For all you people out, Are Amerians truely Patriots?

Just 300-600 years ago there was no patriots because there were no "nation" states; there were kingdoms, etc. Everybody was required to love king, not a "motherland". Modern ruling beaurocracies cannot demand people to love them, thus they require/train people to love the abstract motherland. Patriotism chants are required to dumb/..../shut people up and prepare/send them to a slaughter. World would be a better place without patriotism.

Yes, Americans are super patriotic; sometimes, they are agressively "tape recorder" patriotic; i.e. no reasoning to justify one's point just cyclic repetition of something "patriotic" and denouncing enemies. American propaganda is #1, wash most brains clean like a good detergent; Soviets do not stand even close to that. And, as everybody knows, God blesses only USA. I would call American patriotism "christian" nationalism. Most of Europians got over the American version of patriotic nationalism after slaughter of WWI, and WWII.

Samuel Johnson, an Englishman, thought patriotism was the last resort of a scoundrel.
Ambrose Bierce, an American, thought patriotism was the first resort of a scoundrel.

I think that America has had a huge doseage of Patriotism after 9/11

I don't think most Americans are Patriots, probably closer to brain-washed Nationalists.

"Yes, Americans are super patriotic; sometimes, they are agressively "tape recorder" patriotic; i.e. no reasoning to justify one's point just cyclic repetition of something "patriotic" and denouncing enemies."

so right, i want to ask all the patriotic americans what communists actually support

I think that America has had a huge doseage of Patriotism after 9/11
A huge dosage of idiodicy was more like it.
All these flag waving feebs running around ready to gun down any towelhead in site. Everybody knows that the biggest terrorist on the planet is America.


I live in America, and it sucks.
And it's the best country on Earth.
So what does that say about Earth?
Earth sucks.
Is there anybody that's a patriot of Earth?

People don't join the military to fight for America. They join for economic reasons. They join because the military was marketed to them as an easy way out.
Then they get brainwashed.
Suckers. Perhaps they'll die.

I'm patriotic of earth.
America is hardly the best country on earth, maybe in the pleistocene it would have ranked, but its all diseased with human "progress" now and has lost much of it's fauna.

I live in America and I think that the people of lesser intelligence are patriotic to the point of stupidity. They are just gun toating, flag waving Yahoos, or Red neck idiots, or whatever else you want to call them. Not to mension the fearless leader who happens to be the joke of the planet earth. I'm seeking a way out of here ASAP.

"America is hardly the best country on earth, maybe in the pleistocene it would have ranked, but its all diseased with human "progress" now and has lost much of it's fauna."

dont be so harsh, america was great right up until the mayflower

For all you people out, Are Amerians truely Patriots?



I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln


America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds


We can't all be Washingtons, but we can all be patriots. ~Charles F. Browne


What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from." ~Marilyn vos Savant, in Parade


[P]atriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. ~Adlai Stevenson


A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle. ~George William Curtis


When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect. ~Adlai Stevenson


Love your country. Your country is the land where your parents sleep, where is spoken that language in which the chosen of your heart, blushing, whispered the first word of love; it is the home that God has given you that by striving to perfect yourselves therein you may prepare to ascend to him. ~Giuseppe Mazzini


There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream. ~Archibald MacLeish


National honor is national property of the highest value. ~James Monroe, first inaugural address, 4 March 1817


How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy. ~Paul Sweeney


May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! ~Daniel Webster


This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis


The stern hand of fate has scourged us to an elevation where we can see the great everlasting things that matter for a nation; the great peaks of honour we had forgotten - duty and patriotism, clad in glittering white; the great pinnacle of sacrifice pointing like a rugged finger to heaven. ~David Lloyd George


Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The Poet," Essays, Second Series, 1844


If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace. ~Hamilton Fish

Im from England. I have often wondered why I have a sense of patriotism. I put it down to the fact that my Grandad whom I loved very much and had much respect for, was willing to die in a war so that this land may remain free for his descendants.
If it was important to him, it should be doubly important for his descendants.

peace

c20

Im from England. I have often wondered why I have a sense of patriotism. I put it down to the fact that my Grandad whom I loved very much and had much respect for, was willing to die in a war so that this land may remain free for his descendants.
If it was important to him, it should be doubly important for his descendants.

peace

c20

On the other hand, 1000..... 2000 years ago, your ancestors were not willing to die as much (or they were incapable of winning) in multiple wars against external enemies. And THAT IS WHY you are who you are. Whom you should thank more, your grandpa or those nameless ancestors who were not able to keep their land free?

