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12/21/2017 11:59:22 AM · #1
Question for all of you living in other countries other than the USA. How many of you can disrespect your leaders like I've seen with our country's leaders? I for one am proud of my country and freedom of speech but I think it's pretty sad that people keep putting down my country and leaders and those from other countries who live here taking advantage of all that's offered. When I was growing up I was taught to respect my elders and to be proud of my country. We stood and pledged allegiance to our flag and country each and every morning. I've seen lots of changes for which many have not been good. My suggestion to all of you unhappy people keep it off the community forums. If you live here and are not proud of our freedoms, MOVE! I'm tired of the feces that is posted about my country and it's leaders. My nephew is a congressman trying his best to make a difference.
12/21/2017 12:25:19 PM · #2
Respect should be earned, not demanded. There's a difference between patriotism and jingoism and I'm afraid the lines have been blurred between the two for some.
12/21/2017 02:38:53 PM · #3
I find it pretty easy to disrespect someone who I believe has no integrity and who is very probably extremely dangerous. If they are the leader of my country, my great great grandfather, the pope or even my beloved aunt Jane, doesn’t make a difference, disrespect is there, Feeling a part of something bigger doesn’t mean we have to respect that something bigger, especially if we believe that it’s taking a destructive direction. Should I respect my father if I know he’s abusing other people I love? Or should I have the guts to stand up and shout bastard?
12/21/2017 03:00:01 PM · #4
A little historical perspective ...

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president....
To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, right or wrong - is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.

--Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)

I can imagine no greater disservice to the county than to establish a system of censorship that would deny to the people of a free republic like our own their indisputable right to criticize their own public officials. While exercising the great powers of office I hold, I would regret in a crisis like the one through which we are now passing to lose the benefit of patriotic and intelligent criticism.
--Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924)


Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." But let it be considered that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self- interest.

--Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive.
--Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)

I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty.
--Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...
--Thomas Jefferson (The Declaration of Independence)

The people can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders. All you have to do is tell them that they are in danger of being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.
--Hermann Goering (1893 - 1946)

The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.
--H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.
--Plato (427 BC - 347 BC)

It's hard to have respect for a government whose controlling faction seems to persistently lie to the public for personal gain.
12/21/2017 05:31:34 PM · #5
So, you are upset about all of the disrespect for the last three presidents?

Bush was disrespected because he could barely make a sentence, he was clearly a puppet of neoconservatives, he invaded countries for no reason and because he cut taxes for rich people.

Obama was disrespected because he had slightly liberal politics, respected immigrants and homosexuals, and because he was black.

Trump is disrespected because he is a corrupt, narcissistic, nepotistic, reality TV con man.
12/21/2017 06:43:54 PM · #6
Originally posted by posthumous:

So, you are upset about all of the disrespect for the last three presidents?

Bush was disrespected because he could barely make a sentence, he was clearly a puppet of neoconservatives, he invaded countries for no reason and because he cut taxes for rich people.

Obama was disrespected because he had slightly liberal politics, respected immigrants and homosexuals, and because he was black.

Trump is disrespected because he is a corrupt, narcissistic, nepotistic, reality TV con man.


Now let’s not forget Bill and his antics.’Yes, the disrespect that I see and hear for our leaders, teachers and elderly. Telling everyone they have the right to bash anyone they choose to bash. What has become of that word respect? If I don’t know you how can I disrespect you. I think there are intelligent, respectful men and women out there that would make great leaders but why run for office unless you’re brave enough to stand up to the public bashing? This is exactly why we don’t have true leaders running for office.
12/21/2017 08:02:59 PM · #7
Originally posted by Cyrilda:

I think there are intelligent, respectful men and women out there that would make great leaders but why run for office unless you’re brave enough to stand up to the public bashing? This is exactly why we don’t have true leaders running for office.

I can agree with this, but the need to prostitute oneself to the corporate interests and their army of lobbyists is likewise a deterrent to people of good character ...

And Bill's now getting bashed too, but was it right to bash Hillary for his transgressions?
12/23/2017 01:20:13 PM · #8
Has there been disrespect for those in positions of authority...most definitely, particularly as it relates to the previous POTUS.

Sadly, as it relates to some currently in office (on both sides of the aisle), it could very well be that what you view as disrespect, is the vociferous clamoring of the masses who are expressing their displeasure at actions or comments they find either dishonest or particularly offensive.

As someone stated earlier, respect is not a matter of entitlement associated with the office one occupies, but rather something that must be earned.

Having the ability to express one's belief openly and without fear of reprisal is one of the very basic tenets of a democratic society. It would seem that you are suggesting that unless they have nothing but laudable comments to make towards the administration that they should simply leave... and this approach is not something I believe should be remotely considered in a FREE society.

Ray

Message edited by author 2017-12-23 16:56:45.
12/23/2017 01:29:56 PM · #9
Originally posted by RayEthier:

Having the ability to express one's belief openly and without fear of reprisal is one of the very basic tenets of a democratic society. It would seem that you are suggesting that unless they have nothing but laudable comments to make towards the administration that they should simply leave... and is not something I believe should be the even remotely considered in a FREE society.

Ray

Sometimes even leaving the country isn't enough ... :-(
12/24/2017 12:53:44 PM · #10
Originally posted by RayEthier:

Having the ability to express one's belief openly and without fear of reprisal is one of the very basic tenets of a democratic society. It would seem that you are suggesting that unless they have nothing but laudable comments to make towards the administration that they should simply leave... and this approach is not something I believe should be remotely considered in a FREE society.

Ray


I think here is where the fracture lies between Left and Right.

The Left thinks America is good because it's free. So it fights any restriction on freedom.

The Right thinks America is free because it's good. So it fights any criticism of America.
12/24/2017 01:34:19 PM · #11
We may differ in what we consider disrespect. I won't call the president - any president - derogatory names because the Office does carry with it respect. I will, however, violently disagree with the actions of the man currently occupying the position, as they do not echo how *I* feel the country *I* would like to live in should be run. That is my right in a democracy and I truly hope that this right is not taken from us. I do, however, fail to see "democracy in action", when the wishes of the "people" (HA!) are being soundly pushed aside for the platform of the few. This is not unique, however. Happens all the time. And as technology advances, the need for the lower classes will diminish (we will have robots to clean houses, serve food, make things) and the "few" will inherit the earth, quite literally. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! (I'm just a wee bit cynical at times - seriously, though, just move along and ignore my ramblings. It's best.)
12/24/2017 05:20:09 PM · #12
Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Having the ability to express one's belief openly and without fear of reprisal is one of the very basic tenets of a democratic society. It would seem that you are suggesting that unless they have nothing but laudable comments to make towards the administration that they should simply leave... and this approach is not something I believe should be remotely considered in a FREE society.

Ray


I think here is where the fracture lies between Left and Right.

The Left thinks America is good because it's free. So it fights any restriction on freedom.

The Right thinks America is free because it's good. So it fights any criticism of America.


True, but perhaps we as a collective need to learn that the "Good" is derived from "Freedom" and that the latter is not to be taken for granted by either side. The current swing of the pendulum does not seem to bode well for certain of your liberties.

I wish you well and hope that cooler heads will prevail in the coming years.

Ray
01/27/2018 02:22:54 PM · #13
Thank everyone for your views on this subject. I love the fact that we can exchange ideas in a civil manner and not get our undies in a wad. I wish all a wonderful New Year.
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