Honestly, is blind allegience patriotic ?
93023
No.  In a nation founded on the principles of democratic participation, it is blind allegience is, in fact, actively unpatriotic.  In arguing for the unconditional, unciritical support of government policies one undermines the philosophy of individuality and civic participation on which a democracy is founded.  Last I checked, undermining the founding principles of your country was not an act of patriotism.\n\nAlso, I think that thompj64us has a point that supporting policies that will lead to the destruction of your country is distincly unpatriotic, even when those policies are written by government officials.\n\n_______________\nTo answer Andy's question (which by the way are actually irrelevant):\nNote that the "more or less" does not make sense as there is no point of compairison, and I will ignore it.  Also note that his compulsive use of "Democrats" is idiotic and irrational, as it implies that these acts are acceptable unless the person performing the action is a Democrat.\n\n>>>Is it more or less patriotic for Democrats to oppose the war?\n\nIt is patriotic to oppose a war that is hurting our country.  What is unpatriotic is supporting a war that will devastate international relations, cost the nation billions of dollars, and cost countless American and Iraqi lives.\n\n>>>Is it more or less patriotic for Democrats to bash their country \n>>>on foreign soil?\n\nIn a country that values free speech, it is unpatriotic to sensor the speech of others.  It is not, however, unpatriotic to speak in opposition to policies or practices with which one does not agree.  In a democracy, dissent is never unpatriotic.\n\n>>>Is it more or less patriotic for Democrats to have the same \n>>>talking points as the number 2 Al Queada operative?\n\nWTF?  I have no idea what you're talking about.  However, it is not inherent unpatriotic to have something in common with Al Queada or any other organization or nation.\n\n>>>Is it more or less patriotic for Democrats to hope that \n>>>America loses the war on terror so they can score political points?\n\nI don't think anyone is hoping we will lose the war.  However, I do believe that the harm done by the current administration can and will vastly exceed the cost of the war, and in that regard it may be in our best intrest as a nation to lose the war and elect someone competent.\n\n>>>Want to lose a war? Let a Democrat run it (aka Black HAwk Down)\n\nWant to invade a soveign nation on false pretexts, start a war that costs billions of dollars and countless lives, and find yourself stuck in that war with no exit plan in sight?  Let Bush run the country.  Leaders on both sides have made bad wartime decisions.  The current war in Iraq is certainly among the worst military fiascos our nation has seen, and the travesty is expounded by the fact that the evidence on which the war was started has since been demonstrated to have been deliberately and meticulously forged.\n\n__________\n>>>If the questions are so irrelevant then why take the time to \n>>>answer them? \n\nThey're irrelevant to the question of the patriotism blind allegience, but they're still insulting, and (as per my answers), the implications are incorrect.\n\n>>>The truth hurts doesn't it?\n\nIt might if you believe what you do and actually looked around, but apparently ignoring the turth helps or you'd be writhing in pain.\n\n______________\nAndy, perhaps you should brush up on your political philosophy.  You clearly have no concept of what patriotism even is.  Nor democracy for that matter.\n\nThe exchange of political ideas is a fundimental principle of democracy.  This includes the idea that our government might be making a mess of things.  To oppose this exchange is to oppose democracy. America is a democracy, and thus an enemy of democracy is an enemy of America.  To speak out against tho
998024
Yes, Native Americans are the only "true americans."\n\nBut honestly, i don't think that that is the definition that comes to mind when people ask that question. \n\nIf you believe in this country and don't agree with some aspects of it, and don't terrorize america, I think that is what truly makes you an american.
94131
Some of these people conveniently forget that real patriotism is not blind allegiance. I am reminded of the sheep in Orwells Animal Farm, that could only bleat in unison.\n\nThe other part of this is a kind of debating tactic where if you don't like what some one says, you attack them with an ad hominum statement. \n\nI remember an old saying : " Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" .   Turn over a rock in D.C. and you will find a lot of patriots.
