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patriotic sign

I loved this sign I saw today, and had to share it.

"Home of the free, because of the Brave."

Wed. Jun 13, 5:06pm

I love that.. alot of brave people gave their lives so we can have our freedom.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 7:30 PM

Just an assumption... You're an American! LOL
some freedom... LOL

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, 9:26 PM

I liked this patriotic sign overlaid over the red, white & blue: These Colors Don't Run.............the world.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:53 AM

9:26 and 12:53 please explain?

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 3:38 AM

yes I'm american and proud of it.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:06 AM

why try to bring politics into a site that's dedicated to weight loss/exercise etc. there are other websites/forums you can use to address this issue. i'm not american nor do i live in the US and think this message is inappropriate on peertrainer.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 8:04 AM

i've seen the little banners that read, "these colors don't run," with the red, white and blue. i always want to write in, "but they bleed."

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 9:22 AM

God Save The Queen

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 9:36 AM

hey, 804...

what are some patriotic slogans from your country? (or the equivalent?) what country are you from? i am in the USA.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 9:40 AM

9.40, i am irish, you'd be hard pressed to find a banner with patriotic slogans. as would be the case in most european countries.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:00 AM

why is that? i never knew that....

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:06 AM

No patriotic "signs" in Europe? What, you're not a football/soccer fan?

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:02 PM

Yeah, the Irish just paint their curbs to declare their neighborhood's religious fealty, at least in the north. Much healthier than national pride. Riiiiiiiiight.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:04 PM

this is probably not a definitive answer, but for a start, Ireland is a neutral country, we go on peace keeping missions, in general in Europe I would hazard a guess and say it stems from WW2, and people frowning on jingoism which is often the result of being overly patriotic. again though I reiterate that this forum really isn't the place for such discussion and I don't mean that in a rude way at all, as I do think showing an interest in other cultures can only be a good thing

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:04 PM

to the 1st 12:04 commenter, I'm the 2nd I didn't see your comment until I posted, 1st off, I never said there was anything wrong with national pride and of course as an Irish woman I am proud to be Irish. It's sad that you had to resort to petty, ignorance. their 'neighbourhood's religious fealty...riiiight', I'm from the south, where that is not an issue but if you really knew what you were talking about you would know of the great progress that the north have made just in the last few weeks alone with both catholic and protestant parties going into government together.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:10 PM

I consider myself to uphold american principals by voting and dissenting and asserting my right NOT to have to worship any god.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:14 PM

Ignorance? Thanks for the deep belly laugh. I mean, c'mon, your country is celebrating the (probably temporary) end to a religious war between two branches of christianity so similar that most couldn't explain the differences. In 2007. Um...congratulations?

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 12:39 PM

ignorance is an understatement, perhaps if you go read up on the conflict you will come to understand what it was actually about - religious war? seriously before you pontificate on issues you obviously know nothing about you just take a deep breath.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:11 PM

The Americans are known throughout the world as being loud, overbearing, and overly patriotic.

It is these threads that really show how true that is.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:21 PM

too bad you american haters can't see how fat we all are, too.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:24 PM

Let's see...
Sunni v. Shi'ite (both muslim), Middle East - ongoing conflict
Catholic v. Protestant (both christian), Ireland/Britain - conflict "ended"
Both millennia-old tribal differences inside a politico-religious wrapper.
You're in some pretty classy company.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:44 PM

'tribal differences' - wow maybe some people are in need of a history class. perhaps if you look at the fact that it was empirical thinking, believing they could draw up boundary lines wherever they chose.

american haters is such a stupid comment - only the person at 1:21 made a negative comment towards americans,

take a visit to the north of ireland, it's a tourist destination not iraq

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 1:57 PM

There are many Americans that are very frustrated by the loud, ignorant & weirdly patriotic, why do I always sort of feel the need to apologize to the world for us Americans? Sometimes I wish it was mandatory for ALL citizens of the world to visit other countries so we all had a better point of reference...& education.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 3:06 PM

I think we need a new American slogan:
"I am Privileged to be an American, not Proud!"

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:13 PM

1:21 again

The comment was not meant with malice it was a very honest simple statement which is unfortunatly true. It is the "stereotype" which is pretty much the common underlying thread here. Stereotype of how the outside world perceives the conflicts which have taken place in Ireland or Iraq or Afghanistan or ...... pretty much anywhere that makes the news.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:19 PM

i would prefer to see that the country adopt new hampshire's state slogan, with a slight twist, "live free or die trying"

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:20 PM

Out running the other day...loved the sign I saw on 2 lawns..
IMPEACH HIM....had to smile

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:21 PM

irgnoring all the drama....

I love that line too!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:24 PM

IMPEACH WHO?

just kidding... YES, LETS DO IT!

