A question at Christmastime......

[kentuck]

Is it possible to be patriotic and not be angry with what is happening to our country? Most that profess to be patriotic and point their fingers at Democrats for being angry, seem to have no problem with the direction our nation is going? Many of us believe their "patriotism" to be false. Otherwise, they too would be angry with what has happened to our country. How could one be patriotic and not be angry?

[booksenkatz]

1. It's the same way that...

... I love my 4-year-old son, Jack, with all of my heart and soul, but I expect him to be the best Jack that he can possibly be. I have high standards for him because I know he is capable of them. When he falls short, it is my duty to call him on it and correct him, even when I come off as the bad guy, or when I don't "feel" like it because it's too much trouble.

Likewise for my country: I love America, I think she is capable of amazing leadership, but right now she is acting like a cheap ho, hanging out all night with the wrong crowd (corporations), addicted to heroin (oil), etc. It's heartbreaking, but I refuse to settle for this. I intend to do everything in my power to help her realize her potential. If I am called a "bad parent" for insisting on high standards for America, then so be it. That's why it cracks me up to see Dr. Laura, for example, insisting upon perfection for human beings and not insisting upon it for her own country. I don't believe in indulgent parenting or in indulgent citizenship.

[maggrwaggr]

6. good answer. I'd like to borrow that

:)

[wanderingbear]

2. Its called fanatisism

These people are not just waveing the flag but their thumping the Bible too..When youve got those two things happening at the same time youve got big troubble ahead...

[Skittles]

3. I don't believe it is possible

to be patriotic and support the theft of democracy and the destruction of America. There is simply no way.

[November 2004]

4. To me, patriotism is simply love of one's country.

I love the USA.

It's off track now.

Do I not love it anymore?

No. I do my best to get it back on track!

In the 1960's, there were 2 sides; one of which shouted "America: love it or leave it!" and the other shouted "America: change it or lose it!"

I want to change the country I love into the country I know we can be.

[rasputin1952]

5. I am a Patriot, always have been, always will be...

I love my country, and do agree we could be doing a hell of a lot more to make this a better place.

The neo-cons have stolen the Flag, are shredding the Constitution, and demanding that the US rule the world.

I have always stood up for the Constitution, swore to uphold it and its values, fought under the Flag, and have had friends and brethren buried beneath it.

The plastic bastards that screech about patriotism know nothing of what waits in store for them if they lose this country to those that find their "patriotism" in flying flags from cars and listening to orations that most would spit on before speaking.

There are more Patriots on DU than all of the GOP dominated sites combined.