Just a reminder that 75 years ago today, REAL American Patriots fought against, killed, and were killed by Nazis in(on?) the beaches of Normandy, France.
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(TITLE FROM MEdotME)
The many noble acts of service men and women, before, during, and after WW2 are to be commended. That being said... a Patriot is simply a person who vigorously supports and defends their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. That is inherently neither a compliment or an insult- unless we get in to debates over national or borders and such. But- soldier can be a “patriot” and so can a domestic terrorist or member of a hate group. Patriotism is relative- it requires the person doing it to believe that they are supporting and defending their country. If one believes that it is in support and defense of their nation to have sex with animals- that is patriotic. Now, in relativity- wether another person considers one a patriot or not is subjective, so one can act patriotically but not be seen as a patriot.
A prime example are defectors and those who leak information- such as recent high profile “whistle blowers” who exposed government secrets. Some consider them patriots and others consider them traitors- in the case of soldiers- would a soldier refusing to fight a war they saw as unjust and in American be a patriot or a traitor to you? Regardless of how you view them- they would be acting patriotically since they believe that to do otherwise would be a betrayal of their country, its best interests, and or the principals their country stands for.
While I think that most people can agree the majority of troops in the war, in this case specifically the majority of US troops- were patriotic in either or both their desire to defend their country and in their actions storming the beaches of Normandy- I think it’s important in 2020 that we recognize that the label “patriotic” is relative and not inherently a compliment or a good thing.
The REASONS, the LOGIC, the PHILOSOPHY and details of patriotism are what matters. Those seeking to defund the police are doing so out of a love of their country, a support of how they see the ideals of the country and its best interest. Those extremely opposed to groups seeking to defund the police are likewise, largely acting on what they see is patriotism. Even the KKK is largely a “patriotic” group- it is just that they believe that what is best for the country is to have certain groups not be in it.
Ideas like Religion, Love, Patriotism- they aren’t inherently good or bad. The expression of them or perversion of them, wether they are a constructive force or destructive force; wether they spread unity or spread division- these things matter. A man who beats his children may “beat them out of love.” That isn’t what I would call love- but it is what THEY would. They may say they are doing it FOR the child and their ultimate well being. A religion may launch wars or destroy cultures or seek to spread intolerance for what it sees as a greater good- but it also may instead bring peace and togetherness.
When an athlete kneels before the flag, they believe they are being patriotic. That supporting their country doesn’t mean following traditions but instead, trying to highlight issues to make it better. Are they right or wrong? I have my own feelings on that as many do. But regardless of how each of us SEES the act- the PERSON is a patriot with patriotic intentions.
So I just had to mention since “patriot” or “unpatriotic” are becoming words used by certain people as binary labels of “good” and “bad.” We are seeing unconstitutional and repressive behavior on the right and left being supported because it is seen as “best for our country” forgetting that- our country, here in America, is founded on freedom, founded on promise for people to come here from all over and make a life for themselves. I would hold that regardless of a persons intent- that which violates those principals is simply wrong, patriotic or not.
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(TITLE FROM MEdotME)