Free Republic

For years misguided intellectuals and social scientists have advised us to abandon the values, principles and work ethic that have made our country great and instead to embrace pacifism, fuzzy science, genocide of the unborn, acceptance of immoral behavior and generational guilt. It is sad that during one of our nation’s greatest celebrations, that we have to be reprimanded for our historical actions and urged as a nation to adopt an apologist marketing strategy to “Reintroduce America”, and sadly supported by the July 2, 2008 Bonanza columnist who has determined that people in other countries “fear” or “disrespect” Americans. My...

I don’t care whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent; all I know is that you are an American in heart and mind, even though, you may be like me, born of mixed heritage from immigrant families who escaped foreign shores to build lives here in this new land. You are still a product of this great melting pot of Americanism. Yes, my skin is olive and I am now an old geezer left over from WWII, where I served in the South Pacific, but sometimes age combined with many life experiences wakes us up, having given us some...

First there was the flag pin. Barack Obama refused to wear it. Then he refused to put hand to heart during the national anthem. He sat in a pew while his pastor trashed America. He explained to his rich pals in San Francisco that the hard working folks in Middle America "cling to guns or religion” because they are “bitter” over the tough economic times. Now Obama tells us that we shouldn’t worry about immigrants learning English; our focus should be on getting our children to learn Spanish. He added, "It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak...

We've all heard humorless America-haters promote themselves by announcing, As Thomas Jefferson said, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." The first problem with that self-righteous bull is that Jefferson never said it. On the contrary, he warned of the dangers of political dissension carried to extremes. The earliest traceable provenance of the slogan goes back to an obscure 1960s lefty who just made it up (long before activist-historian Howard Zinn commandeered it). My fellow Americans, let me ask you: Were Abby Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and Sen. Barack Obama's Weatherman Underground pals (who bombed their own country) really more patriotic...

Once upon a time, patriotism was a fairly simple thing. It was tribal identification writ large, an emotional attachment to a people and their land. In most of the world, where patriotism exists at all it's still like this -- tribal patriotism, blood-and-soil emotionalism. A different kind of patriotism emerged from the American and French revolutions. While American patriotism sometimes taps into tribal emotion, it is not fundamentally of that kind. Far more American is the sentiment Benjamin Franklin expressed: "Where liberty dwells, there is my country" Thus, most Americans love their country in a more conditional way -- not...

To ascribe a special grace to America is outrageous, as outrageous as the idea of special grace itself. Why shouldn't everyone be saved? Why aren't all individuals, nations, peoples and cultures equally deserving? History seems awfully unfair: half or more of the world's 7,000 or so languages will be lost by 2100, linguists warn, and at present fertility rates Italian, German, Ukrainian, Hungarian and a dozen other major languages will die a century or so later. The agony of dying nations rises in reproach to America's unheeding prosperity. An old joke divides the world into two kinds of people: those...

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released its newest television ad entitled "Love." The ad highlights John McCain's record of putting his country first and taking on the tough challenges confronting our country even when it was not popular or in his self-interest. The ad will air on national cable and in key states.

Last week in Denver, almost all the values of the post-1960s Left were exhibited in one act. It happened on the Denver mayor's most important day -- the one in which he was to deliver his annual State of the City Address. The day was to begin with the singing of the National Anthem by the black jazz singer Rene Marie. But Ms. Marie had, by her own admission, long had other plans. Instead of the National Anthem, she sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," a song written in 1899 and often referred to today as the Black National Anthem....

As we celebrate Independence Day, perhaps it's fitting that Sen. Barack Obama brought up the subject of patriotism. It is, after all, the last refuge of a scoundrel. And it is precisely for that purpose Obama raised it. You see, he doesn't want it discussed, as for him it's a losing issue – from the racist pastor who screamed “God Damn America” from the pulpit to the wife who was ashamed of America until part of it nominated her husband for president. (The egomania inherent in which is equally disturbing.) Obama has much to explain and no good answers have...

