[philman_36]

...I think patriotism is emotional not rational; it comes from the heart not the mind.
I also believe patriotism is emotional. I do, however, believe that it can also be rational.
I'm all too familiar with the concept of pragmatism also. See the shipboard fire analogy above. While a crude example, it is comparable in pragmatism.
You stated...I have no intention of leaving and shedding the shackles of 'tyranny of location' but rest assured, many a wise citizen is doing just that.
Where will they go that even gives the potential promise that America gives us?
Despite your taken screen name, you seem to be more of a Dagny or Hank Reardon yourself. You've not left yet for your own Gulch.

[rdavis84]

I think this has been posted some time back, but not sure. Didn't see it in a quick search. But if this is the right copyright date ---Copyright © 1994, 1999 by the Vere Company ------ it's a Standard. True and accurate for the most part, but now things have accelerated.

[JohnGalt]

Rearden was clearly the central hero of Atlas Shrugged, an old school, noble if not chivalrous, well intentioned 'Conservative' of the Industrial Era. In the end, the reader knew his fight was hopeless, but loved the effort. Clearly an American (anti)hero, if not a full circle, Greek tragedy figure.

Sobran and the paleo-cons make a living as intellectuals appealing not to the Rearden ideal but to the temptation of nihilism, the part of Rearden's character who saw John Galt as the 'problem' not an ally.

Lamenting the fall of the Old Republic is an indulgence-- my indulgence is a subscription to Chronicles, however, that we happened to be exist when the world was leaving the Industrial Age and entering the Information Age does not logically conclude with I wish things were like they were back in the Agrarian Age.

[JohnGalt]

You have got me thinking that patriotism would simply be a logical cultural extension of the rational, selfish gene theory. Since Adam and Eve came before the Greeks, I guess patriotism, in essence, is rational.

a lightbulb for me...