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What it means...
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Thanatos, posting as berzerker:
Originally posted by 63DH8:
[QB]American People
I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon-if I can. I seek opportunity-not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done. All this is what it means to be an American.
-Dean Alfange, creed. -Who’s who in America, 1984-85, Vol. 1, page 42[/QB]
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Comments
If he'd had the decency to say "human" or "free man" instead of "American," I'd consider that a decent wee speech. As it is, I think it's a shameless piece of America-centrism, hence the "arrogant prat" remark.
When I get a minute I'll post a certain bit of Brave New World that says much the same thing in (I humbly opine) a much better way.
You need to learn the difference between arrogance, and pride... between self-esteem and self-respect. You present a facade which demonstrates an adherence to self-esteem; I have led a life which has brought about accomplishment in such diverse areas that I have a depth of self-respect, as in measuring myself against the yardstick, and I do not wallow in mediocrity.
You seek the right to respect because you exist = self esteem = arrogance. I claim my right to respect through accomplishment = self respect = pride.
THAT is what the quote is about, and it is OBVIOUSLY over your pretty little head. As far as challenging me, Well anytime, sweetheart! lmfao! <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/biggrin.gif">
I didn't trash the piece on the grounds of what it said in any respect other than its America-centrism. I think that remains a valid criticism.
It's not over my head in any way at all. I was simply riled by the way it sought to promote "American" values, rather than a more universal set.
As a matter of fact I agree with you that not all respect is given, that a large part of it must be earned. I have worn my country's uniform, though nowhere near as long as you have yours. I do get a lot of what you're on about, I really do. I just think you tend to exaggerate some points and thus lose the point, use an axe when you should use a scalpel. That's all. <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif">
Relatively FEW Americans can lay claim, HONESTLY, to the tenets of that quoted paragraph.
I am here with the intent of CHALLENGING you Brits to individual self-respect, a concept which your nation is losing, at least as quickly as mine. As a nation, you have succumbed to complacency, and it saddens me. As a nation, you appear to quick to be led to your demise, as are those within my nation (whom I refer to as the Degenerative Left) who are ready to lay down rather than challenge themselves PAST mediocrity.
What I speak out so vociferously concerning on YOUR forum are the symptoms of a disease which SHALL prove fatal to your nation, AND mine, should they be allowed to continue unchecked.
When American was at her strongest, the ideals which I espouse were the norm. That is no longer applicable, much to my lament. When Britain was strong, those same ideals were the norm... they have apparently disappeared.
It is my wish that your nation RETURN to what it could be, what it SHOULD be.
Im a young man, Ive been brought up in a country that doesnt put any emphasis on personal responsibility or self respect. All through school I've been told things along the lines of "Its not about winning or loosing, its how you play the game". Everybody i went to school with has no sense of personal responsibility and just lives their life as the govt dictates. Theres no one person I went to school with who is interested in politics of any kind. They have no interest in anything other than which pub they will be getting drunk in at the weekend.
This country is going to keep going down the toilet until more people meet the ideals that bezerker posted in that quote.
That quote is what I want to be and I will work until I can say all those things.
American or not, its a damn good measure of a man.
I agree the piece espouses a lot of worthy ideals. It simply annoyed me by using the word "American."
Berzerker - Gimme a while to neaten my ideas up, then maybe we can have a good, civil discussion, in public or private.