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To each their own. You guys are hating NAF1 for expressing his opinion freely. I didn't see him single anybody out or personally attack any of you. In essence, what he was doing was patriotic and "American". The freedom to express one's feelings and thoughts is what America is about in my opinion (without attacking, belittling, etc.).
I never understood why patriotism has to be connected to violence, war, law enforcement, and the killing of others. I wish patriotism was more associated with choosing to do the right thing among all the wrong choices a person could make. I wish patriotism was focused more on empathy and respect. I can understand why people would be chanting "USA" but also don't know that it's something I would be doing. This whole mess has left four (and more if other victims don't recover) dead and almost 200 injured. I wish events like this didn't have to happen for people to find "patriotism".
You guys may not agree with NAF1 (and I'm not saying I do either), but at least have respect for his viewpoints. Disagreements between people do not have to be aggressive or destructive.
My take on all of it is that we're arguing over semantics. Regardless if he's a "terrorist" or not, he still (allegedly) carried out horrible crimes against people, depriving them of their God-given rights (namely life). Americans, sadly, murder people everyday and do horrible things to the people around them, whether it is through murder, economics, abuse, etc. You don't have to be American to be a good person or be labeled a "terrorist" to be a bad person. I hope we move past that at some point. Nobody talks about the person who murders, abuses, steals, maims, etc., as a terrorist, but you can believe that that person ruins many people's lives. Maybe not at first, but over the course of generations, it can happen.
Admittedly, there are times I'm ashamed to be American. I'm grateful to live here, but sometimes I'm ashamed of what our society deems appropriate. For example, I was in Mexico and at the resort I was staying at there were many Americans. Most of them, however, were fat, rude, obnoxious drunks who belittled hotel staff and were demanding and insulting towards others. That's not exactly something I'd like to associate myself with. Watching people parade around with no moral ethics, no integrity, not caring for what's right and helping others, but focusing on themselves and making sure they "get theirs" is frustrating and oft-times disheartening. Like I said, I just wish that more people (and I include myself in that statement, I'm not perfect in any way) would choose to do the right thing, just because it's the right thing. Not for a reward or recognition, but rather just to help a person in need and make sure we all get "there", to happiness.
I am proud of the principles behind America, the Constitution, and the founding ideas that the country was created upon, but I can't say that I'm always proud to be "American" because in a lot of ways I see America losing its focus on doing the right thing and shifting towards a more selfish lifestyle.
As I stated earlier though, each person is entitled to their opinions and, in my opinion, that's the most "American" thing any of us can do. I won't be upset or angry with anybody (and I'm sure there will be some) who disagrees with me.
I never understood why patriotism has to be connected to violence, war, law enforcement, and the killing of others. I wish patriotism was more associated with choosing to do the right thing among all the wrong choices a person could make. I wish patriotism was focused more on empathy and respect. I can understand why people would be chanting "USA" but also don't know that it's something I would be doing. This whole mess has left four (and more if other victims don't recover) dead and almost 200 injured. I wish events like this didn't have to happen for people to find "patriotism".
You guys may not agree with NAF1 (and I'm not saying I do either), but at least have respect for his viewpoints. Disagreements between people do not have to be aggressive or destructive.
My take on all of it is that we're arguing over semantics. Regardless if he's a "terrorist" or not, he still (allegedly) carried out horrible crimes against people, depriving them of their God-given rights (namely life). Americans, sadly, murder people everyday and do horrible things to the people around them, whether it is through murder, economics, abuse, etc. You don't have to be American to be a good person or be labeled a "terrorist" to be a bad person. I hope we move past that at some point. Nobody talks about the person who murders, abuses, steals, maims, etc., as a terrorist, but you can believe that that person ruins many people's lives. Maybe not at first, but over the course of generations, it can happen.
Admittedly, there are times I'm ashamed to be American. I'm grateful to live here, but sometimes I'm ashamed of what our society deems appropriate. For example, I was in Mexico and at the resort I was staying at there were many Americans. Most of them, however, were fat, rude, obnoxious drunks who belittled hotel staff and were demanding and insulting towards others. That's not exactly something I'd like to associate myself with. Watching people parade around with no moral ethics, no integrity, not caring for what's right and helping others, but focusing on themselves and making sure they "get theirs" is frustrating and oft-times disheartening. Like I said, I just wish that more people (and I include myself in that statement, I'm not perfect in any way) would choose to do the right thing, just because it's the right thing. Not for a reward or recognition, but rather just to help a person in need and make sure we all get "there", to happiness.
I am proud of the principles behind America, the Constitution, and the founding ideas that the country was created upon, but I can't say that I'm always proud to be "American" because in a lot of ways I see America losing its focus on doing the right thing and shifting towards a more selfish lifestyle.
As I stated earlier though, each person is entitled to their opinions and, in my opinion, that's the most "American" thing any of us can do. I won't be upset or angry with anybody (and I'm sure there will be some) who disagrees with me.
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Crticism=hatred? What an ignorant mentality 
