Usa! Usa! Usa!...

[Rabs]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/27/D8IGNV700.html

Americans Rank No. 1 in Patriotism Survey
Jun 27 2:56 PM US/Eastern
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<!-- var eproof_apip = new Image; eproof_apip.src = 'http://keisu.eproof.com/apipAuditor.aspx?s=21'; //--> By MEGAN REICHGOTT
Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO

When it comes to national pride, Americans are No. 1, according to a survey of 34 countries' patriotism. Venezuela came in a close second in the survey, released Tuesday by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
People rated how proud they were of their countries in 10 areas: political influence, social security, the way their democracy works, economic success, science and technology, sports, arts and literature, military, history, and fair treatment of all groups in society.
In the U.S., "the two things we rank high on are what we think of as the political or power dimension," said Tom W. Smith, a researcher at the university. "Given that we're the one world superpower, it's not that surprising."
Patriotism is mostly a New World concept, the researchers said. Former colonies and newer nations were more likely to rank high on the list, while Western European, East Asian and former socialist countries usually ranked near the middle or bottom.
The U.S. ranked highest overall and in five categories: pride in its democracy, political influence, economy, science and military. Venezuela ranked highest in four categories: sports, arts and literature, history, and fair treatment of all groups in society.
Eric Wingerter, a Washington spokesman for the Venezuelan government, said many Venezuelans believe President Hugo Chavez has helped create a new sense of national pride. "There's been a real emphasis on rediscovering what it means to be Venezuelan," he said.
Chavez rails against the U.S. government and the Bush administration in particular.
Ireland came in at No. 3, followed by South Africa and Australia.
Cultural differences might explain the lower rankings for the three Asian countries on the list _ Japan (18th), Taiwan (29th), and Korea (31), Smith said.
"It is both bad luck and poor manners to be boastful about things there," Smith said.


Countries that were part of the former Soviet Union or in the former Eastern Bloc ranked lower because they are still struggling to find new national identities, Smith said. Hungary was the highest Eastern European country on the list at 21.

Proud to be an American arent you?

And a question to non-Americans, were I live about 1 out of every 4 houses has some sort of US flag displayed is this similar to way things are in other countries?

 

[AlexKall]

Mix, plenty have it year round, but there are rules of how and when it should be up on poles, such as a bleached/ripped flag should be burnt heh

 

[MontyB]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/27/D8IGNV700.html

Proud to be an American arent you?

And a question to non-Americans, were I live about 1 out of every 4 houses has some sort of US flag displayed is this similar to way things are in other countries?

Well as a New Zealander I can happily say I know of no one with New Zealand flag flying and to be honest I can drive 70 miles to and from work and never see a flag we are not a flag waving bunch we know what it looks like and thats pretty much all we need to know.

However there is a lot more to patriotism than waving a flag.

 

[Rabs]

However there is a lot more to patriotism than waving a flag

Of course, but to me its just nice to see ya know?

 

[AlexKall]

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/27/D8IGNV700.html



Well as a New Zealander I can happily say I know of no one with New Zealand flag flying and to be honest I can drive 70 miles to and from work and never see a flag we are not a flag waving bunch we know what it looks like and thats pretty much all we need to know.

However there is a lot more to patriotism than waving a flag.

Have to compleetly agree, love for the contry is in my opinion not situated in the flag

 

[ASTRALdragon]

I am definitely proud to be an American. It's good to be number 1 in more than one field. The only downside is that when you're on top, all the underdogs will criticize and nitpick at your every word and action. More times than not, I'm glad that Ho Chi Minh invaded my native land of Vietnam. If it weren't for his invasion, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be born and raised in the US.

 

[C/2nd Lt Robot]

Have to compleetly agree, love for the contry is in my opinion not situated in the flag

It's a symbol of what you and your fellow countrymen believe in. Blood, sweat, and tears went into the forging of the flag and what it stands for. However, to each his own.

 

[Ted]

Dutch are well known for their lack of pattriotism, but that doesn't mean that we aren't. Watch a soccer match and we are pattriotic alright. But many of us think it is not sound to take this misplaced pride into a conversation. It is nice when you are fond of your home country but using this as the basis on which you do your international work is unwise.....