When critics challenge Barack Obama's patriotism, his supporters have a ready reply: True patriotism has nothing to do with little flags on politicians' lapels. It's not about symbols; it's about actions. It's not about odes to American greatness; it's about taking on your government when it goes astray. But there Obama is, in his first TV advertisement of the general-election campaign, talking about his "deep and abiding faith in the country I love." And there, perched below his left shoulder, is a subtle, but not too subtle reminder: a tiny American flag. Obama's no fool. He may not believe that...

I have a ritual that I observe every 4th of July. It's a movie that I watch, one that brings out the patriotism in me and reminds me what this great nation of ours is all about. The movie is called 1776 and is based on the Broadway musical. It tells the story of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and the great men who helped to found our country. For most people, I daresay, the Independence Day holiday is nothing more than an opportunity to eat, drink and be merry. Hot dogs, beer and apple pie may be in...

WHEN OUR JOHNNYS AND JANES COME MARCHING HOME AGAIN When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again was an inspirational American Civil War Era song. (See http://www.contemplator.com/america/whenjohn.html for info, lyrics and midi download.) Today, most of us anxiously await the day our Johnnys and our Joes, our Janes and our Joannes, will come marching home again from the Mideast–after their long and arduous journey is completed, successful, and victorious. If that’s not how they return, their sacrifices and America’s casualties will have been in vain. Our Democratic/leftist brethren have learned from VietNam, when they literally spat on our returning troops. (Anyone who...

Cannot be posted due to copyright issues: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/patriotism-ndash-last-refuge-of-scoundrels-and-undoing-of-democratic-candidates-860886.html

The left is proudly saying “I’m not a patriot” when just moments ago we were being warned not to call them unpatriotic. Apparently some have not gotten the message. This appears to be part of the Obama syndrome. Rush Limbaugh has an entire list of things we can’t say about Barack Obama and his friends. And in his sudden pirouette with his American flag lapel pin, his newfound love of country, his bear hug of the second amendment, his “nuancing” of his position on the Iraq war. Now I know how the faithful Communist felt in the 1930s and 1940s...

Several reporters from The New York Times board the Q train at DeKalb Avenue during the morning rush and marvel at the diversity of the 128 passengers in a single subway car and see “all the homelands, all the ages, all the professions” that comprise “New York City in the summer of 2008.”The Stiletto offers her own tribute to our nation’s diversity on this, the 232nd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from monarchal tyranny – especially the diverse ways in which we choose to pursue happiness (or not) - with this collection of articles: † Couch Potatoes (and those...

I am tutoring a going-into-4th grade boy this summer, just two hours a week. I have only had him one week so far. Today we were talking about the flag; I have one on my bulletin board. He said, "I sometimes like to put the flag on the ground and step on it." I said, "You DO? Why (you little booger)?" He said, "I sometimes like to do things that are wrong." I only had a few minutes left with him, so I spoke about reverencing the flag and those who had died for our country. I will continue to...

By Debbie Schlussel As we get ready to celebrate America's Independence Day, tomorrow, Parade Magazine asked both John McCain and Barack Obama how they define "patriotism." Their answers are telling. Although both wrote essays in response, I think the headlines tell you everything: * John McCain defines patriotism as "Putting the Country First." * Barack Obama claims "patriotism" means "Faith In One Another as Americans." HUH?! Sorry, Barack, but while that makes a great Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream slogan, a lofty feeling at the ashram, or even a description of a sex orgy, that's not what patriotism means. It...

President George Washington wrote a prayer addressed to “O most glorious God, in Jesus Christ” and ended it with this: “Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day prescribed in Thy Holy Word. Direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Bless O Lord all the people of this land.” President Thomas Jefferson: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis — a conviction in the minds of the people...

What Is Patriotism? John McCain's answer: "Putting The Country First"Barack Obama's answer: "Faith In One Another As Americans"

Imagine how relieved John McCain must be. Barack Obama, magnanimous as always, has vowed not to question McCain’s patriotism. Whew! Because the last thing McCain wants is for anyone to bring up how he denounced America’s fighting men and women and compared them to Genghis Khan. Oh wait, that was John Kerry. But McCain doesn’t need people bringing up how ridiculous he would look in any sort of military environment. Oh wait, that was Michael Dukakis. Well at least he doesn’t have to worry about people talking about all his radical, America-hating friends. Oh wait. That’s Barack Obama. This year’s...

