Capitol Hill Blue Forums Misc. Topics Ain't This America Instilling Patriotism the American Way

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That is an utterly ridiculous and absurd statement. You have obviously been watching too much Amadeus.

But I couldn't agree with you more! Rock-and-roll does represent American culture!

And words cannot express my sorrow and shame that such a curse has befallen my native country.

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I am quite aware that many treasures of high culture are preserved in the United States and that there are many more-or-less civilized citizens who can appreciate them. Why not? The USA is a rich country, and can well afford these luxuries for the few.

As a whole, though, in the greater society, they are few and far between. They are the tattered remnants of beauty, tiny islets crumbling before the onslaughts of the savage sea surrounding them, lashed by waves of frenzied info-tainment, and the barbaric screams and whoops and hollers of the cannibal hordes who encircle them.

The remnants of beauty and harmony and taste are reduced to being museum pieces, no longer guiding stars for living society, which descends ever further into disorder, crime, murder---and worst of all---bad taste!

I am so old, I can remember when the Pledge did not contain the words, "under God".

When I was in the fourth grade, one morning I got to school a bit late, and when I entered the classroom the Pledge was just beginning. I quickly hung up my coat, and finished the remainder of the Pledge with my hand over my heart. Afterwards, the teacher came over and reproved me, saying that I should have immediately joined in the Pledge before I hung up my coat.

Even at that young age, I remember thinking something like, "Why am I being subjected to this goofiness?"

Wasn't I precocious? · · ·

There is beauty and culture available to everyone-not just in the US, but in all the world. One just has to be willing to look for it. It doesn't have to be in a museum or concert hall. But it does have to be with an open mind. Anyone can turn a radio(even a cheap one) and find music that stirs the soul and interests the mind. Nature can be seen by just watching birds that fly around, or land in the yard. Even inner cities can be cultural, if looked at with inquiry.

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What you write is so true, Scoutgal.

But wouldn't it be better if our cities and society were made more beautiful, so that that it wouldn't be such a struggle to find beauty in America?

If most of the goofiness to which Americans are so attached were thrown into the garbage bin of history, that would certainly make America more beautiful.

Yes, it would. Many cities are trying, in spite of the economic crisis. But isn't it also better to look for the beauty? And to try and create beauty oneself?

Welcome back mama. Are we talking about a beautiful nation or an increase in patriotism? In California we had a huge citizen group called "California Beautiful" and it was started by the wife of our President Lady Bird Johnson. I was a rabid Republican but sat with her at a fund raising luncheon. She mailed me a package of Texas wildflower seeds and we spread them all over the area where we lived.

Not all of us see beauty with the same eyes. I look to the people for the beauty of any city. I used to see D.C. as one of the most beautiful cities in America but I won't visit there again as I can smell the corruption. It's like Berlin even after Hitler. One can smell the corruption.

I would be delighted if the GOP would get off their holy horses and work with the people as they happen to be. The GOP wants to save Americans instead of respecting them. We GOP members are leaving the ship and want nothing to do with any God in our government. God belongs in the home and churches not in our House, Senate and White House. When the Christians were in charge in Massachusetts they burned their women to death to rid them of Satan. No! Never again!

Patriotism is a respect for the laws of the Nation. Patriotism should never be measured by our religion.

As a child,
I pledge allegiance to the flag
And love my nation as a child
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want
As a child
Under god.

Then gone to Vietnam
Held a friend crying
For his mommy,
Like a child
With his guts blown out
Until silence stole the love
Of a child...


Me

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Yes, California is full of "Lady Bountifuls" dedicated to making it more beautiful---and yet it keeps getting uglier and uglier.