I am (closer to being labeled) Democrat. I got your point, jkodak, and would like for both parties candidates to progress the argument with your distinction within it. Because it's true. But then again, were Obama to indulge us in a "Damn right, I'm not patriotic, there's too much wrong in this country" speech he wouldn't stand a chance in a Vermont city-council election.

Unfortunately for both of us, part of this patriotism debate that Greenberg didn't really address is the fact that part-and-parcel with the GOP stranglehold on the term "patriotism", is any opportunity to evaluate critically the state of our nation. Even questioning our glory is taboo.