2006-10-05 16:15:07 · 18 answers · asked by spire2000 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I am really sick of "my country, right or wrong". Probably because of how many times it has been wrong. I was a soldier for many years, and I am very supportive of our guys in Iraq and Afghanistan. But do I believe we should have put them there? Afghanistan, maybe - Iraq, no. And I don't support our troops if I say they shouldn't be there?
"A soldier, above all others, prays for peace. For it is he who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." - General Douglas MacArthur.
So if I don't support our president I am not a good American? Not buying it.
2006-10-05 16:21:19 · answer #1 · answered by jumping_in_101 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if it's patriotic or unpatriotic - I suppose that would depend on how it's done. Doing it from the seat of an antiaircraft gun in North Vietnam during the war would, I think, qualify as unpatriotic.
Either way, though, it's a very American thing to do. God save us from the day when we actually start trusting the government - Republican OR Democrat.
2006-10-05 23:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is President Bush's supposition - that if one were to merely question the validity and veracity of his decisions is to be unpatriotic and for the terrorists and against Americans. As if there were only two choices - you're either against us or you're for us. The problem is life isn't that simple, politics aren't that simple, and the end result can never justify the means.
A key example is the torture of enemy combatants - in order to squeeze information, Bush has authorized the use of torture. His end may be admirable and necessary - to protect American lives - but the means in which he does it not only places the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights at risk, but it places all Americans at risk of torture by their own government. Once you allow a certain action against a certain segment of the population, it cracks the door open a bit further for that action to be used against a different segment. Before you know it, the U.S. is a bona fide police state.
So, yes, questioning the government leaders on policies is the most patriotic thing an American citizen can do.
2006-10-05 23:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by Shelley 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My opposition to the Bush Administration or America is an act of patriotism because freedom of expression is what America was founded on. Civil discourse and civil disagreement are the founding principals of this country. What many liberals are practicing today is hate speech. I have seen Janeane Garofalo in a speech call Republicans evil, Jessica Lange say that she despises President Bush, Al Sharpton compare President Bush to a gang leader and Ted Kennedy say the war in Iraq was made up in Texas and a fraud. To understand- just switch the word African American with the word Republican or President Bush. What would be the result if someone said that African Americans were evil? Many Liberals name call and make accusations with no factual basis. Some of these individuals would be sued for slander if their statements were made against anyone other than President Bush. Yet- Liberals say their right to speak is being infringed upon by Conservatives. This is spin at its greatest. Hate speech is not civil discourse! Liberals have the right to speak out and express their views(even hate speech)- however- Conservatives have a right to react to that speech.
2006-10-05 23:19:57 · answer #4 · answered by Boredstiff 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Neither. It is hardly the most patriotic thing an American can do, but it is not unpatriotic.
2006-10-05 23:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
your asking a very opinionated question. It all depends on what you believe and what you don't believe in your government doing a certain job. I for one do not think that one who questions their own government is unpatriotic. The reason, simple. Governments should be for the people. They should do everything for the people and should not mess with the people.
Another words, they should work for people in all honesty and should not be in the face of the common people or the general population of a country. Governments should take care of people. And to do this, they should be honest to its citizens, not have so much propaganda to torment and make monsters out of people like we've seen after september 11th, 2001 happened, etc.
Having said that, if you believe your government is not doing anyting for it's citizens and uses all lies and controls the world, than you should question and it is not UNPARTRIOTIC for the reasons I mentioned above.
2006-10-05 23:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by Yoguide 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, it's not unpatriotic. However, the manner in which the questioning is done is what matters. It can be unpatriotic if it's not done in the right way.
2006-10-05 23:19:08 · answer #7 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you actually care for the people and not for a couple of guys sending everyone off to the war and counting their gains for it than i would think it's not unpatriotic .
2006-10-05 23:19:12 · answer #8 · answered by kame 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think you are unpatriotic to not question. Wartime is no excuse, nor is the constant refrain, 'Come on! He's trying to do his job the best he can!'
Always question, including those you vote for.
2006-10-05 23:18:29 · answer #9 · answered by tiko 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
the constitution gaurantees the right of the people to replace the government if it doesn't like what it does. we do this today by voting and with peaceful demostrations.
the U.S. goverment reacts by arresting demostrators and falifying votes.
why is it that the majority of the public cannot see the abuse?
2006-10-06 00:32:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