After answering a posted question "What is America?", I remembered how frustrated I was with the general population of America being suddenly so happy and full of pride about the US after 9/11.  Why didn't people have flags hanging outside their house before thousands of people were killed?  Am I the only one bothered by this?!?!
214349
We are pretty darn ignorant of our surroundings. 89% of America did not know where Afganistan was prior to 9/11.\n\n40% still don't.
583052
To be truly ignorant they must not know these things . . . by not reading the news or attending to televised news or radio or sharing knowledge of these events with anyone . . . so I need to question the question.  Is it not a matter that the conservatives "refuse to acknowledge" the disasters rather than ignore them?  Or perhaps we are making to a fine a point of what the hell the idiots are blundering into.   One thing I know for sure is that we can't maintain or add to our infrastructure in this country now that the major industries of material processing are gone (no steel, brick, concrete, plastic, oil etc.).  And now that we've pissed off the rest of the world, it's just a matter of time before they shut us down. But the haughty arrogant "I just voted my wallet" folks either have no clue (and are ignorant) or they are conspiring to destroy the U.S. of   A. because they are totally mad or seditionists and should be hung.  Criminently!  When was the last time you saw a US flag made in the USA?  They are now made in Taiwan and mainland China - are americans proud of that?  What about those yellow ribbon stickers on their cars, all made in China!  Those yellow ribbons (Gad what a stupid song that was based on them melody completely out of place with the lyric content.  The best place to apply those yellow ribbon stickers are on your gas caps folks, just to remind you "why".  I really do hope the conservatives will come to their senses before they are forced to learn to speak Chinese at gunpoint.
137020
Why do so many liberal wackos hate our country, while living here without making any contribution, only complaints?  I understand many liberal wackos realize they don't contribute and have a lot of self-loathing qualities.  But why blame this on the government?  Make yourself happy is what this country is all about, don't lay-about whining for others to give you more, when you give nothing.  Not good for your ego or morale.
121272
Not all of us are not proud to be americans.  Many people aren't because they have a feeling of self-loathing that america is the most fabulous nation in the world.  They feel it's unfair that america is prosperous, powerful, and happy. They ease their minds by making all of the world's problems america's fault.  I can say that I still am proud to be American.  Can you?
300270
Well..I too am offended. I am so sick of people in America making decisions as to not offend others, but pushes our beliefs to the side...I LIVE IN AMERICA...I EXPECT to be able to speak of God when I wish and have his name on what I wish..if these people are so damn offended by God then they need to quit coming here. They use our american currency with God written on it don't they?!? We take God out of everything, take the pledge out of schools and wonder why so many kids are screwing up and going down the wrong path...It's like this because basically America has said...well we have founded ourselves on this BUT as to not offend anyone that has come here we are going to shut ourselves up to please others and keep God out of everything...Do the people in other countries quit worshipping whoever it is they do because we go there? Do they change the words in their pledges or whatever to satisfy us? Do they remove their God from anything public as to not offend anyone?? This is America, land of the free....or so I thought.
202440
America is the most beautiful country i think, in the world. Good government, good land, good structure. But unfortunately most of the people i don't like. No-one friendly, bush-haters, Jesus-haters, and a million more. Nobody will say "hi" or wave any more. They make fun of people they don't like and envy. People get so offended, no more holidays on calenders, "my holiday is not on there." etc. i have seen so many smart-Alick answers on here. nobody will be NICE anymore. It bothers me. and not to mention the cussing. I am equally disappointed.
224637
I hear your comment, but not even the 3000 thousand that died in the towers equals the deaths from the American military. No death is valid as far as I am concerned. I really believe that America doesn't have the real story. An attack is a valid reason to sign a "Declaration of War," but the Bush Administration doesn't have one. I am concerned about this, as to it doesn't make any sense. Going into Iraq was unwarranted, and once again no "Declaration of War" was signed. This makes America appear to be just as much of a terrorist nation as the attackers. It's not proper etiquette to our Democracy and policies. The Republicans don't believe in Democracy, it is a Republic type of Government that America is being ruled by at the present. I don't agree with these types of policies and the rest of the World is also appalled by the Bush Administrations actions. All of this could lead to a larger Global War I am afraid. I say voting the Republicans out of office in November is Americas only choice at this point. I don't want to die for a small group of red-necks that stir up problems, and wont play a part in the military. My personal feelings that's all.
