https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-patriotic-lee-h-hamilton/The vast majority of Americans consider themselves patriots — even if, as Gallup found in June, less than half of poll respondents considered themselves “extremely proud” to be American. This was the first time this has happened in almost two decades of polling on the question.The two broad strands outlined by The Times inarguably exist. We all remember the naval hero Stephen Decatur’s famous toast in 1816, “Our country, right or wrong.” And Senator Carl Schurz’s amendment a half-century later: “My country, right or wrong — if right, to be kept right, if wrong, to be set right.” We may criticize our country, in other words, but this is not motivated by malice. It’s motivated by special affection and a belief that a great country can be made greater.
“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America,” President Clinton argued, laying out a vision of patriotism that is not about symbols, but about building on a nation’s intangible strengths.
I buy that. I believe that patriotism means getting on with the serious business of improving our country. It means that we strive to ensure that we live up to our pledge of liberty and justice for all. In this formulation, patriotism is best expressed not in parades or speeches or exhortations or conspicuous displays, but in what we do.
So this opinion piece caught my interest this morning, and I am interested what people think about the meaning of patriotism, and whether the author's attempt to define it is on target. Thanks
snippet
https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-patriotic-lee-h-hamilton/
It's another word for tribalism.
So this opinion piece caught my interest this morning, and I am interested what people think about the meaning of patriotism, and whether the author's attempt to define it is on target. Thanks
snippet
https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-patriotic-lee-h-hamilton/
What is Patriotism?
I think that is too flippant and far too shallow a read, Vadinho. Tribalism is non-patriotic, because it relies on the stock one puts in the importance of one's ethnic group. If you are a tribalist, you believe your blood ties with other people who share your family name and language are the be all and end all of any social or political consideration one makes. For example, the Taliban rely on the tribalistic loyalty of their fellow Pashtun in both Afghanistan and Pakistan for their continued support and existence, while engaging in terror against government institutions and those who support those institutions in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Patriotism, meanwhile, allows one to transcend such atavistic behavior, and put one's loyalty to the nation as a whole and its institutions and its culture.
I believe that history shows us that it is when patriotism is killed that tribalism comes back and fills the void, rather than patriotism being the next evolutionary stage of tribalism. One need only take a look at a country like Yugoslavia and see what happened when it broke up, with Croats, Serbs, Bosnians and Albanians all at one another's throats. Such is what happens when all sense of patriotism dies. Tribalism and ethno-nationalism take its place.
Americans are a gathering of freedom loving people that fled to The New World and formed a unique nation based on the principles of liberty and individualism.It's another word for tribalism.
The Measure of a CountryPatriotism is nothing more than my country is the best in the world and simply because I was...born in it.
If you can convince this to the Taliban, Isis, Iran, North Korea, Red China, Vladimir Putin and the Progressive/Democrat Party; I'm sure the US will happily join them in an international rendition of "We Are The World".IMO, nationalism and sovereignty denies the basic truth that we all belong to the same human family, regardless of linguistic or cultural differences...that denial is what leads to wars...
America's strength and security is rooted in sovereignty...as is world peace.“Sovereignty is a major cause of contemporary war; unless altered, the system of sovereign nation-states will trigger World War III.” -Historian Arnold Toynbee
Americans are a gathering of freedom loving people that fled to The New World and formed a unique nation based on the principles of liberty and individualism.
The idea of "We the People" was only necessary whenever their way of life was threatened; which is quite contrary to your theory of "tribalism".
The Measure of a Country
During a recent interview Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain was quoted giving the following answer to one his parliament members as to why he believes so much in America and its President?
Blair’s reply — “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at … how many want in … and how many want to get out.”
If you can convince this to the Taliban, Isis, Iran, North Korea, Red China, Vladimir Putin and the Progressive/Democrat Party; I'm sure the US will happily join them in an international rendition of "We Are The World".
America's strength and security is rooted in sovereignty...as is world peace.
And until humanity evolves beyond hate, fear, greed, and power lust; it will remain so.
You have absolutely no idea how lucky you are...I, on the other hand, do.Boy, you really bought into the story line...its good to believe in stories though as long as you realize its just a story...
So this opinion piece caught my interest this morning, and I am interested what people think about the meaning of patriotism, and whether the author's attempt to define it is on target. Thanks
snippet
https://www.bainbridgereview.com/opinion/what-does-it-really-mean-to-be-patriotic-lee-h-hamilton/
You have absolutely no idea how lucky you are...I, on the other hand, do.
My brothers and I are 1st generation American born citizens; and very thankful for it.
Our parents were born behind the dark ugly Iron Curtain of a totalitarian police state.
I was born in Morocco, I too came here as an immigrant of sorts. I am glad you are happy here but beware, no nation has a clean history or storyline. We just do the best we can and hope we do right more then we do wrong. I do apologize that we elected Trump, he is not what America stands for.
It's another word for tribalism.
I was born in Morocco, I too came here as an immigrant of sorts. I am glad you are happy here but beware, no nation has a clean history or storyline. We just do the best we can and hope we do right more then we do wrong. I do apologize that we elected Trump, he is not what America stands for.
Could you please be more specific, Vadinho.I was born in Morocco, I too came here as an immigrant of sorts. I am glad you are happy here but beware, no nation has a clean history or storyline. We just do the best we can and hope we do right more then we do wrong. I do apologize that we elected Trump, he is not what America stands for.
Could you please be more specific, Vadinho.
Exactly what is it about Trump that "is not what America stands for"?
So what stops you from heading home if California and the rest of the US is so awful?
Once again; can you please be more specific as to why Trump "is not what America stands for"?Everything. He is not America, he is simply a moron and represents the basest instincts of a con man and fool. The world is filled with men like him but they rarely assume power in the West.
Sorry Vadinho but I have no idea what "story" you are referring to here?Unfortunately, that story you heard about us has a flaw. The story is that we are good, righteous, honest, fair and just. His presence makes a mockery of those values.
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