Sun Sep 22, 2013, 09:28 AM

Twain: “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.”

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.”

― Mark Twain

Twain's wise words were mentioned this morning on CBS Sunday Morning - an interesting feature on Mark Twain continuing to live today through impersonators and stage re-enactors. This was one of the many featured observations from Twain.

It's also hits at the heart of the current fissures and fights here on DU.

Mark Twain, once again - nails it.

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4 replies	Author	Time	Post
Twain: “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.” (Original post)	chimpymustgo	Sep 2013	OP
I really hope there is an afterlife	Live and Learn	Sep 2013	#1
This kind of thing ends up just being a slogan	treestar	Sep 2013	#2
I like this. I think patriotism is distinguished from nationalism by modifying the last clause	stevenleser	Sep 2013	#3
It's an important debate for citizens to have.	chimpymustgo	Sep 2013	#4

Response to chimpymustgo (Original post)

Sun Sep 22, 2013, 09:36 AM

Live and Learn (12,769 posts)

1. I really hope there is an afterlife

because there are several people I would really love to meet. Twain is one of them.

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Response to chimpymustgo (Original post)

Sun Sep 22, 2013, 09:39 AM

treestar (80,844 posts)

2. This kind of thing ends up just being a slogan

It's meaningless. Yes, we can vote the rascals out.

Plus, we each have our own opinion of "deserves." So it's too easy to adopt that statement - we all think he thought the same as we do.

It's a complicated decision when you decide to go against your country, especially when it's the USA. Few have done it. Recently Eddie Snowden did and it did not turn out so well. He's is a far less free nation.

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Response to chimpymustgo (Original post)

Sun Sep 22, 2013, 09:41 AM

stevenleser (32,886 posts)

3. I like this. I think patriotism is distinguished from nationalism by modifying the last clause

nationalism is supporting your government/group all the time.

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Response to stevenleser (Reply #3)

Sun Sep 22, 2013, 10:15 AM

chimpymustgo (12,774 posts)

4. It's an important debate for citizens to have.

Nationalism certainly indicates blind support. But patriotism also implies supporting a set of ideals.

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