Are you a nationalist?

Foxhound38 · 22-03-2014 04:24PM #1

Is nationalism something you identify with?

I must admit, I've never really gotten it myself. I was born in Ireland by a stroke of chance - same as everyone else. It's a nice place to live, but at the end of the day the idea of people perching on the rocks vaguely close to where they are born and exclaiming to the rest of the world of other people perched on their own rocks "this is my rock and my rock only" strikes me as a strange way to concieve of the international order.

That's without even getting into all the wars and violence borne out of nationalistic sentiment.

Perhaps other people feel differently?

BrendanHughes1 · 22-03-2014 04:27PM

I don't like these medieval terms.

Lapin · 22-03-2014 04:31PM

Nationalism is the opium of the narrow minded.

Banjo String · 22-03-2014 04:34PM

I Heart Internet · 22-03-2014 04:35PM

BrendanHughes1 wrote: »

I don't like these medieval terms.

Just as well nationalism is an 18th century construct so.

MakeEmLaugh · 22-03-2014 04:35PM

"A patriot loves his country; a nationalist hates all others."
- Georges Clemenceau

star_man · 22-03-2014 04:37PM

Foxhound38 wrote: »

Is nationalism something you identify with?

I must admit, I've never really gotten it myself. I was born in Ireland by a stroke of chance - same as everyone else. It's a nice place to live, but at the end of the day the idea of people perching on the rocks vaguely close to where they are born and exclaiming to the rest of the world of other people perched on their own rocks "this is my rock and my rock only" strikes me as a strange way to concieve of the international order.

That's without even getting into all the wars and violence borne out of nationalistic sentiment.

Perhaps other people feel differently?

you sound comfortably middle class

Karl Stein · 22-03-2014 04:39PM

Yes and everyone is in some way.

Dyr · 22-03-2014 04:41PM

Foxhound38 wrote: »

Is nationalism something you identify with?

I must admit, I've never really gotten it myself. I was born in Ireland by a stroke of chance - same as everyone else. It's a nice place to live, but at the end of the day the idea of people perching on the rocks vaguely close to where they are born and exclaiming to the rest of the world of other people perched on their own rocks "this is my rock and my rock only" strikes me as a strange way to concieve of the international order.

That's without even getting into all the wars and violence borne out of nationalistic sentiment.

Perhaps other people feel differently?

Presumably you could care less about your family, given that it was a stroke of chance that you were born into it

BrendanHughes1 · 22-03-2014 04:42PM

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Just as well nationalism is an 18th century construct so.

Trying telling that to Brian Boru.

Karl Stein · 22-03-2014 04:45PM

Lapin wrote: »

Nationalism is the opium of the narrow minded.

Says the man who was revelling in the win of the Irish rugby team last week.

I Heart Internet · 22-03-2014 04:45PM

BrendanHughes1 wrote: »

Trying telling that to Brian Boru.

Who was motivated, like his many rival "kings" around him, by power and clann....nation wasn't a notion he would have recognised.

BrendanHughes1 · 22-03-2014 04:49PM

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Who was motivated, like his many rival "kings" around him, by power and clann....nation wasn't a notion he would have recognised.

Okay, what about Joan of Arc? She fought the English in the name of France.

BBDBB · 22-03-2014 04:52PM

Yes, absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, Im proud to be so and announce it to the world.

If I want to take all my clothes off in the privacy of my own home or at a camp for like minded and consenting adults then its no concern of anyone else..........................oh sorry I thought you said naturist:o.............