The same would have been if Hitler had won. New kind of "patriotism" to be proud of/die for would have been born some time after conquest. Nothing more, nothing less. People are damn full of their "uniqueness".

On the other hand, 1000..... 2000 years ago, your ancestors were not willing to die as much (or they were incapable of winning) in multiple wars against external enemies. And THAT IS WHY you are who you are. Whom you should thank more, your grandpa or those nameless ancestors who were not able to keep their land free?

The same would have been if Hitler had won. New kind of "patriotism" to be proud of/die for would have been born some time after conquest. Nothing more, nothing less. People are damn full of their "uniqueness".

If my grandad wanted to set the path straight for his descendants, what's that to you?

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln


America is a tune. It must be sung together. ~Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds


;;;;;;;

Same sort of nearly meaningless, cheasy BS could be found in the quotes of German, Russian, French, .... "patriots" full of themselves.

Same sort of nearly meaningless, cheasy BS could be found in the quotes of German, Russian, French, .... "patriots" full of themselves.

Ah the sweet voice of a malcontent ;)

dixonmassey

It is only through our uniqueness that we may appreciate the different qualities that each of us possess. Being patriotic about your country is just a macro-uniqueness. Let us all appreciate eachothers differences then on a patriotic scale!
Lean not to your own understanding!

If my grandad wanted to set the path straight for his descendants, what's that to you?

I'd fought for myself/my family/. Because being conquered by someone is not honey. It's simple survival. I would not call some inspirational, meaningless BS to my help.

I would have a clear idea, that If my side loses, my descendants will be shaped different way, diluted with foreign genes. BUT that would be the only way they will be aware about. They would be proud of both conquerer's and conquered's genes. They will not be able to imagine themselves otherwise.

Therefore, speaking about some kind of multigenerational patriotism is just a BS. I would buy 3 generational patriotism (or survivalism), because repercussions of a conquest will be "directly" felt for 40-60 years max.

I'd fought for myself/my family/. Because being conquered by someone is not honey. It's simple survival. I would not call some inspirational, meaningless BS to my help.

I would have a clear idea, that If my side loses, my descendants will be shaped different way, diluted with foreign genes. BUT that would be the only way they will be aware about. They would be proud of both conquerer's and conquered's genes. They will not be able to imagine themselves otherwise.

Therefore, speaking about some kind of multigenerational patriotism is just a BS. I would buy 3 generational patriotism (or survivalism), because repercussions of a conquest will be "directly" felt for 40-60 years max.

Ok your right. Being patriotic is a terrible thing. We should all be like you instead. Then we would all be free. Now that I have accepted your way dixonmassey, where do we go from here? I'm waiting!

dixonmassey

It is only through our uniqueness that we may appreciate the different qualities that each of us possess. Being patriotic about your country is just a macro-uniqueness. Let us all appreciate eachothers differences then on a patriotic scale!
Lean not to your own understanding!

"Macrouniqueness" feelings have caused much more evil than good worldwide. I do not see how the same feelings will suddenly generate more good than evil. Human uniqueness is #1. Nation serves to a human, not a human serves to a nation (and abstract patriotism).We do not need nations to be humans. I do know that resources are limited and people are greedy. Therefore, it's more efficient to guard "honey" together (as a nation) than appart to avoid big blood bath. World has too many differences to play with one Earth nation for time being. Thus, I accept nations as lesser evil. One shall not be proud of evil even if it's a lesser one.

Ok your right. Being patriotic is a terrible thing. We should all be like you instead. Then we would all be free. Now that I have accepted your way dixonmassey, where do we go from here? I'm waiting!

