God Bless America... Why?

[Hotwire]

I was watching George Carlin's latest special, and he made this same point. God bless America? Why? What does the phrase mean? Is it a request, a demand? And why is it only America? Why not Darfur? It's people are being slaughtered. Why not Mexico? It's people risk persecution in this country just to find a job? Why not China and Tibet? My point is, what really makes America so special that we are the only one's deserving of God's blessing? It seems to me, that if we are going to request a blessing from God, maybe we should show a little humility, and not put our own country, the wealthiest nation on Earth, ahead of those less fortunate.

[Captain Planet!]

God Bless Japan for All of Their Electronic Goodies?

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by Captain Planet!

God Bless Japan for All of Their Electronic Goodies?

[Drizzle]

Originally Posted by Captain Planet!

God Bless Japan for All of Their Electronic Goodies?

No, they're disqualified for having used schoolgirl panties in vending machines. God hates that even more than adultery.

[odiin]

America sneezed.

[Space Moose]

Originally Posted by odiin

America sneezed.

In that case it should be 'gesundheit'.

[Shedhut]

Originally Posted by Space Moose

In that case it should be 'gesundheit'.

just to clear that up: Do you say gesundheit, like you say uber, angst, blitzkrieg, kindergarten ect. in the states?

[raybia]

Originally Posted by Mal'Akai

I was watching George Carlin's latest special, and he made this same point. God bless America? Why? What does the phrase mean? Is it a request, a demand? And why is it only America? Why not Darfur? It's people are being slaughtered. Why not Mexico? It's people risk persecution in this country just to find a job? Why not China and Tibet? My point is, what really makes America so special that we are the only one's deserving of God's blessing? It seems to me, that if we are going to request a blessing from God, maybe we should show a little humility, and not put our own country, the wealthiest nation on Earth, ahead of those less fortunate.

I don't think of that term excluding other countries and America is more than a country, its an idea; an experiment. If that experiment works then it can be the model for every other model on Earth.

However its my belief that the American experiment, as designed by the founding fathers, is being tampered with by enemies of democracy so that the America we see today is far from what was envisioned by the founding fathers.

If the enemies of America have their way then America will cease to exist and in its place will be something that will clearly not be democracy.

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

[Figs]

Originally Posted by raybia

I don't think of that term excluding other countries and America is more than a country, its an idea; an experiment. If that experiment works then it can be the model for every other model on Earth.

However its my belief that the American experiment, as designed by the founding fathers, is being tampered with by enemies of democracy so that the America we see today is far from what was envisioned by the founding fathers.

If the enemies of America have their way then America will cease to exist and in its place will be something that will clearly not be democracy.

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

Agree with all.

I don't know maybe some of those other countries that the first poster listed should get the balls to fight back...instead of us helping a lot of the time.

[SuBe]

Originally Posted by raybia

I don't think of that term excluding other countries and America is more than a country, its an idea; an experiment. If that experiment works then it can be the model for every other model on Earth.

However its my belief that the American experiment, as designed by the founding fathers, is being tampered with by enemies of democracy so that the America we see today is far from what was envisioned by the founding fathers.

If the enemies of America have their way then America will cease to exist and in its place will be something that will clearly not be democracy.

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

Wonderful Post. And those enemies are on both sides of the aisle, and both parties are more concerned with keeping their jobs, not what is best for the citizens that they represent.

[lazur]

Originally Posted by raybia

I don't think of that term excluding other countries and America is more than a country, its an idea; an experiment. If that experiment works then it can be the model for every other model on Earth.

However its my belief that the American experiment, as designed by the founding fathers, is being tampered with by enemies of democracy so that the America we see today is far from what was envisioned by the founding fathers.

If the enemies of America have their way then America will cease to exist and in its place will be something that will clearly not be democracy.

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

I agree in principle with what you're saying, but I don't agree down to every detail.

America is *not*, nor was it ever intended to be, a 'democracy'. It's a representative republic.

The problem as I see it is not that we have enemies of 'democracy' in positions of power - it's that we have enemies of 'the republic, for which it stands' in positions of power.

And this country will continue to spiral downward until someone comes along and makes bold changes to this entire line of 'democracy' garbage being taught to our children in our government schools, and espoused by political leaders to the masses.

[raybia]

Originally Posted by lazur

I agree in principle with what you're saying, but I don't agree down to every detail.

America is *not*, nor was it ever intended to be, a 'democracy'. It's a representative republic.

The problem as I see it is not that we have enemies of 'democracy' in positions of power - it's that we have enemies of 'the republic, for which it stands' in positions of power.

And this country will continue to spiral downward until someone comes along and makes bold changes to this entire line of 'democracy' garbage being taught to our children in our government schools, and espoused by political leaders to the masses.

You are right. With representatives America is not a true democracy but as you said I was speaking in principle.

[jaguarr]

Originally Posted by raybia

I don't think of that term excluding other countries and America is more than a country, its an idea; an experiment. If that experiment works then it can be the model for every other model on Earth.

