posted on February 9, 2005 09:50:55 AM new
By Charlie Madigan
Tribune senior correspondent
Published February 9, 2005, 6:29 AM CST
CHICAGO -- Proud of America?
Don't you love questions like that?
I think the answer depends on what's happening in the nation and what's happening in the world. But mostly, it seems, people are pretty proud to be Americans.
The question is "How proud?"
Not as proud as they were a couple of years ago.
I know this because the Gallup Organization, font of collective wisdom that it is, told me so in its latest in a series of polls Gallup has been conducting since 2001. The results came out Tuesday.
"How proud are you to be an American--extremely proud, very proud, moderately proud, only a little proud or not proud at all?"
Here's how it broke down this year.
Sixty-one percent said they were extremely proud; 22 percent said they were very proud; 12 percent said they were moderately proud; 3 percent said they were only a little proud; 1 percent said not proud at all and, believe it or not, 1 percent had no opinion.
Last year, 69 percent said they were extremely proud, with 22 percent at very, 5 percent at moderately and the rest the same as this year, except for some reason, no one had "no opinion" last year.
And the year before that, 70 percent were extremely proud, 20 percent very proud, 6 percent moderately proud, 2 percent only a little and 1 percent not at all or reflecting no opinion.
The numbers were lowest in the January before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when 55 percent were extremely proud, 32 percent were very proud, 9 percent were moderately proud, 1 percent was only a little proud, 2 percent was no proud at all and, again, 1 percent just didn't know.
One of the things that intrigues me about this poll is that it coincides with something I was reading just this morning about people wanting to move to Canada to escape what they believe is a rightward swing in American politics, symbolized by President Bush's re-election.
That was the first thing. The second thing was a conversation I had with a writer woman while I was walking my dog. She was fretting about the fleeting-to-Canada article in the New York Times.
So, I attacked.
You realize, I told her, that not so long ago, a vast proportion of the population of the state of Indiana was proud to identify itself as holding membership in the Ku Klux Klan?
You realize, I told her, that no so long ago, the oldest people in America also happened to be among the poorest, and that there was not much at all to help them in the most challenging years of their lives.
I could go on and on about stuff like this, little historical things that have always stuck with me that I find handy to trot out whenever people start thinking about leaving the country.
Well, politics, of course, is full of this kind of stuff. About a century ago, I like to note, women couldn't vote. Senators were picked by legislatures. People still used opium to combat anxieties and night vapors.
The big point is that, over time, things improve. Always.
Although I would never do this in a news story, sometimes I just make things up for conversation purposes. Hyperbolic references, I call them. For example, "Did you know that only 50 years ago, more people were killed from botulism caused by home canned foods than died in bathtub accidents involving radios or first-generation hair dryers?"
"Really?"
"No," I say, of course not. But wouldn't that be a handy statistic to toss around in conversations about whether things have actually improved or declined here on the home front.
Now that the election, the inauguration and the state of the Union address is behind us, it might be a good time to send along just a sentence on what you think.
How proud are you to be an American?
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 9, 2005 10:10:11 AM new
logansdad: First, I think you have to decide how or what is 'proud' to be an american.
Should we be proud of the country that was build here? Yes. But since I did not have a hand in any of that, I cannot particulary say I am proud to be an american as much as I am 'glad' to be an american.
I think americans on the whole are a pretty generous people and that much of that 'culture' involved in being american seems to get passed down from generation to generation.
posted on February 9, 2005 01:20:03 PM new
LOL - What have we here? The leftist leaning Chicago Tribune trying to make a negative out of a positive?
According to the Gallup Polling site itself:
February 08, 2005 Who's Proud to Be an American?
Republicans more likely than Democrats to say they are "extremely proud"
by Joseph Carroll, Gallup Poll Assistant Editor
Americans are extremely proud of their country. Since 2001, Gallup has been asking Americans a simple question: "How proud are you to be an American?" The results consistently show that the majority of adults nationwide are proud, and a review of the Gallup data over the past several years finds some interesting political and racial differences[/i].
[The content you are attempting to access is only available to Gallup Poll On Demand subscribers. Please log in to read the full article.]
