Patriotism

Generic 2 Minutes
Daily writing prompt
Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
View all responses

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Samuel Johnson

I don’t know how this works in other countries, but in the United States of America the word patriotic has two definitions. At least it used to. Now it seems to have developed a third.

I once heard a description of how Americans love their country from former US Senator and former Saturday Night Live writer Al Franken. I don’t remember the exact wording he used, but it came down to conservatives love their country the way a small child loves their parent. The country is always right and knows everything there is to know. A liberal loves their country the way an adult loves another adult. They see their flaws and accept them but also want to help them grow and learn and be better.

I fall into the liberal category. My country has always been a friggin’ mess. We have always made mistakes, many of them catastrophic. Despite that, I still love my country because I can see how good we can be. I see the positives along with the negatives. So am I patriotic? Not in the flag waving, We’re number one chanting way that conservatives are, but in a let’s fix our problems and be better than we are way. Yes, yes I am.

So what is our new, third definition of patriot in the USA? It comes from the maga cult, of course. It’s not a love or a respect for our country, it’s more like worship of an authority figure or a cult leader. The cult leader is above the law and free from repercussions for his actions. About half of the voting population sees their fuhrer figure as all knowing and all powerful and will agree with everything he says, no matter how idiotic or how un-american. Or how clearly nazi. Or how flat out evil. Half of our country is pro-fascist and it signals the end of everything we stand for. It’s just a matter of time at this point. It’s already over. Hitler didn’t need to win the second world war. He just had to be patient.

Our future looks a little like this, I think:

Unknown's avatar

Published by robertjames1971

I'm wicked tall.

Published

11 thoughts on “Patriotism”

  3. Awesome post!

    But Methinks the Vader mask needs a little more…orange

    But you nailed it! You did a great job articulating the same feelings I have on the subject. And love the Samuel Johnson quote!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. With your permission, I want to reblog this, because it says exactly everything I would on this subject. You nailed it, brother.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Pingback: A Few (Borrowed) Words About Patriotism | just drive, will you?

  6. FWIW, here’s Wiktionary’s reference to the “My country …” quote:
    ( https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/my_country,_right_or_wrong )

    In an after-dinner speech sometime between 1816 and 1829, Stephen Decatur said, “Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, our country!”

    In a speech in 1872, Carl Schurz changed it to, “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”

    I like Mr. Schurz’ version.

    Like

  8. Even though I have never been to USA, can’t really comment, but I like your blog. I would just add that I don’t really think Republican voters are the avatar of Darth Vader… I think they are suffering and angry because they have been left out of the so called ‘good life’. But as you said, USA is a self improving country. Hopefully those who were left out in the past and present, will be included in the future.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.