On Patriotism

Since I was a teenager, I have had an unusual affinity for love of country. But it was elevated to a passion when I went to my first Tea Party. I found kindred spirits in great numbers with a common thread: That there must be something we can do about our out-of-control government. These people all seemed to love their country and were for the most part passionate patriots. OK, so just what does it mean to be patriotic? What emotion comes to mind? Well, I think one could call it a pace-quickening allegiance to your country similar to the feeling of love for another being!

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Patriotism, probably do to the popularity of the Tea Party movement, has lately become dinner chatter and been both applauded and maligned by all sorts of people. For some, it 's a tacky exercise-- best left muted and without fanfare. Some find it a foreign, puzzling emotion, and are often embarrassed by it's display. Einstein stated that it was a major cause of wars! In retrospect, he would probably replace the word patriotism for nationalism. Nationalism is most often not accompanied by freedom. What about the freedom factor? Is patriotism a kind of unconscious payback or appreciation for being free? Can people who are not free, like native Cubans ever be patriotic? Do they have to taste freedom at least once, to feel a measure of patriotism? I think the answer is a resounding –yes!! We have all seen the not-so-free Chinese weep openly when a leader dies. Does mind-control of sheltered citizens enhance love of country or is this sorrow a show of respect for leaders? I think that leaders of governments (who build walls to hold their people in) count on that old adage “Ignorance is Bliss”. Keep them naive and uninformed and we can do what ever we think is best! That means that the Internet is going to “free” a lot of those poor souls who are not given the option to compare societies. Then, perhaps, they will discover love of country.(Perhaps even another country.)

The Making of a Patriot

Many proud patriots, like myself, feel the goose bumps during the Pledge of Allegiance, and wonder why this feeling isn't universal! One of the many reasons why I am an avid Yankee baseball fan is the tingling experience of the 7th inning “God Bless America” by the ageless but departed Kate Smith (who no doubt was a patriot). I am still an unabashed teary-eyed observer who appreciates the wonderful message of thanks, that Steinbrenner instituted as an integral patriotic tradition. Being brought up in rural areas, close to the nation's bread basket and a life of uncomplicated basic essentials, certainly gives one an added appreciation of their surroundings. My father used to remind me, often--that we fed the world. So being a part of the growing of corn, wheat and live stock, being imbedded in the great outdoors, hard physical work and family teamwork resulted in a personal pride that extended beyond the farm's boundaries. In grade school and political events it was not unusual to Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. In Civics courses (Remember when it was required fare?) we learned the capitals of all the states and examined the Constitution and it's amendments. In assembly hall (or home room), the stars and stripes hung proudly and the Pledge to the Flag, which every one knew by heart was like saying “Life is Good and God Bless the fact that we live in this great country. And the social stigma of not being a vocal participant was not pretty! Before a basketball game, we prayed for victory and gave thanks when we won and nobody worried about separation of church and state. Parents got us involved with Boy Scouts and FFA (Future Farmers of America) which certainly had a positive influence on us. But I don't ever remember my parents ever talking about “love of country” though we certainly gave thanks for what we had in our family dinner prayers. Times have sure changed and not for the positive! On the other hand, outside of parental control, most of today's kids seem not to care about who in their government is manipulating their lives and piling on their personal debt. It is so sad when they do those man-in-the-street NYC interviews and so many of these eligible voters can't even ID their own VP or Attorney General. Yet they have no problem with recognizing JZ, 50cent, Britney Spears or A-Rod. As I get older (and wiser) I feel that it is very possible to love your country and fear your government.( as is the case at the moment) They are not tied at the hip. Not by a long shot!. James Baldwin, not quite the fountain of conservatism, said “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” Is it possible to love your leaders and despise your country? (Not our present problem)! Yes, I think so. This may result from blindly following a powerful persuasive charismatic leader which often leads to corruption and fascism. Examples come to mind--like, Germany and Hitler's Third Reich and in the present--Chavez in Venezuela.

