A dismaying trend emerging from this election season is liberals somehow now proud to call themselves an American or display the red, white, and blue.
These people might want to reassess their dominant paradigm.
I believe I join many other conservatives in loving and being proud of my country, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. Bill Clinton was my President. George W. Bush is my President. And Barack Obama will be my President.
That last fact doesn't thrill me, but there is such a thing as magnanimity in defeat (which the Weekly Standard is practicing too, for example). Whatever happened to being proud of your country regardless of the outcome of the elections conducted in our representative democracy?
Anything to the contrary is a ridiculously, small-minded display of thinking that belies the very open-minded tolerance about which liberals are so fond of preaching.
Example: when attending the 2005 World Swimming Championships in Montreal, I purchased a large American flag with which to cheer on the athletes of my nation's team with vigor and vim from the front row seats with which I was blessed (discussed further, here). I don't recall at any point considering who sat in what political office at the time before demonstrating my pride so publicly.
It shouldn't be any other way.
Posted by Eric Earling at November 08, 2008 11:54 AM | Email ThisBut of course liberals are allowed to be racist, prejudiced, close-minded, insulting, etc... as long as it is aimed at conservatives. The things that Joe Biden has said about Indians, African-Americans and women (in the last few months!) would get him censored by the thought police if he were a republican. And how about Robert Byrd, who was in the KKK and admits it.
Sorry for the rant
Posted by: john smith on November 8, 2008 12:10 PMI don't intend to purchase any Bottled OBAMA farts - but he won and has an enourmous unenviable task ahead.
Posted by: dogdoggie on November 8, 2008 12:43 PMSo naturally, when they lose, their worlds collapse and when they win, it's like, the banginest trip ever, dude.
The kos kidz will come back down to Earth when they realize that Iran and Russia will still act like Iran and Russia even with Obama in the oval office. They already regard him as something of a weakling anyway; it's going to get really interesting here very soon.
Posted by: SteveM on November 8, 2008 12:50 PMThe reason the Marxist Messiah did not say "God Bless America" during the campaign is because he did not believe it. Remember, his wife even said she was not proud to be an American until he was nominated...
They are like most liberals and Slavery Party hacks - they only "love" something when it goes 100% their way. If it's not what they want, they hate it, they despise it. They cannot show the tolerance they demand of all others.
The blunt fact is the only reason the Marxist Messiah said "God bless America" is that he wants that blessing now that he is President-elect. Before, he was glad to see - in his opinion - America suffering, because he nor his Slavery Party ilk controlled it.
Selfish, vindictive and cynical, all rolled into one!
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on November 8, 2008 01:25 PM"Patriotism" like yours really is the refuge of scoundrels. Don't confuse weariness with conservatives with our feelings about what this country means.
When Bush entered office, there was a fair amount of dissent because of the way he entered office. But he promised a spirit of bipartisanship, and we liberals believed him. After the discord during the waning days of the Clinton Administration, it was actually kinda welcome.
What did he do? He squandered that feeling, and the national and international goodwill he received after 9/11. (He told us to SHOP after 9/11, for chrissakes.) Not only that, but he painted dissent as unpatriotic, and connected the United States to some pretty shameful pursuits. All the while, Republicans flaunted their wins, claimed the right to dominate the political landscape, and asserted their right-wing party platform over the will of the centrist people by invoking a national tragedy over and over and over again.
And need I remind you of his speech on November 4th, 2004?
And it's one of the wonderful -- it's like earning capital. You asked, do I feel free. Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. That's what happened in the -- after the 2000 election, I earned some capital. I've earned capital in this election -- and I'm going to spend it for what I told the people I'd spend it on, which is -- you've heard the agenda: Social Security and tax reform, moving this economy forward, education, fighting and winning the war on terror.
Moving on a 2.4% margin in the popular vote as a "mandate" and as political capital? It's hubris. It isn't running the country in a bipartisan way, nor is it respectful of the 48.3% of folks that preferred the other guy. And that's how the country has been run for the past eight years. We've felt excluded from having our voices heard in a democracy.
So, when liberals claim that this is a proud moment, it is a proud moment because we believe that Republicans and far-right partisans corrupted the message of what America is truly about and stained the image of this country at home and abroad. I've never stated that I was anything but an American, but the Bush Administration ran the reputation and national spirit of this country into the ground, and treated half of this country with a complete lack of respect. I've had to hang my head in shame as my "representatives" have taken actions which I find reprehensible. I've been sick of it for years, and apparently about 75% of American people disapprove of the sitting president in one way or another.
Now, I'm under no illusions that the pendulum won't swing another way again. Unlike Republicans, we don't have the hubris to assume that a 6.5% margin in the popular vote is a solid mandate over a centrist country. Obama has stated as much so far, and we won't know one way or another for a while. Time will tell. But the idea that liberals cannot celebrate a victory right now, and revel in the idea that the government will finally represent our half of the country again, just for a little while? Unfair and hypocritical.