Did I try to impose my way on you? How? By sharing my point? Want to be a patriot (whatever that means) be one. Just do not expect everyone climaxing, making holy face, etc. after hearing the magic word patriotism.

"Macrouniqueness" feelings have caused much more evil than good worldwide.. ..

Let's look at this statement ...

What I guess you mean here is that because people have felt proud about the place they live, they have caused wars, dissention and all kinds of trouble in the 'name of that place'.

Patriotism is about being proud about the place where you are from. The place you belong. Patriotism is about being proud in your culture, the culture you yourself helped to build by that unique little brush stroke on the big picture, namely your life!

Why yoke patriots to people like Hitler? I am a patriot, but this does not mean That I must conform to the pattern of a Hitler?

Who made you the judge of the individual parts of my 'countenance' or any one elses 'countenance' for that matter!? Dont yoke me with a Hitler!

Grow up! Be a patriot who is proud of his contribution to his culture. Unless of course you think that might make you commit a murder like Hitler!

Let's look at this statement ...

What I guess you mean here is that because people have felt proud about the place they live, they have caused wars, dissention and all kinds of trouble in the 'name of that place'.

Patriotism is about being proud about the place where you are from. The place you belong.

in Russia (for example), people regarded themselves as dwellers/"citizens" of their localities/villages first before industrialization. People from distant villages were considered "less worthy" strangers. It took quite a while for a big state machine to rape people into worshiping a larger governmental unit. As a result, today, people feel patriots of the large Russia first. If we'll dig more into history, 1000 years ago, ancestors of Russians were "patriots" of their extended family only. They did not give a shit for anything else. you see, "patriotism" progresses from extended family to the entire Russia. Deliberate design? Approximately, the same sequence of events occured in other countries.

Being proud? What does it mean? I'm proud for the things I personally have made contributions to. How can you be proud of the place where you are from? it's your mother/father's love/accident/marriage/... have put you in the place where you are. You've done nothing for that. Are you proud of the moon, Atlantic ocean or being born on Monday too?

Desire of belonging is the powerful force, which drives lives of deep down lonely, disoriented people. People wants to belong somewhere. This desire as strong/stronger than sex, survival extinct, etc. People do all kind of things (including very ugly ones) to create an illusion of belonging to somewhere (including patriotism delusion).


Patriotism is about being proud in your culture, the culture you yourself helped to build by that unique little brush stroke on the big picture, namely your life!

Most people have produced nothing of the cultural value in their lives. They just existed and enjoyed or not life (which is totally OK). Again, why would anyone be proud of the culture he has done nothing for personally? For 90% of people, being proud of the country's culture is just about the same as being pround of Chinese culture, for example.



Why yoke patriots to people like Hitler? I am a patriot, but this does not mean That I must conform to the pattern of a Hitler?


Patriotism presumes conforming to the dominant patriotic sentiment (see: USA). It's the most conformist conviction. You give up your values on the altar of patriotims (no matter how savage is the cause). Who are larger patriots: german WWII soldiers or German WWII traitors?


Who made you the judge of the individual parts of my 'countenance' or any one elses 'countenance' for that matter!? Dont yoke me with a Hitler!

Actually, I never have mentioned Hitler in this thread. Actually, WWI is far better example of patriotic frenzy going downhill than WWII. Actually, there are hundreds of war examples illustrating how normal folks were transformed into bloodthirty, conformist zombies after invoking patriotism mantra by puppet masters.


Grow up! Be a patriot who is proud of his contribution to his culture. Unless of course you think that might make you commit a murder like Hitler!

Well, I am not that gifted culturewise. I doubt I have contributed to culture anything to be proud of.

dixonmassey - what a dark world you chose to live in. Do you realise that if everyone carried such a glum view of humanity then there truly would be something to be glum about.
Do you have 'happy thoughts'?

Because this is a shame ...

"Well, I am not that gifted culturewise. I doubt I have contributed to culture anything to be proud of."

How sad for the rest of us that you have contributed nothing to civilisation!

dixonmassey - what a dark world you chose to live in. Do you realise that if everyone carried such a glum view of humanity then there truly would be something to be glum about.
Do you have 'happy thoughts'?

