Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

What Makes You Proud of America?

by Steven D
Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 09:39:38 AM EST

There are many things I would list as things which make me proud of my country. I'm proud, for example that the first non-white candidate for the Presidency will be nominated to head the ticket of one of our two major parties. I'm proud that we have the freedom of speech to say what we want, including expressing our opinions on our blogs. However, one of the things of which our Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice claims she is most proud, would not be on my list.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she's "proud'' of the U.S. decision to wage the Iraq war and insisted that the world is not more dangerous than it was when George W. Bush took office.
"We're now beginning to see that perhaps it's not so popular to be a suicide bomber. We're beginning to see that perhaps people are questioning whether Osama Bin Laden ought to really be the face of Islam,'' Rice, 53, said in an interview to be broadcast this weekend on Bloomberg Television's "Conversations with Judy Woodruff."
"And I am proud of the decision of this administration to overthrow Saddam Hussein," said Rice, who was Bush's national security adviser at the time of the March 2003 invasion. As of yesterday, 4,107 U.S. soldiers died in Iraq and more than 30,000 were wounded. She said the Iraq war has been "tougher than any of us really dreamed."

Well, I guess some people have no shame. They don't mind being proud that they lied us into an unnecessary war of aggression in violation of the UN Charter against a foe who was no threat to our security. An illegal war which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people, and made millions more refugees. A war in which we have tortured and abused prisoners, burned to death innocent women and children with napalm and white phosphorus weapons, poisoned others with depleted uranium, destroyed the infrastructure of an entire country leaving lakes of sewage visible from space, and committed war crimes on a regular basis. Not what I'd be proud about. But then I'm not a lying sycophant who licks George Bush's boots, and considers him my surrogate husband, either.

One day, if there is any justice in the world Madam Secretary, you will be tried for your crimes against humanity. If not, I can only hope that, if there is a God, he, she or it will provide you with a suitable and eternal punishment for your many terrible sins.

Oh, and Happy Independence Day to you, too.

What Makes You Proud of America? | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 4)

Rice's comments go very well with White House spokesmodel Dana Perino's. Perino had the audacity to go on camera today and tell the world that, "No one is a greater champion of human rights and freedom than the President." I nearly gagged.

dd

by lyvwyr101 (lyvwyr101@aol.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:15:25 AM EST

What Makes Me Proud of America? (4.00 / 3)

In answer to the post question (and ignoring the Condi's of the nation):

I am proud of the brilliant and incisive people all over the nation that are dissecting our problems, getting over their national ego attachments and are willing to shout out and do something about the injustices of our government and the nation's businesses.

Share. Share resources, share delight, share burdens, share the healing. Sharing will bring us back from mass suicide. www.share-international.org

by Isis on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:41:15 AM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 3)

and a joyous 4th to you and yours.
as far as condi is concerned-
how do we count the ways? disgrace cannot cover her behavior. it will be interesting to see whether she returns to academia after january.

by billjpa (billjpa@aol.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:48:37 AM EST

Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 8)

...is that scum like Jesse Helms is a dying breed.

And here I will quote and raise a glass to the ever-wise Moms Mabley:

They say you shouldn't say nothin' about the dead unless it's good. He's dead. Good!

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:55:20 AM EST

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

Well, I'll say plenty about the dead when they deserve it. This is truly Change I Can Believe In<sup>TM</sup>.

As I said at EuroTrib, I'm glad Helms is off to join Ronny Rayguns, Sperm Thurmond and Tricky Dick at that Big Cross-Burning Down Below.

May he rot in Hell forever.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to you country.

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:08:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

Yup. As ugly inside as he was outside. What a hideous bastard.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:34:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

"Hideous bastard" is being far too nice about it. Helms was a piece of shit, a living, breathing stain on the country, and my only regret is that the son of a bitch couldn't die twice.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to you country.

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:43:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 3)

people are in a fine mood this afternoon.

by BooMan on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:45:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 3)

I think the appropriate phrase is "in a fine fettle." I could be wrong, though.

John McCain hates my wife because she's a "gook."

by Steven D on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:52:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 3)

Do you think the media is going to give a fair treatment of Helms' legacy? I bet they'll call him 'controversial' and maybe mention he was 'accused of racism'. Probably little to no mention of how many Africans have died needlessly because of Helms' dicking around with U.S. and U.N. policy.

by BooMan on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:57:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

I'm sure they'll speak of him as a well respected and influential conservative Republican figure. And some wingnut blogger will get pissed off that they dissed him.

John McCain hates my wife because she's a "gook."

by Steven D on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:11:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, in fact... (none / 0)

They will work overtime to find some evidence that he "moderated" his views. Whatever.

Well. Castro outlived him. Harvey Gantt is still here. Nelson Mandela just celebrated his birthday in grand style. And now, this scumbag is fresh maggot food. I hope a long list of African American North Carolinians who've made their transition and Robert Mapplethorpe get a good lick in before Helms' scheduled departure for hell.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:30:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

Oh, pssshhh, Boo. I'm in a fine mood. Off to have a picnic and enjoy the fireworks in DC (your tax dollars at work!) in a while. :)

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to you country.

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:58:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

Drew--I love you. :)

Haven't gotten warmed up yet. My parents were here, so I still have my "screen" engaged in case I slip up. And I have in the past, which earned a lukewarm admonishment from Mom and laughter from Dad. They know their daughter! Still, I try to be respectful.