I was sitting at lunch with a colleague a few weeks back, and he mentioned that he did not understand the general media hubbub over Michelle Obama's unpatriotic statements. "So she said that she hadn't been proud of America in her adult life," he said. "So what?" I answered that many Americans, rightly, were offended at the idea that a prospective First Lady of the United States was not proud of her country. "If you don't believe this is the best country on earth, don't live here," I said. "That's 'love it or leave it,'" he answered. "I don't have...

You know, I was wondering when this was going to happen, when someone in the MSM would say Bush has ruined July Fourth? The Philadelphia Inquirer didn't disappoint by wallowing in the worst example of blame-America-above-all as well as the most extreme case of BDS that I've seen outside the kind of nutroot sites like Daily Kos and the Democratic Underground. A mainstream paper has now gone that extra mile to let us all know that America does not deserve a July Fourth celebration this year because of Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, CIA secret prisons, and, lest you imagine otherwise, the...

The New York Post came up with three ways Barack Obama can prove he's really patriotic. Here's Fox and Friends reporting...

Recently, on a return flight from Washington D.C., I found myself sharing the plane with Jim Flaherty. It gives me no pleasure to approve of anything Jim Flaherty does – he has always seemed to me like a classic big little man who shouldn't be trusted to run a used car lot never mind the finances of a country. Still, I want to give him his due: the man who determines how much tax you and I pay, and how precisely the government goes about spending it, was flying economy. And when our flight landed, he waited in line to...

Got to hand it to him. It must have been tough to do. In a speech in which he invoked Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, Adams, Truman, King, the Pledge, World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq, he does not mention America’s greatest attribute and the single-most powerful beacon to the world: American Freedom. Now Reagan knew what patriotism was. Compare Obama to this from Reagan. More . . .

Sen. Barack Obama did patriotism yesterday, today it is faith and by the end of the day both speeches will have been done in back-to-back states that swing: Missouri and Ohio. The Obama campaign said the Illinois senator plans to go to Zanesville, located in eastern Ohio, to visit a church program that provides food and clothing assistance to those in need.

INDEPENDENCE, MO. -- Sen. Barack Obama said Monday that no candidate should use patriotism as a "political sword" in the presidential race, vowing to push back against charges that he is not fervent about his country. Yet even as Obama repeated his call for a new brand of politics that avoids personal attacks, the day was dominated by an old-style clash over the military credentials of his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain. __________________________________________________________________ Air Force Col. George E. "Bud" Day, a Medal of Honor recipient who was McCain's cellmate in North Vietnam, said Clark's "backhanded slap" was "one of the...

The Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday but patriotism has long been viewed with suspicion or disdain by many of the intelligentsia. As far back as 1793, prominent British writer William Godwin called patriotism "high-sounding nonsense." Internationalism has long been a competitor with patriotism, especially among the intelligentsia. H.G. Wells advocated replacing the idea of duty to one's country with "the idea of cosmopolitan duty." Perhaps nowhere was patriotism so downplayed or deplored than among intellectuals in the Western democracies in the two decades after the horrors of the First World War, fought under various nations' banners of patriotism....

Barack Obama denounces the ‘poison of patriotism’ after attack on McCain Barack Obama asked supporters not to devalue Mr McCain’s war service Tom Baldwin in Washington Barack Obama declared that exploiting patriotism “too often poisons our political debates” as he sought yesterday to answer doubts about his love for America and distance himself from supporters who have demeaned John McCain’s military service. In a speech in Independence, Missouri, the Democratic nominee said: “I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine.” His remarks came a...

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama The America We Love – as prepared for delivery Monday, June 30th, 2008 Independence, Missouri On a spring morning in April of 1775, a simple band of colonists – farmers and merchants, blacksmiths and printers, men and boys – left their homes and families in Lexington and Concord to take up arms against the tyranny of an Empire. The odds against them were long and the risks enormous – for even if they survived the battle, any ultimate failure would bring charges of treason, and death by hanging. And yet they took that chance. They...

I beg commentary on this article as I am wholly unable to bring myself to do so. Seeking guidance and common sense.

