I wonder what you would define “country” as. If you want to say, “love thy neighbor” then I get you. But if you’re saying “love your government” then it doesn’t really make much sense. You’re not supposed to love the government, that’s not the point of it, that’s not what it’s here for.
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That’s a nice idea, and if you can maintain that distinction good for you, but the inevitable widespread consequence of loving one’s country more is that one loves other countries less. And that leads to xenophobia, which in turn leads to racism.
That’s how it starts, but it ends in the same hell. Once you decide your country stands for something, you inevitably stop seeing how it has failed at doing that thing for centuries.
For example, consider freedom and equality. The US had widespread slavery until the late 1800s, and even now the prison industrial slavery complex provides 100% slave labor, and most of the slaves are minorities. So when people talk about freedom and equality as a U.S. value, when they talk about the melting point, they have to pretend the slaves don’t exist.
Another way of looking at it is, “You might say your country stands for this ideal, but when we find massive examples of it failing, then you’re arguing with reality. You might wish your country stood for it, but it doesn’t, at least not now. Quit lying to yourself.”
IKR God forbid he has staff that could … checks notes … keep him up to date on major international political actions that might impact his country. That would be so absurd, wouldn’t it.
Guten tag.
fodor@lemmy.zipto Ask Lemmy@lemmy.world•What is the difference between a neoclassical liberal, a social liberal, and a progressive social democrat?3·3 days agoThese terms are always contested. People use them with varying definitions without explaining things.
We can make one clear distinction, though. In the US, a democrat is a person who usually votes for the Democratic Party candidates. It really is that simple.
The best thing for you to do is ask about half a dozen issues you care about. That will tell you if the person’s stated values are similar to yours.
fodor@lemmy.zipto United States | News & Politics@lemmy.ml•In a First, California Moves Toward Paying Incarcerated Firefighters Minimum Wage10·3 days agoThis is worse than you think. These firefighters are locked up, but if they “volunteer” for high risk duties that pay them jack shit, they can get out a little earlier.
Do we have to explain the perverse incentives this system encourages? It’s so dirty.
fodor@lemmy.zipto No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world•Is it morally wrong for an immigrant or naturalized citizen to "keep a low profile" and avoid speaking up against the government in order to minimize the risks of denaturalization/deportation?5·3 days agoYou should know that in many countries, and now also the U.S., the government will revoke the visa of “political irritants”. In other words, your question is actually a historical one, and it is equivalent to, “Is it immoral to immigrate?”
fodor@lemmy.zipto No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world•Is anyone else not feeling that patriotic for July 4?15·3 days agoPatriotism leads to nationalism and racism. Fuck patriotism.
fodor@lemmy.zipto Technology@lemmy.world•UK to be first country to use AI healthcare system to prevent future scandalsEnglish2·4 days agoYou said it yourself: extra places that need human attention … those need … humans, right?
It’s easy to say “let AI find the mistakes”. But that tells us nothing at all. There’s no substance. It’s just a sales pitch for snake oil. In reality, there are various ways one can leverage technology to identify various errors, but that only happens through the focused actions of people who actually understand the details of what’s happening.
And think about it here. We already have computer systems that monitor patients’ real-time data when they’re hospitalized. We already have systems that check for allergies in prescribed medication. We already have systems for all kinds of safety mechanisms. We’re already using safety tech in hospitals, so what can be inferred from a vague headline about AI doing something that’s … checks notes … already being done? … Yeah, the safe money is that it’s just a scam.
fodor@lemmy.zipto Lemmy Shitpost@lemmy.world•Interesting how THIS happened at every place that I've worked2·4 days agoAlthough that sounds cynical, I think it’s often the opposite. People learn what their job actually is, and they do it, and good for them. :-)
fodor@lemmy.zipto Not The Onion@lemmy.world•White actress sues San Diego County Library for not allowing her to portray Black civil rights iconsEnglish16·4 days agoI understand your perspective, but you’ve denied the existence of a choice where there is one. Does it have to be a one-person show? Of course not.
When you get into political words, it’s helpful to go read George Orwell.
fodor@lemmy.zipto Ask Lemmy@lemmy.world•Is it possible for an neighbor's apartment to have mice but not mine?34·4 days agoWhy did you assume they aren’t renting? … And it absolutely answers the question. “Yes, maybe, nobody can say for sure right now, make the owner handle it cuz you pay them for it.”
fodor@lemmy.zipto Uplifting News@lemmy.world•Officers giving 'tickets' to kids wearing bike helmets for free pizza in CranfordEnglish21·5 days ago/r/whooooosh
fodor@lemmy.zipto Uplifting News@lemmy.world•Officers giving 'tickets' to kids wearing bike helmets for free pizza in CranfordEnglish108·5 days agoWhat, the pigs? Yeah, we know. That’s why they beat their spouses and children in record numbers. That’s why they break the law and violate people’s civil rights on a daily basis, while lying more often than a used car salesperson. The pigs really are that bad.
And if you don’t believe me, ask who’s paying the cops. Are those cops on the clock? Are they getting money for that program from tax dollars? Are they using police cruisers that we all paid for? Yeah, of course they are, of course they are leaching off of us to try to make themselves look good.
fodor@lemmy.zipto Technology@lemmy.world•Windows seemingly lost 400 million users in the past three years — official Microsoft statements show hints of a shrinking user baseEnglish30·5 days agoYou’re trying to paint windows in a positive light when Microsoft is desperately trying to spy on us and force more advertising on us even though we really don’t want it, and the only reason they can do that is because they have a monopoly. So yeah, it really is that awful.
And if we want to do side by side comparisons of the available software packages, most things that you would need for your average office setup are free and come by default on your major Linux distros. On Windows, you have to install them manually, and the default options are mainly commercial. So you’re paying more and possibly getting something worse, depending on your personal preferences about each software package and its alternative. That’s pretty bad, my friend. Windows is competing with free and losing, but they have inertia and a monopoly.
fodor@lemmy.zipto politics @lemmy.world•National pride is declining in America. And it's splitting by party lines, new Gallup polling shows25·5 days agoGood. Patriotism leads to nationalism, xenophobia, and racism.
Hey sure, “didn’t know” but that’s a low bar. How about “could easily have guessed” as the basic standard for morality when death camps are involved?