Oh, and as far as the flag goes, apparently I have more sense about how to handle a flag than a lot of idiot conservatives (and yes, a few silly liberals) do. This provides a funny guide:
http://jmcpherson.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/burn-a-flag-for-the-fourth/
and I particularly enjoy this one:
http://jmcpherson.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/flag-george-bush.jpg
which is an absolute fail. Folks like you don't actually have a clue as to how to respect the flag. You just use it as a prop for your own partisan purposes.
Posted by: demo kid on November 8, 2008 01:37 PMSelfish, vindictive and cynical, all rolled into one!
describes you and your ilk to a T!
Posted by: demo kid on November 8, 2008 01:43 PMAyers STANDING on the flag saying he didn't bomb enough.
Che Guevara flag at Bambi HQ
Soviet flag waved at Bambi's election celebration.
GO
TO
HELL.
YOU'RE
ALREADY
THERE!
SAVE
ROOM
IN
THE
HOT
TUB.
It's YOUR Marxist Messiah calling for unity... I'm not.
Apparently you're not too quick on Saturdays. Fair enough, I'll keep that in mind...
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on November 8, 2008 02:44 PMBut here's MY thing: you people (commie kid, et al) elected an inexperienced neophyte to sit in the most important office IN THE WORLD.
You've given this political toddler the keys Suzuki GSX R1100 based on YOUR excitement about his ability to show off on his tricycle.
I hope he succeeds, not for his sake, for MINE, for my children, for my country.
But I don't have much hope/I> for that success based on logically looking at what little he's done (and how badly he's done it) compared to how much he's run from doing ("PRESENT!").
I am fully expectant and prepared for him to crash and burn ('YES, he WILL!').
And it's all on YOU.
Good luck with that.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on November 8, 2008 03:44 PMOh please. You are telling another "Burner" again. In his first 4 years President Bush didn't veto ANYTHING. His first veto wasn't until 2006. His total number of vetoes was 12 which is just over one third of the total of Clinton(37), and almost one third of Jimm Carter (31).
From day one you liberals have been out to get Gerge W Bush. You spoiled the decorum of the inagurations with protests and vile displays of hatred.
"What did he do? He squandered that feeling, and the national and international goodwill he received after 9/11. (He told us to SHOP after 9/11, for chrissakes.) "
"Feelings" don't stop terrorrists, bullets do. Is that what you liberals plans to use to defend this nation from Iran, Russia and Al Qaeda, "Feelings"? Didn't you dumb asses ever read history? Look up Neville Chaimberlain and "Peace in Our Time". He had a good "feeling"
"Not only that, but he painted dissent as unpatriotic, and connected the United States to some pretty shameful pursuits. "
BS. He did no such thing. PROVE IT.
What we had from the "patriotic left" was them trying to block vital supplies to our troops in TIME OF WAR!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008094651_portprotests06m0.html
"All the while, Republicans flaunted their wins, claimed the right to dominate the political landscape, and asserted their right-wing party platform over the will of the centrist people by invoking a national tragedy over and over and over again."
Oh BS, BS and again BS. The liberal media banned the playing of the towers falling about three weeks after the event and it hasn't been seen since except for a few instances the media could not control.
"So, when liberals claim that this is a proud moment, it is a proud moment because we believe that Republicans and far-right partisans corrupted the message of what America is truly about and stained the image of this country at home and abroad."
Is it about calling Condoleeza Rice the "house nigga (Rall's words, not mine)" as liberad Ted Rall did? Is that what liberals think? It must be, Ted Rall gets published all over the "main stream media".
" I've never stated that I was anything but an American, but the Bush Administration ran the reputation and national spirit of this country into the ground, and treated half of this country with a complete lack of respect. "
BS again. He bent over backward to work with your side only to get his hand cut off. Rhandi Rhoades does a skit on Air America where she does a "mock" assassination of Bush. Could you imagine what would happen if any Republican did such a thing on the radio? I don't know if the condemnation would be larger from fellow Republicans or the liberals.
And liberals also had a "play" entitled "I'm Gonna Kill the President". Is that how liberals "reached out"?
"I've had to hang my head in shame as my "representatives" have taken actions which I find reprehensible. "
Yes, I know. Defending America from terrorists makes you sick. We get that. Hell, Howard Dean wasn't even sure OBL was guilty of 911.
"I've been sick of it for years, and apparently about 75% of American people disapprove of the sitting president in one way or another."
A larger margin disapprove of the Democrat Congress.
"Now, I'm under no illusions that the pendulum won't swing another way again. Unlike Republicans, we don't have the hubris to assume that a 6.5% margin in the popular vote is a solid mandate over a centrist country. "
" But the idea that liberals cannot celebrate a victory right now, and revel in the idea that the government will finally represent our half of the country again, just for a little while? Unfair and hypocritical."
Talk about a straw man and drama queen. Did anyone stop you from celebrating? From what I saw on the streets of Seattle on Tuesday night, no jack booted thugs rounded up Obama celebrators.
But if you expect the other hald of the country who voted against Obamunism to join you, you are delusional. The only extra you will get is that most conservatives will respect the office of president, which is saying one hell of a lot more than your side ever did.
"Folks like you don't actually have a clue as to how to respect the flag. You just use it as a prop for your own partisan purposes."
The majority of folks like you would never defedn the flag with your life. The majority of your side think military service is for dead enders, not patriots. While Americans are dying protecting this country, reckless people on your side are doing everything they can to tear it down.
Posted by: Production Man on November 8, 2008 03:52 PM
The pride in my country did not waver when Clinton was President, and did not get stronger when Bush became President.
Also, BTW, Obama is not the President-elect. Let's stick to the facts, shall we? He does not become President-elect until December. He's more like the unofficial President-elect-elect.
;)
Posted by: pbj on November 8, 2008 04:17 PMPeople should consider how they live their own lives as much as wanting to elect some person to fix every problem.
That rather dispels the constant lie that libs like to tell that 'the rich' made it by exploiting and stealing it from everyone else, doesn't it? Sorry that the facts got in your way, libs.
Posted by: Michele on November 8, 2008 05:59 PMHere's a golden opp to say yes, GOP supports companies when it makes sense.
Posted by: MB on November 9, 2008 07:28 AMI doubt some here will agree, but both should be read.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on November 9, 2008 11:51 AMThe country has the ability to elect from more than 2 parties.
That is what is great about our country.
The problem lies in the fact that it has been shanghai'd by special interests and by people who vote on a single issue. Or those who voted because someone is "charismatic".
Some qualification...
Posted by: Chris on November 9, 2008 02:53 PMWe had the chance to go back. We chose to turn DOWN the job and the career that came with it: crappy schools, wildly expensive private schools, property insurance ONLY through the Floirda Joint Pool, traffic worse than Seattle, bugs, snakes, humidity, hurricanes... you can KEEP it.
Regarding Obambi: he's a mediocre man, subscribing to a racist philosophy and a PROVEN coward who is in way over his head. The toddler is in for a rude awakening. I doubt he can handle it. He's YOUR problem, now.
Wait for it: 'I can't give you those tax cuts, hmm I've been meeting with the Generals, the surge is working and now is not the time to cut and run'.
And just to make your night, a little shocker from the election.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on November 9, 2008 07:39 PMYou're going to need to!
The toddler pres now has to stand and DELIVER.
I hope he does.
I doubt he will.
And with every stumble he makes, every promise he breaks we will hold him accountable, as he is YOUR unicorn farting rainbows.
Now get off you ass and go earn me MY share of the goodies our toddler pres promised.
PS... I loved living in FL the 6 years I was there: fun place to be single. Then I grew up, got married and had children. FL is no place to raise kids.
And as far as crying: NOPE. Adults don't whine when things don't go as they hoped. They move on and work harder.
A Marxist in the White House is worrisonme, but our day to day life will go on. We survived the peanut pres, we survived the penis pres, we'll survive the toddler pres.
We'll earn our salary, stash our cash, STOP spending in protest of the toddler, hunker down and enjoy a great family.
You'll continue to be the ass you so aptly prove yourself to be with each and every post.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on November 10, 2008 12:55 AMRe: the toddler president: we conservatives get to sit back and watch him fail. It'll be a fun ride.
I predict the national hangover from the broken promises/excesses/failed everything of baby bear-y will begin in April. Baby bear-y and the mental munchkins in congress won't be able to help themselves: they will overindulge like sugar starved brats on Halloween.
I found it fascinating that the stock market was up about 190 last Friday, then baby bear-y began his press conference... it dropped to 120 and continued to drop as he continued to speak. Only after he left the podium did it climb back up. Yessiree, a vote of no-confidence by the engine of the country: we investors.
Mark Harvey had interesting commentary about baby bear-y's first press conference
The top dog illegal alien just had his first national security briefing. Yep. That's right. The Marxist clown that won an election that couldn't pass the rigors of a Top Secret Security Clearance because of his enemy of the state associations has been briefed on things none of us will ever be. Only in America is that possible. His first Press Conference, the latest of sources for Gaffe Material has also been accomplished (view it here) and his "cocaine brain" symptoms are plainly evident
I also found his little podium sign fascinating: "Office of the President Elect". Nah no hubris. You do know that baby bear-y has a transition/inauguration team shrouded in secrecy financed with money hidden by a 527 group, don't you? Yessirre that "transparency in government" in action for NONE to see.
I clicked your little link... dmathew1 doesn't have any testimonials yet... pretty much says it all, doesn't it?
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on November 10, 2008 10:07 AM