Tim Russert was an American. I'm not using the term in its patriotic sense, although he certainly was not just a patriot but an unabashed one at that. No, Tim Russert was an American in that very particular fashion that makes Americans the most distinctive breed of humans on the planet. He was an American in precisely the cultural sense that causes European elites -- and all too frequently our own -- to grind their teeth and look down their noses with such haughty disdain at the one population on earth composed of the entire world's rejects, refugees and descendants...

Yes he did. On his show tonight, Dan Abrams drew attention to a quote from John McCain in an interview with Sean Hannity that flew under the radar for the past 3 months: HANNITY: -- and then I understand you didn't get any medical help for nine days. You spent two years of this five-and-a-half-year period in solitary confinement. What does that do to a person, to spend that much time in solitary confinement? MCCAIN: I think it makes you a better person. Obviously, it makes you love America. I really didn't love America until I was deprived of her...

Weeks after his presumptive Republican presidential competitor, Sen. Barack Obama is launching his first general election national television ad. And the subject -- patriotism -- shows where his campaign may feel he's weak right now.

Resolved, that the Flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation. With these words, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States of America. Flag Day has since been partly eclipsed by other American traditions and holidays, and although it is still celebrated by numerous families and in many parts of the country, it has been forgotten by too many. I, however, will never forget Flag Day. On June 14, 2005, on...

Operation Worship is a new promotion just getting started at Family Christian Bookstores across our country. The program which is a joint effort with Zondervan Publishers allows patriotic customers to purchase small camouflage covered Bibles to send to our troops overseas. The Bibles are low cost ($4.99) and you are asked to write a personal message to a member of our armed forces. This personal message will be bound in the Bible by Zondervan and sent to a soldier. The promotion is starting this week and continuing for several months. Family Christian Bookstores hopes to send 200,000 Bibles to our...

It may not be much of a deal to most Americans, but to we Philadelphians, Saturday is Flag Day. Betsy Ross was once a member of my church, Old St. George’s (America’s first and world’s oldest Methodist Church). Contrary to what the National Park Service contends, there is concrete proof she crafted the first American Flag. Philadelphians will gather for an observation in front of her home on Arch Street. Another tradition is the annual radio broadcast "I am Your Flag" by Bob Nelson, aired on KYW 1060 AM, Philadelphia’s All-News station. KYW NewsRadio and its anchors are an institution...

Every nation could be described as a manifestation of a unique trait of character and most countries furthermore nurture, give emphasize to and celebrate this national identity of theirs. Some examples of such key national characters (please DO comment if you feel inclined to); USA: Liberty Italy: Creativity France: Refinement India: Spirituality Germany: Self-discipline Finland: "Sisu" (a Finnish term meaning "To have guts") Britain: Elevatedness Denmark: "Hygge" (a Danish word meaning "Good-naturedness", of mind as well as of deed) Spain: Passion China: Cultivation Russia: Chaos - just joking, I would actually say "Heart" (in the sense of having a big...

Here's to the Army and Navy and the battles they have won; here's to America's colors, the colors that never run. May the wings of liberty never lose a feather. (Wang Chi & Jack Burton - "Big Trouble In Little China")

When some organizers for the Primary Campaign of Barak Obama in Oregon dropped several rented Porta-Potties in the middle of a memorial for fallen police officers, they made a statement. They deny this to the hilt, but I am convinced just as vehemently that these Porta-Potties didn’t get put where they were put as a result of unfortunate random number generation. Barak Obama’s political movement discourages the deep and profound disrespect for decency, patriotism and all accepted social norms. If this Porta-Potty incident were to have happened to Democratic Congressman Skelton of Missouri, who has been on the House Armed...

My parents recently purchased a home in Northwest San Antonio. My dad, a Vietnam Veteran, used his VA Home Loan to purchase the house they always wanted and rightfully deserved. After settling in my dad put up his flag pole---the same one we’ve had in every house I’ve ever lived in. We fly the American flag on a regular basis and a POW-MIA flag during appropriate holidays. My dad was approached by a member of the mandatory Home Owners Association (HOA) and said that some concerns were raised at the last HOA meeting with regards to “that damn Mexican’s” flag...

THE PRESIDENT: It's been a pleasure of my presidency to get to know the leaders of Rolling Thunder. For our fellow citizens who don't know Rolling Thunder, Rolling Thunder is the moment in time here in Washington, on Memorial Day Weekend, when thousands of motorcyclers come to the nation's capital to pay tribute to those who have died in service, to those who sacrificed, and those who serve. And it's a magnificent sight. We just choppered in, Artie, and saw your brothers and sisters cranking up their machines and driving through the nation's capital -- many of them have got...

9 May 2008, Elder Street and Georgia Avenue, Washington, DC Well FREEPERs a funny thing happened on the way to filing this report. Your correspondent either tried to sky dive, snow oard or do a war dance on his back stoop Saturday night May 10. The result was a visit to Silver Spring’s Holy Cross Hospital, locally known as the Holy Hilton. The foot doctor for DC United was on the premises as I had managed to crack the bone where the Achilles tendon attaches. Long story short I’m currently on injured reserve. Enough about me. Early in the evening...

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – While Americans enjoy the traditional summer kick-off weekend with vacations, backyard barbecues, pool openings and picnics, the White House Commission on Remembrance is asking them to take a moment on Memorial Day to remember the true meaning of the holiday. The National Moment of Remembrance was created “to provide a time of remembrance for America’s fallen and to make a commitment to give something back to our country in their memory,” according to the White House Commission of Remembrance Web site. The moment gives Americans a way to “participate in an act of national...

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2008 – Tens of thousands of care packages will be packed and ready for shipping to servicemembers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea in time for Independence Day. Operation Gratitude’s annual “Patriotic Drive” makes sure servicemembers have a little piece of home around the nation’s birthday. "This will be the fastest-paced care package drive we have ever undertaken," said Charlie Othold, director of operations. "We only have two weekends of prep work and two weekends of assembling, but we will get a package shipped to every servicemember whose name we receive." Seven days...

Liberals - VS- Troops In Quotes . Liberals Vs. The Troops In Quotes In honor of Tom Harkin's latest moronic comments about John McCain not being a good candidate for President because he spent too much time in the military, I present to you, "Liberals Vs. The Troops In Quotes." Enjoy the Left-Wing version of "supporting the troops!" Quote:"...This NBC report is just an ugly reminder of the price we pay for a mercenary - oops sorry, volunteer - force that thinks it is doing the dirty work." -- Washington Post blogger, William Arkin Quote:"Through every Abu aib and Haditha,...

Patriotism is commonly defined as one’s love and devotion of country and the willingness to make sacrifices for it. Barack Obama gave a speech in Charleston, West Virginia, where he made an exception to his self-imposed policy of not wearing a flag lapel pin, and according to the Chicago Tribune, defended his patriotism. According to Obama’s campaign web site, he justifies his patriotism by citing his maternal grandfather’s enlisting in the army after Pearl Harbor, and his marching across Europe with Gen. Patton. He also mentions how his grandfather taught him to say the Pledge of Allegiance and love his...

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Addressing criticism he expects this fall, Sen. Barack Obama emphasized his patriotism and support for a strong and humane military Monday, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton implored West Virginians to sustain her hopes of somehow denying him the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama expects Clinton to win Tuesday's primary in West Virginia, which has large numbers of working-class whites — a group that usually backs the former first lady — as well as a strong military tradition. He used his visit to Charleston to combat critics' claims that he is not particularly patriotic or ready to be commander...

'Flag Guy' walks to spark patriotism By Maria Sciullo Pittsburgh Post-GazetteMay 11, 2008

Driving across town the other day I saw a bumper sticker bearing what’s become a common refrain: “Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism!” I sped up to catch a glimpse of this patriot - a twenty-something dude in jeans and a black t-shirt sporting the obligatory goatee and super-sized sideburns. Given the choice between him and his Prius or Paul Revere thundering through the New England countryside - I prefer the guy on the horse. It’s an interesting phenomenon, this redefinition of patriotism. Employing a term that’s perpetually misused by the left - it’s Orwellian the way they’ve turned...