However its my belief that the American experiment, as designed by the founding fathers, is being tampered with by enemies of democracy so that the America we see today is far from what was envisioned by the founding fathers.

If the enemies of America have their way then America will cease to exist and in its place will be something that will clearly not be democracy.

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

*puts on Devil's Advocate hat*

I get what you're saying, but how arrogant is it for we Americans to think "Well, we've ironed out MOST of the kinks in our 200 year old government, now, so we're going to give it to all those other countries that have been around for thousands of years because what they have isn't good enough and isn't exactly the way we think it should be." ?

jag

[raybia]

Originally Posted by jaguarr

*puts on Devil's Advocate hat*

I get what you're saying, but how arrogant is it for we Americans to think "Well, we've ironed out MOST of the kinks in our 200 year old government, now, so we're going to give it to all those other countries that have been around for thousands of years because what they have isn't good enough and isn't exactly the way we think it should be." ?

jag

**Oh no, I hate it when jag puts on the Devil's Advocate hat**

I understand with what you are saying and I agree with your post.

Anyone who really has the audacity to think that we have ironed out MOST of our kinks has had their head buried in the sand and has not been keep up with the current events of the past 90 years or so.

We are not even close to being a model society. And when we do get there we should not have our nose in the air in arrogance.

If the American experiment designed by the founding fathers does prove to be successful it probably still has a hundred years or more before we arrive to that point, if America is not destroyed in the meanwhile from within.

Even if America proves to be the ideal model society, we should NEVER impose that model on any society but should lead by example.

If we experience community success in all aspects of societal life while other global societies are struggling for survival then "our ideal way of life" should be an easy sell that would motivate these countries to send representatives over here to see how they can implement it in their own lands.

In other words, success breeds success. You don't have to force success down the throats of the masses.

[jaguarr]

Originally Posted by raybia

**Oh no, I hate it when jag puts on the Devil's Advocate hat**

I understand with what you are saying and I agree with your post.

Anyone who really has the audacity to think that we have ironed out MOST of our kinks has had their head buried in the sand and has not been keep up with the current events of the past 90 years or so.

We are not even close to being a model society. And when we do get there we should not have our nose in the air in arrogance.

If the American experiment designed by the founding fathers does prove to be successful it probably still has a hundred years or more before we arrive to that point, if America is not destroyed in the meanwhile from within.

Even if America proves to be the ideal model society, we should NEVER impose that model on any society but should lead by example.

If we experience community success in all aspects of societal life while other global societies are struggling for survival then "our ideal way of life" should be an easy sell that would motivate these countries to send representatives over here to see how they can implement it in their own lands.

In other words, success breeds success. You don't have to force success down the throats of the masses.

One need look no further than Iraq to see how things work out when we try to impose our idea of an ideal government and societal model on others.

jag

[bullets]

It's basically " I love America " reiterated.

If you go to Boston, Ma. there is an engraving on the side of a bridge that reads:

The best neighborhood this side of Heaven

I don't think that should be taken offensively or out of context and neither should " God Bless America" . You could be in Spain and say " God Bless Spain" (in espanol) .

[Angry Sentinel]

Originally Posted by bullets

It's basically " I love America " reiterated.

If you go to Boston, Ma. there is an engraving on the side of a bridge that reads:

The best neighborhood this side of Heaven

I don't think that should be taken offensively or out of context and neither should " God Bless America" . You could be in Spain and say " God Bless Spain" (in espanol) .

Tell this to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. According to his detractors his remarks are simply racist, and he was attacking the country. When, if you look at his history and the totality of his sermons, while aggregious and emotional, he was simply attacking an unjust establishment.

Originally Posted by Raybia

Ironically these enemies are those who are already in positions of power to shape American laws, policies both domestic and foreign, economy, social culture, etc.

Which is probably another reason why people are lead to hear the comments referenced above as racist.

[lazur]

Originally Posted by Mal'Akai

I was watching George Carlin's latest special, and he made this same point. God bless America? Why? What does the phrase mean? Is it a request, a demand? And why is it only America? Why not Darfur? It's people are being slaughtered. Why not Mexico? It's people risk persecution in this country just to find a job? Why not China and Tibet? My point is, what really makes America so special that we are the only one's deserving of God's blessing? It seems to me, that if we are going to request a blessing from God, maybe we should show a little humility, and not put our own country, the wealthiest nation on Earth, ahead of those less fortunate.

It's what those in America say about their own country. Do you really think similar phrases aren't used in and about other countries?

[Prison Mike]

Originally Posted by lazur

It's what those in America say about their own country. Do you really think similar phrases aren't used in and about other countries?

yeah, I agree. Only people in America will say it. I doubt people in China would say "God Bless America". They would say "God Bless China" or whatever country you are in. The point is, you want God to bless whatever country you are from.

