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So, how do you view patriotism? Something to be proud of or ashamed of?
Blind patriotism is, well, nothing more than blind and very narrow-minded zealotry.
"My country right, or wrong" is stupidity, not patriotism.
[A] staggering lack of knowledge, combined with a blind and emotional patriotism, is a formula for disaster. The result is a proliferation of uninformed American exceptionalism that is akin to a social narcissism, a self-centered sense of importance and superiority that can have dire consequences.
Patriotism requires critical thinking, especially since it is primarily an emotion. You can love your country -- which is what patriotism is all about -- while still being critical of your country's past, present or future actions and policies.
Patriotism is a government propaganda. The utility of that patriotism is to keep the states united. The main goal of that patriotism is making people feel that USA is a special place. So, no one would like his state to secede from that special place called USA and everyone is happy to be a part of that union.
There is a lot of good perspective here that those who find patriotism distasteful should study on. The Founders who gave their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that this republic would stand remind me of what true patriotism is, as many here have mentioned.
I think though that one has to discipline his/her thinking about his/her pursuit of patriotism. Boxer, in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' was certainly patriotic to the extent he proclaimed his loyalty to the 'government' at each of it's various manifestations in the barnyard.
I don't think supporting your country right or wrong is what one should consider patriotic. It is simply your agreement as a citizen of that country to abide by the rules of those who make them at that point in time. Patriotism to me means you have studied and understand your nations underpinnings in law and custom so as to be willing to sacrifice yourself, whether it be through your monetary gain or through your health or life, with the goal that whatever your sacrifice, your country's laws and customs will continue no matter your personal outcome. Heck even refusing to litter is, I believe, patriotic in that a person cares enough about his/her neighbor, their community, and their state or country, that they refuse to blemish it's grounds with their refuse.
Patriotism I guess to me is more the practice of nobility in the adherence of one's ideals and love of his/her country and fellow citizens so that we reinforce each other's senses of being 'Americans' or Canadians, or Chinese, etc. Certainly I don't claim to always do the patriotic thing. I am far from perfect. But patriotism I believe, is something worth striving for.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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In my opinion, I think it is far more shameful to be blindly patriotic to your country without questioning of any actions the country has taken than it is not to be patriotic. No country has conducted itself perfectly in all matters, especially the United States. Most Americans are patriotic not because America is great but this country is the best deal they have available to them (which is more a sad commentary on how the rest of the world is.) We should know by now this country is not great for everyone and naturally those people are not going to be proud Americans until America works for them better.
Why not? USA is a very big country and the government is obliged to use patriotism propaganda to keep the country united. Otherwise, many states would have seceded from the union long time ago.
Any number of the super-patriots I've encountered are lacking in foreign travel, having little or no comparisons to make, their travel adventures confined to our 50 states. How on earth can one claim that this is the best country if they've never been across the Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean and done some exploring, observing!
I've been all over the world, and the more I've traveled, the less patriotic I became.
A real test to the super-patriots would be if, for instance, the U.S. suffered a severe economic recession, and Canada's economy, at the same time, prospered, and they were looking high and low for white English-speaking workers. And there they go, scratching their heads: "Let's see now! Universal Health Care in Canada, and?"
I can't imagine the pain it must bring to the surviving members of "the Greatest Generation", those who fought and sacrificed in the name of freedom to watch some idiot trample on or burn the American flag. It is the epitome of hypocrisy that those who desecrate the flag are able to do so without fear of being beaten, locked up or even killed because of the people who loved that flag and sacrificed to give them the protected rights to do so.
IMO, if more patriotic people had trampled, burnt the American flag during the Vietnam War, that huge black stain on this country, perhaps that disastrous, unnecessary war could have come to a halt sooner?
Patriotism has been held in all ages to be the noblest feeling of Man. The opinions of a few cranks who are unable to rise to its demands is of no consequence.
Agreed. I cannot believe the OP used the names of the clods as an example.
....So one can be patriotic only when they get something from their country or something goes their favor? I've always seen it as kind of a marriage, for better or worse in sickness and in health.
Mr. Hitler would have loved you...perhaps even loved you to death.
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