Put Away the Flags

The Progressive ^ | 070107 | Howard Zinn

[ColoCdn]

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Is not nationalism -- that devotion to a flag, an anthem, a boundary so fierce it engenders mass murder -- one of the great evils of our time, along with racism, along with religious hatred?

These ways of thinking -- cultivated, nurtured, indoctrinated from childhood on -- have been useful to those in power, and deadly for those out of power.

National spirit can be benign in a country that is small and lacking both in military power and a hunger for expansion (Switzerland, Norway, Costa Rica and many more). But in a nation like ours -- huge, possessing thousands of weapons of mass destruction -- what might have been harmless pride becomes an arrogant nationalism dangerous to others and to ourselves.

[ColoCdn]

On the day after Dominion Day (Canada Day), and two days before Independence Day, I marvel at the liberal self-loathing and the hatred of America that still festers in the hearts of people (around the world) who have so directly benefitted from the bounty, opportunity, and blessings of this, the greatest country in the world. God bless America.

[E Rocc]

[P.O.E.]

We must renounce all allegiances except, of course, to the glorious people’s revolution. /sarc

[Mr. K]

Know your enemy faolks.. liberals actually think this way

[Hi Heels]

O.M.G. Someone get the poor guy some razor blades and warm water.......

[fatnotlazy]

Sorry, Mr. Zinn...I’m proud of my country so I fly my flag every day, not just on the 4th. You don’t like it? Move to France.

[AppyPappy]

What a puss. If someone had refused to print his article, he would be waving the flag and screaming about freedom.

[theDentist]

Some people get pretty nasty when PMS hits.

[darkangel82]

Where’s the barf alert? I skipped over the article as soon as I saw the author’s name.

[Zman]

Why, a person like Zinn who clearly is much more “moral” than us ordinary folks, shouldn't’t even live here; he would do himself and the rest of us a big favor by relocating to a much more just society; Pyongyang or Tehran come to mind.

[capydick]

Welp - if this guy would come to my house and help me take my flag down; I’d be happy to hang him from the empty pole.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

You forgot to add a Power Puke Warning.

[ArrogantBustard]

Progressive-dot-org????

Am I correct in thinkng that Howard Zinn's "flag" features a hammer and sickle?

[oyez]

renounce nationalism

I had rather roll over and die.

[jpl]

Howard Zinn: the mother of all Red Diaper Doper Babies.

[dfwgator]

Am I correct in thinkng that Howard Zinn's "flag" features a hammer and sickle?

Or the colors of the rainbow.

[rbg81]

Lets give Mr. Zinn a one way ticket to Gaza. Maybe after about a month there, he will appreciate our flag more. That’s if he keeps his head about him.