448760
you said it well. you are soooo right. god bless you. it should only be American flags in America. if they want to be here. then they should abide by the American ways.
663207
I agree 100%.\n\nI was living just outside Philadelphia when 9/11 happened.  I had several friends and family members in NYC - one of which we lost (a 30 year old brother in law who was giving a speech on the top floor of the building at a conference).  It was only a stroke of luck that kept my own husband out of NYC that day.\n\nAt that point we got a glimpse of the kind of horror that the civilians in the middle east have been suffering - explosions in restaurants, schools, hospitals, temples - it is mind numbing.  I caught my heart in my throat for weeks after 9/11 everytime I heard an airplane or helicopter over head (we lived near and Air Force base).  I have little children of my own - and my heart goes out to the families that must live through the violence.\n\nWhat is so upsetting to me about the war in Iraq is that it feels unnecessary to me.  We stormed into Afghanistan, hot on the heels of those who had done us wrong and liberated a community that had been terrorized by the Taliban for years.  We had reacted to tragedy decisively and with class - in myopinion - helping others along the way.  It felt great to be American.\n\nThen this stuff with Iraq -  I mean, lots of people say that Saddam Hussein is a terrible man, and that maybe.  But we don't really have a right to bomb the crap out of another country (out of another group of people) just because their leader doesn't do things as we do, do we?  The war on Terror had become a horror.  I watched, dumbfounded, as we bombed the living daylight out of that civilization.\n\nIf we feel that we have a right to bomb other because we disagree with their leaders, then we are being repaid in kind when they bomb us because they don't agree with ours.
54498
I am SO HAPPY you brought this up.  I have been trying to figure out how to bring up the exact same thing.\n\nI am a Christian woman.  I am also a VERY PROUD AMERICAN! I have stated elsewhere here that I think we live in the greatest country in the world. For that, I was accused of being biased on the rest of my answer to a question. My response was something to the effect of, You bet I am!\n\n http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AubWJu0Gnc1GUlucTx9SMdDsy6IX?qid=1006021204382\n\n\nNow with that said we are FAR from perfect. As often as this site has made me feel proud to be a Christian and an American, it has made me equally ashamed to be. Being able to honestly say that, makes me sadder than I can express to you.\n\nFor all the brilliant and wonderful people we have in this country, we also have some of the absolute, MOST ignorant! This is the land of freedoms and opportuntites. Unfortunately some people take their rights to be ignorant and stupid to extremes.\n\nNow granted, a portion of the problem, is the chronilogical age of some of the users. I think most people can recognize them and forgive them for their indiscretions here. There is good reason to believe that they will mature as they grow.\n\nThere are so many people here, who truly do not understand what an amazing thing we have here with Yahoo! Answers. I think there are just so many that do not realize that this really IS a direct link to the rest of the world. Instantly.\n\nI on occasion, go to the Politics and or Religions catagories. The "discussions"  that go on in some of these threads is amazing.  We can actually ask people that we are at war with, What do they think about it. Me! You! Everyone here! CAN actually talk to not only your friends and neighbors here, but ALSO those that we are at war with! Right NOW!  What greater tool for peace could there be. The potential is phenominal!  The war is no longer somewhere, on the other side of the world.  It is with the guy I was talking to about religion or politics or anything else, to last night before I went to bed. And you know what? He had to agree with some of my points, and I had to agree with some of his.  Sometimes we have no clue who, we are agreeing with!  Then you have people enter these threads, that just come out with the most assenine things. The worst of course was a man who claimed to be an Anerican Christian Doctor.  He would enter religious threads and start swearing at people who had a different opinion than he.  He answered some medical questions by prescribing self mutilation.  He had made suggestions in both catagories that people should just go and kill themselves. How ignorant.\n\nThe rest of the world sees us as blind sheep that are led reasonlessly by our media.  They think that we could not put two thought together if we were not told what they were first. They also think that we blindly follow our government, without questioning it. They think that we have no respect for ourselves, let alone anyone else. I think they also think that we greatly abuse our "freedoms", and flaunt them to the rest of the world. They think that we are arrogant, and that we have no vision of existence outside of our own boarders.\n\nI am afraid that I agree, that many users on this site reinforce those beliefs.  I stated in another answer, somewhere else, that I do not think that "many Americans" realize that this IS an international site, and that IF they did, I would hope that they would behave better.