I think the word "bastard" is among the ugliest in the English language, and when it comes to Jesse Helms, it's a most appropriate fit.

What chafes my ass (see, it's coming back) is that he was able to retire instead of slink off in defeat. He should have been humiliated for the butt-ugly disgrace to humanity that he was.

And it's times like these, when unmitigated racists croak and start their eternal burn in hell, that Moms Mabely's quote comes to mind. I really can't say it any better than she.

One of the reasons why I will cheer when Barack Obama wins North Carolina: General Principle.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:09:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

Heh.

Scratch my previous statement. I have two regrets. The first one I mentioned still stands, but the second: I regret he couldn't live to see Obama win North Carolina. Oh, sure, the South's gonna rise again, Jesse, but not in the way you were hopin'.

Truly unfair to the decent among us (not that I qualify for that). I just hope ol' Jesse can hear me when I'm singing "Dixie" mockingly to he and his on November 4th.

Be nice to America. Or we'll bring democracy to you country.

by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:45:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 2)

How ironic is that. He died on a 4th of July. There probably is no God!

If you want me to go back to the place that I was born, tell your corporations to leave my country (Leon Gieco)

by cruz del sur (nicodk@sbcglobal.net) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:11:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (4.00 / 3)

Helms died in his bed, just like Stalin. It rains on the just and the unjust.

Me, I love the mountains where I grew up, and I love American music. That's all I've got to say.

by Delia on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 08:48:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well, what gives me hope... (none / 0)

Helms does not deserve to be remembered with Adams and Jefferson, who also died on the fourth of July. Both Adams and Jefferson, while flawed individuals, were products of their time. Not the same can be said about Helms. While other bigoted Southerners (like Byrd) were able to change and grow as the nation acknowledged its past sins, Helms not only remained entrenched, but provided a voice and leadership for bigotry.

But the rain falls on the just and unjust. Many people die on the Fourth of July. Only a few, like Adams and Jefferson, deserve to be remembered not only as great patriots, but as admirable human beings. Helms certainly deserves neither.

by RustyPipes (rustdotypipesatyahoodotcom) on Sat Jul 5th, 2008 at 05:58:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 3)

And this monumentally ignorant woman is Secretary of State?!!!!!

Osama bin Laden has never been and never will be "the face of Islam" you unbelievably ignorant, incompetent moron.

It has never been "popular" to be a suicide bomber, you criminally stupid, despicable witch.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:24:39 PM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (none / 1)

She's vile. That is an ad hominem and I'm proud of it. At least I didn't send thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands to their death and bankrupt the country by maxing out the country's credit card in a shoe store. I have only made a personal slur on the lady's character.

by Quentin on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 02:13:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 3)

"This Fourth of July, let's remember that it's not our God-given American right to reorder the world to our liking." Robert Sheer

What makes me proud of America? Maybe when and if Americans figure out that they are nothing more or less than the rest of the human beings on this earth, and embrace their status as mere members of the world human community.

by Hurria (Muslawia@gmail.com) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 12:51:13 PM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 2)

As Sidney J. Harris observed,

"The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war."

Rice and the rest of the BushCo gang are like malevolent cartoon characters, barely human in their behavior, creatures unable and unwilling to understand and support the true value of democracy that once lay at the heart of America's promise.

That these shitbirds claim the mantle of patriot for themselves is an insult to realpatriots all around the world.

Denial is our most dangerous adversary.

by sbj on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 01:22:00 PM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 2)

"We're now beginning to see that perhaps it's not so popular to be a suicide bomber."

There was like this totally cool kid in the lunchroom and like everyone was joining him out of a desire to be popular. Who knows where he came from or why he randomly decided it would be cool to have other kids do some suicide bombing?

Then like these people who used to be cool but had gotten less popular totally killed all these people who weren't actually families of the new popular bomber kids but they looked and talked kind of like them and now oh my god nooooobody thinks it's cool anymore. Wait... this just in. Now lots of kids who were total irrelevant dorks now are angry at the old cool kids and are joining up with the suicide bomber clique. Oops!

by eeblet (bethbudwig at g mail) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 02:48:42 PM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (4.00 / 3)

To atone for going there, let me go here:

I'm proud of our free speech and our language (English is mucho flexible, capeesh?).

I'm deeply ashamed of our media, our political machine, our pop culture, our dominant food culture, our business culture, and our anti-intellectualism.

Again, I'm glad I get to say it.

by eeblet (bethbudwig at g mail) on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 02:50:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (none / 1)

Fortunately, there is karmic retribution for these people. If we can't punish them because they run off to Paraguay, then their souls will be purged in Purgatory, somewhere in Limbo, before incarnating again in this Hell they're leaving us.

I had another dream this morning that the large lake (Lake Ontario - which I grew up near) had risen in level again and was washing away houses near my family's home. As I said, this is the second "water level rishing" dream I've had in the last few weeks. This is what's on my mind, and what anxiety it causes me in my inner life.

This is the legacy of CheneyCo. world destruction.

Share. Share resources, share delight, share burdens, share the healing. Sharing will bring us back from mass suicide. www.share-international.org

by Isis on Fri Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:38:02 AM EST

Re: What Makes You Proud of America? (none / 0)

Define America and I will be more able and willing to answer the question.

by invisible on Sat Jul 5th, 2008 at 06:33:07 PM EST

What Makes You Proud of America? | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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