is patriotism natural for an aspie?

Post Reply New Topic

could appeals to patriotism be seen as a sign of trolling (astroturfing)?
(in this forum)

patriotism is a way of increasing the loyalty of citizens beyond what is deserved.
nothing wron with supporting ones country as long as one maintains perpective.

Patriotic in what way?

1. People - I think, in general, the people of my country are hard-working and honest. I also think they're a little uninterested in and ignorant about the rest of the world. I feel so-so about them.

2. Geography - Big, with lots of natural resources and beautiful scenery. Mountains, forests, plains, deserts, beaches, tropical swamps and frozen tundras. Love it.

3. Government - Founded on some great ideals, but now badly corrupted. As a result infrastructure, education, safety, and access to healthcare are all in decline. Standard of living is falling. Not feeling patriotic in this area.

Patriotism per se isn't a bad thing, but when it is unconditional that's when it becomes bad. I am proud to live in a country that provides me the luxury of not having to walk miles for a bucket of water that'll only last me a day. I don't think I'm so much better than everyone else cuz of where I'm from, but I am simply grateful for what my country has provided for me and my family and I will definitely not take these things for granted. It's okay to be grateful, it's just not okay to be a self righteous xenophobic douche.

As a second generation citizen of this country, I am very thankful for the economic freedom this country has given my family to rise above poverty. We are #7 on the list of the world's freest economies and cuz of this my parents has been able to move us out of the projects. Is patriotism natural for people with AS? It's not an AS or NT thing but I suppose with the social stigma we face, we might be more likely to be dissatisfied with the way society is which is true for any group that feels oppressed.

I feel lucky to be born in a luxurious part of the world and I'm gratefull of the care provided by the governing body of the swat of dirt I inhabit; that is where my sympathy ends.

We are talking about a few different things: patriotism, nationalism, chauvinism and jingoism.

I am most certainly patriotic. I am able to look at my country and identify many things about it that I believe make it a great place within which to live and work. I am able to look at my country's people and identify heroes, thinkers, innovators and leaders whose work reflects well on the country that created them.

I am also a nationalist. I believe that there are laws, conventions, customs and uses in Canada that ought to be defended against competing ones from other countries. Perhaps ironically, one of these is our respect for diversity.

I am occasionally chauvinistic--preferring my country or my country's ways in preference to others for no other reason than they are my own. This is pretty rare for me, and I generally favour my country's approach for rational rather than emotional reasons. (And I am perfectly prepared to point out when I feel that my country has got it wrong.)

I do not believe, however, that I am ever jingoistic. The connotations of bellicose foreign policy, and the bluster and blatance inherent in jingoism do not coincide with my patriotism.

I love my country very much, and I do find myself easily brought to tears when I hear songs song in her honor. I went to a Spirit of America show with my AFJROTC class and felt that patriotic high for days after. I've seen the mountians, the lakes and the forests of America and fallen in love with every part of them. I'd love to visit Spain, Australia or even Canada, but my heart will always be in America. In other words, yes I consider myself a patriot.

The wars disgust me, but the men and women who fight to their deaths just so I can safely sleep at night? They make me proud, despite my being a pacifist. I don't know if I would be able to do that, to throw away my life so a stranger can live in freedom. I know people who hate them for being soldiers, for killing and wasting all that money that could be spent on educating children. Again, it's horrible that they must fight, but to hate them? Depressing.

Still, my country saddens me. We had no reason to send our nation's children to die in a war that should never have happened. The wars, the poverty, the political corruption, the discrimination: we are based on freedoms and yet we oppress. But my childish hopes will always be there, praying one day we can truly be a UNITED country.