Patriotism VS Nationalism

Patriotism;-noun

"Love for or devotion to one's country."

Nationalism;-noun

"Loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially; a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups."

So, nationalism and patriotism, if you don't know the difference then read above because its very important.

Patriotism can be a great motivator to help and contribute to your country, join the military, be happy about paying taxes, community service perhaps. Patriotism should make you happy about where you were born. It enables you to say "I was born in this country, and I'm proud of that."
It should never provoke anger from you, you should never become angry that it was your country. For example, if a terrorist attack kills 50 people in your country, I don't believe it should upset you more so than if the terrorists killed 50 citizens of another country. I see peoples lives equally regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or cultural differences, and I believe Nationalism deters that.

Nationalism is when you believe your country is above other countries. Not that one country can't be more efficient, safer, or less corrupt than another, but you can't believe your country is naturally better. Just an example I can take off the top of my head, radically religious nationalists state that the U.S. is above other nations simply because God blesses it in some way, as if God is watching over our country and holding our hand, while letting the rest of the world do whatever the fuck it wants to. Anyone with a rational mind would question this, as they should. Nationalists can become a real life problem though, they ignore their countries problems because they don't believe it has any, or possibly could have any. Do you know what happens if you ignore a problem? It usually never gets solved (if it doesn't get bigger). So I'll wrap this up...

Do you believe nationalists are a real threat to a country's well-being? What countries do you think have die hard nationalists? How bad is the US compared to others? Do you like your country? Do you love your country? If yes, how much? Would you die for it? Do you even agree with my point of view? If not, state your own and discuss.

Personally I don't consider myself patriotic. I'm glad I was born in a modern country where I don't have to struggle to survive. I don't have to join a militia or street gang like Somalia or other southern African countries. I don't see me being born in the USA anything more than luck really, I'm certainly not proud of my luck, I don't see any reason to be. I also don't hate my country, so please don't imply otherwise. Ive never done anything purely 'for my country' and I doubt I ever will.

As probably everyone knows, the economy is dying...like really fucking dying.
Like a 72 year old skin cancer survivor/war survivor who's old ways are struggling to stay afloat. Their failing miserably by the way in case you had any doubt about it.

I'm comparing the 2008 Republican nominee to the current economical situation in the USA for various reasons.

1.I think its funny (I'm cynical like that).

2.Their are many similarities, so much opportunity. I wish I was clever enough and creative enough to wright a blog showing off this topics full potential, But I'll do my best.

I mean McCain is old, and so is the capitalist system we use here.
Their both struggling and in bad shape, ok so McCain isn't in HORRIBLE health but you have to admit hes been through ALOT regardless. I'm not happy about this, I'm no fan of Republicans in general but I never wish harm upon people,...haha well maybe a few people *stares seriously* (you know who you are).

Their mainly both entities from yesteryear, living in a world long past for most of us up to date, Us 'hipsters'.
McCain doesn't even use a computer let alone know about most 'modern' technology.
He reminds me of my grandfather who freaked out when he learned my video games can talk.

I'm no 'expert' on economics or the stock market but I 'hear' from 'experts' that I'm basically fucked...or something, I don't really know. I'm hardly coherent when watching the news, I try to watch it every now and then to know some basics of whats going on. It's just hard to take it seriously sometimes, I mean NFL players being traded is 'breaking news'? I didn't think a news station could get away with that. I'm getting sidetracked, so much commentary about the world to discuss but I need to stay on track.


Most people seem to believe the USA is in need of 'change'. Do you know where I'm going with this?...

At first I didn't like Barack Obama, but then I got more involved in politics and read up on his stances on the issues, policies, and ideas. I got to say very honestly that me, being insanely liberal, I love them. Good healthcare plan, good college payment plans, good housing plans, and I could go on and on and on.
The only things I don't like is hes neutral on gay marriage and I'm conservative on gun policy.

I know Obama is only the Democratic nominee because of the desperate time were living in. Things are very bad, People want radical change, a new start to bring things back to the basics. A way to enter into the 21st century successfully.

Obama is young with new, radical ideas compared to our usual way of political thinking.
...and he listens to hip-hop, that's pretty hip and new.

I'm no democrat, but I sympathize for mercy to my liberalness. I hate most political parties.
Politics corrupt, regardless of your stance. If there's something to 'win' their will always be cheaters and people looking for methods to cheat.
Look at Watergate if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Whatever can get you an edge over your opponents, and politics are not saved from this universal rule.

Now I'm pulling for Obama because for the first time, a politician isn't sinking as low as most all do. He isn't airing hateful, misleading, attack ads about McCain, he is kinda being a pussy about it the whole presidential race.
But I like it, its respectful.
Hes winning people over with class and dignity, something you rarely see these days.

*sigh* Ive gotten off track again, but fuck it. It's my blog anyway, I can get off track and just ramble if I want right? Yeah I believe so, power to me.

I wish I could go on on this topic because like I said, it has a lot of potential.


So I'm gonna say this very bluntly and cut to the chase,

McCain is old like the way our system works currently.
Obama is young and refreshing like how people want to see our system work.



Will the economy catch a break? Who will be the next president? Will the bailout plan work? Will there be another Great Depression?

You have to stick around to watch what happens next!
I think you'll agree with me when I say these are very exicting times to live through.

...Want to watch the world collapse with me?

I was talking to a friend and she gave me the idea to wright down a record of everywhere I have ever lived. Now I move a lot, so I needed a criteria of sorts to organize it, make it legit, and not count places Ive lived in only for a small time. I'm only adding places Ive lived at for at least two months time.
I'm also pulling up locations the best that I can going by my memory or if I was too young to remember, asking my mother for info to help me out since I was practically a fetus at some of these places.

I'm doing my best to put them into order from where I lived when I was born, to where I live now. But there might be minor errors in what order they are in.

Oh and one more thing, places I lived in will have a () next to it. And that's how many different homes Ive lived in there. So for example it says Benson, Vermont (2). that's because I lived in two different homes in the same town. The list goes from 1 being the place I was born, til 8 the place I live currently.

Ive lived in...

1.Lancaster, California (2)
2.Benson, Vermont (2)
3.St.Albans, Vermont (1)
4.West Rutland, Vermont (3)
5.Port Charlotte, Florida (1)
6.Burlington, Vermont (1)
7.Essex, Vermont (1)
8.Shelburn, Vermont (1)
9.Gloucester, Massachusetts (1)