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What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 6:55:31 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 1618
Joined: 3/24/2008
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I hope the mods don't mind this being here because I do think it's very much an election issue. I think this campaign, and our future, hinges on what it really means to be American . . . what it means today, right now. I'm not sure what I've always thought is true anymore. I'm curious. I could make this a poll but I don't think I could resist sarcasm and disdain in my choices. So please discuss. I'll weigh in on my personal thoughts later (warning - it'll probably be a rant, I'm steaming right now.)
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 7:59:16 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3438
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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It probably means you are...
christian..
fat...
spoiled...
educated...
vote for conservatives...
heterosexual...
own a gun or know someone who does...
someone I owe money to...
if female..and live in Texas...one of my exes...
and the number one thing you are if you are american?
Free to do stupid things...at least until we become socialist.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 11:31:50 AM
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ElmerFishpaw
Posts: 141
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Do you mean the United States? There is no country called "America".
_____________________________
"Aurora Borealis is Latin for flying saucer headlights"
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 11:36:12 AM
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phreddy
Posts: 286
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tracydolls,
If you had your choice, where would you rather live? I don't mean this sarcastically, but you seem to have a lot of frustration with the USA. Have you thought about moving to a country that does not have the issues you take with the USA?
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 11:58:30 AM
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tracydolls
Posts: 1839
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quote:
tracydolls,
If you had your choice, where would you rather live? I don't mean this sarcastically, but you seem to have a lot of frustration with the USA. Have you thought about moving to a country that does not have the issues you take with the USA?
No where but here. This is where God has me and the "mission field" is great, so right here.
I would like to see Israel before we go, but........right here.
I already went thru the gotta get my passport and leave Babylon phase, He told me I'm NOT leaving,
so your stuck with me. LOL.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 1:04:08 PM
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stamper_ben
Posts: 10985
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From: Lone Star State
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Why accept a "jacked up" society? Part of to be an American means having the right and wherewithal to change society. Just gotta work with others to make that change.
_____________________________
We will be known as His by the love we show one another.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 1:09:01 PM
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moon_mouse
Posts: 378
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Being American means to be a citizen of the United States.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 1:39:14 PM
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adelphi_sky
Posts: 409
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quote:
ORIGINAL: phreddy
tracydolls,
If you had your choice, where would you rather live? I don't mean this sarcastically, but you seem to have a lot of frustration with the USA. Have you thought about moving to a country that does not have the issues you take with the USA?
Actually, Tracydolls epitomizes what America stands for. FREEDOM of thought, speech, and the right to question and even change her government if she does not accept what they are doing. That's why we VOTE, so that if we don't like who is in office, we can vote them out. To tell someone to go live in another country because they are unhappy with their government goes against the very principle of what America stands for. Perhaps YOU should think about living in another country where everyone is forced to praise the government bad or good.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/25/2008 1:41:50 PM
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adelphi_sky
Posts: 409
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I think being American means to enjoy and exercise the freedoms given to us by our country and to live peacefully as a community despite our different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 8:25:16 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3438
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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Freedom...every freedom...was won by blood.
Our freedoms were won by the shedding of young people's blood in war.
Our spiritual freedom was won by Christ on the cross.
Freedom is not cheap or easy. The ONLY way to remain free is to be strong against evil. To do that, our nation does the two things neccesary to accomplish freedom.
To have economic power and success.
Military power.
Without these, there wouldn;t be freedom in this world and there is no doubt..we, as americans, play a huge part in that. Wether we have been right or wrong, we have been there shedding our blood so we, and others might be free.
Just like Jesus, often, our soldiers die for the freedom of people who hate them. No greater love.
We defeated the Soviet Union by our economic prowess.
Why hasn't Korea and Iran attacked us? Because we carry a big stick. Heck, there is thinking out there that the best thing to happen to a country is america destroying it. Then we will come in a fix it all up.
What does it mean to be american? It means we are the standard bearer of freedom in the world. We spend billions of our dollars and send our young to protect freedoms around the world. We give charitably.
Can you imagine if in 1947 the Soviet Union would have been the strongest world power?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 9:31:17 AM
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AdrianaS
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I do think the election just brings to light of how US is divided politicaly for a while. Its so clear the many divisions and all are USA citizens.
