Happy 4th of July!
The Progressive Case for Patriotism
In other words, why WE are still trying to save the country
AlterNet.org
Progressives
are faced with the tough question of what exactly it means to be
patriotic in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.
The truth: This land was made for you and me.
Since
9/11, patriotic expressions in public life have dramatically soared. We
see displays of the Stars and Stripes on cars, businesses, T-shirts,
caps, lapel pins and even tattoos, along with bales of CDs with
patriotic songs. During periods of social and political turmoil,
America's leaders have always sought to impose rituals of loyalty,
civics lessons and other forms of patriotic observance. In that
tradition, George W. Bush has tried to define opposition to his war
policy as unpatriotic. His first response to 9/11 included the
declaration that “either you are with us or you are with the
terrorists,” a comment aimed not only at leaders of other nations but
at domestic critics as well. (The misnamed Patriot Act was clearly
designed to stigmatize dissent.) And the buildup to the Iraq invasion
was framed by endless miles of star-spangled bunting and the continuous
looping of “God Bless America.”
This
post-9/11 patriotic fervor has revitalized the conventional wisdom that
love of country is synonymous with conservatism. Conservatives, we are
told, wave the flag. Or wear it on their lapels. Leftists, by contrast,
only scorn it. Or burn it. Since the Vietnam War era, many liberals and
progressives have been uncomfortable about patriotism. They equate it
with jingoism and militarism. They have been reluctant to wave the
flag. They weren't sure it was theirs. And George W. Bush's brand of
blind “my country right or wrong” jingoism has, on this Fourth of July,
only deepened the dilemma.
(more)
Blog For Iowa 
As I read this very well crafted article I began to wonder about the “other”. Those on the left and right that paint opponents as something less than human and how this effects this patriotic non issue. I have not flown my flag since January 21, 2001, and then only upside down and at half staff. I consider this an illegal administration, that does not represent the majority of the American people. On this Independence Day, I think it is more an expression of our love of country to endevor for the decisive end the current administration in any way under law. And how do we do that? We do it the same way those citizens that awful winter of Valley Forge did it, you get up every day and do your duty. Remember that when Washington led the Army to winter there, they were disorganized, worn down and staring at a doomed cause. They came out of winter camp a trained Army by the efforts of the Europeans who trained them. To borrow a thought attributed to Lincoln: Let us have faith that right is might and in that faith let us TO THE END DARE AND DO OUR DUTY. [emphasis mine]
mark
carlisle, iowa
LikeLike