[mildtrepidation]

"It doesn't happen in America" and "it's un-American" are not the same statement. On the assumption you're being serious and not facetious, when an American uses the term "un-American," it's meant to mean that the action flies in the face of ideal American values (chiefly freedom).

It's obvious to all of us that these ideals don't reflect reality, but simply accepting that what the American government does is the ideal representation of values the American public actually holds isn't something most of us are willing to do.

[cavilling_elite]

As an American the phrase "chiefly freedom" sends shivers down my spine. I'm sure you don't mean it as such, but it sounds so narrow minded and "rah rah" patriotic. I wish America was "chiefly education and free thought".

[gknoy]

Our country's founders went to war specifically for the ideals of freedom and fair treatment by a government that represented them, rather than merely ruled them. Free thought and speech are certainly central features of that -- but they felt many more things were essential to being Free.

"Freedom" sounds rah-rah patriotic because it is both TRULY patriotic, and also used as weasel-words by those who are wanting to do the things we would consider un-american ("preserve your freedom and safety by groping you at all airports and train stations...", "detain indefinitely foreigners For Your Freedoms", etc).

Consider re-reading America's Declaration of Independence, or reading it for the first time if you never have. It's remarkably easy to understand, and pretty clearly states some of the ideals that the original "Americans" felt were reason enough to go to war with England.

[alexqgb]

Indeed. All to often people mean freedom for me. Like, for example "I should be free to impose my religion on others if that's what my religion says I should do."

Theoritically, the principle of reciprocity should preclude this kind of thinking. In practice it tends not to.

[hueving]

Chiefly education and free thought have nothing to do with free speech and the other freedoms granted by the Constitution. What you are wishing American meant could be completely fulfilled by a ruthless dictatorship that put an emphasis on education.

[ska]

Recent usage seems to be more "it's un-American" == "you are doing something I don't like"