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:27 PM

11:00

I've been to Ireland years ago and it's very beautiful. I'd love to go back.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:44 PM

One can only hope.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 4:52 PM

I'm an American, We're the best and you know it

Ribbons, bows, car magnets, banners, bumper stickers...it's all a bunch of baloney. I mean c'mon why do Americans have to advertise their pride? I never understood it. I just came back from a 14 month teaching trip in Europe and I got to say, watching American news on t.v. from abroad- seeing all the fat Americans advertise how much they love it here was pathetic. Yea, well they love it here because they don't have to do anything besides purchase a yellow ribbon magnet to put on their monster trucks to declare their patriotism! They have the young ones defend and protect them and then as a "thank-you" they stick a couple of stickers on their cars and call that a form of "pride." We all take it for granted. As a "thank-you" to all the men and women who have fought for us and continue to fight, we as a nation don't pay attention to what's going on in our own government, a ton of us don't vote, recycle, conserve resources, as a result of fear and ignorance we refuse to give a shit about affordable health care for the citizens living in this country, not to mention we immediately and forever ignore soldiers when they come back from war. That is why these fools put stickers and bullshit on their friggin' SUVs and hang ridiculously large flags on their doorsteps-so they can feel they are contributing and "doing something" to support the troops, the cause, the war,America and so forth. Yeah, putting a banner on your lawn requires a lot of effort, yet another reason why the rest of the World looks at us as Fat, Ignorant, LaZy Americans... GO USA!

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 5:39 PM

5:39

My dad was in the Vietnam war and no body praised him when he came back. Those soldiers were shunned - not welcomed as heros. They had no choice in fighting that war just like the soldiers today, but they are considers heros. Don't get me wrong, I support our troops, I don't display it, but have donated a lot of items for care packages. I find it annoying when Americans are loud, rude, and disrespectful to others of another nation.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 6:02 PM

Preach on sista!

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 6:06 PM

or brotha!

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 6:06 PM

5:39, you just didn't stay long enough to figure out that they have their own long-standing anti-American agenda. No country is perfect, but this one is a lot more comfortable than the others. Try settling down in a country that values lineage and age over merit and achievement, and you'll be telling them to shove their foie gras or ossobucco or crumpets where the sun don't shine in no time. Don't apologize for your heritage or tolerate their prejudice, because that's what their opinions amount to. Think about it. If they said "fat, ignorant, lazy blacks/jews/mexicans", you'd have no problem dismissing them as racists. It's no different when the target is "americans".

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 6:08 PM

5:39 here, To 6:08- I don't think they are prejudice, I think they are right.

I'm a 3rd generation black/mexican American citizen and I absoultely know there is a major difference in someone calling me n_____ or s___ as opposed to someone calling me an American. Because being American is not defined as being a particular race or religion I feel that gives us the very responsibility to accomodate ALL who are here. Religion and race play absolutely no part in why we as Americans feel the need to display foolish ribbons, banners etc. People of all color, race, financial standing and educational background have chosen to display and (exploit in my opinion) their patriotism and pride for living in the U.S. when we don't even participate whole heartedly in it's democratic process nor honor those whom have served to fight in a war. It makes me infuriated to think that most people only see Memorial Day as a day to sleep late and drink Budweiser. We aren't paying attention as much as we should be and it bothers me. It bothers me because this country cares more about the results of American Idol or Dancing with the Stars than 6:02's father. It disgusts me, for all those $1.99 ribbons we are buying we could be putting that money towards something that matters but because it's too much work or takes up too much time to "get involved" we resort to posting that "we support the troops". It's foolish and it what I HATE about America. I understand not every democracy is perfect, nor every Country, nor every leader etc...I get it. What I don't understand is how we as a country actually have the gaul to think we are acutally supporting anything besides Walmart and gas stations. It's incredible to travel this country and talk to people about America and see what they come up with. I was shocked at what I found--completely ablivious to what is actually happening around them. But what they do know is that they love America...I won't comment again, I know I probably come off as being Anti-American liberal but I'm not, I'm an aggrivated American and I don't think I'll be able to feel justified in expending anymore energy on this topic on an anonymous weight-loss forum. I feel far too passionately about it.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 7:10 PM

saying that europeans value age and lineage over merit is perhaps the most foolish thing i think i have ever heard. have you ever been to europe? i think it's a little different from the foie grass/crumpet loving continent you percieve it in your narrow mind.
attacking europeans as american hating snobs is ignorant. europe embraces american culture in many respects, TV, clothes,music ete etc, disagreeing with foreign policy doesn't make people american haters.
you're either with us or against us attitude makes many different countries feel uneasy