90010
People do have a right to burn a lot of things, including a flag!  But if you are burning the American flag, then you might as well set yourself on fire!  That's because the American flag stands as a symbol for the freedom of expression, and the freedom to burn flags!  And if you are burning the symbol of expression, the very symbol which allows you to burn the flag itself, then in effect you are rejecting you freedom of expression which the American flag stands for!  If you are burning the flag, you are basically saying that you do not want to have freedom to express yourself constructively, and in a positive manner!  In a sense you are rejecting the very freedom which enables you to burn the flag!  It does seem kind of odd for most people that anybody would want to burn the flag of their own country, especially a country which is very tolerant of these types of irrational expressions!  All I am trying to say is - don't bite the hand that fed you!  If you do not like this country, then leave!  Go to Canada, or Mexico, or Iran, (while there, try burning that country's flag for everybody to see, I would pay money to see that)!  But no, you see just the opposite happening, more people want to come to this country, because this country more than any other allows for Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness, and amongst many other things, the right to express yourself, and speak your mind!  No, I am not saying that this country is perfect, but compared to the rest of the world, it just might be!
103781
It's because of ignorant a**es like yourself that we are hated so overseas.\n\nYou're next question will probably be "Why do people hate us so much?"\n\nYou f**king retard.  Why don't you wrap your American flag around your head and suffocate yourself with it so the rest of us don't have to pay for your arrogance when we travel abroad.
93612
I'm proud to be an American, but i do not share the same views as most of my fellow country men. it is wrong for the media or any one else for that fact to blame an entire county for what a few people do. no matter what country you come from now we all started in the same place. made by the same God. most of us wish to help other countries while still some Americans want to fight and go to war. the only time i believe god would approve of was is if it were to protect the innocent. fighting to conquer or revenge is just plain wrong. God didnt put us here to kill each other.
498081
No flags on flag day at the Post Office.\n\n\nMy manager's boss was sent to our post office to go through our workspace inch-by-inch, public and private space. Even our shop steward's grievance paperwork was pulled out.\n\nI fully understand the Post Office has the right to keep the employees in check to ensure the sanctity and trust in the mail. So these searches are insulting, but necessary. \n\nI disagreed with taking down all our small flags that we had up since September 11th.\nEach letter case had a small flag hanging. Alot of our employees are veterans. Some of them are overseas as of right now. Our small flags remind us, along with pictures of our families, why we come to work. Why we perservere in hostile weather. Why we strain and hurt our bodies with our appointed rounds.\n\nIt was on flag day when this happened. I just don't know what's going on anymore with postal management. This is just one example of their bully boy, moral busting tactics.\n\nFor some reason, this hurt me the most. I still don't know why it affects me so.
98234
Hmmmm, you used the word ALL. Do you know every Democrat in the United States? Some of us have very strong opinions, and have not waivered. Why haven't you heard about us?  Because we have been systematically beaten over the head with American Flag, until we are now in a silent stupor.  Any opinion that does not coincide with this Administration's KILL EM ALL, AND LET GOD SORT EM OUT ATTITUDE, is viewed as being unpatriotic. Or hadn't you noticed?
257926
HOW IGNORANT CAN YOU GET?????\n\nMY Answer To You Is In This Picture\n\nhttp://michellemalkin.com/archives/004869.htm\n\nAs Far As IM Concerned - War Has Been Declared\n\nAgainst ME And My Family\nAgainst My FLAG\nAgainst My NATION And ALL IT STANDS FOR
291132
Notice you're only getting answers from people who are from the US...?  All but one who stated what another country's opinion is.  Please disregard the rest.  Now, I was stationed in Germany for about 3 years and I can say that the majority of people that I encountered had a pretty good opinion of American's.  I never really got too much of their opinion of America as a whole.  If it is of any consideration, after the war in Iraq started the Germans actually volunteered some of their troops to guard our posts over there.  Just a little enlightenment and something that the people who say "The whole world hates America after the Iraq War" might want to think about.  The biggest thing that I can mention is when we went to Holland for some training:  The Dutch still look at America as liberators.  So, that's just my opinion as some one who has actually been to other countries, not one who just criticizes my own while I'm safe in it.