The Backwards Man · 22-03-2014 04:53PM

I wouldn't consider myself a nationalist. I would consider myself a republican, but that term has been hijacked by cnutish wastards who I have absolutely nothing in common with. (on both sides of the Atlantic)

kumate_champ07 · 22-03-2014 04:58PM

its important to be able to decide on things that effect you, but different cultures are important. Im lucky to be Irish because this country has some great things that other countries dont have, but we are not better people than them. Im proud of the human spirit, not a humans nationality

whats important is respect and tolerance, the more respect the less need for tolerance in the first place

kumate_champ07 · 22-03-2014 05:03PM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I wouldn't consider myself a nationalist. I would consider myself a republican, but that term has been hijacked by cnutish wastards who I have absolutely nothing in common with. (on both sides of the Atlantic)

a 32 county republic has never existed and the people still 'fighting' for that would have no idea what to do with it if it ever became a reality. they would just 'retire' and live off 'protection money' from drug dealers and criminals while the smart people try to organise it all

22-03-2014 05:16PM

No I don't really identify with nationalism or patriotism. In theory I would like there to be a 32-county republic but in practice I don't think it would be worth the hassle or the violence necessary to achieve it.

I like seeing Irish people do well in sporting events and stuff (and Eurovision!

) but I don't swell with pride upon hearing the national anthem or seeing the flag or anything. I'm neither proud nor ashamed to be Irish - it's not like I had any choice in the matter of where I was born!

orangesoda · 22-03-2014 05:49PM

I've never gotten that 'born here by chance' thing, it is down to your parents where you were born, their choice. If you were born to some family in japan then you wouldn't be 'you'.

I've no desire for a united Ireland but i don't particularly like Norn Ireland being in the UK either, too much gaelic blood was shed down the centuries

Jimminism · 23-03-2014 01:19AM

Nationalism as in support for a UI? Or nationalism in support of the current Republic? Do Irish people in the Republic see the word "nationalism" the same way as those in NI? I'm confused.

endacl · 23-03-2014 01:26AM

Nationalism is meaningless. Except to the short-term thinker...

jdawson · 23-03-2014 01:44AM

Bambi wrote: »

Presumably you could care less about your family, given that it was a stroke of chance that you were born into it

Karl Stein wrote: »

Says the man who was revelling in the win of the Irish rugby team last week.

Spot on, it's easy to show up the ignorance and hypocritical nature of the "anti-nationalist" brigade.

It's a pity more Irish people aren't nationalistic in terms of having a sense of nationhood (not the "hate everyone else" definition someone posted above), Ireland would be a much better place.

IrishEyes19 · 23-03-2014 02:12AM

I would say I am. Just to add I'm not racist, nor do I or would I ever approve of what the real IRA did, horrific times. But I absolutely hate what their actions and what the media have done to Irish history. It's almost a crime to be proud of being Irish.

Stavros Murphy · 23-03-2014 02:15AM

Or a Socialist. A National Socialist..

micko4 · 23-03-2014 02:21AM

Lapin wrote: »

Nationalism is the opium of the narrow minded.

Just because the narrow minded seem to fall into that category doesn't mean its narrow minded to have that opinion.

Lucena · 23-03-2014 02:40AM

orangesoda wrote: »

I've never gotten that 'born here by chance' thing, it is down to your parents where you were born, their choice. If you were born to some family in japan then you wouldn't be 'you'.

I've no desire for a united Ireland but i don't particularly like Norn Ireland being in the UK either, too much gaelic blood was shed down the centuries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs

BTW, my grandfather was in the IRA, but I honestly couldn't give a sh1te whether Norn Irn stays in the UK or not.

Lots of people died for Ireland, lets just leave it at that. We're lucky to be living in a period of European history where we're riding the arses off each other and not shooting the arses of each other.

Femme_Fatale · 23-03-2014 02:43AM

I'd only be defensive of it in the face of anti Irish bigotry, and I like when Ireland does well at sport and stuff. But otherwise, it's not a huge concern to me and I'd be critical of this country at times too (not that the two have to be mutually exclusive of course).

orangesoda · 23-03-2014 02:44AM

Lucena wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunk_costs

BTW, my grandfather was in the IRA, but I honestly couldn't give a sh1te whether Norn Irn stays in the UK or not.

Lots of people died for Ireland, lets just leave it at that. We're lucky to be living in a period of European history where we're riding the arses off each other and not shooting the arses of each other.

speak for yourself, i don't get much riding