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Happy 4th of July!

#1

Jay

Jay

This thread is now about beer and explosions!


#2

Gusto

Gusto



#3

Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington

Happy 4th! ...Wait, why are the first three posters Canadian?


#4

Gusto

Gusto

All the Americans are weighed down by hot dogs and patriotism.


#5



Wasabi Poptart



#6

Gryfter

Gryfter

Wasabi Poptart said:
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I support this public service announcement.


#7

Charlie Don't Surf

Charlie Don't Surf

This country's pretty good, I guess


#8



Jiarn

Charlie Don't Surf said:
This country's pretty good, I guess
Click to expand...
Other than all the torture, gay hatred, conformists, blah blah blah


#9

HCGLNS

HCGLNS



#10

phil

phil

'mericafreedom!


#11

Tress

Tress

Obligatory:


#12

Frank

Frankie Williamson



#13

Emrys

Emrys

My American half is going to go drink a beer, grill a burger, and make something go boom.


#14

North_Ranger

North_Ranger

Happy Birthday, you don't look a day over 150!


#15

Charlie Don't Surf

Charlie Don't Surf

American movies I've watched over this weekend so far: Adventureland, Independence Day, Wild Wild West, and Jaws.


#16

phil

phil

Die hard should be next.


#17

Officer_Charon

Officer_Charon

*climbs upon soapbox*

Just for a moment, folks, I'm going to voice something that's been kicking around in my head for a while. Please bear with me. Out of respect for those who don't want to read it, I'll spoilerize it. It is, after all, your choice.

Dear America,

We've had our ups and downs. Lately it seems that we, as a group, can't get past a rather distressing sense of entitlement. What happened to the spirit of '76, wherein everyone would pull together without looking for how it would benefit them, personally? Why have too many of your sons and daughters lost the steel in their spines, replaced by a rather limp plastic imitation?

However, I don't think you're beyond salvation. I don't think that this nation has entirely lost it's way - but it does need work. Hard work. The kind that too many people are afraid of doing these days. But if we can all pull together, working towards this common goal, I see the eagle soaring again.

Having lived overseas for a good portion of my life, it was always interesting to see how people would respond when they learned I was American. When I was in England, it was sort of inescapable: I lived in a small village of less than 1500 - 2000 people. We were the only American family. I was really too young to understand exactly what it meant.

After I moved back to the States, then went back overseas to France, I began to feel the stirring in my breast, the ember that would grow into the flames of patriotism that I feel for my country today. But whenever anyone would talk badly about America and Americans in general, I would force myself to listen to their arguments. We, as a people, are very proud. Not without some justification, but when it comes at the cost of ignoring the needs and interests of others, that's when we get into trouble. Especially when it's reinforced by that sense of entitlement that I mentioned earlier.

I have always striven to avoid the sin of Pride - or rather, to try and live with the virtue of Humility. I make no claims as to being perfect, but I like to think that I avoid coming off as the stereotypical "ugly American." Maybe I've changed - it's been 10 years since I've lived overseas, and I've crammed a fair bit of living into the intervening timeframe. But I like to think that I'm still respectful of other nationalities' views of the country that I love.

Working the job that I do, I tend to see the worst that America can offer of itself. Too many people are greedy, apathetic, self-centered, ignorant (and willingly so! ), ill-mannered and generally not good examples to hold up to the rest of the world.

But I believe, I truly believe, that this nation is still amongst the greatest in the world - our sins are those of excess, derived from success. If people can take heed of the direction that we're travelling in, learn from the lessons of the past and avoid falling too deeply into a pit of our own construction, we can regain our footing and move forwards in the vanguard of humanity.

The dream begun in 1775 has not ended - it has merely meandered off-course. Dedication to the founding ideals of this country can correct this direction. I truly, honestly believe that with all of my heart. It saddens me to think of what could happen, and hardens my resolve to do everything I can, even if it's with only one person at a time, to attempt to affect a change in people's minds so as to bring about the change I envision.

Sorry for preachifying. This is something that has been building for some time, and today seems to be as good a day as any for it.


#18

Charlie Don't Surf

Charlie Don't Surf

phil said:
Die hard should be next.
Click to expand...
That's more of a Christmas movie. Maybe 4.


#19

Dave

Dave

Officer_Charon said:
*climbs upon soapbox*

Just for a moment, folks, I'm going to voice something that's been kicking around in my head for a while. Please bear with me. Out of respect for those who don't want to read it, I'll spoilerize it. It is, after all, your choice.

Dear America,

We've had our ups and downs. Lately it seems that we, as a group, can't get past a rather distressing sense of entitlement. What happened to the spirit of '76, wherein everyone would pull together without looking for how it would benefit them, personally? Why have too many of your sons and daughters lost the steel in their spines, replaced by a rather limp plastic imitation?

