Here are the ten argument headings: 10) Patriotism May Make War More Likely; 9) It May Discourage Useful Political Involvement; 8) It Encourages Unjustified Hatred Or Distrust; 7) Patriotism Makes Rights Violations Acceptable; 6) It Makes Censorship Acceptable; 5) Patriotism Leads To Denigration Of Others; 4) Patriotic Feelings Encourage Atrocities; 3) It Is Expensive; 2) Patriotic Thought Replaces Critical Thought; 1) It Just Isn’t Necessary. Read the arguments here: http://listverse.com/2014/03/27/10-unavoidable-arguments-against-patriotism/

A few comments. I am a vet and believe that our form of government is the best thus far offered for the greatest good of humankind. Yet this "greatest good" often ends up taking second, third, or out of the running place for the imperatives of Patriotism: "love of country and zeal for its interests." This is clearly and abundantly manifest in our history (and the history of every country). The ideals and principles, and sometimes laws and common sense, of ours or any country get covered or obscured by the f**g. Such as The Patriot Act, ironically enough, as we all see very plainly now.
I am not making my stand on religious grounds (more on the basis of critical thinking) but a few verses from the Bible often cited by Christians as an argument to fight for one's country is Romans13:1-4. This could involve a huge explanation but I will cut to the chase: A Christian is "to submit to the governing authorities" not for their sake or the country's but, as the other verses that follow in context plainly disclose, out of love of neighbor. For the Christian is a "citizen of heaven," "a stranger in a strange land," a "foreigner" and "alien" wherever he or she may reside, having been "set aside" (made holy) as an "ambassador for the kingdom of God." He or she is not to get "entangled in worldly affairs."
A curiosity. There is a street in a city in Norther Ireland where the only difference in loyalty and belief is the happenstance of being born with an even or odd address number. Think about that.
Lastly, Patriotism has no other values ascribed to it than "love of country," which is why every country can have patriots no matter their politics or beliefs: Patriotism is a one size fits all defect.

Here is the author's Number One Argument against Patriotism verbatim:

"Some readers may reject these arguments, but many others will simply ascribe all the worst effects cited here as a result of “extreme patriotism” or misinterpretations of what it means to be patriotic. But if the risks are there, and milder forms might lead to more virulent ones, we have to ask if patriotism is necessary at all.

"Do we derive some special benefits from it in terms of prosperity or liberty? There isn’t much evidence for that hypothesis. The United States is, statistically, more patriotic than many other countries. Yet it has a lower median household income than several less patriotic counterparts. It ranks lower on liberty than several other countries, according to measures like the World Press Freedom Index.

"We don’t need to be patriotic to defend common values or the spaces we share. People will defend themselves, their families, and their homes with or without patriotic feelings. So what evidence is there for enough good effects of patriotism to balance the harm done by it?"

I have a prayer request for me. It's not something serious like Ranger, but I want the Lord in it. I have an acre of ground, I can mow no problem, neat John Deere rider. BUT, keeping up the hedge, and the flower beds, and other areas - it is too much for me.

Today, Cindy and I are going with a realtor to look at 3 houses. We are looking to move into one, but have necessary work done so we each have our own space. I am not at a point where I NEED her assistance telling me what or how to do something. We have two separate houses now - hers is bigger, smaller yard, mine is smaller, bigger yard.

I would like you to keep me in prayer that the Lord will guide our decision. Knowing Cindy, more like her decision - But it's my money, so I need prayer to stand firm.

Going the e-mail rounds.

HELL EXPLAINED BY A CHEMISTRY STUDENT
The following is an actual question given on a University of Tennessee chemistry mid-term, and an actual answer turned in by a
student.



The answer by one student was so 'profound' that the professor shared it with colleagues via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:



Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?



Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.



One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving, which is unlikely. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.


Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell.
Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.



This gives two possibilities:


1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Anabella during my Freshman year that, 'It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,' and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct..... ....leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night,
Anabella kept shouting 'Oh my God.'
THIS STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.

Excellent and I can't believe I don't know that song...

- John Denver Poems, Prayers & Promises

http://youtu.be/M6PEsa36SRY?list=RDM6PEsa36SRY

Ya know slatts for a warrior, you're a very mellow Marine. Your wife must be a tremendous influence for good on you! Love can do that for a guy, heck you're living proof of that... :wink:

-John Denver - I'm Sorry

http://youtu.be/jIjOAWXZJSI?list=RDM6PEsa36SRY

Okay, my favorite JD song by far!

-John Denver - Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stones)

http://youtu.be/8MdPCIxtQEw

ALL my days on here are Rock's, go figure? :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Wait for it big guy, it'll be comin' around again...

Please don't tell any dang body but, I like this song. I risk my Swabbie credentials by telling you this okay?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

- Coming Around Again / Itsy Bitsy Spider - Carly Simon

http://youtu.be/q9cidpLcPgA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

You a believer? I sure am! :wink: