When did patriotism become blind faith in your leaders?

Question

I dunno when this happened, but now it seems to be patriotic, you just have to agree with your leaders sentiment and hope for the best. Critical thinking about a issue for yourself leads you to be labled unpatriotic.

I heard a old saying the gist was this: Patriotism - The idea that my country is better then yours simply because i was born in it.

Answer 1

It happens from time to time, last time being the beginning of the Vietnam lie.

Remember when the N. Viet. were supposed to have attacked our navy, "forcing" us to begin a loooong war.

Speaking out against that Gulf of Tonkin hoax was downright "treason".

---------------And will the right wingnuts please stop thumbsdowning every single thing that doesnt match up with their belief system.

Answer 2

Is it "blind faith" or the lack of faith in what the others have to say? Most statements from the other side are just a negative diatribe and not anything constructive. You have to be a part of the solution, not just a critic of what someone else is trying to accomplish.

Patriotism?
Isn't it pride in your country? When did we lose that? How?
Our country is better because we have progressed and made it better. Why do we have an immigration problem if we don't have a great place to live? Look at the rest of the Old World. All I see there is a bunch of ruins that tourists go visit. They have had their "world" for centuries and look what they have done with it! The Middle East is supposed to be where the Garden of Eden was. Wow!! look what they have done with that since the beginning of time! Thank God for oil! OOPS! Allah!

Why don't we let all the backward nations and their people have some more time to change. No, better yet, let's let them change our way of life to their way and then we will all be happy. Well, at least the mindset that says "why can't we all get along?"

Notice I have not mentioned one party or political belief, but I bet you put one in there for me!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

If you are American and truly Patriotic - you have to stand up for the things that truly make our country great - independence - including having your own opinions about something.... freedom of speech - so you can talk about your opinions and help shape the future of the country.

It is sad that the extreme right bought up all the Proud to be an American stickers and put them on their cars - because I see those - right next to their "W" sticker and it makes me shake my head. They don't love this country - if they did they would trade in their gas guzzling - global warming mobiles and start admiting that "W" has made some huge mistakes.
Blindly following our president doesn't make you patriotic - it makes you a follower - and not a very good one - if you are going to follow - at least follow someone worthy of you following them!

Answer 4

GREAT question! In fact, it reminds me of an old saying we loved to twist around and say during the Nixon years, “We the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful; we have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing.”

It is because we felt powerless and thought that we could NOT bring about changes quickly enough, and we saw nothing but scandalous behavior and despotism by our public officials who were afraid to question authority, and we questioned how things could happen in spite of our Constitution and our Bill of Rights... where we reverting to the old days of McCarthyism...? Well, are WE now reverting to those dark days of the 50s when one man was allowed to abuse so many of our fellow Americans and destroy so many lives?

It is a threat that people who've read George Orwell's works, "Animal Farm" and "1984" have become to realize is a real possibility, something that is more than a mere warning from a book written in the 40s... it is something that can happen when we give our allegiance to a person who is not only fallible but someone who seems corrupted and intoxicated by the absolute power he BELIEVES he has, and of course, WE are to blame for not reminding him and for not telling OUR elected officials to remind the buffoon that he is NOT above the laws or above the Constitution and he does not have limitless powers as he has deluded himself to believe, and in fact, NO ONE IS.

Unfortunately, there are people who are willing to surrender their rights, liberties and freedoms under the mistaken notion that they will be safer... but, who and what will protect them from corrupt demagogues who are seduced by power? They forget that expressing our disagreement with an elected official is more than a right, liberty or freedom... it is our DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY, but there are some who would shout us down, or try to drown our words with slogans and propaganda... seems that some forget that their rights end where ours begin... or something like. They must believe that we have to fall in line along with the rest of the sheep... rather than ask questions and demand answers and also demand excellence, honesty and fairness... the things that make America great.

Tricky Dickie thought he was above the laws of the land and the Constitution, but he was reminded by way of an impeachment process that was underway and he quickly resigned in order to save face, avoid losing his pension and benefits and avoid being the first President that goes to jail. Maybe we should remind our current President, too?

