reasons; firstly, society works best if you co-operate and compromise, two individuals with conflicting ideas can not apply their respective ideas simultaneously. Secondly, imagine a parliament full with independents having a no compromise-attitude, and you need a majority to pass something. It wouldn't work, nothing would ever be passed, no government would ever be formed. If anything, it would only lead to more hopelessness than that described by the original poster. If there is one thing everyone must realise, it is that society is built upon co-operation and compromise, regardless if it's a democracy, a theocracy, an autocracy, a monarchy etc. I am not saying we should compromise all the time, but we should accept compromise when needed. It's okay for a politician to be driven by his ideas, but it's not okay for a politician to not accept compromise.
[QUOTE=archangel125;34070372] They seek less to judge others than to understand them, and they welcome foreigners and their cultures with a curious enthusiasm I have never seen anywhere else in the world.[/quote] Everyone except the Boston Bruins, apparently.
all i care about is money and the city that im from
Sorry, but you're talking to Facepunch, most of us give less then half of a fuck for our country. Hell, at least half of us spend all of our time with our eyes on a screen, be it a phone, TV or a computer. [QUOTE=jeimizu;34087550]Or move to a different one. It's much quicker and easier.[/QUOTE] ^ THIS TOO.
Or move to a different one. It's much quicker and easier.
lol
heil hitler
[QUOTE=archangel125;34070372] It does not matter whether you feel your country has changed or lost its way. You need to stand by what you believe in, and stand up for those beliefs, at any cost. You as an individual have tremendous power: The power to lead by example and the power to inspire, thereby giving courage and strength to those who have lost theirs. Seek not to dictate to others how they should live, but instead make yourself a shining example for all to see of the qualities you want to see in your country, and every life you touch will remember you. Many will admire you, and some may even follow you. That is how you can make a change for the better.[/QUOTE] Time to write up a manifesto while consuming nothing but cheetos and vodka. I understand what you are getting at but it is really quite easily perverted by perspective.
There's nothing we can do, that's the sad truth.
-snip-
[QUOTE=Somebody_404;34090535]There's nothing we can do, that's the sad truth.[/QUOTE] I'm waiting until they fuck up so bad, they will just [b]have[/b] to face us or else they will be in deep shit.
Well that's that Time to overthrow the government. [QUOTE=GlebGuy;34092857]I'm waiting until they fuck up so bad, they will just [b]have[/b] to face us or else they will be in deep shit.[/QUOTE] That requires waiting around with our hands in our pockets long enough for them to do that. I'd rather not see it go that far.
[QUOTE=yuki;34095690]Well that's that Time to overthrow the government. That requires waiting around with our hands in our pockets long enough for them to do that. I'd rather not see it go that far.[/QUOTE] Even with our hands on something, they'll continue doing shit like this no matter what. Well, until that time. Edit: Snip, very stupid sorry
As a Canadian I can say our police force is not as angelic as you think, lol. Ever been to Brantford, archangel? Don't.
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