Is patriotism a virtue?
Hank loves America for its ideals (2009) and its commitment to global systems (2016), was proud and then ashamed over the Paris Agreement (2017), and in 2019 criticizes ultra-nationalist views. John is proudest of events where no flag flies above another (2013), and in 2019 says telling Lopez's American story will never be unpatriotic.
Axis: a virtue ... a danger / empty spectacle
Positions by date: 9 records in 9 videos. The position was refined (2009, 2013), never reversed, in these records.
John
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-04-16 | refine | John is cool with a world of flags but most proud of a world that holds events where no flag flies above another. | Flags and Helpers 00:01:27 |
| 2019-07-30 | restate | John concludes that Lopez is American, his story is an American story, and telling that story will never be unpatriotic. | The Mexican Repatriation 00:03:48 |
Hank
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-11-25 | refine | Clarifying his earlier anthem remark, Hank says he loves America for its good ideals, not for defending them, which every country does. → refers to 50 THINGS!! That I'm Thankful For | Things I'm Not Thankful For 00:00:29 |
| 2016-08-12 | restate | Hank, not much of a nationalist, says he loves America, including its commitment to global systems, and is proud to be American despite election-year demonization. | AMERICA, DAMMIT! - Thoughts from Glacier National Park 00:02:50 |
| 2017-06-02 | restate | Hank was proud his country led in establishing the Paris Agreement and is ashamed of its step back from uniting humanity against this global challenge. | The Paris Accord: What is it? And What Does it All Mean? 00:05:38 |
| 2017-08-18 | restate | To those who say 'this is not America', Hank answers that it is America, which doesn't mean he doesn't love the country. | What I've Been Thinking About 00:02:43 |
| 2018-01-05 | restate | Reason six: Hank is sentimentally attached; just as he won't leave his country when things go bad, he won't abandon YouTube to become worse without him. | Making a Better YouTube 00:02:26 |
| 2019-08-23 | restate | Hank says Brazil is not paid for these global benefits, and far-right, ultra-nationalist views, holding that the nation is for the nation only, don't allow for things that help everyone. | The Amazon isn't "Burning" - It's Being Burned 00:03:41 |
| 2025-02-07 | restate | Hank hopes Americans will say not merely that courts blocked Trump, but that his action was unconstitutional, and that they like no president as much as they like America. | What Trump's Doing 00:05:21 |
Background
| date | how | position | video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-11-24 | background | Mocking the US anthem as being about bombs and war, Hank says there are things about America he likes more than explosions and war. (playful) | 50 THINGS!! That I'm Thankful For 00:00:00 |
Timeline notes
- Hank: first recorded event is refine (earlier stance may be outside 2007–2026 or unrecorded)
- John: first recorded event is refine (earlier stance may be outside 2007–2026 or unrecorded)