The thread about TRUE patriotism

Waving a flag doesn't make you a patriot. Nor does blind loyalty to your country.

DU what is real patriotism to you? Who exemplifies it for you?

Our forefathers didn't sit down and say "Please sire, may I have another." Blind obediance is desirable in draft animals, not citizens of a democracy.

"Patriotism is the most foolish of passions and the passion of fools." Schopenhauer

"Patriotism is the egg from which wars are born." de Mauppasant

The fallout was far beyond the toxic clouds where people would like to breath,
but all they say when all was said,
beyond the talking heads,
was the bloody dust with legs,
looking like the walking dead calling for meds.
All the hospitals overwhelmed,
volunteers need to go the hell home.
Moments of silence for firefighters were interrupted by cell phones.
Who's going to make that call, to increase an unknown death toll?
Someone we rally behind.
He's got a megaphone, promising to make heads roll.
We'd cheer him on, but asbestos is affecting our breath control.
The less we know, the more they fabricate,
the easier it is to sell a soul.

(Man talking)
There is a new price on freedom, so buy into it while supplies last.
Changes need to be made;
no more curbside baggage,
seven pm curfew,
racial profiling will continue with less bitching.
We've unified over who to kill, so until I find more relevant scripture to quote,
remember, our kind is bigger, stronger, smarter, and much wealthier.
So wave those flags with pride, especially the white part.

We're selling addictive, twenty-four hour candlelight vigils on TV.
Freedom will be defended at the cost of civil liberties.
The viewers are glued to television screens, stuck,
'cause lots of things seem too sick.
I use opportunities to pluck heartstrings for theme music.
I'll show you which culture to pump your fist at,
which foot is right to kiss.
We don't really know who the culprit is yet,
but he looks like this.
We know who the heroes are,
they're not the xenophobes who act hard.
We taught the dog to squat,
how dare he do that shit in our own back yard.

Makeshift Patriot - Sage Francis

A true patriot to me would be someone willing to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the consequences, not just because it is the thing to do at the time but because it is truely what they believe.

Sorry for the long post

is loving your country enough to have the strength to question what is done in our names.

Real Patriotism demands that we treat our own citizens and other countries with respect, humanity, and dignity.

Real Patriotism is being able to look back and see the good and bad things our country/society has done and to want to avoid future mistakes by learning from past ones.

Real Patriotism is wanting to change our country for the better when the government is not being true and honest to it's bosses, the citizens.

and other truth tellers.

And working to take America in that direction.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

To me true patriotism is forcing this nation to live up to the ideals it was founded on, all men created equal, life liberty, pusuit of happiness. Since its inception the USA has failed to live up to these ideals.

(Patriotism) ...is a word which always commemorates a robbery. There isn't a foot of land in the world which doesn't represent the ousting and re-ousting of a longline of successive "owners" who each in turn, as "patriots" with proud swelling hearts defended it against the next gang of "robbers" who came to steal it and did--and became swelling-hearted patriots in their turn.
- Mark Twain's Notebook

Well, I suppose when people accuse me (and other leftists) of hating the US I have a couple things to say. The US has never been a utopia, no country with a large chunk of wealth has. Poor countries my have better policy, but who wants to die at 40? Now that we've cleared that up, let's look at what's neat about the US.
Revolutions are cool. Revolting against the most powerful empire the world has seen at its prime, is quite a ballsy task which I think deserves to be noted. The idealist language of the constitution is pretty inspiring and poetic for that time period. The consistent drive to invent, that goofy everything can become better attitude. The even goofier denial of how British-like we are. The landscape, the ascents, the fact that every town, city and village have "the best burgers" are some of the most charming things about the US.
Though many people were treated horribly in the US, everyone makes mistakes. However only real jerks never come to terms and apologize. We cannot change the past nor should we dwell on the past, we should honor and acknowledged those who suffered and move on, becoming more aware of human suffering and its causes. I feel when we abandon our sense of history we can often become the evil forces we criticize. Much like what we did when the USSR fell. There was our chance to show the world something completely amazing. The world's first respectable (not feared) superpower. I don't hate the US, I'm merely disappointed.
Oh well, I'm a dreamer. Dreamers like MLK get shot 'round these parts.

I'm Canadian and I love my country. We have our strengths and our areas that need to be improved.

I love my family too, but that doesn't mean I think it's perfect.

In my opinion, patriotism isn't about belief that your country is the best. There is no BEST country. I think it is about character and action. Patriots make a contribution to their society. They make it a better place.

You're absolutely correct about patriotism not being an American-only concept. Though I do think cultural chauvinism and patriotism can easily go hand-in-hand, which is something all citizens should be aware of.

patriotism isn't about making your country better than other countries (it's not a competition, but is so often portrayed that way), patriotism is about making your country the best it can be. Supporting or opposing your leaders can be both be patriotic, depending on the direction they are taking the country and your ideas about what would make that country better.

The disagreements about who is patriotic really comes down to the individuals concepts about what is best for the country. When people disagree on this concept, they are bound to disagree on what is "patriotic".

even though you KNOW they have (as have all USAsians) been sold down the river for the almighty PetroDollar...

Protesting the new facsist police state, even though you know you will be arrested and detained...

Supporting the REAL PATRIOTS still striving to make a difference in Washington - Pelosi, Kerry, Reid, Dean, Conyers, Boxer, etc.

Supporting DU!

It's means defense of the Constitution from
both foreign and domestics adversaries.

It means walking the walk
ending corruption and oppression of the weak .

It means taking the high road even though it
may be easier to take the low road .

It means listening , and speaking out .

A patriot is someone who works hard to stay
informed by questioning authority and thinking
for oneself .

it means understanding and acknowledging mistakes .
Learning and always striving to make things better
righting wrongs .