The Meaning of Patriotism
Patriotism: (noun) Love of and devotion to one's country.
Isn't it funny how words can mean different things to different people.
For some, patriotism means sacrificing yourself for the greater good of your country. John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your country."
For others, patriotism is just loving your home land. George Bernard Shaw once said, "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it."
For others, patriotism is a propoganda tool used to lead people like the pied piper leading rats from the village. Mark Twain said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
Others equate patriotism with warmongers. Oscar Wilde said, "Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."
Today there is a struggle going on between the two political parties in our country to define patriotism. Those on the political right accuse the political left of being unpatriotic because of their opposition to the Iraq war. Their claim is not supporting the war is equal to wanting America to lose. Therefore one who does not support their country in war is not patriotic. Meanwhile, on the political left, they claim patriotism is wanting your country to do the right thing. They claim the Iraq war is unjust. By wanting their country to participate in righteous activities, they claim to be the true patriots.
I have some issues with the political right and their use of the word "patriotism" ever since 9/11. Patriotism has been used as a political tool. It plays on the emotions of the electorate. Being a patriot is perceived to be a good thing. So they cloak things in the name of patriotism, like the Patriot Act. It isn't hard to see why something called the Patriot Act would get a lot of support during a time of war. Mind you, I support the Patriot Act, but I do wish they had given it a different name. Why not call it was it is? It was an act to protect the homeland from radical islamic terrorists who want to blow it up. So why not just call it the Homeland Protection Act or the Radical Islam Suppression Act? Calling it the Patriot Act was meant only to play on people's emotions of national pride to gain support. I do not support that.
Of course you didn't think I was going to let the liberals off for free, did you? I have many issues with their definition of patriotism. Since the war started I have heard numerous rants about the yellow ribbon magnets people put on their cars. The left claims they support the troops but not the war. They say the best way to keep Americans out of harms way is to not engage Americans in war. They claim true patriotism is standing up to the president and speaking one's opinion. They claim that by going against the United Nations we have isolated America from the international community. By doing so we have weakened America. In saying this they are claiming we are citizens of the world first, Americans second. I do not support that.
I don't know what patriotism means anymore. Everyone has their own definition. As much as I hate Hitler analogies, I'm going to use one here because I think it is appropriate. When Hitler invaded the Netherlands in 1940, the Dutch fought viciously to defend their homeland even though they were seriously outmanned and outgunned. Many said they were insane, yet they fought in the name of patriotism. On the other hand, the german soldiers who attacked the Netherlands were also pumped up in the name of patriotism. So both sides were acting in a patriotic manner, but both sides could not have been on the side of good. Do you see my point? Patriotism does not necessarily equal good. As a result I have become suspicious anytime someone calls something "patriotic" or calls others "unpatriotic". I think we all want to see America do well and prosper. I think we just have different ideas about what that means.
I think patriotism is not an allegience to the soil you live on, rather it is allegience to your government. We are all a group of people who have decided to pool our power under one nation we call The United States of America. As such we have agreed to disagree on some issues, but when one American is threatened by an outsider, we all must swear to defend that American. In order to protect ourselves we have instituted a government that is by the people and for the people. We must support that government if we are to protect ourselves. There can be disagreements as to what the best course of action is, but when the majority of America makes up their mind and elects the candidate that agrees with them, the minority has to suck it up and sacrifice (you know, ask not what your country can do for you...) to support that government, or at least not undermine it. So Patriotism can mean volunteering to go to the other side of the globe to get shot at in the name of freedom, but it can also mean putting aside your personal views in order to put forward a united front to the world.
This is why I have such a problem with anti-war protesters. Publicly protesting the war is equal to publicly saying you don't support our government which was elected by the people for the people. To say your government is wrong is to say your government's enemy is right. You are telling the majority of America we cannot count on you to help us achieve victory. So when you give the finger to the majority of America, don't get upset when the majority of America gives you the finger right back in the election. And especially don't be surprised when the majority of America calls you unpatriotic.
