Comments on: What Is An American?

By: Stars And More Stars « A Natural Deficiency Of Moral Fiber

Stars And More Stars « A Natural Deficiency Of Moral Fiber — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:49:16 +0000

[...] What Is An American? – Newscoma [...]

By: editorbates

editorbates — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:59:45 +0000

Everything that you said makes you an American. That’s the beauty of this great nation is that we can be completely different, yet be a part of the same process that makes us all unique.
The definition of American is the ability to express our thoughts and if there is a disagreement, we can agree to disagree.
Those who do not allow people these first amendment freedoms, in my opinion, are un-American.
Good post, newscoma.

By: jim voorhies

jim voorhies — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:28:55 +0000

Doesn’t the vice president get to fill buckets with something or other?

By: Southern Beale

Southern Beale — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:19:59 +0000

I don’t mean to blogwhore but I wrote about something similar to this when I helped a friend study for her citizenship test last year. There’s a new citizenship test now, but the old one was so deeply rooted in cultural America, the mythology we’re raised on as Americans — who is Betsy Ross, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner, what does “One if by land, two if by sea” mean.

That kind of stuff is the American narrative that binds us all together, but how important is it? Is it more important than practical knowledge, like who the Speaker of the House is and what does that person do? How our laws are made? What it means to be a citizen?

I think a lot of so-called “real Americans” are very bound up in the mythology of America but don’t know jack about the practical stuff. They’ll utter absurd things like “the vice president is in charge of the Senate and can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes,” which of course is nothing close to what the vice president does.

By: Ginger

Ginger — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:24:16 +0000

I think it all comes down to the question of whether or not you wear a flag pin.

P.S. “Coma Six Pack,” I love you!

By: Things to ponder

Things to ponder — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:47:42 +0000

[...] Some thoughts from one of the most irrelevant, least important voters in this election, an un-American, and a failed American. [...]

By: saraclark

saraclark — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:25:27 +0000

I’ve got a taser and you’re welcome to come over and use it anytime you want. But remember you’ve got to eat whatever you tase or at least clean up the bodily fluids afterward.

I’ll put fresh batteries in for you.

By: Joe P.

Joe P. — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:01:41 +0000

i like this discussion too. this fake american hoo-ha chaps my hide.

since i was a small and ornery child, i have treasured this ideal that in this country, a person does not have to be one type or one thing to rate as a patriot or a human. all of my reading of the history of the government’s foundation was to escape from labels and requirements. and it still took us much more time to recognize the freedoms applied to more than white male property owners. didn’t nail that down until recently.
and for what it’s worth, joe ain’t a six pack or a plumber. joe is all about goooooooooooood coffee.

By: sadcox

sadcox — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:33:39 +0000

I’m with you on most of this stuff, especially the sushi.

Also I don’t watch football. I think I don’t even qualify as a Tennessean. I do however listen loyally to sports call in shows where people talk about nothing but football.

By: christinajade

christinajade — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:24:24 +0000

so, what you are saying, is that you are a communist, marxist, terrorist, hippie, on watch and hit lists, that doesn’t plan on shooting anyone today.

no wonder i love ya!

you always have awesome insight, but i REALLY love this one!!

By: The Unbearable Lightness Of Labels : Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:57:36 +0000

[...] » What Is An American?Posted 26 minutes [...]

By: jagosaurus

jagosaurus — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:43:53 +0000

Excellent. I love this.