---
Appears to me that it's those who have lost control of our Congress and lost their chance at the WH, once again, who might just be the one's who are in the tiny minority of this poll.
Plus that same poll shows this President's approval rating is at it's HIGHEST point in a year.
Doesn't look like anything to be concerned about to me. Enough people in the US are still VERY proud of our country.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 9, 2005 01:49:30 PM newThe second thing was a conversation I had with a writer woman while I was walking my dog. She was fretting about the fleeting-to-Canada article in the New York Times.
Why? Could it have been because the NYT did NOT mention that during that same year 11,000 Canadians decided to move to the US?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 9, 2005 02:08:48 PM newThe leftist leaning Chicago Tribune trying to make a negative out of a positive?
Wrong Linda. The Tribune is a "Republican" Newspaper.
Sixty-one percent said they were extremely proud; 22 percent said they were very proud; 12 percent said they were moderately proud; 3 percent said they were only a little proud; 1 percent said not proud at all and, believe it or not, 1 percent had no opinion.
Last year, 69 percent said they were extremely proud, with 22 percent at very, 5 percent at moderately and the rest the same as this year, except for some reason, no one had "no opinion" last year.
You are the one that wants to put a spin on things. The newspaper is reporting the facts.
61% extremely proud this year compared to 69% last year equals not as proud compared to the year before.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 9, 2005 02:12:38 PM newFirst, I think you have to decide how or what is 'proud' to be an american.
If the question was asked to provide an answer in essay format you could have elaborated in your answer. However giving an essay was not an option. You had 5 choices to choose from. When choosing your answer, you have to define what "proud" means to you. Everyone will have their own definition as this is subject to interpretation.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 9, 2005 02:17:21 PM newPlus that same poll shows this President's approval rating is at it's HIGHEST point in a year.
A 57% approval rating is not something I would be proud of. In school 57% would have been a failing grade.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 9, 2005 04:08:16 PM new
Let's see....why was this President re-elected? Could it be that 50% of the voters felt he'd do a better job of leading this country, compared to only 41% believing the dem party would/could do the same?
[Those stats above are on the poll in the same Gallup poll you chose to use; and speak to the question of who they trust to lead this country down the right path.]
And I see no change at all in the 1% who don't feel proud of this country. Do you just happen to fall in that consistant [from year to year] 1%, logansdad? lol
I see this as YOU grasping at straws by trying to make this distinction MUCH larger than most even care about....the whole democratic party is having difficulty adjusting to their continuing loss of power.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four More Years....YES!!!
edited to add: These words from Thomas Sowell say it better than I can:
"Having lost the White House, both houses of Congress, and a majority of the governorships and state legislatures, the Democrats are in an ugly and desperate mood, lashing out without regard to how their words and actions will affect this country's position internationally, including giving aid and comfort to our enemies."
[ edited by Linda_K on Feb 9, 2005 04:16 PM ]
posted on February 9, 2005 04:22:20 PM newDad, are you sure your not confusing "Gay Pride" with "Proud Gay"?
I think you are still upset that Bear Pride is a gay event. So how is your straight pride parade movement coming. Have you set a date when it will be held?
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 9, 2005 04:57:08 PM new
The question is "How proud?"
......if you were writing an essay...
!!!lol??!!!Well excuse me!!!
Like I said, the only thing I am proud of Americans for is their world renown generosity and humane spirit. Especially in times of disaster. So, how proud? Like you stated, that depends on how I feel at the moment. Some days, some americans sux or display deplorable behavior, just about like everybody else on the planet
posted on February 9, 2005 04:59:47 PM newthe Democrats are in an ugly and desperate mood,
As I view it, the Democrats have been very gracious about losing and are doing their best to move on. I think it has infuriated some of the neocons because they wanted to see lots of whining and bitchin' coming from the Democrats and had anticipated in all their glory, to rubbing their noses in it. Because they haven't been able to do it, the neocons are the ones who are truly in an ugly and desperate mood now. And they are the most unhappy 'winners' I've ever seen.
posted on February 9, 2005 05:19:31 PM new
You obviously have 'unhappy' confused with 'smug'. Commiserating with the likes of logansdad would confuse anyone. Remember don't pick up the soap!
edited to add: unless you look forward to picking up the soap.
