What is patriotism?

Static · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2008, 11:56 AM

What's patriotism? Definitions differ - CNN.com

Here's some peoples definitions from cnn.com, to be honest I read down through that list a bit surprised...

I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you think patriotism means in America today.

**HeartAttack** · 07-04-2008, 02:47 PM

I think patriotism means an individual has enough pride in the country that they're a citizen of to defend it in such a way that may threaten them or their life in one way or another.

Ol' Patty · 07-06-2008, 09:45 PM

I think patriotism( in the context of being a US citizen) is doing your best in everyday life to truly make this country land of the free. Helping fellow citizens in need, contributing to your community and society, setting good examples, protecting our natural resources, showing respect and goodwill to all citizens, ect., ect.

In short, acting as if you are the country itself, claiming its responsibilities and burdens and projecting it to the world around you.

**Brother of Yeshua** · 07-06-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Patty

I think patriotism( in the context of being a US citizen) is doing your best in everyday life to truly make this country land of the free. Helping fellow citizens in need, contributing to your community and society, setting good examples, protecting our natural resources, showing respect and goodwill to all citizens, ect., ect.

In short, acting as if you are the country itself, claiming its responsibilities and burdens and projecting it to the world around you.

I agree with this answer.

Very well said. I tried to express my feelings and deleted it three time and gave up.

These is pretty accurate to how I see it as well.

4n7hr4x · 07-07-2008, 10:27 AM

Patriotism today has lost all of its meaning, we all seem to have a good idea of what patriotism should be, but thanks to the media and this screwed up system we have become a nation of say one thing, do another. A nation of hold other countries to a standard which even we cannot meet. In short, patriotism in America today is nothing more than a steaming pile of BULLSHIT.

Our very constitution has been systematically disassembled all the while in the name of patriotism. Has it really come this far, the brainwashing and propaganda, the stupefying of the masses, has it really come this far that we cheer as they take away our rights? Has it really come to this? We thank and praise this administration for sending our children to Iraq to die, so that defense contractors and their companies can make money driving empty trucks up and down Iraq 24/7 because the Pentagon pays them per trip regardless of what they actually ship. We came into Iraq, which was a relatively stable country at the time and turned it into a war zone, a second Vietnam. Have we really come so far that after suffering through the Vietnam War and after promising the loved ones we lost then that we would learn from our mistakes, what have we done now? We have made fools of ourselves and we allowed those who lost their lives in Vietnam to have in the end died in vain. We go around the world, looking down on other countries who do not have a Democracy, because we have rights and freedoms and we have a perfect system... well where is your perfect system now, where are your rights,... where is your self respect?

I see no patriots, just tyrants and terrorists dressed in the clothes of patriots, hoping to fool the world with their disguise when in the end they only fool themselves.

Swift19 · 07-07-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4n7hr4x

Patriotism today has lost all of its meaning, we all seem to have a good idea of what patriotism should be, but thanks to the media and this screwed up system we have become a nation of say one thing, do another. A nation of hold other countries to a standard which even we cannot meet. In short, patriotism in America today is nothing more than a steaming pile of BULLSHIT.

Our very constitution has been systematically disassembled all the while in the name of patriotism. Has it really come this far, the brainwashing and propaganda, the stupefying of the masses, has it really come this far that we cheer as they take away our rights? Has it really come to this? We thank and praise this administration for sending our children to Iraq to die, so that defense contractors and their companies can make money driving empty trucks up and down Iraq 24/7 because the Pentagon pays them per trip regardless of what they actually ship. We came into Iraq, which was a relatively stable country at the time and turned it into a war zone, a second Vietnam. Have we really come so far that after suffering through the Vietnam War and after promising the loved ones we lost then that we would learn from our mistakes, what have we done now? We have made fools of ourselves and we allowed those who lost their lives in Vietnam to have in the end died in vain. We go around the world, looking down on other countries who do not have a Democracy, because we have rights and freedoms and we have a perfect system... well where is your perfect system now, where are your rights,... where is your self respect?

I see no patriots, just tyrants and terrorists dressed in the clothes of patriots, hoping to fool the world with their disguise when in the end they only fool themselves.

This is why I don't like you very much on this site. You assume way way too much about people here and everywhere else. Everyone on this site and everyone I know hates the Iraq War and never praised it in the first place. In fact, us here on this site and the people I know were some of the few at the time that objected to any war with Iraq or Afghanistan. But hey, we can't do much about it anyway except vote, get involved in groups (like this one Ron Paul’s Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues), and/or go into office (like the site suggests). Honestly, you disgust me with your assumptions and because of those assumptions are no better than the people you rail against (it seems to me).

