Reply #11: I'm guilty of it myself... [View All]

"The knee-jerk assumptions that patriotism is all about flag waving and blind loyalty and jingoism were making me nuts."

Maybe as a product of the '60s, maybe because the Pukes have done such a GREAT job of co-opting the flag for their purposes, maybe because Nationalism scares the crap out of me, maybe because I'm an emotional person; whatever the reason, I understand the knee-jerk reaction AGAINST the word patriotism, the military, and the symbolism of the flag.

However, your definition of patriotism in the OP is something I can absolutely agree with. I can also agree with the need to "re-explain" that definition to the voting public, and do it hard and often before the '04s.

Does this sound conflicted? If so, it's because I long-ago ceded the symbolism to the right, and I need to LEARN to make it mine... this time for the right reasons.

Thanks for starting this thread...

(How did your fundraiser go? Will your blog live past the end of this month?)