Originally Posted by Webby

I hear ya Mr Blue

OK... Let's reverse rolls (and this happens to be actual fact in real life and on many occasions)... What minusonebit said is so typical of folks when they just get pissed off (usually in civilized countries) and not just the US.

Never counted... but got to be near 100 now over the last few years who came on the phone or chatted and their tone was very similar to what minusonebit was saying. Basically they have reached a point of "I've had enough" (and many sure have good reason). These folks ended up shipping out to enjoy, basically a better lifestyle in other countries - a good number ended up in the Caribbean or Latin America.

On many occasions they are from my home country and are trashing it to hell and back - but I don't tell them to piss off or adopt some "offended attitude" Often what they are saying I'd totally agree with and would sure totally support anyone who has an interest in getting out into the world and having a look around. (BTW.. That also has nothing to do with "hating" a country - everywhere has some good stuff going for it)

This thread is really based on... dunno.. a mix of the usual GFY diatribe and flippancy and a touch of patriotism stuff which is really unique to the US. Embedded in "patriotism" is a need to "defend" and a touch of malice can be used to do the defending - and that's really what is showing thru here. Least, that's my worth

PS... For amusement... here's a pile of quotes on patriotism
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Patriotism