Very interesting. I had never stopped to actually define nation vs. state or ever considered the goals of each. I'm curious though, with so many different nations how do we include all of them all of the time. Like in your example of the National Anthem. Are we to start setting aside lots of time before all major sporting events so we can go down the list of every National Anthem that exist in the US?
Good article. I'm a white guy who moved into a neighborhood I could afford (I thought) and around me around latinos and blacks. Very different people :D From each other and from me. My latino neighbor had me over for a party and it was like walking into another country next door. So I appreciate this perspective on the bigger, macro view.
As usual a penetrating “cut through the BS” analysis- I never thought of it that way before but it sure does explain a lot - so the most important question becomes “what is worth conserving” and it’s not the American empire imho
Good point about words mattering. I think Churchill was on to something there. Seems to me the national concept was an attempt to forge a unity among the diversity rather than a uniformity. To that point, a melting pot was never a good analogy. A stew pot would have been much better. All the various elements simmering together, taking on a general flavor but retaining much of their individual characteristic.
What changed is that those who sought power learned they could do it easiest by division.
So maybe we should settle for an American Anthem and leave the nationals to celebrate as they will.
On a side note, it's odd that certain leaders of division spent today whining that people not of their nation didn't stand for an anthem not their own.
You are not wrong about the direction things are going. The populace isn't paying attention and the government is robbing us blind. But, it doesn't have to happen. It isn't inevitable. We don't have to accept division, it's just easier than the alternative. Because the alternative is mean. It's closed borders. Equality of opportunity not outcome. Fitting in, instead of celebrating your individuality. It's independence, and it's disappearing. Because it means responsibility, and responsibility is hard work. It feels a bit like the lizards got to you this week. But, I've liked what you've had to say this far, and disagreeing is also a freedom I've been told we have. So, I disagree sir. I'll be back next week to see if you have been turned by the lizards or if this was simply a one off.
Very interesting. I had never stopped to actually define nation vs. state or ever considered the goals of each. I'm curious though, with so many different nations how do we include all of them all of the time. Like in your example of the National Anthem. Are we to start setting aside lots of time before all major sporting events so we can go down the list of every National Anthem that exist in the US?
Good article. I'm a white guy who moved into a neighborhood I could afford (I thought) and around me around latinos and blacks. Very different people :D From each other and from me. My latino neighbor had me over for a party and it was like walking into another country next door. So I appreciate this perspective on the bigger, macro view.
As usual a penetrating “cut through the BS” analysis- I never thought of it that way before but it sure does explain a lot - so the most important question becomes “what is worth conserving” and it’s not the American empire imho
Good point about words mattering. I think Churchill was on to something there. Seems to me the national concept was an attempt to forge a unity among the diversity rather than a uniformity. To that point, a melting pot was never a good analogy. A stew pot would have been much better. All the various elements simmering together, taking on a general flavor but retaining much of their individual characteristic.
What changed is that those who sought power learned they could do it easiest by division.
So maybe we should settle for an American Anthem and leave the nationals to celebrate as they will.
On a side note, it's odd that certain leaders of division spent today whining that people not of their nation didn't stand for an anthem not their own.
You are not wrong about the direction things are going. The populace isn't paying attention and the government is robbing us blind. But, it doesn't have to happen. It isn't inevitable. We don't have to accept division, it's just easier than the alternative. Because the alternative is mean. It's closed borders. Equality of opportunity not outcome. Fitting in, instead of celebrating your individuality. It's independence, and it's disappearing. Because it means responsibility, and responsibility is hard work. It feels a bit like the lizards got to you this week. But, I've liked what you've had to say this far, and disagreeing is also a freedom I've been told we have. So, I disagree sir. I'll be back next week to see if you have been turned by the lizards or if this was simply a one off.