__________
liberalism, the last bastion of elitism
[ edited by parklane64 on Feb 9, 2005 06:10 PM ]
posted on February 9, 2005 05:42:17 PM newAs I view it
I never have given you any credibility to see things as they really are here in the US....it's no different now.
The dems are acting as obstructionists....they're still blaming this President for everything, can't admit that his policies are showing positive results....and the list goes on.
Are YOU proud to be an American, kiara?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 9, 2005 06:22:43 PM newI never have given you any credibility to see things as they really are here in the US....it's no different now.
I fully realize you believe that, seeing as you are not open-minded enough to possibly take into account that others may be more worldly so view things differently than you do.
Why would the Democrats suddenly start to back everything Bush does if they don't believe in it or agree with it? Did you really expect them to roll over and start to follow like mindless sheep now?
Are YOU proud to be an American, kiara?
There are FOUR countries that I'm proud to be part of.
BTW, I'll never mention the other two because you'll go into a googlemanic state trying to dig up every piece of dirt you can on them and I wouldn't want to send you into overload.
posted on February 9, 2005 06:48:13 PM newDid you really expect them to roll over and start to follow like mindless sheep now?
No. But if Bill Clinton could ever bottle and sell that potion, he'd make Gates look like a piker. I'm serious. There are feminazis that can do the Incredible Hulk transmorgafication over the subject of child support, and then turn around and literally use a repudiated cliche, 'Boys will be boys,' concerning Free Willy's peccadillios. DUDE, share your secret with us! Does it have something to do with being the litter partner of the alpha PMSer? Or is it professional courtesy, like sharks not biting lawyers?
posted on February 9, 2005 10:17:43 PM newMe thinks they must be one in the same
SHH! Don't point that out. Ya noticed, eh?
Classless and Porklane, pleeezzzee don't start "trying to think", we are all fond of the two of you just as you are.... the board idiot mascots.. dumb and dumber..
I bet the last time you two ugly old trolls had a piece of ass was when your hand broke through the toilet paper...
posted on February 10, 2005 02:20:22 AM new
"I bet the last time you two ugly old trolls had a piece of ass was when your hand broke through the toilet paper"
I'd actually perfer that then putting my dick in you
posted on February 10, 2005 06:24:49 AM newThe dems are acting as obstructionists....they're still blaming this President for everything
Despite what you may want to believe Linda, it is not only the Democrats but your fellow Republicans are no longer being lap dogs to Dictator Bush. They to are questioning his policies and what he hopes to accomplish during his second term. So much for Bush's mandate.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 10, 2005 08:56:43 AM new
logansdad - While you are always complaining that I haven't answered each and every question you pose to me....it appears you didn't answer the one question I put to you here.
"[i]Do you just happen to fall in that consistant [from year to year] 1%, logansdad?"
AND on my answer to kiara's statement....I don't happen to see things the way she does. [surprise, surprise]. I don't believe her statement 'dems are being very gracious' is quite the way I'd describe kennedy's, pelosi's, etc. and deans' "I hate Republicans" to be what I call being 'very gracious'. I think it appears to be more like what I'd describe as very sore losers.
Then, of course we have all the leftist media like CNN which now accuses our soldiers of killing journalists. I don't see that as being 'for our troops' either.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 10, 2005 09:51:30 AM new
You prove my point how different we really are, Linda_K. Your mind chooses a couple of people to totally represent the thought process and feelings of everyone and you run on that simplistic view.
If you see a bit of bitterness from two people in a group it doesn't mean that everyone in that group shares the very same thoughts. Same as you can't judge a whole country by the actions of one or two individuals from that country. You may not grasp it as you try to categorize everyone in your simple "black and white", "right and wrong"and "left and right" world.
