christ-on-a-stick

I overheard someone say this recently (in the middle of disparaging anti-war protesters) and was struck once again with the ridiculousness (?!) of it.

Then, in yesterday's newspaper there was a brief editorial addressing the same concept (I would link to it but can't find it on their site) and it contained one of the best, simple and succinct responses to this little slogan that I've heard.

"Why would someone be expected to leave a free country because they have the gall to excercise their freedom?"

It drives me crazy whenever I hear/see it (the slogan). This country was founded on principles of freedom of speech and for gawd's sake it was founded by a bunch of people who were fed up with their monarchical government and not being allowed to question the status quo. Freedom of conscience and the ability to question the government - a government of, by and for the people - were critical concepts to the formation of our Constitution, etc. "Love it or leave it"? I don't THINK so... more like "Love it, or do what you can to change it".

beyelzu

I have been told by a liberal once in a bar with some of my friends that she hated america and that she couldnt wait to move somewhere else like Japan or South Korea. I offered to buy her a plane ticket, she declined.

True story, her stance was consistent though, until she refused to leave. I do think that everyone has a right to free expression, on the other hand I have asked people why are they staying in this country if they do hate it and prefer to be somewhere else?


Maybe I am offering the watered down "love it or leave it" maybe what I would see is more like "hate it? love somewhere else? then why are you here?"


I dont know if the people who say "love it or leave it" are actually advocating government intervention or restriction of speech. Maybe they are just expressing their inability to understand how someone hates America.

everlastingtongue

I don�t see how not being in support of an action that the government is taking equates with �hating America.�

beyelzu

Nowhere did I say that it did.

Some people do hate america and will admit it. Many others hate america and will not admit it.


Furthermore, this has nothing to do with criticism of the government.

Grad Student Humanist

Maybe because, like me, they were born here and this is the only home they've known. So instead of leaving they're exercising their Constitutional rights to protest the system and the government in the hopes that it will change.

Maybe one day they will decide that it's not worth fighting the status quo anymore and decide to leave. However, it's their decision as to how, when and where to go. On the other hand, maybe they'll stay and spend the rest of their lives protesting and pissing off people who can't stand to have their idealized visions of America challenged. I think that's a good thing, and well within their rights. More power to them.

MortalWombat

Why that ingrate. As everyone knows, the only thing one needs in order to move to another country is the offer of a plane ticket from some guy in a bar.

beyelzu

Sorry I should have been a little clearer. She dated a friend of mine. I knew her more or less and she said that if she had the money for a ticket she would leave.


This occurred 2 years ago and she is still here.

beyelzu

Certainly they have the right to say whatever the fuck they want to , I certainly never said that they didnt.

I sometimes wonder if some of these people hope to change the system or just enjoy bitching about it.

I say this because it often seems to me that they dont suggest possible solutions most of the time.

Nataraja

No, I'm not going to leave it. I want it fixed. If ever I do pack my bags and move out, it will be an urge to travel, and not this mindless and insulting slogan, that inspires me to do so. If I remain in this country, it will not be because I have decided to turn a blind eye to its shortcomings and ascribe to the kind of blind nationalism that inspired such a cliche.

Grad Student Humanist

Well said! :notworthy