Normally I agree with Dorgan

[Skidmore]

but he just lost me on something. He just stated that "our soldiers are our patriots." I disagree that putting on a uniform automatically makes you a patriot. It makes you a servant of the nation state. What you do when wearing that uniform determines if you are a patriot or not. A patriot can be a soldier who is willing to decline an unreasonable order. I wish the Dems wouldn't get hooked in to these pissing contests on who is patriotic.

[Skinner]

1. You've got to be kidding me.

A US Senator says "our soldiers are our patriots" and he "lost" you? I mean, really now. Don't you think that you might be a tad too easy to "lose"? Is he really required to say "except for the ones that torture people at Abu Ghraib" when he says this?

[msongs]

3. glad to hear the SS were patriots because they served their nation eom

[Skinner]

4. And thank you for putting words in my mouth. (nt)

[DrGonzoLives]

7. OMG NAZIS!!!!11

Seriously, it's a new low when it only takes a couple of posts to start throwing around Nazi references. Sad.

[Skidmore]

5. No I'm not kidding, Skinner.

I'm just very disgusted by this whole ongoing contest to see who can outpatriot whom and who can claim patriotism for what group. I'm also equally disgusted by the overwrought claims the status of "hero" in a world where so much injustice and little caring that injustice occurs. Because one assumes a role in society or is given a role by society does not imply that he/she is automatically either a hero or a patriot. We, as a society, need to step back from and evaluate these terms a bit before bandying them about.

[Skinner]

9. While you may have a point...

...I don't think we should expect such talk from a politician. They are politicians after all. If our Democratic elected officials all decided to push that particular message, it would be a disaster. Candidates need to use simple themes that appeal to large numbers of people.

[ewagner]

2. Remember that Dorgan

and all other elected officials must speak in sound bites or something close to it.

So "our soldiers are out patriots" is a broad brush that's basically true and there is no room for nuance or details in the mind of the public.

[acmejack]

6. you might point out that the walker boys were in uniform.

But I believe all that really needs to be said is that patriotism is not the province only of those in uniform. Could it not also hold true of those who uncomplainingly pay their taxes, get involved in the community, even bother to go out and vote.

Limiting only to the troops is a little exclusionary, IMO.

[DrGonzoLives]

8. You would prefer

that he said that our troops were baby-killers and war criminals?

Just curious.

[Skidmore]

10. Since you seem think you know what I would prefer

Dorgan to have said I'll leave you to fill in the blanks in whatever way satisfies your need to be snide. If you read my post with any attention, you will see plainly stated my objection to his comment.