194639
With your details listing, it sounds like you are not asking a question. You have your mind made up and are not open for answers or dialogue.\n\nBut I'll give it a shot, anyway. I'm of Irish descent, and we're used to fighting for lost causes.\n\nMost of what you listed has also been claimed in the past for Catholics. Allegiance, submission to a Christian concept that the political majority, Protestants (WASPs), don't like, authority of Pope and priest, ya da, ya da, ya da.....\n\nBut we've had a Catholic president. Eventually. And only one, so far. Pretty patriotic on an action level though.\n\nMaybe there's room for change in what you list. Possibly? For sure. Probably? I don't know. \n\nSomething like that was said about Japanese-Americans during World War II. We put them in concentration camps within the borders of the US. Still they volunteered to fight in the US forces and their "Go For Broke" battalion did a heckuva job. Very patriotic.\n\nBlacks historically in the US military were relegated to menial positions. Between the Civil War and WWII there were few that were trusted to carry weapons like the The "Hell Fighters" from Harlem" of World War I. They weren't the "right sort", for one reason or another. The Tuskagee Airmen showed a different side, as did the Red Ball Express. Pretty darn patriotic. From then to now -- and we've seen individuals with that brand carry the highest military and almost the highest civilian posts. Very patriotic, no?\n\nMy examples are all groups of people that during America's history had the same or similar questions asked about their loyalties, their patriotism. We've seen bad, we've seen good. Usually it has been more on the person's individual character than on any label applied by others. A label doesn't always tell you what's in the box. If it did, the world would be full of "fragiles."\n\nIf we make an effort to see Muslims as people instead of labels we can move out of our own self-created prison of fear and control and not see every one as all the same thing. We can dislike or like a person based on their own actions, not the "ifs" we assign to them from fear. Patriotic or not, let their own actions show us, not our prejudices or minds already made up.\n\nA hundred "ifs" don't make one "is."
923546
I hear that.  I find it ironic that our country was founded by people who spoke out against the establishment, and yet now we are faced with an administration that claims that if we don't think, speak and act like them we are against them and giving comfort and safe harbor to the terrorists.  BS!  I love this country - if I didn't I wouldn't be so concerned about its current direction.  I am a Patriot.  I'm also a huge fan of thinking for myself.   Bottom line - you are not a traitor.
381652
I AM Hispanic.I was born and raised in Austin,TX. as was all my family.I have absolutely nothing against Mexicans but,i honestly believe that the Star Spangled Banner should be left alone.Some things are better left untouched!!.What next? The Pledge of Allegiance......  Be Blessed! Monica
1039448
i feel more patriotic.\nbecause that is when we won our counrty's freedom.\n\ni love this country.\nbut i hate what this adminitration is doing to it.\n\ni am going to a protest all of the weekend AND on of july 4th, because i love this country so much, and i will NOT sit back and let someone ruin it.
197914
Yes.\n\nNative Americans were a part of this great nation long before the English took over. Native Americans proudly established communities that promoted togetherness and unity and respect for the land.
454650
I agree. And by the way, docjim, there are plenty of us who have done our bit for the country and we LOVE it when someone can "snipe" because that's one of the rights we fought for. Let me guess ... you're not a liberal.
773739
it isn't unpatiotic unless your are uneducated, otherwise it is completely patriotic and it is your duty as a citizen.
916313
I've always found it odd that a state within the United States would demand keeping the flag of a nation that disavowed being a part of the United States within it's modern flag.\n\nParadoxial in a sense.
1170011
No.  Our founding fathers declared that Church and State were separate and that ALL peoples and beliefs were equal in the eyes of the law.\n\nI'm constantly scared that we're on a slippery slope and those freedoms are being taken away by groups that believe that the US was founded for them.  It was not.
190830
The constitution says "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" it does not say that the government will provide this happiness, just that it guarantees your right to pursue it. so many people these days seem to have forgotten this fact and act as if the government owes them something. As for the red, white and blue on our flag, I can only speculate to that, but I would assume that since Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first flag that it was made from colors she chose. The Bible is were you learn that we are all precious in Gods eyes.
983785
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." \n\nTheodore Roosevelt 1907 \nTwenty-sixth President of the United States
145701
Of course. Because of that document we all enjoy freedom and have rights.  Don't take for granted what many nations are fighting for.
1182863
Oh for pity's sake!  Of course it's okay.  How is declaring your pride for your nation going to offend anyone?  If someone does claim to be offended, it's only because hand-wringing liberals, who are terrified of being labelled bigots, have branded anything other than fawning deference to other cultures as racism.  If you constantly worry about causing offence to a self-pitying, thin-skinned minority, then you'll spend your life tip-toeing around people and never asserting yourself or stating your true feelings.\n\nShould you apologise for being English or supporting England?  Of course not.  There are certain people who feel resentful because their ancestors were wronged by the Empire and want the English to hang their heads in shame for ever more, but that's just revisionist nonsense.  This sort of brainless mindset would have us constantly extolling the virtues of others, while considering any pride in our own character or achievements as arrogant.  Be proud.  Fly your flag.
858269
I love the ideals my country was founded upon, but I can't go with whatever retarded campaigns the governement has going.  They are probably spying this question right now.  Limey Bastards!