I've seen places where you're talking about restricting free speech (like one talking about if you say you're against drilling in America, you shouldn't be able to drive) and some talking about changing the term limits for Bush?\nI've even seen some talking about purple hearts in the military and Kerry... that's just disrespecting the entire military and anyone who's ever received a purple heart?\n\nIt's some of the most un-American rhetoric I've seen on here and it's blatantly anti-constitutional.. yet you guys are always the first to call others anti-American and "commies"... some of the things you say make flag burners look down right patriotic on comparison...\n\nI'm not saying you can't say it... I just think it's hilarious and makes many of you look like hypocrites who hide behind "patriotism" yet apparently don't know what America was founded on... our freedom.\n\nWhat do you guys think?
199279
right on, q! \n\nthat's the one similar thing i've seen with the flaming republicans on the site. freedom, toleration, and the right to live a good life is for everyone, and not just for the people who are in the same mind frame as they are.\n\nif they put a little compassion or toleration into their ideas, it would make them look LESS ridiculous!
571593
I'm telling ya. It gets nuttier and nuttier.\n\nI would consider myself Patriotic, and I love the U.S.A. , and \nto burn the flag because some Piss Ant wants to flaunt his \n"1st Amendment rights"  just cause he can is not only in bad taste, but VERY UN-AMERICAN in my book. \n\nMaybe it's me but every time I see some son-of-gun burning the flag it breaks my heart, I mean I literally feel sick to my stomach over it because if people could walk in the shoes of those young boys and girls who fight each day for our country, putting their own life on the line, losing limbs, and dying for us and our country, well what a shame, and  what a lie we are as a country. \n\nWhen I see people burning the American Flag it's like flipping the bird (giving the finger) to those who have fought in the past and\npresent, and it's a selfish thing to do. \n \nYea, go ahead and rationalize your rights and why you want to burn the flag, hide behind the 1st Amendment.  Tell our troops why you want to do it, but I'll tell you something, if you're ever in a \nbind over in some 3rd world country, don't hide behind the flag if you've been burning it at home. \nAs they say in America: What comes around goes around and let me tell ya something, Karma is a bitch.
121397
I support you 100%, It may be so hard because of how irresponsible journalism writes the news, or maybe because of a lack of pride for their country, either way brother, you and I both served so these people could have that right, whether we like it or not. I hate them (disrespectful hippies)with all of my American heart, but I would die for their freedom regardless of how I feel, because its Americans like us and them that keep our country going. Semper Fi. As far as MacMoma...what are you talking about "worthy of your respect?", who are you? really, who the hell are you? You wouldn't be allowed to have basic human rights without our "bumbling leaders", old "shotgun" dick and our Brothers and Sisters-in-arms, you would be considered sub-human in most other countries, you should be grateful men and women of the US Armed forces spilled their blood so you could vote, or drive, or even have the right to learn...it is you who should be worried if you are doing enough for OUR respect...
425914
Yep, apparently the term 'freedom of speech' seems to be a bit confusing to some. Freedom of speech is all-encompassing, so really the idiots at the top are just being hypocritical. It's very child-like and immature, don't you think?
88969
I was in the Navy and I definately agree with you. I dont support any part of that war. We're over there trying to help a bunch of people that can't help themselves and they dont want our help. They aren't even our alis and there we are butting into their war. Telling them how to run their country. You dont see people coming over into our country and trying to fix our problems. We just have a stupid president and if anyone thinks that makes me unamerican, so be it. I know what I am and this is a free country w freedom of speech. I dont have to like everything about it.
201322
What do you do when you want something from someone you can't beat up?  You kiss their as_s, right?\n\nWhat do you do when you want something from someone you can beat up?  You beat them up.  \n\nSo, they think they can intimidate us into giving them what they want.  Well, they're SORELY mistaken.  I'm fairly liberal, and I might have been cool about this, but they made a serious mistake when they started DEMANDING these things.\n\nAnd the lack of assimilation is ridiculous.  They're chanting things in Spanish that the citizens, those who vote for the freaking representatives and senators, can't understand.  This is extremely disrespectful.  They've won themselves over, but they've turned the rest of us away.
308890
Careful there!  Though I do agree that they have tarnished the word severly.\n\nI am a Patriot in the purest sense of the word!  I selflessly served this country for over 21 years.  My service was in defense of The Constitution in accordance with the oath that I took many times.\n\nMost of the current leadership have forgotten the critical phrase in their oaths:  "I will ... preserve, protect and defend The Constitution of the United States."  Those who fail to do that may call themselves Patriots but they are NOT!\n\nDo not tarnish me with the brush of the False Patriots!
587828
Whoa... Damn ppl, reporting?! Harming?! Naming names?! I can't believe how everyone is buying into this crap... Yes, there's a problem, but it's been here for years. Everyone's got chill out, 'cause this is starting to sound like one of those infamous Red Scares again? What's next, are we gonna accuse of them being Commies? Public persecution? Are you actually afraid, or do just people love to get on the band wagon and bash everyone that the media tells them to? Bush, Iraq, and now Immigration, oh yeah gay marriage before that? You do realize the last two are just a little thing that Bush and his cabinet uses to get the focus away from his incompetence?
