Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper408. Patriotism; Politics; Subversion
I think you are conflating patriotism and nationalism, a common mistake. There are healthy forms of patriotism.
"A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend publick happiness, if not to destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace. Few errours and few faults of government, can justify an appeal to the rabble; who ought not to judge of what they cannot understand, and whose opinions are not propagated by reason, but caught by contagion."
Johnson: The Patriot
http://www.samueljohnson.com/patrioti.html
He also claimed that "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"
" can justify an appeal to the rabble; who ought not to judge of what they cannot understand, and whose opinions are not propagated by reason, but caught by contagion."
I was tempted to chop this bit off, but it would not be very honest, I would rather be stuck in a lift with Burke than Johnson. The link I got the the quote from claimed Boswell could not be specific about Johnson's intended target.
http://www.samueljohnson.com/refuge.html
But I think the scoundrel slur is best applied in context and of course those who feel accused by it may well utilize their right to reply, but I believe, wrongly or rightly, that the alarmist post election right wing Republican rant's are motivated more by resentment than actual Patriotism.
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The question is, what do you feel patriotic about? If it is about an America where one is free to live one's life as one sees fit, where the government is there but does not run your life, then one must want to leave this country.
If one is patriotic about the USA, then one must want the country to remain.
I side with freedom.
I do not believe this country is worth fighting for. I do not believe this is the country that my father and grandfather fought for.
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Originally posted by kevcvs57That last bit there - rabble, contagion - describes almost perfectly the Democrat Party's method of disseminating ideas.
408. Patriotism; Politics; Subversion
"A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend publick ha n.com/patrioti.html
He also claimed that "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"
Originally posted by kevcvs57Since I am the author of many of the "alarmist post election right wing Republican rants", please allow me to comment on your theory of resentment vs. patriotism.
" can justify an appeal to the rabble; who ought not to judge of what they cannot understand, and whose opinions are not propagated by reason, but caught by contagion."
I was tempted to chop this bit off, but it would not be very honest, I would rather be stuck in a lift with Burke than Johnson. The link I got the the quote from claimed Boswell could no ...[text shortened]... ection right wing Republican rant's are motivated more by resentment than actual Patriotism.
I'll be honest - I do resent the confiscation of my money to support programs and policies I do not believe in. I always have. I resent the fact that Obama talks about me, but not to me. As if I and my friends are some necessary evil that must be most grudgingly endured because we're the ones with the money. I lament the lack of can-do attitude in this county, the lives of a generation of Baby Boomers ill-spent because everything came easy for them and now, when it's time to get back to work, neither they nor their ill-bred, ill-disciplined, self-entitled, self-loving brood are willing or able to do that. So we put a program in place for them, instead of telling them to get up off their collective dying asses and work for what they want. Success is hard.
Now, on to that bit about "stirring up the public good without reason" - that's a Stalinist, repressionist statement if ever there were one. The First Amendment is sacrosanct. And I happen to believe that the impulses of government of any stripe should be regularly resisted, on general principle if for no specific good reason. But there are many good reasons to resist the expansion of government, of government spending, and of ever-increasing government largesse at the expense of the productive class when our government is $16 trillion in debt and headed to $20 trillion. Ery quickly. To me, if to no one else, getting at the truth is always patriotic, if not always convenient, easily swallowed, or conducive to the preservation of your worldview.
The next Liberal I come across that can clearly articulate their reason for their political views will be the first one. I may post facts and some inflammatory comments about Obama, but your lot always, sooner or later, devolves into enraged name-calling. Now that's fine; while I wish you would at least provide some amusement by getting creative, your rants against me just don't penetrate. But the fact remains that you are not willing to examine critically and truthfully any situation that paints Obama in a bad light. That's fascist groupthink and very disturbing. I regard the lies and obfuscations of the Bush administration - the yellowcake uranium fiasco, the mobile chemical weapons factories debacle - as a great shame upon America and upon the Republican Party. How you fail to even consider that Obama denied aid to our four diplomats in Benghazi - a scandal far more serious than Watergate - just shows that you are unthinking and ill-fit to lead. It is a tremendous sadness that you so willingly gloss over those deaths.
Originally posted by sasquatch672Another nice right wing Republican alarmist rant, so now you have Fascist's and Commies surrounding your imaginary Alamo.
Since I am the author of many of the "alarmist post election right wing Republican rants", please allow me to comment on your theory of resentment vs. patriotism.
I'll be honest - I do resent the confiscation of my money to support programs and policies I do not believe in. I always have. I resent the fact that Obama talks about me, but not to me. ...[text shortened]... t to lead. It is a tremendous sadness that you so willingly gloss over those deaths.
It really is that simple with you guys, unable to accept the the outcome of a Democratic election you desperately wrap yourselves in the flag and declare everyone who voted for Obama either stupid or a traitor, Lol and still you have the gall to talk about fascism as if that brand of butter would not melt in your mouth, save it for the congregation mate. Your sack cloth and ashes routine gets very tired, very quickly.
When you have an Empire your Diplomats, Soldiers, and Civilians get killed every now and again, it is not nice and you are not meant to be happy about it, but if you turn on your commander in chief because of it, then the perpetrators could not be blamed for trying to kill some more, everyone likes to bring about regime change in the enemy camp.
Originally posted by sasquatch672Oh, I find many faults with Obama.
Since I am the author of many of the "alarmist post election right wing Republican rants", please allow me to comment on your theory of resentment vs. patriotism.
I'll be honest - I do resent the confiscation of my money to support programs and policies I do not believe in. I always have. I resent the fact that Obama talks about me, but not to me. ...[text shortened]... t to lead. It is a tremendous sadness that you so willingly gloss over those deaths.
For instance, he's not nearly liberal or socialist enough to suit my tastes.
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Originally posted by sasquatch672You've woken him up!!!!!
Since I am the author of many of the "alarmist post election right wing Republican rants", please allow me to comment on your theory of resentment vs. patriotism.
I'll be honest - I do resent the confiscation of my money to support programs and policies I do not believe in. I always have. I resent the fact that Obama talks about me, but not to me. t to lead. It is a tremendous sadness that you so willingly gloss over those deaths.
I told you not to wake up sasquatch