there was a question recently. what is patriotism, after research on here.?
446187
Patriotism obviously represents many things to many people.  To me, it is the understanding of our historical roots in the context of the our political system and supporting it as the best approach for mankind.
425684
I speak from across the fence on this matter, but I will let you know what I hear most often. The Patriot Act that has broadened the government's ability to seek information from it's fellow citizens has left some more liberal voters upset. They feel that the government's noose of power has grown a bit tighter, and I assume they foresee a future government domination over the people of this nation. I do not know of any firsthand accounts where someone's privacy rights have been infringed upon, or violated. Not that I wish there was, but there doesn't seem to be anyone personally hurt by the Act. Personally, I've felt that as long as man would uphold his responsibilites to treat his fellow man with love, and respect there would be no need for government at all. But we both know that we fail to do this, therefore creating a need for government. So if the privilages we enjoy so dearly seem in danger, I believe it is because of our own faults. I hope that this has been helpful.
1035528
No, I'm quite certain I know what a patriot is. You see, I just looked it up. Yeah, they have these new things called dictionaries. Well, not anymore, but they still have dictionary.com:\n\n"Patriot (n): One who loves, supports, and defends one's country."
850025
Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest," but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.\n\nSidney J Harris
687854
Patriotism is harmful anyway.\n\nImagine by John Lennon\n\nImagine there's no heaven\nIt's easy if you try\nNo hell below us\nAbove us only sky\nImagine all the people\nLiving for today...\n\nImagine there's no countries\nIt isn't hard to do\nNothing to kill or die for\nAnd no religion too\nImagine all the people\nLiving life in peace...\n\nYou may say I'm a dreamer\nBut I'm not the only one\nI hope someday you'll join us\nAnd the world will be as one\n\nImagine no possessions\nI wonder if you can\nNo need for greed or hunger\nA brotherhood of man\nImagine all the people\nSharing all the world...\n\nYou may say I'm a dreamer\nBut I'm not the only one\nI hope someday you'll join us\nAnd the world will live as one
104391
I got into a large argument about this with a friend that I soons after made not-my friend.Their seems to be 2 types of people that react to this question in 2 different ways.\n\n1.A large group of people who under all evidence totally refuse to even ponder the question and usually attack the people asking this question of a con-theory/inside job.These people often get very angry and also can become violent about it.There point of view is that this is absurd and that asking such a thing is silly and unfounded.There P.O.V is accepted and they have the right to say what they want,just as I have a right to ponder if it was an inside job.BUT-They seem to want to outlaw or "Silence" people asking this question.They are hyocrites because under the guise of there supposed "Patriotism"they forget that patriotism in itself is partially based on the right to question the goverment you live under.Also they compound their hypocrisy by becoming violent about the actual right of someone to ask a question about the goverments possible role in corruption.\n\n2. The open minded person who is also a patriot but just has reservations about their government and wantss to understand factual things about a national event that don't correspond with what the government told us happened.This person is NOT a communist,NOT a "Conspiracy theorist,NOT crazy,and most importantly just a loyal citizen wanting to know the truth.
1173224
For the record, we did not get to vote on the so-called Patriot Act.  And as you so correctly point out, there is nothing patriotic about it.\n\nThose who have fought to defend our Constitution must be spinning madly in their graves now, knowing what the American public is currently tolerating in the name of "security."  \n\nThey are in no sense patriots who tamper with our system of justice.  "True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else."  Clarence Darrow
332156
I think for a lot of people, sadly it does. Its the whole your with us or your against us type of thinking. Part of patriotism is standing up for what you dont think is right in your country, but that has been really downplayed lately in favor of a more blind patriotism. Im not saying that liking the leadership is necesarily bad (i may not agree, but i certainly dont know all the answers), but many people seem to think its the only way. Sadly the line of thinking that is being promoted though does make patriotism a negative thing which it really does not have to be.