4n7hr4x · 07-07-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift19

This is why I don't like you very much on this site. You assume way way too much about people here and everywhere else. Everyone on this site and everyone I know hates the Iraq War and never praised it in the first place. In fact, us here on this site and the people I know were some of the few at the time that objected to any war with Iraq or Afghanistan. But hey, we can't do much about it anyway except vote, get involved in groups (like this one Ron Paul’s Campaign For Liberty | The Revolution Continues), and/or go into office (like the site suggests). Honestly, you disgust me with your assumptions and because of those assumptions are no better than the people you rail against (it seems to me).

There are 330 million people in this country, I apologize if you feel like I'm targeting you in particular and your friends, but with that many people I have to generalize. The majority of people in this country, or at least those with the most influence are like what I described above. I drive down the street everyday and see those yellow ribbons on the bumpers on every third car I see, which makes me sick every time I see it. One case in particular I saw the same car with a bumper sticker that said, "Pray for Peace" and another sticker that said "Support Our Troops", I'm curious but do these people know what George Orwell was talking about with words like Double Think and Double Speak?

Static · 07-07-2008, 12:19 PM

It's really simple to me. I feel a little wierd using the word 'patriot' because it seems to have lost it's meaning in these times. What one person might think it means, may be completely different from another (just like Christianity...but that's another thread)... So here's my take...

The Constitution is not just a piece of paper, I believe it's one of the greatest documents ever created. It lays out a system that is arguably the best human history has seen. This document provides each one of us with essential freedoms we need to live happy lives. I couldn't care less who the fuck is in the white house or who the fuck writes the laws, this document supercedes them all unless amendments are passed and the idea that someone would defend this document with their life is the greatest example of 'patriotism' I can think of.

Animal-Mother · 07-07-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4n7hr4x

Patriotism today has lost all of its meaning, we all seem to have a good idea of what patriotism should be, but thanks to the media and this screwed up system we have become a nation of say one thing, do another. A nation of hold other countries to a standard which even we cannot meet. In short, patriotism in America today is nothing more than a steaming pile of BULLSHIT.

Our very constitution has been systematically disassembled all the while in the name of patriotism. Has it really come this far, the brainwashing and propaganda, the stupefying of the masses, has it really come this far that we cheer as they take away our rights? Has it really come to this? We thank and praise this administration for sending our children to Iraq to die, so that defense contractors and their companies can make money driving empty trucks up and down Iraq 24/7 because the Pentagon pays them per trip regardless of what they actually ship. We came into Iraq, which was a relatively stable country at the time and turned it into a war zone, a second Vietnam. Have we really come so far that after suffering through the Vietnam War and after promising the loved ones we lost then that we would learn from our mistakes, what have we done now? We have made fools of ourselves and we allowed those who lost their lives in Vietnam to have in the end died in vain. We go around the world, looking down on other countries who do not have a Democracy, because we have rights and freedoms and we have a perfect system... well where is your perfect system now, where are your rights,... where is your self respect?

I see no patriots, just tyrants and terrorists dressed in the clothes of patriots, hoping to fool the world with their disguise when in the end they only fool themselves.

Beautifuly said,as a soldier In iraq I agree with what your saying.The world has already lost hope and purpose in individuals.The only way to be free anymore is be one of the ones leading the flock.There is just one thing I dont agree with,the soldiers in veitnam or any other way didnt die in vain.No soldier dies in vein because we constantly protect the ones around us.When a soldier dies it means the soldier next to him is alive because of his sacrafice.Even when its complete chaos and your crew is screaming orders at you under incoming rounds and you cant hear because indirect fire took out your hearing while the smell of gunpowder and burning CLP make your hands shake and the only reason you can see is because the base nearest to you is being lite up like a campfire because of RPG-7's and small arms fire your ALLWAYS protecting the man next to you,no matter what.

GentleSpikeResort · 07-07-2008, 05:28 PM

Dining at McDonalds. Yeehaw!

Nah. In all seriousness, patriotism today is just a complete joke to me. I could have my own definition just like all of you guys, and it'll probably have just about the same meaning as well. But y'know... being a patriot is just some weird "American and proud" blah blah to me. I hope I don't sound arrogant.

This is not a post about hating my country. This country rocks socks.