True2tRA Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 There's only one right answer here. I'm thankful for a hell of a lot. Today, I choose to think about all the good things and enjoy my grill, some beer, some fireworks, and my family. Thanks to those who have worked and fought for me to enjoy this day. It's great being an American. Let's keep working to make it even better. Link to comment
Moiraine Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 54% is still high for being "extremely proud." To be extremely proud I would have to approve of like 95%+ of the things that are done in America's name and that's not the case. I probably would have answered very proud. Grateful/thankful seems more apt to me. I feel grateful/lucky to live here. 1 Link to comment
True2tRA Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I like how the graph is cut off so low so it doesn't look like a half/half situation at all. Kind of decieving to people who just give it a quick glance, which is probably the majority of the people who see it. Kind of a pathetic tactic really. We've got to be negative though, we've got no room for positivity in this life. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 Good points. It would be interesting to see how many are from very proud and up. Link to comment
huKSer Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 What about a graph on "not proud at all"? Link to comment
zoogs Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 This is a poor article, since it only looks at those who identify as having "extreme pride" -- which to me, sounds like almost negative. I have a healthy amount of pride, but it's not unconditional and it shouldn't be. And while there are things that can make you very proud, there are also things that can make you very disappointed -- regardless of political affiliation. For example, some people are sick to their stomachs about the socialist sinkhole the ACA has turned us into, while others are overjoyed that we're finally starting on the path to catching up in healthcare. If you add in "very proud"... Which almost makes this Vox article and the Gallup article it's based on look like they have dishonest intentions. Additionally, the data only goes back to 2001, before the post-9/11 spike that came as a natural response to crisis. It's not a long period of time to look at, but even within this window it just kind of looks like a settling back to normal levels after the spike. But (and I think this is key), "pride levels remain at pre-9/11 norms, as they have been approximately for years" doesn't get clicks. 2 Link to comment
Landlord Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 Fourth of July isn't really the day for it, but there's plenty of room for people to be thankful of America and being an American and also be troubled by our history and realities. Being "proud" of the country we live in, with all of it's baggage, I don't know if I could say honestly as a blanket statement. I am extremely proud of plenty of cogs that make up America, but outright and overall? I'm not sure. Maybe. We've got some damn ugly stains that we have done a good job of tucking away, but not washing clean, imo. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 The graph posted by Zoogs makes me feel better. Landlord, We are human. We make mistakes. I'm not happy or proud of the mistakes but what makes me proud is that at least we discuss and recognize the mistakes and continually try to improve. We have the freedom to do that. There isn't one country or society in the history of the world that hasn't made similar or much worse mistakes. 1 Link to comment
Landlord Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 The graph posted by Zoogs makes me feel better. Landlord, We are human. We make mistakes. I'm not happy or proud of the mistakes but what makes me proud is that at least we discuss and recognize the mistakes and continually try to improve. We have the freedom to do that. There isn't one country or society in the history of the world that hasn't made similar or much worse mistakes. I agree with the sentiment and the last two lines, but I don't know if I agree with 'at least we discuss and recognize the mistakes and continually try to improve' As individuals we do that, but on an institutional level as a country you think so? I'm no expert on politics but it seems like everything that gets done in Washington by our representatives is towards their own goals and more discussion seems to be pandering to popularity and goodwill. I don't know. I could be entirely wrong. Link to comment
zoogs Posted July 5, 2015 Share Posted July 5, 2015 I guess one of the things that does make me very proud to be an American is that we aren't all just blindly, unconditionally proud of our country. That's important and it keeps us reaching for better; we won't be accepting of anything less. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 The graph posted by Zoogs makes me feel better. Landlord, We are human. We make mistakes. I'm not happy or proud of the mistakes but what makes me proud is that at least we discuss and recognize the mistakes and continually try to improve. We have the freedom to do that. There isn't one country or society in the history of the world that hasn't made similar or much worse mistakes. I agree with the sentiment and the last two lines, but I don't know if I agree with 'at least we discuss and recognize the mistakes and continually try to improve' As individuals we do that, but on an institutional level as a country you think so? I'm no expert on politics but it seems like everything that gets done in Washington by our representatives is towards their own goals and more discussion seems to be pandering to popularity and goodwill. I don't know. I could be entirely wrong. I firmly believe we continually strive to improve it. That doesn't just mean the politicians in Washington and sometimes (many times) they are the problem. In general, I believe American society continues to try to improve itself and we have the freedom to do that. That freedom gives us the ability to speak out and talk freely about issues we don't like or want changed. That is something to be very proud of. Link to comment
BigRedBuster Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 I guess one of the things that does make me very proud to be an American is that we aren't all just blindly, unconditionally proud of our country. That's important and it keeps us reaching for better; we won't be accepting of anything less. I guess I would classify that as....."I'm always proud of our country. Sometimes I'm not happy with it though." It's like I always love my children but sometimes I'm not happy with them. Link to comment
cornographic Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Many Chinese(among others) are extremely proud to be American: When the Waldorf Astoria Hotel opened on New York City’s Park Avenue in 1931, President Herbert Hoover called it “an exhibition of courage and confidence to the whole nation.... So one can imagine Hoover spinning in his grave over this week’s announcement that Chinese insurance company Anbang purchased the hotel from Hilton Worldwide Holdings, for a whopping $1.95 billion.....A Hilton spokesperson told me that “Many luxury hotels in New York have foreign ownership” – among them the Carlyle, Mandarin Oriental, Pierre, Plaza and Peninsula – “so it’s not an atypical arrangement by any means.” And Chinese companies have been buying U.S. real estate for years now, including the General Motors Building and One Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York. Still, for many (not just) Americans, this particular sale strikes close to the heart. The Waldorf’s 1,413 guest rooms, three restaurants and 60,000 square feet of banquet halls occupy a whole city block and have hosted U.S. presidents, world leaders and countless celebs. Given that pedigree, the sale can feel like a blow to American national pride. http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbender/2014/10/09/chinese-company-purchases-the-waldorf-astoria-is-a-china-panic-next/ Link to comment
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