Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with patriotism

Help me find that bad video please!

photoslob — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:53:30 -0800

There was a post in the last year or so of a really over-the-top video from some super patriotic singer. Lots of flags and cheezy pageantry. I remember the guy having long hair and the song was metal ballady. Anyone remember and have a link to what I'm talking about?

"‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way.”

sourwookie — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 07:36:27 -0800

Fear Of A Brown Planet: I'm looking for songs with a Jingoistic bent, preferably in Country Music. What hyper-patriotic, America: love-it-or leave-it, might-makes right, god-is-on-our-side songs can you think of?

Though interested in all eras (as far back as WWII) I am mostly trying to find the worst (war-mongering stance, racist overtones, etc.) of the current crop, spefically that dealing with Iraq and the current shift to the right.
Sample lyrics appreciated, too.

Conversely, who in country music (other than the Dixie Chicks) is vocally against the war, (or even better, writing songs against it)?

Is professional altruism dead?

Smarson — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 09:01:18 -0800

Are National Service Organizations (AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC) all they're cracked up to be? * I have a niece who is looking to do something for a year post undergrad. and pre master's program. She is an amazing girl who has a strong sense of civic duty/ patriotism and wants to serve her country, but despises all things republican/ Bush Administration (she prescribes to the "love your country, hate it's administration" philosophy) and is also opposed to violence, hence no military service. So as an alternative she is looking into National Service Programs like AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC. Will this give her the experience she is looking for? I've heard critiques that describe them as "ruining the concept of volunteerism," and not providing any substantial difference. I've also heard that these programs offer invaluable public services and go a long ways towards showing people a harder side of life in America. Opinions? Personal experiences?

How do you respond to "don't love it, leave it"?

joseph_elmhurst — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 19:32:50 -0800

[Rhetoricalhelpfilter]:What is a rational response to "if you don't love it, leave it"? On a few different occasions I've gotten into friendly (and no-so-friendly) debates about US foreign policy which have ground to a halt when my opponent used the golden oldie, "...if you don't love it, leave it" (or a variation thereof).

That argument, to me, is almost Goodwin-esque in its inanity. What's a respectful, logical way to respond?

Patriotism on speed

shannymara — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 15:30:11 -0800

Back in late 2001 or 2002 there was a Metafilter link to a Geocities-type page that was a bunch of ridiculous patriotic stuff all heaped on one page, replete with WAV of "boot in your ass the American way" or some such. It was enough to bog down my browser. Any idea where this was? Even the MeFi link would be great just to read the hilarious comments.

Will these magnets run?

shawnj — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:26:39 -0800

If you live in the US, you've probably seen them. Those yellow and red,white and blue magnets that people stick on their cars that look like ribbons, usually saying "Support Our Troops" or something of the sort. I've got a question about them. [MI] I've seen a chain mail being passed around that the material these are made of is potentially harmful to a car's paint job when exposed to temperatures under 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Does anyone know how valid that is?

Seventh Inning Stretch

mathowie — Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:58:33 -0800

When did "God Bless America" replace "Take me out to the ballgame" as the seventh inning stretch song in baseball? Is this just a NYC thing for the ALCS? Or did crackerjack sue someone?

Are there any veterans making money from patriotic songs?

mischief — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 16:18:05 -0800

Among musicians making more than a few bucks from patriotic songs (like Toby Keith and the current lineup of Lynyrd Skynyrd), who are actually veterans of the US military? ... and who definitely are not?