Freedom that some claim and understand are exercised based on the Constitutions rights, civil rights, now...it seems that in the package of freedoms comes many colors, diffrent issues are embrace by some more than others and even when it goes to courts, it seems is all about "interpretations" of the laws and what really says when there is conflict going on. There are many conflicts in this country about different issues, there are many agendas and legal fights, some are very much organized and all want to exercise their freedoms but they do not agree with each other. Some want freedoms to be armed , others want to marry same sex, others want to have body freedom to abort or not, others wants to be free of religion and others wants their religion to dictates everything..than all of it shows in the fabric of 2 political parties representations.
Both parties adherents are sure having the same feelings reggarding fear of one to take over the US and their party and what they stand for must win. There so many issues that carry FREEDOM and people do cover themselves claiming their Constitutional rights to just be free the way they find fit. One thing will not happen is to get stucked as time is passing and more people bring their understanding of freedoms, liberty to the already pressing and divisive issues.
As Christian I do know that this world is becaming darker and all kind of evil will strenght up as time passes. As a missionary I do have a call and on the move, going to places and not stucked in just one country mentality and mindsets and their many issues. I'm free.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 10:04:54 AM
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phreddy
Posts: 286
Joined: 3/28/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: adelphi_sky
quote:
ORIGINAL: phreddy
tracydolls,
If you had your choice, where would you rather live? I don't mean this sarcastically, but you seem to have a lot of frustration with the USA. Have you thought about moving to a country that does not have the issues you take with the USA?
Actually, Tracydolls epitomizes what America stands for. FREEDOM of thought, speech, and the right to question and even change her government if she does not accept what they are doing. That's why we VOTE, so that if we don't like who is in office, we can vote them out. To tell someone to go live in another country because they are unhappy with their government goes against the very principle of what America stands for. Perhaps YOU should think about living in another country where everyone is forced to praise the government bad or good.
adelphi_sky, perhaps you should re-read my post. I did not tell her to go live in another country. I sincerely asked her whether she had thought about it. It was a sincere question and I did not intend to insinuate anything else. I have notice a lot of stife in tracydolls' posts and a lot of criticism of the USA current and historical. I did not critcize her opinion or tell her that her opinion was not welcome. I am sorry if you or anyone interpreted my post in a different way.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 1:56:40 PM
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adelphi_sky
Posts: 409
Joined: 10/11/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: phreddy
quote:
ORIGINAL: adelphi_sky
quote:
ORIGINAL: phreddy
tracydolls,
If you had your choice, where would you rather live? I don't mean this sarcastically, but you seem to have a lot of frustration with the USA. Have you thought about moving to a country that does not have the issues you take with the USA?
Actually, Tracydolls epitomizes what America stands for. FREEDOM of thought, speech, and the right to question and even change her government if she does not accept what they are doing. That's why we VOTE, so that if we don't like who is in office, we can vote them out. To tell someone to go live in another country because they are unhappy with their government goes against the very principle of what America stands for. Perhaps YOU should think about living in another country where everyone is forced to praise the government bad or good.
adelphi_sky, perhaps you should re-read my post. I did not tell her to go live in another country. I sincerely asked her whether she had thought about it. It was a sincere question and I did not intend to insinuate anything else. I have notice a lot of stife in tracydolls' posts and a lot of criticism of the USA current and historical. I did not critcize her opinion or tell her that her opinion was not welcome. I am sorry if you or anyone interpreted my post in a different way.
Then I sincerely apologize for taking it the wrong way.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 8:42:00 PM
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ManimalX
Posts: 1217
Joined: 10/25/2005
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tracy: he didn't tell you to "go back to Africa". What he is getting at is that all you ever have to write about the USA is negative. If it is so horrible,it would be easy to move to ANYWHERE else since you would really be going against the trend of everyone trying to come TO America.