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 8:16 PM

Been to Europe? I lived there long enough to collect another passport (read: a decade), and there was no significant ex-pat community to hang out with. In other words, whether I wanted to or not, I know exactly how several western European subcultures feel about Americans and gave up on the wide-eyed we-are-all-one-world idealism after a few years. Suggesting that they embrace our culture is a joke - despite eating McDonald's, wearing Levi's and raving about our pop stars, they literally turn their noses up at the idea that we have any "culture" and will laugh in your face for even using that word. It's a wonderful place to visit, it's not like I don't still spend one of my vacations there every year, but living there as an American is not the way you're fantasizing. The nicer you are, the more derisive they are. The more you put yourself/your culture down, the nicer they are. If it were a relationship, you'd get the hell out.

Anyway, I'll stop there before I go into the intricacies of valuing longevity over merit and how that's changing to follow an example we set, since I half-expect one of those oh-so-believable "I lived there longer than you did so I know better nah-nah" rebuttals that litter this forum. Knock yourself out.

Thursday, June 14, 2007, 11:05 PM

the only thing that bothers me with this thread is that so many "American Haters" are the ones from America. If you dont like it then get the F OUT! I wouldnt want to live anywhere else. I have been to Europe as well and the saying "Euro trash" didnt come from thin air. There are slobs and pigs all over the world including America so deal with it. I really hope that all who are talking shit about people with ribbons and such are enlisted and ready to go or according to "you" you arent doing anything either

Friday, June 15, 2007, 3:35 AM

It is interesting that there are a lot of Americans that do not wish to be part of the stereotype. You can't change how other countries perceive you to be so you try to not let yourself be persecuted (shunned). I can't tell you how many Americans pass themselves off as Canadians when abroad.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 8:51 AM

you can't tell us because you don't know. it has been my experience that the americans i travel with break the stereotype image by showing respect for other cultures, trying the local cuisines instead of saying,"ewww! you eat bugs?!", attempting to use the language of the region we are visiting, remain respectful regardless of any rudeness shown towards us for whatever reason. some people are just not raised with an emphasis placed upon respect or courtesy or compassion, through no fault of their own. and that's true for every country, not just america.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 9:12 AM

I am the OP, I did not mean to start anything other than I loved that sign, it meant alot to me with a brother-in-law and Iraq. I thought it was a beautiful statement that is all.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 9:27 AM

I meant to say "with my brother-in-law in Iraq"

Friday, June 15, 2007, 9:28 AM

It's tough to be proud of your country when it keeps doing things that make you ashamed.

I love a lot of things about America- We gave the world Walt Whitman and Duke Ellington. We went to the moon and our space program was the envy of the world. We joined together with the shattered remains of Europe to defeat one of the worst threats the world has ever known. We created the internet.

But it seems lately like there's less and less to be proud of. Our government keeps doing things in our name that don't fill me with pride. Abu Ghraib. Secret prisons. You can't tell me these things don't send shivers down your spine, recalling memories of the Soviets we worked so hard to defeat.

Our Industries- companies that once led the world- seem to be coasting, fighting change rather than adapting to a new world. I mean, the average fleet gas mileage for american auto manufacturerers actually dropped over the last ten years- That's embarassing, that's not something to be proud of!

I guess what I'm most ashamed of right now is how little discussion there is about where we're going- it's either "USA- Love it or leave it" or "Amerikkka sux". There's a lot of room for improvement here, and there's a lot of things we've done that are really worthy of pride. And there's a whole lot of room for real discussion about what we can do to make this a better place.

I figure right now, America is like a high school junior who showed a whole lot of promise and has SATs that are off the chart, but who's gotten kinda lazy and whos grades have really started to slip. It's up to us to push and not let America coast on past glories, to love america despite the mistakes, and to show that love by getting america back on track.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 11:48 AM

Chris Rock once said "America is the greatest nation on earth by default."

It's up to us to make America great for more than that.

Friday, June 15, 2007, 11:49 AM

My favorite patriotic writings

The US Constitution
The Bill of Rights

Two things most US Americans need to spend more time reading. Bumper stickers really aren't the best place to get insight on what it means to be a citizen of the US.

Saturday, June 16, 2007, 9:27 AM

no one said I hadn't read the US Constitution or the Bill of rights, I just liked the sign, why is that such a big deal? I am very proud to be an American, proud of my country and the people who have been serving it. And am very grateful for their bravery!

Saturday, June 16, 2007, 4:54 PM

Have to say I love the range represented in this thread.

This is like one of those rollicking dinner conversations that gets out of hand every once in a while but people are showing up and talking with passion.

Passion is good. Makes me happy to be part of this community.

Monday, June 18, 2007, 9:32 AM

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