However, I don't think you're beyond salvation. I don't think that this nation has entirely lost it's way - but it does need work. Hard work. The kind that too many people are afraid of doing these days. But if we can all pull together, working towards this common goal, I see the eagle soaring again.

Having lived overseas for a good portion of my life, it was always interesting to see how people would respond when they learned I was American. When I was in England, it was sort of inescapable: I lived in a small village of less than 1500 - 2000 people. We were the only American family. I was really too young to understand exactly what it meant.

After I moved back to the States, then went back overseas to France, I began to feel the stirring in my breast, the ember that would grow into the flames of patriotism that I feel for my country today. But whenever anyone would talk badly about America and Americans in general, I would force myself to listen to their arguments. We, as a people, are very proud. Not without some justification, but when it comes at the cost of ignoring the needs and interests of others, that's when we get into trouble. Especially when it's reinforced by that sense of entitlement that I mentioned earlier.

I have always striven to avoid the sin of Pride - or rather, to try and live with the virtue of Humility. I make no claims as to being perfect, but I like to think that I avoid coming off as the stereotypical "ugly American." Maybe I've changed - it's been 10 years since I've lived overseas, and I've crammed a fair bit of living into the intervening timeframe. But I like to think that I'm still respectful of other nationalities' views of the country that I love.

Working the job that I do, I tend to see the worst that America can offer of itself. Too many people are greedy, apathetic, self-centered, ignorant (and willingly so! ), ill-mannered and generally not good examples to hold up to the rest of the world.

But I believe, I truly believe, that this nation is still amongst the greatest in the world - our sins are those of excess, derived from success. If people can take heed of the direction that we're travelling in, learn from the lessons of the past and avoid falling too deeply into a pit of our own construction, we can regain our footing and move forwards in the vanguard of humanity.

The dream begun in 1775 has not ended - it has merely meandered off-course. Dedication to the founding ideals of this country can correct this direction. I truly, honestly believe that with all of my heart. It saddens me to think of what could happen, and hardens my resolve to do everything I can, even if it's with only one person at a time, to attempt to affect a change in people's minds so as to bring about the change I envision.

Sorry for preachifying. This is something that has been building for some time, and today seems to be as good a day as any for it.
Click to expand...
You should seriously watch the latest Christopher Titus comedy special on Comedy Central.

http://comedians.jokes.com/christopher-titus/videos/christopher-titus---take-america-back/

Try and ignore the fucking commercials on the video. I fucking hate those things.


#20

Piotyr

Piotyr

Charlie Don't Surf said:
American movies I've watched over this weekend so far: Adventureland, Independence Day, Wild Wild West, and Jaws.
Click to expand...
What? Not The Patriot?


#21

Charlie Don't Surf

Charlie Don't Surf

Piotyr said:
What? Not The Patriot?
Click to expand...
I actually brought that movie in my group of DVDs, but we didn't actually get to it.


#22

Adam

Adammon

No "Born on the 4th of July"? Weird.


#23

Charlie Don't Surf

Charlie Don't Surf

Adammon said:
No "Born on the 4th of July"? Weird.
Click to expand...
I own that on HD-DVD and didn't want to lug over my player


#24

strawman

strawman

Happy Independence Day!


#25

Terrik

Terrik



#26

Bubble181

Bubble181

Have a good one, bunch of wrong-side-of-the-ocean-folk.


#27

Silent Bob

Silent Bob



#28

Hailey Knight

Hailey Knight

I was liking posts, and then realized they're from two years ago.


#29

Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington



#30

phil

phil



#31

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

EDIT: Fuck. Ninja'd.


#32

Gusto

Gusto

Troll.


#33

Timmus

Timmus

ThatNickGuy said:
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I want a green card now.


#34

phil

phil

ThatNickGuy said:
EDIT: Fuck. Ninja'd.
Click to expand...
Don't worry. It's worth posting twice.


#35

Tress

Tress

phil said:
Don't worry. It's worth posting twice.
Click to expand...
Seriously. I'm a little disappointed it's only in this thread once now.


#36

phil

phil



#37

Tress

Tress

This thread needs more... REAGAN! ON A DINOSAUR!

(art by SharpWriter)


#38

Timmus

Timmus

Man American history is so awesome!


#39

phil

phil



#40

Gusto

Gusto

Classic Teddy.


#41

Yoshimickster

Yoshimickster


Though to be fair this image is good for any day.


#42

Tress

Tress

It's true. Everyday is "Punch Hitler in the Face Day."


#43



BErt

Yeah, but man it is getting expensive holding all these "Punch Hitler in the Face" barbecues.


#44

filmfanatic

filmfanatic

Thanks, France.


#45

Timmus

Timmus

The barbeques may be expensive but I never get tired of the Hitler dunk tank.


#46

fade

fade

Happy Birthday to America and my daughter. This was the first year we couldn't convince her the fireworks were for her.


