Discussing patriotism is a good way to celebrate the Fourth of July. But most posts in this thread, almost a tapestry now, speak of who is or who isn't patriotic, instead of what patriotism is. The Founding Fathers are spoken of as patriotic, but at the time of the Revolution there were those who said they were traitors. Depending on whether you supported the Monarchy or whether you supported Independence determined your view. Is questioning the government a patriotic thing to do? The Founding Fathers thought so, and took it farther to say rebellion after enduring a repressive government was patriotic. Today there are those who say to question the government, even when it is demonstrably wrong, is not patriotic. What do you think? Is it nobler in the mind to endure a government that violates the laws it has sworn to uphold, or to at least say, "Wait a minute. That's not what this country is supposed to be."
What is patriotism? Is it based on words or actions? Ideally a patriot could be judged by both. Or as Attorney General John Mitchell once truthfully said, "Watch what we do, not what we say." A much wiser and better man said, "You can judge a tree by it's fruit."
Patriotism is an ideal. And, like all ideals, it is something to strive for, but can never be perfectly achieved. The important thing is that it is sincerely considered, not manipulated for personal gain. Considering patriotism, there are the symbols of national pride, and the principles they stand for. For example, when the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, one swears allegiance to the Flag and to the Republic for which it stands. For a person who is not sincere,it is easy to say anything. Even to swear to something they do not believe. For the sincere person, someone capable of loyalty, patriotism, and more, to swear to anything is not easy. It must be considered. The fealty of a true heart is worth a thousand of those who take false oaths. Do you really love your country? When you swear allegiance, is it to the government, or the land, or to the people? Or to an ideal? That is your decision to make. And that is what gives your oath meaning, your freedom of choice.
Suppose that you lived in a country that required an oath of allegiance to the government, even to the individual people that made up the government. If you had to sign a loyalty oath, say to President Bush, to go into a meeting, to conduct business with the government, even to vote, would you do it? Such a requirement would effectively remove any honorable person from government service and from voting in elections. This could insure only the dishoronable a place in government. Many countries use this to be certain that certain groups of organized criminals remain in power to abuse their people. The latest example is Zimbabwe. Do you think America could go this route? I believe we are almost half way there. I'd really like to be wrong about this, but see little to dissuade me.
Just after 9/11 I saw many examples of the US flag used to show
"support" for our country. One example was "Little Patriot" diapers. I
knew then we were in for a difficult time. If you Google this now you
will find patriotic diapers for monkeys.
Loyalty to the symbols, or loyalty to the thing for which they stand. Is there a difference in our society? I fly the flag in front of my home. I make sure that the flag I fly does not touch the ground, is not tattered, and when it begins to wear and fade, I retire the old and buy a new one. The old one is burned with respect, the way it is supposed to be. For information on treatment of the American flag see <link>
I do not think less of those who do not fly a flag in front of their homes. It stands for our right to be independent, and many have died for that right. I do think less of those who wear flag lapel pins. But to my mind a flag belongs on a flag pole,not on a lapel. It represents something too large for a lapel,or a whole suit, something that should be looked up to, not down on. That is my opinion, and others may differ. That is their right, because the ideal the flag stands for is a canopy over us all, protecting us from any sort of tyranny, but especially the tyranny of forced conformity.
What is patriotism? That is the question. And as long as it remains a question, we remain free!
