Thread: Being a Patriot

So what does being a patriot mean to you? What does that mean for your average non-politician? How are we supposed to act? What are we supposed to say? Does that mean getting all misty-eyed during the Pledge of Allegiance or the singing of the Star Spangled Banner? Does that mean placing little US flags all over your house and front yard to "Support the Troops"? Does that mean writing your Congressman to complain about a war rather than shouting your opposition in the streets? Does that mean wholeheartedly embracing a particular political philosophy? Does that mean staying completely abreast of the news, and keeping up with the minutia of American poitical issues? Does that mean you MUST be willing to lay your life down for your country?

Remember, I'm talking about your average citizen and not politicians.

Does that mean getting all misty-eyed during the Pledge of Allegiance or the singing of the Star Spangled Banner? Partially

Does that mean placing little US flags all over your house and front yard to "Support the Troops"? I have one on my jacket, but I always have even as a child.

Does that mean writing your Congressman to complain about a war rather than shouting your opposition in the streets? I do both!

Does that mean wholeheartedly embracing a particular political philosophy? Not hardly!

Does that mean staying completely abreast of the news, and keeping up with the minutia of American poitical issues? It Helps.

Does that mean you MUST be willing to lay your life down for your country?
I would during an invasion, I would if the government cracks down on us with something like martial law.

It means Randy Moss is going to be open in the endzone a lot. Must be nice.

To me it means being true to the ideals this country was founded upon and fighting to maintain those ideals (at this point fighting for a return to those ideals). It also means criticizing your country when it does wrong instead of just offering blind allegiance.

patriotism is paying your taxes, supporting your economy, helping your neighbor if they ask for help, not building bombs, going to work, voting, listening to the radio or watching television, having opinions, eating food, getting up on the right side of bed, playing Sousa marches, watching Bert the Turtle on Youtube, rooting for the Cleveland Indians when they win and jeering them when they lose, wearing two socks instead of one, and apparently eating corn dogs, according to a friend.

Originally Posted by foxtuba

patriotism is paying your taxes, supporting your economy, helping your neighbor if they ask for help, not building bombs, going to work, voting, listening to the radio or watching television, having opinions, eating food, getting up on the right side of bed, playing Sousa marches, watching Bert the Turtle on Youtube, rooting for the Cleveland Indians when they win and jeering them when they lose, wearing two socks instead of one, and apparently eating corn dogs, according to a friend.

You need a better friend.

Originally Posted by foxtuba

patriotism is paying your taxes, supporting your economy, helping your neighbor if they ask for help, not building bombs, going to work, voting, listening to the radio or watching television, having opinions, eating food, getting up on the right side of bed, playing Sousa marches, watching Bert the Turtle on Youtube, rooting for the Cleveland Indians when they win and jeering them when they lose, wearing two socks instead of one, and apparently eating corn dogs, according to a friend.

The valueless society, oh how I miss thee.

Patriotism is standing up for your country, pretty simple. But since the world is round and no one gets that badass super awesome end piece, patriotism is more or less a tool to arouse the public on their feet. Unfortunately it can be used against you.

What it means to me is very simple. It's about being for Americans first. Our duty to our Government is second. If an attacker were to threaten my neighbors I would fight right along side them to defend our property and our freedom. If an attacker threatened the country I would help defend it anywhere within our borders. I will not however support wars of conquest with questionable, unprovable, and unmentioned profits made by some citizens and not all.

A Patriot defends freedom and his fellow citizens from those who would redefine it to the common disadvantage of all Americans, with his or her life if neccessary

Being a patriot means maintaining your rights and sovereignty in the face of external forces such as invading armies or runaway government control.

We were born as a nation with a goal to maintain equality and freedom, there is no duty to government, that's why we (supposedly) pick who is in charge.

Since the documents upon which this country is founded is under attack by the right, patriotism is more and more about questioning authority and accountability for those who lie us into war.

Here are some interesting words from the GOP pre-war.

"You can support the troops but not the president."–Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)

"Well, I just think it's a bad idea. What's going to happen is they're going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years."–Joe Scarborough (R-FL)


"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?"–Sean Hannity, Fox News, 4/6/99"


[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy."–Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)

"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy."–Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)


"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy."–Karen Hughes, speaking on behalf of George W Bush

"I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning . . I didn't think we had done enough in the diplomatic area."–Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)


"I cannot support a failed foreign policy. History teaches us that it is often easier to make war than peace. This administration is just learning that lesson right now. The President began this mission with very vague objectives and lots of unanswered questions. A month later, these questions are still unanswered. There are no clarified rules of engagement. There is no timetable. There is no legitimate definition of victory. There is no contingency plan for mission creep. There is no clear funding program. There is no agenda to bolster our over-extended military. There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. There was no strategic plan for war when the President started this thing, and there still is no plan today"–Rep Tom Delay (R-TX)


"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."–Governor George W. Bush (R-TX)

Pretty amazin stuff, no?