#47

General Specific

General Specific





#48

sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

I took my dog to a 4th of July party last night. And he was cool with all the fireworks going off at the neighbors' houses. They were shooting off some bright, and loud fireworks. He only flinched when a friend set off a small string of firecrackers about 20 feet away from him.


#49

Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington

Tress said:
It's true. Everyday is "Punch Hitler in the Face Day."
Click to expand...
If there's one thing we can be grateful to the Nazis for, it's a social group that everyone is allowed to hate on and mock without fear of offending someone or incurring repercussion. Because even if you do offend some kind of neo-Nazi, it's just like, "Hm. I see I see. Yes, I do understand how punching Hitler in the face may not be something you find funny. Oh, hang on, I'm just having a thought here, and stay with me if you can: FUCK YOU, YOU'RE A NAZI."


#50

Shakey

Shakey

phil said:
Click to expand...
He needs to be smoking a cigar.


#51

Tress

Tress

sixpackshaker said:
I took my dog to a 4th of July party last night. And he was cool with all the fireworks going off at the neighbors' houses. They were shooting off some bright, and loud fireworks. He only flinched when a friend set off a small string of firecrackers about 20 feet away from him.
Click to expand...
Much better than my dogs. We kept them inside, they were still terrified out of their minds. One ran and hid in my closet.


#52

GasBandit

GasBandit

Chad Sexington said:
If there's one thing we can be grateful to the Nazis for, it's a social group that everyone is allowed to hate on and mock without fear of offending someone or incurring repercussion. Because even if you do offend some kind of neo-Nazi, it's just like, "Hm. I see I see. Yes, I do understand how punching Hitler in the face may not be something you find funny. Oh, hang on, I'm just having a thought here, and stay with me if you can: FUCK YOU, YOU'RE A NAZI."
Click to expand...
I actually read an article on what was the go-to insult/horrible people before there were nazis... apparently, it was the pharaohs who were the ultimate expression of evil on Earth until 1938.


#53

Timmus

Timmus

Well that was a pretty nice run of being history's greatest monster for the pharaohs,


#54

GasBandit

GasBandit

Timmus said:
Well that was a pretty nice run of being history's greatest monster for the pharaohs,
Click to expand...
May it be an equally long run for the Nazis.


#55

phil

phil

Pharaohs? Really? Nothing about witch hunters, crusaders, emperors who fed Christians to lions, or even the southern slave owner is still a standard go to villain?

Crazy.


#56

Just Me

Just Me

I can really picture Lord Byron at a poetry reading calling some other guy a 'grammar pharao' after one or two absinths too much!

*Edit for a few more quick thoughts*
Witch hunters and crusaders were servants of god not evil. Evil Emperors weren't mentioned in the bible as much as pharaos. And if people had taken the southern slave owners as standard for real evil than the civil war might have started much earlier perhaps.


#57

sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

Anarchists were the boogeyman for about a hundred years before the Nazis.


#58

strawman

strawman

The one good thing that came out of Hitler's actions is that today Eugenics is widely regarded as bad. It's making a comeback in the form of prenatal testing coupled with abortion, but as a personal choice per pregnancy rather than a government mandated decision per person deemed to have bad genetic material, which is not nearly as bad as the prior century's thoughts that led to involuntary sterilization of citizens, even here in the US.


#59

fade

fade

And the internet is making people think it's a good thing again.


#60

GasBandit

GasBandit

Just Me said:
I can really picture Lord Byron at a poetry reading calling some other guy a 'grammar pharao' after one or two absinths too much!

*Edit for a few more quick thoughts*
Witch hunters and crusaders were servants of god not evil. Evil Emperors weren't mentioned in the bible as much as pharaos. And if people had taken the southern slave owners as standard for real evil than the civil war might have started much earlier perhaps.
Click to expand...
Welp, you just addressed everything.
sixpackshaker said:
Anarchists were the boogeyman for about a hundred years before the Nazis.
Click to expand...
Eh, but not as the "ultimate embodiment of evil." More like how we use "terrorists" today.


#61

jwhouk

jwhouk

You know, it's funny you should say that...

My great-great-grand uncle was nearly killed by an anarchist. Of course, it was found out later that he was actually a rival trunk maker who wanted to take his main competition out, but he was trumped up in the papers as an anarchist. Oh, and I vaguely remember someone using the term "terrorist" in the description of the incident.


#62

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

I never knew trunkmaking was so hardcore.


#63

jwhouk

jwhouk

It was 100-125 years ago, when it was the only way you could lug all your crap around.


#64

North_Ranger

North_Ranger

jwhouk said:
It was 100-125 years ago, when it was the only way you could lug all your crap around.
Click to expand...
So basically, your great-great-grand-uncle was the Jimmy Hoffa of his time?


#65

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

North_Ranger said:
So basically, your great-great-grand-uncle was the Jimmy Hoffa of his time?
Click to expand...
Samsonite suggests you leave town tonight, or else.


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