You Make Patriotism Ugly

[jjllbb]

I was finishing up with my customer when I looked up to see a man, a woman, and small child trying to pass the line to the exit.

The woman next in line haughtily yelled out "DON'T PUSH ME!" and actually shoved against the family, knocking the child towards his father.

I didn't catch the father's quiet response.

But the woman in line raised her arms and actually starting singing "God Bless America..........." and blew kisses at them as they left.

And even as they were yards away, across the store, she continued waving her arms and condescendingly yelling things at them like "bye now! Buh-bye! Have a great day! Whatever!!!! WHATEVERRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"

I have no idea what set that lady off but it was the first time i was ever ashamed to hear that song, used as it was in her revolting display.

[Lingering Grin]

"God Bless America" is not the national anthem.

"The Star Spangled Banner" is

[jjllbb]

Yeah, i caught that just a sec ago. i always mix the two up. sigh.

[jjllbb]

In any case even i was insulted by that lady's actions

[edible_hat]

In recent years in Australia, patriotism has become an excuse to be an idiot. It's come to the point where some of us are ashamed to be seen near a flag because it may indicate to other people that we are some kind of unwashed drunken racist moron.

[NightWatch]

In recent years in Australia/America, patriotism has become an excuse to be an idiot.

Edited for accuracy

[iradney]

What a disgusting display. Do you think she was drunk? I can't imagine behaving like that in public OR in private...

[infinitemonkies]

"When I was growing up, being a patriot meant loving your country. Now it seems that's not enough; To be a patriot you must also hate everyone else's country."
-Fred Reed




Note: Quotation is from memory, may not be exact phrasing

[iradney]

Just a quick note guys - let's keep this limited to the crazy woman and how sucky she was. I would really not like to close this thread.

[AnaKhouri]

That is bizarre. Were the people in question not Americans? And shoving a kid is just wrong.

[jjllbb]

What a disgusting display. Do you think she was drunk? I can't imagine behaving like that in public OR in private...

i don't think so/hope not. It was mid-day in a TOY store for goodness sakes.

I assumed that she thought they weren't American at least. But they were just people. They dressed and acted like every other customer I had in the store that day. I really don't know.

[mikoyan29]

In recent years in Australia, patriotism has become an excuse to be an idiot. It's come to the point where some of us are ashamed to be seen near a flag because it may indicate to other people that we are some kind of unwashed drunken racist moron.

Shortly after 9/11, people replaced their Red Wing car flags with US car flags. Ironically, you'd never see a Red Wing flag that was torn or tattered, some people didn't have a problem displaying flags that looked like they came from the depths of Gettysburg. In fact, the battle flags on display from Gettysburg were in better shape. If you're suddenly going to be a patriot, at least take the time to learn about the flag and its proper care.

[Sparky]

My guess as to why the woman decided to burst into patriotic song and so on is that she lost her temper, shouted, and then people turned to gape. So, realizing she was the object of scorn and ridicule, she decided to give her audience something to watch.

Possible?

[Andara Bledin]

Sparky, I suspect you are attributing her a level of intelligence far above her actual station.

^-.-^

[LillFilly]

I can't begin to think what that woman was thinking? Whatever she was singing, it didn't give her the right to act like that and certainly didn't make-up for her actions. She just sounds crazy to me.