Posted on 11/13/2008 11:02:58 AM PST by Sisku Hanne
I have to write about patriotism for an ethics course, and give a "bad" example of it.
There are many, many examples, for example segregationists made (and white supremacists still make) frequent appeals to patriotism.
For example, you could critique:
http://www.nationalist.org/alt/2002/121701.html
Clinton and Reid are patriots
“Neither party holds a patent on patriotism. I know all my Republican colleagues would agree with that” – Harry Reid. October 1, 2007
The question arises from democrats every four years: “Are you questioning my patriotism?” And every four years the Republicans respond: “Of course not.”
And they are right. The Democrats are patriots--Along with every terrorist-supporting U.S. citizen and historical figures ranging from Benedict Arnold to Timothy McVeigh.
If you do not believe this is true, it is because you do not hold to the same meaning of “patriotism” or “patriotic” as most people in this country do.
To most people, being patriotic means you support those things which you believe are best for this country. But this is not a definition, it is a truism. On that basis the person who thinks that this country would be best under a dictatorship, or without humans, or any other thing could be classified as patriotic—because they support making the United States the way they would like it to be. The Islamic terrorist is just as patriotic as the next guy because he truly supports what he thinks would be best for this country—for everyone to bow to Mecca and for women to wear veils, etc.
Patriotism in modern society means nothing more than “I support what I think.” To which I ask, “Who doesn’t?” And while this may pose as a deep thought on most university campuses, I think it’s time we came up with a more solid definition.
Here’s one to get the ball rolling—Patriotism is supporting and fighting for those original principles which the country was founded upon and which are documented in the writings of the founding fathers which are only to be understood in the context of their original intent.
Of course such a definition will never be adopted. The democrats will never allow it. It represents everything they are fighting against. And feeling good about overthrowing everything that the founding fathers fought for is what it’s all about isn’t it? Harry and Hillary – patriots. In a pig’s eye.
Cite Hitler and the hypnotized masses blindly follwing him because he was a brilliant orator, straight into socializm and then to naziism and death...
See if your teacher is able to make a connection to any recently elected presidents
Is it patriotism to say it is patriotic to pay more taxes?
Patriotism is a neutral thing. The Nazis were Patriotic. So were the Spartans.
nazis were patriotic
stalinists were patriotic
maoists were patriotic
iranian rev guard is patriotic
There is a great difference between Patriotism which is a “fatherly love for one’s country and people”; and Nationalism.
Unfortunately, most people educated in the last 30-40 years were not taught that distinction, and indeed to many, the words are now synonyms. Even some dictionaries now refer to them that way.
You ought to educate your teacher and write about the difference, and then give a bad example of “Nationalism”!
why
I can’t say if patriotism (in theory) can be bad at all. It is just a sense of loyalty and pride. But, acts of patriotism can be bad. If somebody’s acts of patriotism infringes upon another person’s rights, then that act of patriotism is obviously “bad.”
thats my new tagline, great quote!
thats my new tagline, great quote!
The Nazi’s were driven by envy and resentment of their neighbor’s land and wealth, not patriotism. Patriotism is bad when it’s not really patriotism but envy hijacking a respectable false front for cover. Similarly charity is bad when it is used as a false front to take wealth from others.
Easy one, Benedict Arnold comes to mind. Patriot for America and then switched sides.
Is that Patriotism gone wrong?
Patriotism places a demand on a person. So a bad form of patriotism is not being able to balance it with the other demands in your life.
This begins with the question, “Do you love your country more than you love your...”
It could be many things. Is patriotism more important than religion? If your beloved spouse wanted to emigrate, would you? If your country became abhorrent and oppressive, led by evil men, would it still deserve patriotism?
Is patriotism love of a place, a people, or a philosophy? A place may have been beautiful, but is now ruined. And as they say about people, “Every one-hundred years, all new people.” And philosophy changes, as does what people think of as their freedoms and liberties.
The obvious example were loyal Germans and Japanese.
Pick any of his books, or the ones he wrote for Obama.
“Mumbly Joe” Biden said during the campaign that it’s patriotic to pay higher taxes.
“Mumbly Joe” Biden said during the campaign that it’s patriotic to pay higher taxes.
Hitler and the Germans is a great example of love of country mixed with pure messianic evil.Charismatic leaders are to be watched - closely.
Well, most everyone in the Democrat Party can be safely said to be prime examples of bad patriotism. Of course, their version of patriotism would be perfectly natural and laudable if they lived in Russia, China, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, etc., etc., etc.
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