As far as Africans brought to the US 300 years ago... aren't you glad their ancestors got to be born and live here instead of facing the constant disease and famine that their tribal ancestors faced and still face today? Did you know that a majority of slaves actually earned wages and the percentage of wages they got to keep were actually a higher than a lot of Americans get to keep today after taxes? Did you know that many slaves found good friends in and were even considered members of the white families that bought them after they got here? There was atrocious abuse, but that is why tens upon tens of thousands of Americans fought and died during the civil war, to right the wrong of slavery. Every single white person I know today would have fought and died for that cause if they would have been alive then. Take advantage of the blessing God gave you of being born in the US and send aid to Africa if you want to, but you have to quit living like you are "oppressed" in the USA because you are not.
_____________________________
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." - 2nd Peter 3:10
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 8:51:15 PM
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tracydolls
Posts: 1839
Joined: 3/30/2008
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quote:
tracy: he didn't tell you to "go back to Africa". What he is getting at is that all you ever have to write about the USA is negative. If it is so horrible,it would be easy to move to ANYWHERE else since you would really be going against the trend of everyone trying to come TO America.
Yes he did, we've had this debate before.
quote:
As far as Africans brought to the US 300 years ago... aren't you glad their ancestors got to be born and live here instead of facing the constant disease and famine that their tribal ancestors faced and still face today?
You look at slavery in america and think I should be happy? WOW.
I would rather it never happened! I would rather America gives back all she stole from Africa.
quote:
Did you know that a majority of slaves actually earned wages and the percentage of wages they got to keep were actually a higher than a lot of Americans get to keep today after taxes?
Oh my gosh, Tracy girl don't even go there. Go watch the debate. Whew.
Jesus help me.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/26/2008 9:41:55 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3438
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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quote:
America gives back all she stole from Africa.
Africans profited from the slave trade....slaves were sold to the evil white man...by evil black men. The slave trading Africans reaped what they sowed.
We are not only defiend by our successes but by our failures as well. Slavery was a failure which we corrected.
That..is the greatness of our country. We are free enough to debate the course of this nation and come up with the best possible solution to our problems.
Freedom is not live and let live ideal. Freedom is the acceptance of more responsibilities, not the absence of responsibility.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 1:41:09 AM
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ekserekseez
Posts: 661
Joined: 7/3/2008
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To be an American these days means to whine that someone else has something that you don't have.
To be an American these days means calling anything that, for some reason, sends you into a hissy fit either "PC" or "evil" or "elitist" or whatever fits your particular political posture.
To be an American these days means being absolutely certain that you know what's good for everyone else, much more than they possibly could themselves.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 2:38:51 AM
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SovereignIsHe
Posts: 5392
Joined: 4/15/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ElmerFishpaw
Do you mean the United States? There is no country called "America".
I believe its The United States of America...
_____________________________
John
Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 5:18:55 AM
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ElmerFishpaw
Posts: 141
Joined: 7/18/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SovereignIsHe
quote:
ORIGINAL: ElmerFishpaw
Do you mean the United States? There is no country called "America".
I believe its The United States of America...
That's right. The United States is only a part of "America" .
_____________________________
"Aurora Borealis is Latin for flying saucer headlights"
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 7:17:19 AM
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csl7037
Posts: 1618
Joined: 3/24/2008
Status: online
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I was asking in the esoteric sense of what it means to be an American - but we're going to argue what it means literally? This thread is depressing me greatly. We're pathetic.
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 10:14:22 AM
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GregandJenny
Posts: 616
Joined: 2/16/2006
From: Near Seattle Washington
Status: online
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Tracy let the Holy Spirit heal your bitterness. The road to America was long and brutal, and it wasn't the right way. I will even say that we have a long ways to go. Let the past make you strong and pick up your boot straps and be the change you want to see.
G
_____________________________
It does not have to be well with my circumstance to be well with my soul!
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RE: What does it mean to be American? - 9/27/2008 4:43:10 PM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3438
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
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America is and always be a country founded by and run by and lived in by humans.
To call America evil is to call every human evil.
America is not perfect...its just the best there is to be had. To focus on the evil solely, is not biblical.
1Corinthians 13 clearly states that to keep a record of wrongdoings is not love. While we must be careful that history, bad, does not repeat itself, to dwell on past mistakes will only lead to a conflict with the Holy Spirit, creating a double minded position and resulting in insanity.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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