Ashamed of America

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-16-2010, 05:23 PM

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/03/1...flag-in-haiti/
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/0...i_flag_031510/

I'm not normally a flag-waver. But some seem to think we should hide our identity when in the presence of barbarians, such as hiding our porn and alcohol when helping rebuild Iraq. That's just part of who we are.

Here the French claim we're acting like an occupation force when giving aid. Maybe we should introduce a UN resolution to deed Haiti to France. They're flying their flag, after all, so I'd say they're showing intent to take the place. So let them have it!

**snooggums** · 03-16-2010, 05:29 PM

The soldiers still have the patches and everyone knows who we are anyway, right?

Plus, this is why France is upset:

The demand came after US forces turned back a French aid plane carrying a field hospital from the main airport in the Haitian capital.

The Pentagon says it has deployed soldiers in Haiti to help victims of Tuesday's earthquake. This comes as US paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division took control of the main airport in the capital Port-au-Prince on Friday.

The move has raised ire among aid agencies with extensive experience of operating in disaster zones.

"This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti," France's Cooperation Minister Alain Joyandet said in an emergency EU meeting concerning Haiti on Monday.

He added that he expects a UN decision on how governments should work together in Haiti, while demanding a clarification of the United States' role in the Caribbean nation.

...

The US has been accused of interfering in Haitian internal affairs in the past.

The US military played a role in the departure of the former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide before his second term was over in early 2004. Aristide has described his departure as a kidnapping.

from the link in the first article: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id...onid=351020706

Yeah, what right did the US have to turn away French aid? Based on our past actions in Haiti and the middle east I think avoiding the impression of occupation by not flying a flag really is the best option.

Delta*RandyShugart* · 03-16-2010, 06:22 PM

When did the earthquake happen in Haiti? Way to act quickly Sarcozy, I know you are having an affair (why cheat on Carla Bruni don't ask me) but the distance between France and Haiti isn't that far. (if France did help with the original aid effort weeks ago then disregard this opening sentence)

I am guessing the above was just a communication error, maybe the plane tried to land without saying who they were, etc......

If the US didn't go to Haiti right away the rest of the world would be throwing their arms up in anger, come on you really expect the U.N. to step in and actually coordinate a successful relief effort? John Travolta did a better job than the UN, he flew himself in his own private jet even if it was to promote Scientology with doctors and priests and literature.

**KoopaTroopa** · 03-16-2010, 08:27 PM

Isn't the United States running the airspace above Haiti since we were basically the first country to send a major relief effort into the country? Part of stabilizing the country and ensuring aid gets to those that need it most is reducing clutter and disorganization. We've taken responsibility to ensuring a steady flow of aid comes into the country smoothly. If we turned them away and denied them permission to land, it's probably because there was no facility available for the plane.

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 03-16-2010, 09:49 PM

My wife is working closely with people on the ground in Haiti. There isn't much room to maneuver there. She has shipments waiting in line to get to the affected area and she has limited space in the Dominican Republic for storing food and other goods.

I bet Gill is correct. There probably just wasn't room at the airport at that time.

**Kwalc** · 03-16-2010, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by snooggums

The US has been accused of interfering in Haitian internal affairs in the past.

lol, really the US mess in everyones internal affairs in one way or another.

**Mosely** · 03-17-2010, 09:32 AM

And I thought this thread would have something to do with torture, the financial system, health care or waging illegal war.

**SharinganTH1422** · 03-17-2010, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by AMosely

And I thought this thread would have something to do with torture, the financial system, health care or waging illegal war.

Nope, flag-waving is more important (if you're a real American patriot, that is).

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-18-2010, 12:29 AM

The US has some things to be proud of, right? (Although I see lots of disagreement about what deserves pride. I'm ashamed of the IRS, but I think there are many who think they're heroes.) And the flag is a "brand". I don't consider it so sacred that burning it should be criminalized (it's still a symbol, not the actual thing) but it should be held high by those who hold pride in what they think the US represents. If we're going to commit resources to an endeavor, we shouldn't hide who we are while doing so. And that includes keeping your booze and Playboy in plain sight. Blood was spent earning the right to drink and view nekkid wimmin. Let's not waste it.

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-18-2010, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by SharinganTH1422

Nope, flag-waving is more important (if you're a real American patriot, that is).

So let's expand the meme: Ashamed of MY country. Are you ashamed of the UK? Should your flag be hidden when UK resources are spent rescuing someone?

**snooggums** · 03-18-2010, 09:15 AM

Not flying the flag isn't the same as being ashamed. I don't shout out my name and address as I drive down the street, not because I'm ashamed, but because it isn't necessary.

In this case, not flying the flag is just a good idea as it is generally used to denote control of that area and we are showing that we are there to visit, not control.

**SharinganTH1422** · 03-18-2010, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

So let's expand the meme: Ashamed of MY country. Are you ashamed of the UK? Should your flag be hidden when UK resources are spent rescuing someone?

I honestly wouldn't care. If we're there, we should be there to help the people, not for the credit given to great ol' Britain who were humble and gracious enough to stoop and help a country of insignificant "barbarians".

**ScratchMonkey** · 03-18-2010, 09:15 PM

So let's start hollering for the French and British to take down their "occupier" flags. Sauce for the goose....

We might also want to require that any corporate contributions be purged of logos, which serve much the same function.

**SharinganTH1422** · 03-18-2010, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by ScratchMonkey

So let's start hollering for the French and British to take down their "occupier" flags. Sauce for the goose....

We might also want to require that any corporate contributions be purged of logos, which serve much the same function.

Nice mountain you've made there Scratch...