517274
As always you have the thought provoking questions. I agree with your question and comments along with Monizk and Heartstrings. I have my own opinions but I will not go into them as they are fairly long. \nAs a general rule I don't debate politics and religion or argue with drunks, fools or idiots. Too many of them have lots of experience of spouting ill informed rhetoric.\nI support Bush and what the military is now doing. I don't want Kerry or Clinton representing me. They are of the same mold and are an embarrassment to the people they are supposed to represent. They apologize but are they truly apologetic?
650835
With all due respect, you're a little off in your perspective.  The GOP may be guilty of many things, but hating America is definitely not one of them.  You would be closer to the mark if you said they love America with an almost fanatical air.  It's usually the Dems who are saying things along the lines of how embarrassed they are with the country, or how they don't like our system.  Rethink your perspective, read just about all of the posts on this site, and you'll see that I'm right.
553918
I have to tell you I'm very disappointed to see some of the comments above posted ESPECIALLY from some of you who I have had disagreements in the past but gave a grudging respect to for being open and honest enough to debate, Congress passed a law called The Americans With Disabilities Act because disability is just that,  lacking the ability to do as others, would you not want wheelchair ramps so para & quadrepelgics can get in and out of a building, or a stall wide enough to use a public restroom? Would you not have translation for the deaf in public policy debates or simply so they too can enjoy the basic pleasure of understanding a television show with closed captioning? Would you step over them for a dollar? I Ask because that sure seems to be the case with some of the posts above mine, man I'm not even a christian but I find some of you AMORAL, what the heck happened to make you so bitter, so hateful for the less fortunate? Or does your mind ever even consider anyone other than yourself? Doing the right thing is doing the right thing PERIOD, but I see some would have it turn political as if basic human dignity is a only for those who are whole, well you show you will never be whole as a human with comments like those, you lack some fundamental quality that is what makes us human, I see your posts and I'm ashamed to be in the same species as you, Hope nothing ever happens to those posters that makes life's challanges so great that they may look for or need assistance, but if it did, you'd damn well deserve it. \n\nI see one post has since been removed after consideration of my answer, Thank you for taking the time to see another side and after consideration, being open and honest enough to take the post down, open minds are the essence of a civilized society.
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.
141427
I think for a lot of people, sadly it does. Its the whole your with us or your against us type of thinking. Part of patriotism is standing up for what you dont think is right in your country, but that has been really downplayed lately in favor of a more blind patriotism. Im not saying that liking the leadership is necesarily bad (i may not agree, but i certainly dont know all the answers), but many people seem to think its the only way. Sadly the line of thinking that is being promoted though does make patriotism a negative thing which it really does not have to be.
127910
What makes you ask this?  Do you think thee is a lack of patriotism in the US?\n\nIf so, I couldnt disagree more.  Even in a time where we are fighting a very unpopular war, there are American flags on every corner and a "support our troops" magnet on every 3rd car.\n\nOr maybe I just think that because I'm in the Air Force and live in a military community
416814
Some people still haven't gotten over the fact that this site has a wide array of opinions on it (as it should).  They feel that anyone with a dissenting opinion is an idiot, and it makes them angry.  So they slap you with a violation in order to get your stuff deleted.\n\nInfringement upon free speech.  It's the stuff I hate more than anything.  You have an ally on the bleeding-heart liberal side.\n\n<EDIT>\nThanks sweetheart.  My main goal in my classes and on here is to convince people that just because we have ideological differences doesn't mean we have to think of the other side as all idiots.  The more we do that, the more we polarize our society.  I think that's a bad thing for America.  When good legislation can't be passed because the republicans are too afraid to break ranks or the democrats won't break ranks because they hate the republicans, then it's not good for anyone.\n\nI'm working on starting an alliance of conservatives and liberals, because I really think that when everyone defenses are down, and when everyone stops quoting what they hear on TV and instead does some critical thinking on their own, many times it comes out that we have the same goals.  Perhaps different ways of getting there, but those paths are what need the compromise.
214034
WHY? It appears that someone is EXPRESSING their thoughts and or beliefs. We STILL have the FREEDOM and RIGHT here in the USA to do such things. I would suggest that if this is offensive to you or anyone else they 1, don't visit the site, 2 start a site of your own and refute what is on this particular site.
320403
Yes, it IS wonderful that we have the freedom of speech in this Great Country of ours!\n\nI was in the Marines in the 70s, ready to defend the rights of this wonderful Country, and each Citizen, so we would keep that right. \n\nFreedom is a wonderful thing, and it doesnt come cheap. Its paid for by the blood, sweat and tears of a Nation, and its Citizens to keep it that way.\n\nJust my opinion...\n\nJesse