Because this is a shame ...

"Well, I am not that gifted culturewise. I doubt I have contributed to culture anything to be proud of."

How sad for the rest of us that you have contributed nothing to civilisation!

So you claim that 90% of population contribute something to culture directly? And everybody who disagrees are in the doom and gloom mood?

Well, it depends on the definition of culture. Archaeologists dig out public restrooms in the ancient Greek, etc. cities to discover clues about ancient cultures. Who knows what kind of a bum has "contributed" the largest cultural clue there. Ancient poets' contributions were forgotten/lost, but bum's trip to a restroom has indirectly enriched our culture. Thus, bum is more important for our culture than some long time forgotten philosopher. Yes, I do think that 90% do contribute something to culture indirectly. As, comrade Lenin has told: "quantity has quality of its own". 9.5% fake contribution. 0.5% do create something that will worthwhile 100 or more years after their deaths.

Well, I do have 10 or so publications in the top "science journals". However, I am realistic about their "impact" on the world/culture/etc. Realistic does not mean doom and gloom. Life is not black and white. ONe's Contribution to a culture (which is doomed to be forgotten eventually) should not be a measure of one's life. You live for yourself (not in the selfish sense) not for a culture, patriotism and contributions.

So you claim that 90% of population contribute something to culture directly? And everybody who disagrees are in the doom and gloom mood?


I didnt claim anything. I merely stated that I was pleased to personally witness more happy souls than ones who saw doom and gloom in a bit of good old fashioned patriotism.



Well, it depends on the definition of culture. Archaeologists dig out public restrooms in the ancient Greek, etc. cities to discover clues about ancient cultures. Who knows what kind of a bum has "contributed" the largest cultural clue there. Ancient poets' contributions were forgotten/lost, but bum's trip to a restroom has indirectly enriched our culture. Thus, bum is more important for our culture than some long time forgotten philosopher. Yes, I do think that 90% do contribute something to culture indirectly. As, comrade Lenin has told: "quantity has quality of its own". 9.5% fake contribution. 0.5% do create something that will worthwhile 100 or more years after their deaths.

Well, I do have 10 or so publications in the top "science journals". However, I am realistic about their "impact" on the world/culture/etc. Realistic does not mean doom and gloom. Life is not black and white. ONe's Contribution to a culture (which is doomed to be forgotten eventually) should not be a measure of one's life. You live for yourself (not in the selfish sense) not for a culture, patriotism and contributions.

The rest was 'more of the same'.

I challenge you to pick apart your typical common american patriot rather than just generalising about your views and explain why his love of country is a bad thing in your eyes.
I will then defend from the position of a common american patriot.

That would be much more fun!

I think I was doing just that i.e. I was explaining why patriotism is a bad/artificial for a human thing. Why world would be better place without it. Why "love to one's country" BS was born just in 19th century. Nobody gave a f*ck for the love to one's country before that. there were no countries as we know them not so long time ago. I gave many reasons why. Well, if you did not catch that. We have nothing really to speak about. Which is not a bad thing. Forum's postings rarely(if ever) converted anybody. It's more for the venting/looking for one's mirror views than for anything else.

The only your argument (consistent from post to post) against is that lacking patriotism (whatever that means) makes someone a lesser, doom and gloom human.

First you'll answer to yourself what "love to one's country" means and why you should "love" another country less. Just because of the accident of birth? Love presumes knowledgeable choice, does it? One becomes a patriot, Christian, Muslim, etc. just because he was born at certain place. Enough said.

The only your argument (consistent from post to post) against is that lacking patriotism (whatever that means) makes someone a lesser, doom and gloom human.


Wrong! I have no problem with people who dont even consider it as an idea. I am not assuming they are any less happy than I am. I was refering to your particular doom and gloom view on it. This is the difference.
I am saying ( just for the point of clarity) that patriotism by itself is usually a wholly honerable thing. It is something that unites us as peoples. It is no different from tribes who are proud to be in their particular tribe. The collection of tribes make a whole and none are opposed to the other. They love the differences they see in eachothers values and way of living. They love the different cultures that exist within the different tribes.
You seem to wish to do away with some values that are very core to me. Dont be suprised if I try to get you to see why the subject of patriotism is a bright, happy one as opposed to your view of it as wrapped in evil human pride which will turn to hate and death.

