Captain America - What it is to be a Patriot

[Capt.America]

"I remember the first time I really understood what it was to be an American...What it was to be a patriot."

"I was just a kid...A million years ago, it seems sometimes. Maybe twelve. I was reading Mark Twain.

And he wrote something that struck me right down to my core...something so powerful, so true, that it changed my life. I memorized it so I could repeat it to myself, over and over across the years. He wrote --'In a republic, who is the country?

Is it the government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the government is merely a temporary servant: it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. It's function is to obey orders, not originate them.

Who, then is the country? Is it the newspaper? Is it the pulpit? Why, these are mere parts of the country, not the whole of it, they have not command, they have only their little share in the command.

In a monarchy, the king and his family are the country: In a republic it is the common voice of the people each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak.

It is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians.

Each must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man.

To decide it against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let men label you as they may.

If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of'."

Cap continues, "Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.

This nation was founded on one principle above all else: The requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences.

When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree besides the river of truth, and tell the whole world--

--No you move."

[RandomThoughts]

1. Great quote.

Also part of the story of the Ents.

And this song also. Always loved this song.

Heart - Crazy On You. (if seen from the view of the heart)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZuW6BH_Vak


I was a willow last night in my dream
I bent down over a clear running stream
I sang you the song that I heard up above
And you kept me alive with your sweet, flowing love


Such a deep song. Although out of sequence right now, still worth playing again.

[lillypaddle]

2. Haven't you been here before?

Seems like I remember you ...

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. If I wanted comic-book level political instruction...

... I wouldn't have to look far. The infantalization of politics (exhibit A: The Hope and Change movement) is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

The only thing one can take away from this panel is that if you are sufficiently politically righteous you can get a guy in a spider-man costume to fellate you.

[BeFree]

4. heh

The illness that believes: "Government is good. No, wait, it's bad. It all depends who is the leader."

The rest of us realize that government is whatever the people make of it, and as progressives we strive for better, always.

The founders called it: A More Perfect Union.

[Capt.America]

5. ^ Amen

[GaltFreeDiet]

6. I have that comic

I'm such a nerd that I have the entire "Civil War" storyline collected.