Who Are They

Who are the most patriotic segments of our society? With the risk of offending anyone or everyone, I think that we can make some generalities. Certainly, the Israeli are at the top of the list for national pride. Given their travails with fighting for and holding on to their precious country, one can well easily understand the feelings they have for Israel. Twenty-first century Croats and Serbs have a fierce love of country because, no doubt, like the Israeli, they were all intimately involved in fighting for their independence. Immigrants who have immersed themselves into our society, making their own culture secondary, are much more prone to be patriotic than those who clan together and refuse to adopt new customs like Thanksgiving or Memorial Day picnics. Mid-Century Irish, Polish and Italians came here and eagerly adopted and integrated into a new world of ideas and exciting opportunities. They were as patriotic as they came. Now-- what do all these segments have in common? They all have had the opportunity to compare other country's life-styles to their own! I would wager that you will find more “old glories” flying on Tea Party turf than the hard core liberals or “Progressives”. These Super-Patriots get their zeal from the fact that their grass roots pro-activity is working. We have found, in the last decade or so, that our representatives no longer represent us. As a matter of record, both parties seem to be voting yea or nay for political reasons rather than what's best for the country. The collective(hate that word) thought among Tea Partiers is that we can make a difference and turn this country around. And for you folks that get your “news” from Letterman, Stewart, Colbert and MSNBC: you should be aware that for each single protester out there who carries his own hand made sign--there are millions of us who are mad as Hell and support them-- but we often can't get away to sound off. Unlike our elected representatives, Tea Partiers do care and frequently take stock on how the country is faring. In other words, all of us, the protesters and those at home are voters that are paying attention, taking names and coming on strong to take our country back! When talk of patriotism arises, you probably don't think Muslim. Muslims generally tend to be very rigid with their own customs and not at all interested in immersing themselves into our culture. Further, US Muslim citizens seem to demonstrate a deep-seated zeal towards proselytizing Islamic nationalism and have little love for the USA, it's people and it's customs. Ranking high on the anti-American list and most active anti-patriots are groups like the ACLU who tend to go after and demonize wholesome organizations like the Boy Scouts and Christians while embracing the filthy NABLA crowd and the nation's enemies. The ACLU is indeed an evil entity. Another group not serving the country well, consist of “ME, ME, ME” unions who control Education and are swelling the ranks of a Bloated Government Monster. The American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees Union (AFT and SEIU) Although the members may be naive and innocent, the leader's behavior borders on criminal.

Acquiring Patriotism

Travel is a great teacher. If you have been to a third world country you can't help but compare and appreciate how great our own country is. You have to be unconscious not to be shocked by the difference in culture. If madrassas in Saudi Arabia or cookie-cutter schools in China can imprint their doctrine into tiny heads of mush, then perhaps we could influence (gently) our own children in some fashion. Perhaps courses on freedom, the Constitution or examining the lives of former American Patriots should be offered as a part of the curriculum. And by default, teachers should present both sides of any issue such as Darwin vs Divine Creation or both. We do have a marvelous history to tell and today's books make it exciting and interesting. Since K-12 education already includes discussions about multiculturalism it would be easy to show how each culture is different. And it's important to show the good, bad and ugly. Our youth today can spot PC run amok. Also, it would be entirely appropriate to let the students know who the present world players are and how history got them there. The more you learn about the world, the more you will appreciate the USA. What's the moral to this story? As Martha Stewart or John Stossel would say, Patriotism is a “good thing”. One must never apologize for the emotion it often summons. Unless, of course, you can't get through a speech on the subject with out blubbering! I have seen real Patriots make these poignant moving stories without a tear and wonder how they do it. It would be reasonable to assume that all of us have a measure of patriotism and that it has only to be cultivated. So expose yourself!! Learn more about your government. Start reading the Wall Street Journal. Listen to Talk Radio instead of FM music. Go to a Tea Party. Visit the Dominican Republic on a vacation and get out of your gated resort for a look-see at how the natives live! I guaranty that you will have a new appreciation for America. PS: And by all means, vote this November. Anybody there longer than two terms should be thrown out. The Founders did not approve of career politicians. You were there to serve a few terms and go home. The travesty of the “King of Pork” Senator Byrd serving 36 years then dying in office, should have never happened and discredits the voters of West Virginia. Remember in November that you get what you vote for. Make yours an intelligent vote! Curt Tetrault is a fiscal conservative and owner of a computer business.

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