779301
Ironically, yes patriotism could imply that depending on what your country believes in. For instance, in Nazi Germany it was quite patriotic to turn in Jews.\n\nHowever, what our country is supposed to believe in means that we stand up to those who propogate injustice. True patriots of this country are willing to die for what they believe in.\n\nA true patriot would not be intimidated by acts of terrorism. They wouldn't act like frightened sheep running to the proverbial sheperd hoping that he/she could protect them.\n\nA true patriot of this country doesn't suspend basic rights for people, citizen or not. A true patriot does not condone torture, as it is against everything that we stand for.\n\nA true patriot does not take away the rights of the many in the name of security.\n\nTrue patriots of this country have an event like 9-11 happen and say, "Is that all you got?!". True patriots don't let fear change the way they live.\n\nIn this day and age, our country is lacking in true patriots.\n\n~X~
483547
I think propaganda goes along way to making people fanatically patriotic. Fear helps too - making people believe that their country is constantly under attack. Selective history, leaving out the bad parts and pumping up the good parts, helps. You can also create an us/them mentality to make people fanatically patriotic.
349687
The Patriot Post has some good info
740649
In America, healthy patriotism is standing up for rights and the rights of others; exercising political power by voting for the candidates and propositions you feel best reflect your opinions; and respecting others even though you disagree with their politics and opinions.  \n\nDefending your country from threats in times of war and in times of peace is very patriotic; but not everybody is qualified to serve in the military.  Thank You to everybody who has or is still defending my rights.
1148159
No, it's called patriotism. We elect officials, it's fair that we evaluate the job they're doing.
756480
Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.      \n- Samuel Johnson\n\nA patriot must always be ready to defend his      \ncountry against his government.                   \n- Edward Abbey (1927-1989)\n\nIf there must be trouble let it be in my day, that\nmy child may have peace.                          \n- Thomas Paine\n\n... ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.\n~ John F. Kennedy\n\nI think patriotism is like charity -- it begins at home.\n~ Henry James\n\nIn the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, Brave, Hated, and Scorned. When his cause succeeds however,the timid join him, For then it costs nothing to be a Patriot. \n- Mark Twain \n\nTo disarm the people (is) the best and most effectual way to enslave them... \n- George Mason \n\nTrue patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else. \n- Clarence Seward Darrow \n\nAll the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honor; duty; mercy; hope.\n- Sir Winston Churchill\n\n... and the last one,\n\nPatriots fight for the people, not the government.\n-me
34912
I think what this guy is trying to point out is the frustration with so many people being led blindly by dated or 'obsolete' ideologies. I think this question is more akin to people with 'leftist' ideals, that see in the masses a repeating pattern of spoon-fed idiocy. Whenever I think of this question, I think of the millions of people that believe in anything without questioning or analyzing the deepness of the subject. What really comes to mind is RELIGION and PATRIOTISM. So many have been led into believing things that are not even entirely certain, are very subjective and bound to relativity and seemingly created to keep a group of people in power. \nI think this person is frustrated with so many people not questioning beliefs and believing blindly just because 'tradition' demands it.\nWhat frustrates me is that I see so many backwards things and so many people not even questioning them, buying into them and being told how to be and how to act by non-founded dubious sources... this is very saddening, and yes, I think it affects us all. Open-mindedness and an analytical, critical attitude is much needed nowadays, when we're being bombarded by propaganda and lies every day. It's time for society to evolve, go beyond tradition, rid of the old attitudes that have proven wrong, and WAKE UP!
239977
Hmmmm, you used the word ALL. Do you know every Democrat in the United States? Some of us have very strong opinions, and have not waivered. Why haven't you heard about us?  Because we have been systematically beaten over the head with American Flag, until we are now in a silent stupor.  Any opinion that does not coincide with this Administration's KILL EM ALL, AND LET GOD SORT EM OUT ATTITUDE, is viewed as being unpatriotic. Or hadn't you noticed?
1013110
As long as you live in the western hemisphere you are an American - not a US citizen or resident.  The only true way that can be interpreted is to say patriot because all races & heratrages can be a 100%.