It's not the concepts that define a typical overzealous patriot's pride, but the definition of those concepts. It's because of nations like USA, England, and Australia that the concepts of freedom and democracy are prevalent in the world. America didn't invent freedom, it defined it, and nurtured it. America didn't create democracy, it enforced it.
True patriots know that pride and arrogance are two different things. I'm proud of my country. I'm proud of who I am. I'm not arrogant enough to assume I am better than anyone in any country. I'm not arrogant enough to assume my country is superior. But there is no country I'd rather be.
Simply waving a flag and supporting our president doesn't make you a patriot. Fighting in a war, even one you don't believe in, doesn't make you a patriot. There is no action that will make you a patriot. Only in your heart can you be a patriot.
Standing up for what you believe in, so long as that is your country, and the pride of your brothers, is a sign of patriotism. Steadily moving forward with the love of your country in heart, despite all others who try to deter you, that is a sign of patriotism.
Killing people, waging war, and passing laws to protect your beliefs, religious or otherwise, that is not patriotism. That is barbarianism. Bush is a barbarian.
Lying to protect yourself, speaking out and damning your countrymen, allying yourself with those who hate your country, andtrying to pass laws to damage your country and the lives of those who protect it, that is not patriotism. That is traitorous. Kerry is a traitor.
Which is worse? I couldn't tell you. All I can tell you is that neither is an ideal I see as fit for representing the country I love. And it is with that in mind that I continue to stand for what I believe, even if what I believe begins to change.
I don't care about Kerry's war record. I don't care about Bush getting out of serving in the military. Neither one has a clean war record.
I do care about Kerry's lies, and lack of resolve to help protect our country. I do care about Bush's arrogance, and willingness to put our country in danger. Both present, to me, a method to destroy us, one is just more direct than the other.
I believe our military should be strong enough to protect us, but I also believe that our military should not be sent to die, just to make us "right". I won't go protest the war, because it won't change anyone's mind. I won't support this war, because I don't agree with it's continuation. I supported the fight in Afghanistan. I do not support the "freedom" of Iraq.
But I do support my brothers and sisters who stand in that wasteland of religious hatred, who face death each day, and fight, willingly or not, for the country they have sworn to serve. And I will welcome my friend, my brother, when he returns from Iraq with open arms, because he is braver than I. I salute him, and all who stand beside him. I just want him to be one of those who still stand when the smoke clears.
In short, I love this country, I hate these leaders, and I honor those who serve this country. Duty is duty, america is america. The only variable is corruption, and I'm afraid that will never be undone.
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Do you want ants? Because that's how you get ants.
