Relatively new to the board. Wondering if you can help me out here as I'm confused.
Define patriotism? From what I've read so far, it would appear that being a patriot is someone who waves the flag, rids the world of Islam and isn't a liberal.
Help me understand what a liberal is too cause I think I'm partly liberal and in fact probably lean more that way then conservative.
I work in Social Services. I came from a family that lived and breathed the good samaritan. I was raised to believe I have an obligation to my neighbors. It's in my blood, I can't help it. I've done it for almost 20 years. I believe in spending money on schools and social programs. I guess that makes me liberal.
But wait a minute. I've now owned any number of guns including 3 AR-15s. I love to shoot them. I can talk military history and keep up with just about anyone on the subject. I'm very much for keeping the military strong, and consider the vets of this country my heros. I believe in enforcing the laws and supporting the police etc. Doesn't that make me a conservative & a patriot?
I stand by the Constitution and what it stands for including freedom of religion. I get teary these days when I hear God bless America, or the Star Spangled Banner. Guess that makes me conservative and a patriot?
But I don't believe destroying Islam is the thing to do as there are fanatics in any type of faith. Does that makes me liberal again.
I guess that means I can't be typecast any more then most folks, and to categorize what patriotism is based on flags and political leanings seems a bit fanatical in itself doesn't it?
My patriotism isn't something I need to wave in someone's face. Its how I raise my kids, it's the kind of person I am to those around me, it's the type of husband I am, and it's my willingness to accept the ideas of others without categorizing them or demanding they think the same as me.
The second we mandate that patriotism has to fit only the criteria of a select group of people, we become no better then the people who made the 9/11 attacks.
The price of our liberty and freedom is knowing that we are free to live our lives unconfined by the mandates of a few. It also means needing to accept and understand that others may not do it exactly like us.
Sorry for the ramble, and that I will probably rub some folks the wrong way. Trust that my intentions were good ones in writing this reply.