PLEASE!!!! Would just ONE prominent national Democrat come out and say

[Riddler]

that what the Repukes are practicing is NOT "patriotism" but "jingoism", and there's a big difference. The "patriots" are the ones who love their country enough to support it when its right and try to change it when its wrong.

[lonehalf]

1. Are you saying that the Republicans...

...were right in 1994?

They certainly "tr to change it".

[leftofthedial]

3. the OP said change it "when it's wrong,"

which did not apply in 1994.

[TayTay]

2. Well, there is this

We must insist now that patriotism does not belong to those who defend a President's position-it belongs to those who defend their country. Patriotism is not love of power; it is love of country. And sometimes loving your country demands you must tell the truth to power. This is one of those times.

I heard that from Sen. Kerry in Boston in April of this year. And I have heard him say it at least a dozen times since.

[blm]

4. That was Kerry's Dissent IS Patriotism speech, right?

I remember how uplifting and soaring it was - 35 years of passion for just governance.

[unlawflcombatnt]

6. Yes

And Kerry was right each time.

[LWolf]

5. Why not go one step further,

and have one elected Democrat come right out and acknowlege that "patriotism" is an ideal created to keep wealthy white men in power, that it's a kinder, gentler version of "nationalism," and that if we love the ideals our nation was founded on, we have to each live them every day. That flags, marches, pledges, and other "patriotic" exercises that stir up emotional froth are no excuse for abandoning our founding principles?

[Totally Committed]

7. What's more American than the art of Norman Rockwell?

This man used to paint what was considered the most idealistically "patriotic" American Art of his generation. Even HE painted that "Dissent is Patriotic"!

TC