[Mr Sparkle]

Originally Posted by lazur

It's what those in America say about their own country. Do you really think similar phrases aren't used in and about other countries?

there's " long live Mexico" (Viva Mexico) for instance.
but, it's weird that the phrase for "America" includes God.
plus, right after 9-11 I saw some bumper stickers that said.

" America bless God " I was working in a San Diego office at the time and one of the architects said to me:
" that is the single most retarded thing I have ever seen in a bumper sticker"
I tend to agree.

Originally Posted by Celldog

And one more thing......you ought to want him to bless this country. Why? Because we are the ones helping everybody else. We're the ones protecting everyone else. We are place where most people migrate to (legally or illegally) so that they can have something!!

Question: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs ["From the Shadows"], that American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan 6 months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a role in this affair. Is that correct?
Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahadeen began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.
Q: Despite this risk, you were an advocate of this covert action. But perhaps you yourself desired this Soviet entry into war and looked to provoke it?
B: It isn't quite that. We didn't push the Russians to intervene, but we knowingly increased the probability that they would.

protecting?

Efforts by the U.S. government to prevent Allende from taking office after his 1970 election are documented in U.S. materials declassified during the Clinton administration. For example, a formal instruction was issued on 16 October 1970 — after the election but before Allende's inauguration — by Thomas Karamessines, the CIA Deputy Director of Plans, to the CIA base in Chile, which stated:
“ It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup. It would be much preferable to have this transpire prior to 24 October but efforts in this regard will continue vigorously beyond this date. We are to continue to generate maximum pressure toward this end, utilizing every appropriate resource. It is imperative that these actions be implemented clandestinely and securely so that the USG [United States Government] and American hand be well hidden...,[4] ” Immediately after the Allende government came into office, the U.S. sought to place economic pressure on Chile

In Spring 1949, the elected government of Syria is overthrown and ‘according to former CIA agent Miles Copeland, …he and another CIA officer who was Assistant Military Attaché at the U.S. embassy in Damascus engineered the March 1949 coup in which Chief of Staff Husni Zaim overthrew [President Shukn al -] Quwatli.’ [21] This resulted in the establishment of a dictatorship under Colonel Za’im.

Opposed to foreign intervention in Iran and a keen nationalist, Mohammed Mosaddeq became the prime minister of Iran in 1951. Thus, when Mosaddeq was elected he chose to nationalise the Iranian oil industry, where previously British holdings had generated great profits for Britain through the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Furthermore, prior to the nationalisation of Iranian oil Mosaddeq had also cut all diplomatic ties with Britain.[22]
The Sha of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was opposed to the nationalisation of Iranian oil as he feared this would result in an oil embargo, which would destroy Iran’s economy and thus, the Sha was very concerned with the effect of Mosaddeq’s policies on Iran. Equally worried were workers in the Iranian oil industry, when they experienced the economic effect of the sanctions on Iranian oil exports which Mosaddeq’s policies had resulted in, and riots were happening across Iran..[23] Thus, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi asked Mosaddeq to resign, as was the Sha’s constitutional right, but Mosaddeq refused, which resulted in national uprisings. The Sha, fearing for his personal security, fled the country but nominated General Fazlollah Zahedi as new Prime Minister. Although General Fazlollah Zahedi was a nationalist, he did not agree with the Mosaddeq’s lenient attitude towards the communist Tudeh party, which the United States had also become increasingly concerned with, fearing Soviet influence spreading in the Middle East. Therefore, when in late 1952, the British government asked the U.S. administration for help with the removal of Mohammed Mosaddeq, the U.S. administration agreed and ‘Allen Dulles, the director of the CIA , approved one million dollars on April 4, 1953 to be used “in any way that would bring about the fall of Mossadegh” [24]Consequently, after a failed attempt on August 15, ‘on August 19, 1953, General Fazlollah Zahedi succeeded [with the help of the United States and Britain] and Mossadegh was overthrown. The CIA covertly funneled five million dollars to General Zahedi’s regime on August 21, 1953’.[25]
This CIA operation, often referred to as Operation Ajax and led by CIA officer Kermit Roosevelt, ensured the return of the Sha on August 22 1953.[26]

I could go on, but why bother?

[TLH]

Gotta love George Carlin; the only man alive who can say "**** people with cancer" and get away with it, which he did when I saw him live, and everybody laughed.

[bullets]

How many of these countries want god's blessing anyway?

[cerealkiller182]

God Bless America is simply a phrase. It's like wishing good fortune and good tidings on someone. In regards to that its usually American citizens who say the phrase. I believe this is what it means to the bulk of the population.

The real problem is we couldnt say Have a Nice Day, America because theres too many loud, obnoxious, uptight, self-important people in America to let that slide, the same people who hated to hear Happy Holidays as a substitute greeting at Wal-Mart for Merry Christmas.

[Apollo]

when are people going to start saying "god bless the world"? i mean people are so selfish only saying "god bless America" i mean at least think of other people in other country's dammit!
they have feelings and souls too.

"GOD BLESS THE WORLD!"

[Carcharodon]

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "God Bless EVERYONE....No Exceptions!"