Let's not confuse or forget that there is a difference between patriotism and jingoism...! And do not forget that the position of President is a temporary job someone holds; he is OUR employee, not our father-figure, not our teacher... he works for US, and we are not his subjects.

Answer 5

This is an old tactic that is best ignored! Think for yourself and don't be deterred by that "unpatriotic" label. It was used so often during the Viet Nam era, that it became the war-lovers' mantra! (Until enough people realized that what we protesters were saying about the war, the military-industrial complex, the government of the US, the "Red" scare, etc, was the truth! Then, they started to turn, too!)

It is much easier to call names than to actually sit down with someone and try to talk about your beliefs...that's why there is so much name-calling on Y!A.

Answer 6

And here is this clown TEEJAY'S e-mail to me>>>>>Message: 1969 to 1971 hell you are an old man. a big mouth old man @ that! i would be afraid of a confrontation with an old dude like you, one hit and you would be having a heart attack. why not go take A viagra and find you a young woman(note for you anyone under 60)ha!HA! then again you should be careful not to exert yourself too much!!!OLD MAN!!!!!HA!WHAT A JOKE! again it is real easy to threaten and make invitations from the safety of your computer. go easy rider and ride off into the sunset grand dad!! bye!! .........This is pure and simple folks.....A COWARD who directs his liberal ways to you and if you dont agree, he types internet tough guy messages! And too boot he CRIES to Yahoo about your answer to a question he asked!!!

Answer 7

I think patriotism means you want your Country to be the best, not that it is the best right now.

Answer 8

When did it become not supporting our county, allowing our flag to be burned, illegal immigrants to use the taxes we work for, denying others their freedom to express their religion, wearing shirts denouncing our county and its flag?
Democrats seem to see these as their "patriotic rights"

SHORTBUS:
"When we adopted the fugal system. "
I think you are meekly trying to be clever, but before you do so, perhaps a book would be a good source. I believe you are referring to a FUEDAL system.

GARRETT:
Good points, all. Too much reading and big words for many of the ranters.

DONNA W:
I live in an area that is farming and mostly conservative. More than half the time I see the "gas guzzlers" around here that are not used for obvious farm or landscaping businesses, they are liberals (I know by the stickers). One person, in a hummer, on the phone, ready to cause an accident. Look upon yourself and your own type before accusing.

CAPTAIN:
Yes, I did notice your lack of mentioning a party. You got a thumbs up just for that. Thanks for being at least one person who listens to his feelings before whatever those of his political persuasion tell him to.

Answer 9

"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else"
- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else"
- Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)


Edward Abbey, Patriotism quotes:
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Patriotism quotes:
Here in America we are descended in spirit from revolutionaries and rebels -- men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

Sidney Hook, Patriotism quotes:
To silence criticism is to silence freedom.


Thomas Jefferson, Patriotism quotes:
God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

Answer 10

patriotism is love for ones country and the willingness to sacrifice for it,,,,,,,
when Bush invaded Iraq,, he ask Americans to go shopping to support their country,,,, now every body is deep in debt,, we have 20,000 amputees, over 3,200 dead soldiers,, countless numbers of troops with mental challenges,, our VA Hospitals are rat infested,, and need funding,, over 500 million dollars spent,, most of that stolen by the war profiteers,, and the Iraqi government,, Bush has caused a fiasco in Iraq,, the lies are mounting in his administration,, more indictments to come,, George W. makes a mockery of patriotism,, justice and our nations laws,,, he has betrayed his own country,, he lied to the troops, as their commander in chief,, he had a duty to be honest with them and the USA,, he did neither,,, treason is punishable by death,, a Texas style execution would be poetic for Bush.

Answer 11

GOOD question my friend. i often wonder that myself, but then again here lately individual thinking is rather contradictory to the American philosophy. many years ago this great country was built on the premise that we have the fundamental obligation to question our politicians motives. they have masterfully turned the concept of free thinking into something that is anti-American. some of us see the hypocrisy and speak out, but many follow along like hogs to the trough. we are so afraid of losing our freedom to outsiders, when in reality it is being systematically stolen by our own people under the clever disguise of security. i suspect that during the nazi take over of the german gov. their were many there that felt just like i do now, but were powerless to do much except to watch the county they love destroy itself from within!!