Does it mean you blindly get behind the president even though he is a proven fool, or do you execise your freedom of speech and say what you feel? Or does freedom of speech only apply to conservatives?
2007-06-02 10:50:12 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Theodore Roosevelt said it best:
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, not only is unpatriotic and servile but is morally treasonable to the American public."
That is exactly what Bush and his handlers have attempted to do.
2007-06-02 11:02:44 · answer #1 · answered by latest_greatest 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
No, and nobody ever said it did. But being patriotic does not mean being blindly critical and against everything the government does, either. It is about a love of country, which is more than the government; it is the people, the Constitution, the ideas of liberty and freedom, and the goodness of America.
2016-05-19 21:10:48 · answer #2 · answered by meredith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a somewhat different definition of "patriotism" than the average flamboyant conservative troll.
I don't get all "woo-hoo" about pasting ribbon stickers on my vehicles, or flying oversized flags on the front of my home.
For me, "patriotism" is more about being a good citizen; helping out the locals who are less fortunate ~ for whatever reason.
"Patriotism" is about being environmentally conscious and responsible; driving less and biking/walking more. Helping to reduce our dependency on crude oil.
"Patriotism" is about teaching our children about the legacy of horticulture (farming); being able to sustain themselves and not be totally dependent upon supermarkets for their food.
"Patriotism" is about teaching our children that people matter; that precious few of us are that safe from living in a homeless shelter or a cardboard box.
And freedom of speech? Well, everyone has the freedom to open their mouth and express either mature wisdom or base ignorance and slurs.
2007-06-02 11:23:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not to follow a President is being a patriot if the latter has abused his position. It is being more patriot in defiance because the interests of the people will be better served this way.
2007-06-02 12:36:06 · answer #4 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means wanting what's best for my country, and opposing people who are harming my country, even if those harming it happen to be corrupt or inept elected officials.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” - Mark Twain
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2007-06-02 11:07:55 · answer #5 · answered by The Man In The Box 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” - Edward Abbey
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” - Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
“Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.” - Oscar Wilde
“You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.” - Malcom X
“The time is fast approaching when to call a man a patriot will be the deepest insult you can offer him. Patriotism now means advocating plunder in the interest of the privileged classes of the particular State system into which we have happened to be born.” - Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
2007-06-02 11:05:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Patriotic means you are devoted to the IDEALS that made this country great; not the current administration.
When I enlisted, I swore an oath to defend the CONSTITUTION of the United States against all enemies, foreign AND domestic.
2007-06-02 10:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by AniMeyhem! 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Patriotic means loving your country and knowing its history and values. Understanding its wonder and beauty and knowing its weakness and faults. No one who does not know the history of this country (and I assume we mean the USA) can truly be patriotic. They are reacting then to circumstances not to the big picture
Patriotism is reading the constitution and being in awe of it. Standing at the foot of the Grand Canyon and seeing the wonder of this nation. It means knowing that we are all part of the great smorgasbord that is America: Black and White, Hispanic and Asian, Catholic and Protestant, Jew and Muslim, Mexican and German, English and Irish. We all have brought something to the wonderful tapestry that is the USA
It means "Having the right to disagree with what you say but being willing to defend with my life your right to say it"
means shedding a tear when they play God Bless America weather you believe in God or not. It means taking your hat off and standing up when the Flag passes by because men and women died to defend her. It means feeling the death of every solider weather you support a war or not because the soldiers are all our sons and all our daughters.
It means a thousand different thing to a million different people.
Patriotism in America is not of nation but of affirmation. We are the only nation on earth founded on a proposition. Not founded on land or race but founded on faith. A faith that says that "All men are created equal" And we are the only nation that came into existence with an vow from each one of us . The constitution does not begin "we the King", or "we the white" or "we the government." It says "We the People" We are the nation we are our country.
The freedoms in the Bill of Rights are granted to all. To all people in this great land. God Bless America
2007-06-02 11:06:55 · answer #8 · answered by Thomas G 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
no "FOOL" ever makes it to the office of President, so much for your "opinion" on that issue! Freedom of speech is a wonderful gift but it can be misused if carried too far......Patriotism to me is putting the welfare of my country above all else and giving my life, if need be!
2007-06-02 11:16:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
a real patriot is someone who makes a personal contribution to our country. i served 3 years in the army, including a 12 month deployment in Iraq. just exercising your freedom of speech and doesn't make you a patriot. you can sit on your couch and ***** all you want but actions speak louder than words.
2007-06-02 11:37:53 · answer #10 · answered by me 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