Comments on: Patriotism - Ain’t Good For Much http://www.ustvmedia.org/viewer-commentary-response/2006/02/21/patriotism-aint-good-for-much/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:18:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: alek http://www.ustvmedia.org/viewer-commentary-response/2006/02/21/patriotism-aint-good-for-much/#comment-25 Sat, 04 Mar 2006 02:36:45 +0000 http://www.ustvmedia.org/viewer-commentary-response/2006/02/21/patriotism-aint-good-for-much/#comment-25 I agree with the reader’s view on the impracticality of conventional patriotism. While a “love for or devotion to one’s country” could be expressed simply as an appreciation for the quality of life or opportunities a state provides, it should in no way be understood as a blanket “thumbs-up” towards the actions of an administration. Barbara Ehrenreich tells us, “No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.” The word “love” is inherently emotional, and naturally deviates from what should be the goal of a responsible citizen- rational and thoughtful approval of an administrative action. The current state of civilization is too volatile (and one can only imagine the trend will continue) for the “my country: right or wrong” mentality. Should American’s be persuaded that this is in fact “true patriotism”, we may find ourselves burning foreign embassies in response to crude drawings of our beloved national heroes. I agree with the reader’s view on the impracticality of conventional patriotism. While a “love for or devotion to one’s country” could be expressed simply as an appreciation for the quality of life or opportunities a state provides, it should in no way be understood as a blanket “thumbs-up” towards the actions of an administration. Barbara Ehrenreich tells us, “No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.”

The word “love” is inherently emotional, and naturally deviates from what should be the goal of a responsible citizen- rational and thoughtful approval of an administrative action. The current state of civilization is too volatile (and one can only imagine the trend will continue) for the “my country: right or wrong” mentality. Should American’s be persuaded that this is in fact “true patriotism”, we may find ourselves burning foreign embassies in response to crude drawings of our beloved national heroes.

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