Is patriotism still...patriotism?

[DMWB]

This is something I've been tossing around in my thoughts lately. Many of us feel that this country today has been mutilated beyond the point of recognition by the MSM, lobbyists, and anti-Constitution politicians. For the first time ever, I feel that flying Old Glory outside my home no longer carries the same meaning that it once did.

With that being said, here is the definition of patriot from Dictionary.com:

pa·tri·ot [pey-tree-uht, -ot or, esp. British, pa-tree-uht]

1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.

2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.


Given that our country has been poisoned by a socialist agenda to attack self-sufficiency, privacy, and freedom, what is one actually defending as a patriot today?

I feel that most of us fall directly under the second definition given above.

If a country is defined by its people, its government, or any combination thereof, then I would have a hard time labeling myself a Patriot as the first definition applies. When the government has turned against its people, and the people have turned against themselves, what is left to defend aside from a set of ideals? Are those ideals still represented in whole or part by our Flag?

Mine is still flying. Is yours?

 

[Rider]

The nature of this country's founding is still there, the will of her people to fight for what they believe in is still there, and the forces intent upon its destruction are still there.

We're all just pissy because we actually have to work for it now, whereas for most of our lives(if you're under 50) we got it courtesy of those who went before.

I propose that we leave the next two generations a country still worth fighting for, but leave it to them on better ground than that upon which we now stand. The road ahead is rough, but we must see our way though.

 

[mark056]

Patriotism, the flag waving, huzzah for the red white and blue type of patriotism, is the last refuge of the scoundrel. True patriotism IMO is when things get tough, the tough get going and I am very curious to see who among the flag wavers will get tough, stay the course, and who will capitulate to Big Brother, and frankly until that time comes, I don't think anybody really knows. What we think we might do and what we actually do can be two very different things.

 

[soloman02]

Fly this flag instead. Has more meaning now:

 

[dhawk69]

Fly this flag instead. Has more meaning now:

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one... My current flag has a lot of meaning to me. I fly it proudly. There are those of us who will always be patriots to the bitter end. Not just when it's popular. My soapbox is large, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Climbnsink]

Patriotism is paying taxes and supporting diversity. Don't believe me just ask one of our intellectual betters or elected leaders.

 

[AfghanIraqVet]

Here's a good speech by Ron Paul, encompassing patriotism in the facets of government. Whether you agree with him on all topics or not, you'd have to agree the man has an incredible view on liberty.

Patriotism by Ron Paul

The true patriot is motivated by a sense of responsibility and out of self-interest for himself, his family, and the future of his country to resist government abuse of power. He rejects the notion that patriotism means obedience to the state.

 

[Wrench75]

MY country is the one described in the Constitution and BoR. This place is just the shithole I'm forced to live in...

 

[squatch413]

Ron Paul really hits the nail on the head in that speech.

 

[Wrench75]

Fly this flag instead. Has more meaning now:

Actually, fly this flag if it is meaning you are after...

US Code:T36 Ch10.176
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Here's a good speech by Ron Paul, encompassing patriotism in the facets of government. Whether you agree with him on all topics or not, you'd have to agree the man has an incredible view on liberty.

Patriotism by Ron Paul

+1

 

[NEVER SURRENDER]

this says it all.

 

[cluless]

Patriotism IS still patriatism to those who can remember a time when our elders took the time to explain it to us.
To others like myself who raised their hands and took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States from ALL enemies foreign and Domestic, this oath was for life and did not end at your time of discharge.
For those who are LEOs and took the oath, please remember what that oath means when the time comes for that unlawful order is given.
I still honor my oath. I am an Oath Keeper. We have room for many more.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

Every morning I wake up and am surprised that everything is still here. Maybe that's just me though.

 

[neum69]

The nature of this country's founding is still there, the will of her people to fight for what they believe in is still there, and the forces intent upon its destruction are still there.

We're all just pissy because we actually have to work for it now, whereas for most of our lives(if you're under 50) we got it courtesy of those who went before.

I propose that we leave the next two generations a country still worth fighting for, but leave it to them on better ground than that upon which we now stand. The road ahead is rough, but we must see our way though.

Hear, hear!

 

[DMWB]

The nature of this country's founding is still there, the will of her people to fight for what they believe in is still there, and the forces intent upon its destruction are still there.

We're all just pissy because we actually have to work for it now, whereas for most of our lives(if you're under 50) we got it courtesy of those who went before.

I propose that we leave the next two generations a country still worth fighting for, but leave it to them on better ground than that upon which we now stand. The road ahead is rough, but we must see our way though.

So then, the war for freedom and the American way of life has moved from foreign trenches to the mainland. Once again we are at war against Communism, but in a vastly different theater than that where our forefathers fought.

Patriotism, the flag waving, huzzah for the red white and blue type of patriotism, is the last refuge of the scoundrel. True patriotism IMO is when things get tough, the tough get going and I am very curious to see who among the flag wavers will get tough, stay the course, and who will capitulate to Big Brother, and frankly until that time comes, I don't think anybody really knows. What we think we might do and what we actually do can be two very different things.

I would propose that we all should start having serious conversations about what, exactly, the game plan is should that time come. The weak always capitulate when they stand alone - let's make sure no one buckles under the weight of their own flag.

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one... My current flag has a lot of meaning to me. I fly it proudly. There are those of us who will always be patriots to the bitter end. Not just when it's popular. My soapbox is large, so I'll leave it at that.

I am young (28) and not a veteran. But, I have flown or hung a flag (proudly) in my bedroom/dorm/apartment/home since childhood. It was a very proud moment to fly a brand new flag the day my wife and I bought our home. My (Veteran) next door neighbor salutes it almost every morning.

Patriotism is paying taxes and supporting diversity. Don't believe me just ask one of our intellectual betters or elected leaders.

To hell with the thought of that

Here's a good speech by Ron Paul, encompassing patriotism in the facets of government. Whether you agree with him on all topics or not, you'd have to agree the man has an incredible view on liberty.

Patriotism by Ron Paul

QFT. Thanks for posting.

MY country is the one described in the Constitution and BoR. This place is just the shithole I'm forced to live in...

As it says in someone's signature here: "Massachusetts: the place where freedom began, and ended..."

Actually, fly this flag if it is meaning you are after...

US Code:T36 Ch10.176
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

I do believe that to be understood as: "Go time."

Patriotism IS still patriatism to those who can remember a time when our elders took the time to explain it to us.
To others like myself who raised their hands and took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States from ALL enemies foreign and Domestic, this oath was for life and did not end at your time of discharge.
For those who are LEOs and took the oath, please remember what that oath means when the time comes for that unlawful order is given.
I still honor my oath. I am an Oath Keeper. We have room for many more.

It's good to see some folks were paying attention when they took that oath. The rats in the Statehouse and D.C. know their word means nothing right from the outset.

Every morning I wake up and am surprised that everything is still here. Maybe that's just me though.

The sheep will carry on, or so it seems.