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I don't believe patriotism is ever a bad thing ... what do you think?
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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.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: anothervanity; ethics; patriotism; vanity
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To: Sisku Hanne

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


61 posted on 11/13/2008 11:59:06 AM PST by M. Dodge Thomas
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To: Sisku Hanne
Here is something I wrote a while back. It might get you thinking in a direction which will help you write your paper -- ZGuy

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.

62 posted on 11/13/2008 12:00:44 PM PST by ZGuy
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To: Sisku Hanne

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


63 posted on 11/13/2008 12:04:10 PM PST by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help)
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To: Sisku Hanne

Is it patriotism to say it is patriotic to pay more taxes?


64 posted on 11/13/2008 12:09:35 PM PST by mountainlion (concerned conservative.)
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To: Sisku Hanne

Patriotism is a neutral thing. The Nazis were Patriotic. So were the Spartans.


65 posted on 11/13/2008 12:10:32 PM PST by arderkrag (Liberty Walking (www.geocities.com/arderkrag))
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To: stocksthatgoup

nazis were patriotic
stalinists were patriotic
maoists were patriotic

iranian rev guard is patriotic


66 posted on 11/13/2008 12:31:29 PM PST by silverleaf (Fasten your seat belts- it's going to be a BUMPY ride.)
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To: Sisku Hanne
You are exactly right in your reasoning!

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”!

67 posted on 11/13/2008 12:32:03 PM PST by ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY ( The Constitution needs No interpreting, only APPLICATION!)
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To: Sisku Hanne

why


68 posted on 11/13/2008 12:32:07 PM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Sisku Hanne

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.”


69 posted on 11/13/2008 12:36:42 PM PST by sagar
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To: stocksthatgoup

thats my new tagline, great quote!


70 posted on 11/13/2008 12:56:47 PM PST by MetalHeadConservative35 (My country right or wrong,To support her when right,To right her when wrong - Stocksthatgoup)
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To: stocksthatgoup

thats my new tagline, great quote!


71 posted on 11/13/2008 12:56:56 PM PST by MetalHeadConservative35 (My country right or wrong,To support her when right,To right her when wrong - Stocksthatgoup)
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To: Sisku Hanne

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.


72 posted on 11/13/2008 12:59:38 PM PST by Reeses (Leftism is powered by the evil force of envy.)
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To: Sisku Hanne

Easy one, Benedict Arnold comes to mind. Patriot for America and then switched sides.

Is that Patriotism gone wrong?


73 posted on 11/13/2008 1:03:15 PM PST by HighlyOpinionated (Psalm 66:7b "He watches every movement of the nations. Rebels will not be able to oppose Him.")
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To: Sisku Hanne

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.


74 posted on 11/13/2008 1:06:03 PM PST by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: Sisku Hanne

The obvious example were loyal Germans and Japanese.


75 posted on 11/13/2008 1:06:47 PM PST by MeanWestTexan (Michael Savage = Tokio Rose of Talk Radio = Purpose is to Demoralize the Right)
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To: Sisku Hanne
William Ayers' entire life is a true account of bad patriotism.

Pick any of his books, or the ones he wrote for Obama.

76 posted on 11/13/2008 1:08:41 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Public policy should never become the captive of a scientific-technological elite. -- Ike Eisenhower)
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To: Sisku Hanne

“Mumbly Joe” Biden said during the campaign that it’s patriotic to pay higher taxes.


77 posted on 11/13/2008 1:14:51 PM PST by InvisibleChurch (Grace = unmerited favor; Mercy = punishment withheld)
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To: Sisku Hanne

“Mumbly Joe” Biden said during the campaign that it’s patriotic to pay higher taxes.


78 posted on 11/13/2008 1:15:33 PM PST by InvisibleChurch (Grace = unmerited favor; Mercy = punishment withheld)
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To: Sisku Hanne

Hitler and the Germans is a great example of love of country mixed with pure messianic evil.Charismatic leaders are to be watched - closely.


79 posted on 11/13/2008 1:26:28 PM PST by GOPJ (Election Day... liberals who had spent years praising McCain all voted for Obama - Coulter)
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To: Sisku Hanne

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.


80 posted on 11/13/2008 1:28:47 PM PST by WorkingClassFilth ($750 billion is nothing - surrender your children, wealth and gold fillings now to avoid the rush.)
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