Isn't it funny how words can mean different things to different people.
For some, patriotism means sacrificing yourself for the greater good of your country. John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what can you do for your country."
For others, patriotism is just loving your home land. George Bernard Shaw once said, "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it."
For others, patriotism is a propoganda tool used to lead people like the pied piper leading rats from the village. Mark Twain said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
Others equate patriotism with warmongers. Oscar Wilde said, "Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."
Today there is a struggle going on between the two political parties in our country to define patriotism. Those on the political right accuse the political left of being unpatriotic because of their opposition to the Iraq war. Their claim is not supporting the war is equal to wanting America to lose. Therefore one who does not support their country in war is not patriotic. Meanwhile, on the political left, they claim patriotism is wanting your country to do the right thing. They claim the Iraq war is unjust. By wanting their country to participate in righteous activities, they claim to be the true patriots.
I have some issues with the political right and their use of the word "patriotism" ever since 9/11. Patriotism has been used as a political tool. It plays on the emotions of the electorate. Being a patriot is perceived to be a good thing. So they cloak things in the name of patriotism, like the Patriot Act. It isn't hard to see why something called the Patriot Act would get a lot of support during a time of war. Mind you, I support the Patriot Act, but I do wish they had given it a different name. Why not call it was it is? It was an act to protect the homeland from radical islamic terrorists who want to blow it up. So why not just call it the Homeland Protection Act or the Radical Islam Suppression Act? Calling it the Patriot Act was meant only to play on people's emotions of national pride to gain support. I do not support that.
Of course you didn't think I was going to let the liberals off for free, did you? I have many issues with their definition of patriotism. Since the war started I have heard numerous rants about the yellow ribbon magnets people put on their cars. The left claims they support the troops but not the war. They say the best way to keep Americans out of harms way is to not engage Americans in war. They claim true patriotism is standing up to the president and speaking one's opinion. They claim that by going against the United Nations we have isolated America from the international community. By doing so we have weakened America. In saying this they are claiming we are citizens of the world first, Americans second. I do not support that.
I don't know what patriotism means anymore. Everyone has their own definition. As much as I hate Hitler analogies, I'm going to use one here because I think it is appropriate. When Hitler invaded the Netherlands in 1940, the Dutch fought viciously to defend their homeland even though they were seriously outmanned and outgunned. Many said they were insane, yet they fought in the name of patriotism. On the other hand, the german soldiers who attacked the Netherlands were also pumped up in the name of patriotism. So both sides were acting in a patriotic manner, but both sides could not have been on the side of good. Do you see my point? Patriotism does not necessarily equal good. As a result I have become suspicious anytime someone calls something "patriotic" or calls others "unpatriotic". I think we all want to see America do well and prosper. I think we just have different ideas about what that means.
I think patriotism is not an allegience to the soil you live on, rather it is allegience to your government. We are all a group of people who have decided to pool our power under one nation we call The United States of America. As such we have agreed to disagree on some issues, but when one American is threatened by an outsider, we all must swear to defend that American. In order to protect ourselves we have instituted a government that is by the people and for the people. We must support that government if we are to protect ourselves. There can be disagreements as to what the best course of action is, but when the majority of America makes up their mind and elects the candidate that agrees with them, the minority has to suck it up and sacrifice (you know, ask not what your country can do for you...) to support that government, or at least not undermine it. So Patriotism can mean volunteering to go to the other side of the globe to get shot at in the name of freedom, but it can also mean putting aside your personal views in order to put forward a united front to the world.
This is why I have such a problem with anti-war protesters. Publicly protesting the war is equal to publicly saying you don't support our government which was elected by the people for the people. To say your government is wrong is to say your government's enemy is right. You are telling the majority of America we cannot count on you to help us achieve victory. So when you give the finger to the majority of America, don't get upset when the majority of America gives you the finger right back in the election. And especially don't be surprised when the majority of America calls you unpatriotic.
posted by Mike at 1:17 PM
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