So many confuse Natiuonalism with Patriotism. What I see at this site is blatant, single minded Nationalism. I served during the Vietnam war, I support the rational use of force, I support honesty and integrity, and I support all of our troops. However, support of the troops should not be confused with support for the war in Iraq, or support for the policy that placed us in this war.So, what's a good, patriotic (and, of course, not nationalistic) citizen to do when wanting to support the troops and not the policy or the President?
Dissent is an American treasure. The clash of ideas is of the greatest of America's powers. The proper citizen will peacefully, legally, and honestly seek voice to raise dissent, if dissent needs be done. We shape ourselves, and define ourselves through the exchange, which is ultimately decided by the citizens' vote. It is the duty of the patriotic citizen to know and to balance all sides, all ideas, then make the decision with the ballot. And if you lose the election, you get back to work to win the next. Just because you lost doesn't mean you have to shut up. (Defeat may well offer some good advice...)
But what of dissent during war? The Constitution recognizes that war is different from other functions of the Government. The Constitution gives the Government extraordinary powers when prosecuting war. War, then, demands more of the nation -- and of the citizens. Some citizens are asked to defend. Others help the cause as they may, be it in industry, politics, or what. But even without a special role asked of the citizen, the citizen is expected to obey the law. Just as we must obey other laws, the citizen must obey the law of war.
War is so important we do not give it to one person to decide. Only the people can make the choice, which is why Congress alone has the power to make war. And the decision is so important that special rights of the minority, often reserved to it in protection in special situations (such as affirming treaties or amending the constitution) ar not given to it: a simple majority decides. Such is the obligation of the Government to the citizen.
Once war has been decided, it is the obligation of the citizens to support the law, for a vote to make war by Congress is an act of law. This law does not supersede other laws, but it can -- and it often does. So important is the right to make war and the powers given to it that the Constitution allows for the suppression of other rights -- including the right of dissent in speech and print -- in order to make it.
So you see, the declaration of war carries powers beyond normal making of law. In kind, you, the patriotic (and not nationalistic) citizen, have an extraordinary duty to that law. If you break it, the Constitution allows Congress extraordinary measures to enforce it upon you. That Congress chooses not to use those extraordinary powers is not license for you, the patriotic (and not nationalistic) citizen to oppose and to break the law. Here, too, dissent carries an extraordinary duty. The dissenter must know that in opposing the war he is obstructing the prosecution of that law.
So what's a poor boy to do? Hold you tongue. Vote. And then shut up again.
Once we're done kicking ass, you can go back to whining. Until then you support the troops by supporting the war. It's the law.
[And no, this is a legal war. There is a law passed by Congress and signed by the President that authorized it. It is the law.]
I was hoping someone would counter his oxymoronic statements and strike'em down point by point, beat'em to a pulp and stomp on them like you did, instead of the normal "clean up in isle #xx" responses. Thank you.
Too bad the DUmmie already got the zot and probably back at the DUmp braggin' about himself; I'd like to have seen him try to defend his position against yours.
"So you see, the declaration of war carries powers beyond normal making of law. In kind, you, the patriotic (and not nationalistic) citizen, have an extraordinary duty to that law. If you break it, the Constitution allows Congress extraordinary measures to enforce it upon you.That Congress chooses not to use those extraordinary powers is not license for you, the patriotic (and not nationalistic) citizen to oppose and to break the law. Here, too, dissent carries an extraordinary duty. The dissenter must know that in opposing the war he is obstructing the prosecution of that law.
So what's a poor boy to do? Hold your tongue. Vote. And then shut up again.
Once we're done kicking ass, you can go back to whining. Until then you support the troops by supporting the war. It's the law.
[And no, this is a legal war. There is a law passed by Congress and signed by the President that authorized it. It is the law.]
Well done, Nicollo. It was delightful to read after a long afternoon/evening at work. You ought to think about writing for a living. ;-)