Wrong! I have no problem with people who dont even consider it as an idea. I am not assuming they are any less happy than I am. I was refering to your particular doom and gloom view on it. This is the difference.
I am saying ( just for the point of clarity) that patriotism by itself is usually a wholly honerable thing. It is something that unites us as peoples. It is no different from tribes who are proud to be in their particular tribe. The collection of tribes make a whole and none are opposed to the other. They love the differences they see in eachothers values and way of living. They love the different cultures that exist within the different tribes.
You seem to wish to do away with some values that are very core to me. Dont be suprised if I try to get you to see why the subject of patriotism is a bright, happy one as opposed to your view of it as wrapped in evil human pride which will turn to hate and death.

Next time you'll visit an inner city evoke a speach "You and me are united by patriotism. We belong to the different branches of the same tribe. We are whole Pleaseeeee, don't shoot me". Or, if some scam artist will decide to steal your identity/cheat you, you may try your modified speach again. Or, some backstabbing bitch will kick you out from your job. Or, if you'll be low on $, go to a street and evoke your speach hoping that people with and without $ are united in some way. Or, if you'll be homeless, call on the "uniting" patriotism of those with and without roof over head. Or, if you'll be a lonely old man forgotten by your children on the Christmass eve, try your speach again. Good luck.

the larger group of people you are "united" with, the more unnatural/fake the union is. People are damn too different (and the same at the time) and damn too selfish. Try to be united in marriage using random blind choices. To be truly united people need to have lots of things in common. Most of the people never find a true friend (in the worldwide, not an American definition) in their entire life. That's how united we are.

At the same time, people cling to the idea of belonging to something bigger than they are. People want to belong to the cause (be it saving a country or saving their unit in one of those useless wars with a 3rd world country). That's why big wars, disasters, etc. with clear enemies and goals are so exhillirating, uniting. People at last belong to something bigger, they have goal, they are united by the goal (not all people, of course, but majority). That's why most WWI veterans would have gone back to stinky trenches just to experience comradery they had there. Those people who went through the worst meat grinders of war, basically had NOTHING better in their entire lives than that war.

Alas, as soon as war/disaster is over the sense of belonging is over too. The very same person who would have risked his life for someone he barely knew would not pass a "dime" to a homeless veteran, etc., etc., etc.

It's over because the sense of "war unification" is fake. People simply do not pay attention to the many things during the disaster time's unification.

Unfortunately, the state, which is always in need for the gun meat, is constantly exploiting the desire of humans to belong. Propaganda is working, brains are getting washed. It's easier to lead sheep to the slaughter that way.

I personally HATE America. I hate it's guts. I hate it for the putting me through problems that nobody should have to go period.
I hate it I hate it I hate it.
People ask my why I don't just leave.
America is the most powerful country in the world.
It's the bully Nation.
As much as I hate it and it sucks, there is no other country I can be where I feel safe and secure that no other bully country is going to start airbombing me for no reason.

Patriotism?

When it can be explained to me just how it is that the stork knows which chimney is the right one for you then I might be prepared to accept patriotism.
As it is I'm British but I could have been Albanian or Swiss or (God forbid) even American.

So how do you patriots know what country to cheer for?
Dee Cee

BTW

"Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious." Wilde

Heroism at command, senseless brutality, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be part of so base an action!"

Einstien

I think many are excessively patriotic. There is way too much nationalism here. In fact it's a good thing in a way that Bush is so stupid because if he had half a brain he'd be another Hitler. However in truth it depends on who is looking at the situation. One person's patriot is another's terrorist.

There are those who are mindlessly patriotic... but there are also those who are minlessly anti-patriotic. (different from just unpatriotic)

Some Americans hate and degrade their country without real reason. They spout out unsubstantiated beliefs, circular reasoning, and contradictory statements perpetually. And they look around and say that everyone else must be stupid for not realizing it in the first place. When confronted with facts that go against their philosophy, they call them lies or forget them in five minutes, putting them out of sight and out of mind. To them the US is evil because it is evil because it is is evil because it is evil because it is evil.

