Hating America

[Stark Evade]

I think hating America is nothing more than a fashion statement... a social conforming born from narrow-mindedness and want of a sense of meaningful, intellectual community and the inability to separate people and culture from political activity. It's like adopting the "I hate Starbucks" mentality because some tumor of a human being you met in a Wal-Mart bathroom told you it's evil and took away your ability to see that a coffee bean is just a goddamn coffee bean, especially when you walk across the street to another coffee shop and order the same dilluted girl drink that has no freaking coffee in it. There are things I hate about the United States but I'm not so childish that it would keep me from appreciating the many things that are deserving of appreciation. It has a high immigration rate just like England and France and I'm sure all three are good countries with plenty to offer. I don't have to hate one to like the other. Hell I probably will leave the U.S. eventually and go to Europe but that does not mean I will go to which ever country I go to and complain about America. I am not a needy drama queen.

What's your opinion? Do you think the United States is a completely worthless, evil country deserving of hate or do you have a modicum of intelligence?

[Inna]

I agree with you Stark Evade. I don't understand how any person living in the states would feel hatred towards the US. If you hate it then leave, there are plenty of people in this world who would be more than happy to move here and be offered the many opprotunites that are offered here. Of course this country isn't perfect, no country is. You can't blame the entire nation for its mistakes, people make mistakes, nations make mistakes, we cant hold a grudge against any particular nation for the mistakes they've made in the past. I'm grateful for this country and everything that has been given to me here. Not once did my family ever have to worry about not having a roof over our head, or not having any food to feed the family, or not having warm clothes for the winter. And that I am very grateful for.

[nunechka]

i think america is a good country, with good intentions and i agree with your statement stark... America has lots of good things to offer and just because we have a dummy for a president now, and just recently america has a bad reputation does not mean it is a bad country...

we just have to get up off our butts and be active so that it doesnt become this way again... the point of a democracy is that people control the government, and lately we havent had anything our way... education system is not funded, sure bush passed the amenedment, but he didnt give it any money, as a matter of fact is has funded it less then in previous years (oh those great years of clinton, when you felt safe) anywho, no way, america is progressive... and i really like living here... but i dont like bush, his administration, his cabinet, the congress, senate, house of reps, and the judicial branch (which are all NOW republican dominated) dont represent AMERICA... this does not represent how the wolrd used to see america...

so i think you are right, people are jsut playing a stupid (i hate america) s**t only as a fashion statement... its fake... its unjustified, and its unfair for the people who are really American...

[Stark Evade]

Of course, it's not only people living here; same goes for other countries, mainly secular European countries. And the same goes for American's who project the same mentality about the French, the English, and the Canadians.

[Stark Evade]

I read, on another forum, something to the effect of "This is a stupid country; it has nothing to offer other than Ernest Hemingway." Really? It has given nothing to the world? No scientific contributions? No artistic contributions?

[HyeJinx1984]

I know it's a cliche, but it is true "Love thy country, hate thy government." I'd imagine that's how most of us feel about Armenia, why would it be any different for the U.S.?

[ckBejug]

What's your opinion? Do you think the United States is a completely worthless, evil country deserving of hate or do you have a modicum of intelligence?

Yeah, hating America is “cool” in the right circles. These people use mindless, thoughtless rhetoric backed by dubious sources to join the “in crowd.” But a great deal of it lacks sincerity and reeks of self-promotion. It seems to be the new black. What to do when you don't know what to do. And a number of other over-used over-rated cliche's.

However, I don't think that critical thoughts about America, Bush, the war, etc. are wrong. Quite the contrary - that's what’s right about this country. The freedom we have to express ourselves if we think our President isn't too bright and the freedom we have to do something about it by voting.... I frequently criticize this thing or that thing that I think is wrong with America. To object to America’s policies of late, to object to its actions, and to say that it could do better is not hating America. It doesn't mean that I hate it here, nor does it mean that I love it. It means that I like it enough to see that with certain changes it could be a better place. I think what's wrong with America is, for one example, those conservatives who keep trying to amend the Constitution to enshrine their personal opinions and alienate our liberties in the name of safety with things like the Patriot Act and illegalization of abortion. Examples like this don't just come from the conservatives, the liberals do the same, in their own way. But I don’t think these people hate America either. They’re just trying to protect and improve it in what they think is the best way. I think the answer lies in the people to vote for officials, leaders who don't have their own best interests in mind. *Shocker*, right? I know it's obvious but what with all the apathy out there, maybe it's not so obvious. We must find people who care more about the good of the country than the petty agendas of any one party. They must care more about doing the job than keeping it. They will have to be willing to work together, yet stand firm when something harmful is being forced upon them.

That said, I think hating America is like the flavor of the week/month/year for certain too cool people. But then there are those of us out there who have at least two brain cells to rub together and we can see through all that bull.


p.s. Neither Starbucks nor Coffee Bean suck. That whole argument would be like if I said eggplants suck because I don't like the way they taste. It is obviously up to each person to decide which they think tastes better. Unless of course you are a dim-witted California (or whatever else state you can insert there) peroxide-blond dumb@ss conformist whose main goal in life is to look like whatever is the most popular thing to look like today.

[Stark Evade]

I'd like to add that I have come across many an American regurgitating the same tired platitudes about other countries like Canada, England and France with the same degree of ignorance and I often find myself defending those countries from that mentality. That way of thinking is unfounded and is sowed by defensive social impulses.

[gevo]

well, i have encountered many hard headed people who literaly hate America. Mostly Armenians, which ofcourse i always ask the question "then why dont you move back" and almsot always the answer is "because the government of Armenia has ruined Armenia, and its not possible to live their".. well.. jeee.. how smart are these people??? obviously not smart enough, which is why it is mindless to discuss anythign with them, or even this topic becuase it takes complete stupidity to make such a statement as "i hate America"

And, its not the government we should hate, its the fact that there is more than one party in the government which is the problem.. but ofcourse, that is inevitable due to simple human nature.. whatever that is haha

[Genuine_Stud]

Those who hate America should really go slap themselves in the face.

You come to this country to escape yours and the minute you get here you say "I hate America" because some dushbag that doesn't know any better himself/herself tells you their thoughts on this country and you're to quick with your narrow mindness to assume their view as correct. WTF is that all about ?!

Fine... go back to the old soviet rule where you had to hide how much you made and couldn't enjoy life because you had to be regarded as an equal with others.
Or go back to the muslim countries where you couldn't pray, sing, or dance freely like you do here. "I hate America" ...... phuckin hypocrites.

I mean yea.... there are a few things that I "dislike" about America, but not that much that it causes "hate" in me. I'd rather be part of the solution, rather than the problem, you know what I mean?

People need to start seeing the big perspective of things and stop being so narrow minded. That's why most Armenians are still kinda "hedamnats" in America.