Patriotism and Dissent- Not Mutually Exclusive

[journalist3072]

"I believed then, just as I believe now, that it is profoundly wrong to think that fighting for your country overseas and fighting for your country's ideals at home are contradictory or even separate duties," he said. "They are, in fact, two sides of the very same patriotic coin."

- Sen. John Kerry, speaking on dissent being a part of patriotism in a speech at Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Sen. Kerry has it exactly right. Dissent and patriotism are not mutually exclusive. In fact, if you truly care about your country, then you not only have the right, but the obligation, to speak out when you see it veering off course.

In the aftermath of 9/11, too many Americans (be it politicians, members of the media, or just ordinary citizens), got caught up in George Bush's "either you're with us or against us" rhetoric, and thought that critizing a commander-in-chief after we had been attacked, would be unpatriotic.

However, I believed then, as I do now, that speaking out against the policies of this current Administration was and is still the greatest rebuke to Osama bin Laden and the Islamic extremists who attacked us.

[patriothackd]

1. With us or against us

It's not Bush that made this up, it's human nature going back to the days of clans and tribes. It's just that 9/11 provided an opening to go overt with it. But I think some strategies just work. Before even 9/11 candidates stopped having real debates and started doing more contrived ones, to the point that now a presidential "debate" is just running two horses around the circus ring.

Then they tried this "with us or against us" and "watch what you say" crap. It worked for awhile and still tarnishes the national conversation. I expect to see "with us or against us" on both sides of the political aisle soon. Whatever works gets used by those for whom ends justify means, and that includes political strategists. I'm sure they took notes.

[newyawker99]

3. Hi patriothackd!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[dusmcj]

2. I thought they were equivalent, you mean they aren't ?

why let mental masturbators cast doubt on what we know is right, when we know what their motivations for doing so are ? (which are: they can't get their cheeseassed program through by legitimate means, cause everyone who isn't suffering from delusion can tell at a glance that it sucks. Those who can, do. Those who can't, harass/contend/lie.)