Not that this is limited to American citizens at all.

What are those facts anti-patriotic folks cannot face? One cannot defend "patriotism" rationally without appeal to the higher powers and survival instinct. For me, patriotisms/nationalisms are basically evil and artificial (greatly government sponsored). BUT, in this world, one must posses even evil things in order to keep other "evil" folks/things out. The problem - how to determine the "healthy" level of nationalism/patriotism?

90% of 'patriotic' Americans don't actually know what patriotism is. National patriotism is the desire to improve the country you are living in (derived from essay in "Expanded Universe" by Robert Heinlein). Thus the highest form of patriotism is to be patriotic to the human race. As for the idea that patriotism cannot be defended rationally, how would you defend ethics/morals or laws? Or are you unethical and unpatriotic? :D

I have to agree with america being the bully country of the world, we are the worlds police officers at hand, our government is the most power hungry people I have seen, one good example of this is what we did to our own people back in the civil war, slavery was on its way out anyways but the war was still fought because Lincoln wanted to rule all of america not just part, look at what we are doing now we pretty much rule alot of other countrys in context if you know what I mean, so how can I be patriotic to this country? NO I AM NOT PATRIOT to this country

Even though they were slave holding genocidal indian killing SOBs I am proud of the contributions that Jefferson, Madison and Washington (by not wanting to be king) made to moving the world towards freedom democracy by creating a workable example of freedom and democracy.

I lived in India for a year twenty years ago so I appreciate that America does a relatively good job of making systems and machines work. Unfortunately we do seem to be getting sloppier than we were twenty years ago.

I like not having to bargain for everything.

I like our religious and intellectual freedom. I like individualism and America may be the most individualistic nation on earth. Most Americans (not politicians) are honest and try to be fair.
The USA is a good country but it could be better. Every country has something good about it and all peoples are basically similar.

"90% of 'patriotic' Americans don't actually know what patriotism is."
"Thus the highest form of patriotism is to be patriotic to the human race."
I would be patriotic to a system I believe in.
One that protects my rights which America doesn't.

I am patriotic; I also believe in nationalism. But I don't allow them to blind me. I'm proud of my country--when it does something to be proud of and that hasn't happened in a long time . . . .

Links of interests:

http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/negotiat.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/intetrav.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/humarigh.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/worlgove.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/milipoli.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/foreaid.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/intemone.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/unowreso.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/colonial.html
http://www.lp.org/issues/platform/foreinte.html

International Relations
Foreign Intervention
The Issue: Intervention in the affairs of other countries has provoked resentment and hatred of the United States among many groups and nations throughout the world. In addition, legal barriers to private and personal aid (both military and economic) have fostered internal discord.

The Principle: The United States should not inject itself into the internal matters of other nations, unless they have declared war upon or attacked the United States, or the U.S. is already in a constitutionally declared war with them.

Solutions: End the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid, guarantees, and diplomatic meddling. Individuals should be free to provide any aid they wish that does not directly threaten the United States.

Transitional Action: Voluntary cooperation with any economic boycott should not be treated as a crime. End all limitation of private foreign aid, both military and economic. Repeal the Neutrality Act of 1794, and all other U.S. neutrality laws, which restrict the efforts of Americans to aid overseas organizations fighting to overthrow or change governments. End the incorporation of foreign nations into the U.S. defense perimeter. Cease the creation and maintenance of U.S. bases and sites for the pre-positioning of military material in other countries. End the practice of stationing American military troops overseas. We make no exceptions to the above.

i think all americans are patriots in a sense. patriotism sickens me but the fact that i practice freedom of speech and use all of america's freedoms to my advantage makes me somewhat of a patriot. i wouldn't go to war to defend my country and i would never put an american flag bumper sticker on my car but i appreciate that i am allowed to have an opinion and can influence others opinions.

I would lay my life down for my friends. --vr

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father


: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

Not all people living in any country live up to this definition of what a patroit means.