Newsgroup: it.arti.musica.rock.progressive
Titolo: Ian Anderson's comment about displaying the American flag

So many ways to look at this one.  First of all, I'm not offended by the
comment.  For many reasons, it's very likely that I wouldn't even be
offended if I understood what he meant.  If he came out and said "America
sucks", I wouldn't mind it, because, with all the great things there are to
say about this country, there are quite a few "sucky" things as well.
There's always room for improvement.  I would think I'd get unanimous
agreement on that.  And if you agree with this, you should agree that, if we
consider ourselves open minded, we should be open to criticism.  Mr.
Anderson criticizes one single aspect of this country.  You're free to
boycott his music.  I'm not saying that you're overreacting, but it could be
argued that you are.
Many other arguments are valid.  I must admit, personally, that if there was
a context to the comment that I read, I don't know of it.  Here's all I
have:
"I hate to see the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon,
out of every SUV, every little Midwestern house in some residential area.
It's easy to confuse patriotism with nationalism. Flag waving ain't gonna do
it." (Ian Anderson)
If there is a context, outside of what we have in this quote, that colors
the message he was trying to convey, then no valid commentary can be made of
this quote.  So I'll pretend, for the moment, that I know for a fact that
this quote encompasses the entire context of his comment unto itself.
Hence my response would be to ask Mr. Anderson what he meant.  Is the
displaying of a flag an automatic plug for nationalism?  Who is "confusing"
(as he says) patriotism with nationalism?  Is Mr. Anderson confused?
Shouldn't the displayer of the flag be asked if he or she is a nationalist
before being accused of being one?  What is it that 'flag waving ain't gonna
do'?
As for the boycotters, shouldn't you ask these questions before jumping all
over Mr. Anderson?
I rarely feel I know what I'm talking about on most subjects.  That's likely
the case here, as well.  What distresses me is that the world seems to be
filled with people who are convinced they always know what they're saying
and doing, yet they rarely seem to be truly clear on anything coming out of
their mouths.  This situation strikes me as an irrational reaction to an
unclear comment, which may have possibly been taken out of context in the
first place.
Before anyone starts spewing insults, Mr. Anderson should ask people why
they're displaying our flag, and people should seek out the total context of
his statement and/or ask him to clarify himself.
My point:  I think you're all crazy.  But then again, my opinion's extremely
questionable, because I'm quite crazy myself.  (Ask anyone who knows me!)
As for my true (questionable) opinion?  Keep waving those flags if you feel
you want to.  Ian, you still rock, and I'll never stopping playing your
tunes.  Do I have to start quoting Rodney King?

 wrote in message
news:hjetb.19542$cL3....@newssvr25.news.prodigy.com...
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I didn't get the idea that Anderson is against patriotism or national pride.
He has a problem with knee-jerk, uncritical flag-waving jingoism.

 
Yes you have to see his full comments to get the proper context.
Alan

This isn't quite the place for this type of dialogue, but let me plug my two
cents.
First penny... If Ian Anderson is the same New Age lunatic who THINKS he's a
musician that was slamming Christianity on his last pass through my town,
then I don't really give a rip what he thinks. He can go back to England for
all I care!
Second penny... I hope to see our flag fly from every lamp post, front
porch, car window and any other place that can suitably display it. In
addition, I would LOVE to see America host military parades the likes of
which would make those of the old USSR, PROC and North Korea look like a
small backwoods troop of Cub Scouts. I am so sick and tired of America being
demonized for her successes in her short history. This is the most powerful
nation on Earth and damnit, if we feel that some tin soldier is unfit to
rule and brutalize a nation, then we should have the right to march in
there, kick some @$$ and tell the rest of the world that their opposition is
merely jealousy and low self esteem.
I have two flag stickers on my car, a flag hanging from my front porch and
several patriotic t-shirts that I wear often and with PRIDE! Did it ever
occur to this man that some people may actually wave the flag 'cause they
MEAN it?
Well, sorry for the OT post, but I had to get this off my chest.

 wrote in message
news:VfTub.407$dl.5...@twister.southeast.rr.com...
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Glad its off your chest. Now can I get something off my chest? Here goes:
You're a fascist.

 small backwoods troop of Cub Scouts.
With or without goose stepping?
Tony

 wrote in message
news:VfTub.407$dl.5...@twister.southeast.rr.com...


 then I don't really give a rip what he thinks. 
No, you're clearly thinking of someone else.
<snipping the rest because this seems more like trolling than anything else.

You guys (Richard Barnes and Atrox) need to study your history. I would LOVE
to discuss this further, but this is a DT board, not a political soapbox.
Name the place, 'cause I really feel the need to defend and explain my
views.

 wrote in message
news:n4bvb.10256$I53.2...@twister.southeast.rr.com...
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I know a little something about history. Let it rip. I'm sure the others on
the board will indulge us.


That's how I read the situation too. (I'm American.) I don't have any
problem with what he said. People just don't want to hear the truth... or
they just want to live in their own 'idealist' worlds. I do not think Ian
had anything to apologize for. I am so sick of this 'politically correct'
crap... and I am not a screaming liberal, conservative, or any other title.
I'm a 'Common Senser (?)'.
John

--
My CD Store On Half.com
http://half.ebay.com/shops/shops.jsp?seller_id=1044802
"John M." <jamas...@YOURmsn.com> wrote in message
news:5fb0d501381f2c06...@news.meganetnews.com...
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As long as you're not a "Common Sensertivist".

 wrote in message
news:I56dnedAHe_...@comcast.com...
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I agree. There's never been an empire that didn't fall.