A couple of months ago I mentioned free-thinkers. Some lean towards certain beliefs but keep their minds open. I get the feeling that you chose Bush, shut your eyes and now continue to run with the program, no questions asked, no matter what happens down the road. That's fine if you find comfort in it, but you can't expect others to be the same as you. If you want no dissent from anyone, including the Democrats then you may as well just go with a dictatorship and be done with it.
posted on February 10, 2005 10:46:51 AM newWhile you are always complaining that I haven't answered each and every question you pose to me....it appears you didn't answer the one question I put to you here.
Linda now matter how I answer the question you will not believe my answer anyway. So you can continue to have your assumptions about what my views are with or without an answer.
As long as we are on the subject of unanswered questions, why don't you share with us the reason for why you left San Jose. What was it about the SF area that offended you so much?
I fully back Kiara in her statements. Linda you do think everything is black or white, right or wrong. You forget there is a middle ground. Perhaps if you step out into the real world you will wake up and see what actually concerns the average everyday citizen instead of living in that fairy tale little suburban town of yours.
You can continue to blindly follow Dictator Bush and his policies like the sock puppet you are. However that will not change my views for Bush. I will continue to believe he is an arrogant little prick, who has nothing but a power hungry ego to get his way in this country and the world. Get over there will always be people that HATE Dictator Bush and if that offends you, TFB. Now you better get back to your flag waving, ribbon tying group before they think you no longer support the troops.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on February 10, 2005 11:38:39 AM new
Chicago Tribune backs President Bush. It is the first on in the list
This is an audio so Listen carefully and see why they backed President Bush. Don't cut it off to short and you will see what the democrats did with the letters to the editors and why they threw many of them out.
posted on February 10, 2005 12:20:38 PM new
logansdad and kiara - What you usually see me here professing is my support for my country....and ALSO this President's actions.
I would be supporting my country in the exact same way if we had a democratic president who was taking the same actions. As I have mention several times...I did support the clinton administration when they made it our national policy to liberate Iraq and remove saddam. I did support the bombing of Iraq by clinton.
So...while I'd never expect you to change your views on how I think and it's all 'black and white and pro-Bush'...you're both wrong again.
And you are correct in a way, kiara, the howard dean's, the pelosi's, the ted kennedy's of this country are in the very small minority of how most American's view things...they are the wacho ultra-lefties. The people who are more concerned with their own political gains than with the best interests of our nation. Which on the whole is what the left here usually appears like to me....those in the tiny far, far, far left minority of American citizens.
But I do notice in all your venting that neither of you have 'declared' just how proud are you? for this country. That means what? That you do fall in the 1% of those polled who don't?
----
logansdad - Our reasons for leaving S.J. have nothing to do with this topic AND are really none of your business.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four More Years....YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Feb 10, 2005 12:25 PM ]
posted on February 10, 2005 12:42:13 PM new
Libra - To me it's exactly the same thing as when a life-long...democrat all his life, Zell Miller decided that he was voting for this President's re-election.
His stated reasons were the lack of his party to see the perils that face our Nation today. For that reason he said he was, for the first time ever, voting to elect a Republican to office.
It's just the left can't stand it when anyone in their own party looks at the seriousness of this issue and supports the 'right' on anything. Yet, they call us blind and refer to us as sheep... Seems to me to be the pot calling the kettle black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on February 10, 2005 01:08:48 PM new
Linda, like I said before, you've built an imaginary profile in your mind about some of us because you've headed so far the other way with your blind loyalty to the leader you worship.
I see most of us as very middle of the road but unless we are kissing azz with you and your Bush views, you seem to close your eyes to almost everything we say and just prefer to think we are totally whacko left. lol
posted on February 10, 2005 01:37:33 PM new
kiara - I have yet to see you say exactly which group of 'how proud are you' of the US you see YOURSELF as being in. In the past you have mentioned your dual allegience...now mention your quadruple allegience....but won't say just how proud you are of the US...which is the TOPIC here...not Linda.
I make my judgements according to the words you post. I have not once seen you post anything that would lead me to believe you are proud of America nor the actions we have taken. You come across to me as a true Internationalist and one who wants this 'world order' utopia. It's not reality, imo.
What is reality is that I support my country...I think we're the greatest even with our 'warts'...and I pledge my allegiance to ONLY my country. That appears to me to bother you ...too bad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
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