 

[major liability]

As a semi-sane sci-fi fanatic, I'm proud to be human. Countries are just regional subdivisions. Of course, I prefer the ideals of America to that of, say, Iran. But Western Europe and America are pretty much on equal ground in my opinion.

 

[Warwick]

Over the past 5 or so tears I have noticed a lot more Aussie flags flying in front yards.
Unusual for us, as like Kiwis we tend to bare our patriotism opposite to how yanks do.
But then on the sporting field............................

 

[MontyB]

Over the past 5 or so tears I have noticed a lot more Aussie flags flying in front yards.
Unusual for us, as like Kiwis we tend to bare our patriotism opposite to how yanks do.
But then on the sporting field............................

Hehe one of the more amusing things I have noticed with Kiwi's is that we are most noticably "patriotic" while out of New Zealand. I think I carried more flags, patches and memorabilia on my packs etc. while living in the USA and the UK than I would ever own in a lifetime in New Zealand.

But I think you are right sports would be one of the few areas where nationalism/patriotism is vigorously expressed.

 

[bulldogg]

China is by far the most rabidly patriotic lot of louts I have ever encountered but hardly anyone owns a Chinese flag. Just say something anti-chinese and you can see them actually physically start to come apart. I find it extremely irritating in any culture because for some reason we have come to equate blind loyalty and not actual patriotism for love of country.

 

[AlexKall]

It's a symbol of what you and your fellow countrymen believe in. Blood, sweat, and tears went into the forging of the flag and what it stands for. However, to each his own.

I guess thats what is different, for me its a symbol of the word "Sweden" not the history, the history of Sweden is alot older then the flag.

 

[loki]

There used to be hardly any flags here in Germany. I've actually never seen anyone with flagpole in front of his house. Some people had one at their allotment garden. However with the world cup at home, its german flags everywhere at the moment. Me too, I have one right here next to my desk.

 

[jequirity]

I have to admit that i'm proud to be scottish but you wouldn't catch too many waving flags about hereunless scotland are playing football.

I'm definitely not a patriot though, the word scares me because its too close to being a fanatic. I do find it very unnerving when people start waving flags about, i don't see the point.

I find that politicians that are failing usually use patriotism as a tool and tend to wrap themselves up in the flag as a last resort. I'm a human first and foremost and i value the lives of all citizens as equal.

Its good to have a wee bit of pride for your country but just don't become blinded by it, be rational first.

 

[Rob Henderson]

Americans get Patriotism in bursts. We get our pride in short little spurts when something bad happens to our country. For example, when the 9/11 attacks occurred, there were thousands of little children in the streets waving the tiny American flags. That number has practically dissappeared. There were flags up on every house on my street. That number is gone save one, mine. Musicians were creating songs about that "fateful September day." Now they are writing about the same ole song and dance.After Hurricane Katrina, millions of dollars went to the Red Cross and once again, the flags came out from under the beds collecting dust. Everyone had great pride in the fact that we were able to send so much aid, the effects are still there, but the number of people and the ammount of money has trickled down.

 

[Rabs]

The flags and stuff never really disapeerd after 9/11 here.

 

[Rob Henderson]

You have to admit, the Americans fierce Patriotism is at its highest right after something has happened to our country. Then we settle down. Back into our ruts.Dont think so? Check out Bush's approval ratings right after we went to war, then now when we cleared our heads.

 

[5.56X45mm]

I had my Flag out before 9/11, patriotism is nothing but a fad to some. But not to me. I have fought, bleed, sweat, and shed tears for the USA. And I will continue to do so if needed.

Patriotism isn't just waving a flag. It's a belief.

I awake every morning and look out my window and say thanks to the good lord that I live in the United States of America. I am proud of my nation and it's history. I am proud of it's culture and it's people of all walks of life. I would fight and die to protect the beliefs of the United States of America. The freedoms and rights that it represents. That is true patriotism in my opinion.

 

[Rob Henderson]

Hoo-rah. I have the same opinion. I haven't yet served my country in the military yet, but believe you me, when my time comes...I will gladly give my life in defence of the red,white,and blue.