Because if it's something good, it's 'my country'. If it's something bad, it's 'their country' because obviously the bad things are done by someone else. But if 'my country' and 'their country' are the same, then you have to say 'this country' to avoid the rejoinder of 'but they're the same country' which implies that you're part of 'their country'.
I'll hazard that it's because a lot of us have absorbed a certain reluctance to say the word "America". Especially with pride. We've trained ourselves to hear marching jackboots and Wal-Mart and rainforest loggers in every syllable. If we're the type to rant about these things habitually anyway, "America" is already a dirty word, one that you only say with a sneer and finger quotes.
So to avoid saying the dread name and appear either a fascist or a hippie, we look for weasel words to use instead, whether we're invoking it to boost it or to stomp it down.
I'll hazard that it's because a lot of us have absorbed a certain reluctance to say the word "America". Especially with pride.
Interesting that you say that. I bought a jacket recently that has "America" across the back, and as I was heading out to dinner with a lady friend of mine she said "are you going to wear that?"
The tone was more surprise than disapproval, and I got a shrug when I asked why not. Some sort of subconscious disapproval that she couldn't name...
it could be the whole unfashionable thing of wearing a jacket with anything printed on the back, rather than anything to do with America specifically.
Brian,
can you honestly say you're programmed to feel that way? if so, who did the training and why did you follow along? i'm pretty liberal, the kind of guy who dislikes rainforest logging and has conflicted feelings about walmart, and i don't have the slightest problem saying America without using sneer quotes.
Well, just look at our pop culture. "American Dad". "American Idiot". I'm surrounded by people in my social group who talk about little but how much better it would be to live in, say, Canada or the Netherlands, where they don't have religious people or heterosexuals or laws against drugs or global warming. You stand up during the Pledge of Allegiance at the peril of your social standing.
Why do I follow along? Not much choice, really, unless I leave the Bay Area.
1.29.2008 12:19pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
of the United States in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, etc.
So to avoid saying the dread name and appear either a fascist or a hippie, we look for weasel words to use instead, whether we're invoking it to boost it or to stomp it down.
Interesting that you say that. I bought a jacket recently that has "America" across the back, and as I was heading out to dinner with a lady friend of mine she said "are you going to wear that?"
The tone was more surprise than disapproval, and I got a shrug when I asked why not. Some sort of subconscious disapproval that she couldn't name...
it could be the whole unfashionable thing of wearing a jacket with anything printed on the back, rather than anything to do with America specifically.
Brian,
can you honestly say you're programmed to feel that way? if so, who did the training and why did you follow along? i'm pretty liberal, the kind of guy who dislikes rainforest logging and has conflicted feelings about walmart, and i don't have the slightest problem saying America without using sneer quotes.
Why do I follow along? Not much choice, really, unless I leave the Bay Area.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.