Well, it was rather subtly (or not so much so) pointed out that I have missed three of these, so without further ado…

Patriotism. Discuss.

The American Heritage dictionary describes Patriotism as Love of and devotion to one’s country.

That being said, I think I’m more patriotic than most “flag wavers” out there.

Why? Because I love my country so much I want it to be a better place. Because I am not satisfied with the status quo. Because when I see us doing something that I know is wrong, I say something. Because as the years go by my eyes open a little wider every year. Because I see the comments of the “patriots.” I see the coldness in them. The condescension. The righteous indignation. The smarmy attitude that says “My country can do no wrong. Things are different now.” I see all that, and I fear for the future.

I love my country. I love the opportunities and the freedoms it has given to me. I love the land, and the people. The diversity. I love the fact that we have done so much in such a short amount of time. I love the fact that we are the upstarts of the world. The people who stood up and said “We aren’t going to be like you anymore. We’re going to be different. We are going to make a country were all people are free. We hold these truths to be self-evident…”

But I honestly think we are imploding. I believe that. It’s not some kind of party line, left wing, “get the republicans” out rhetoric. This country is falling apart, and it’s not because we took God out of the schools, and it’s not because of the “liberal media,” and it’s not because of the violence in Hollywood. It’s because we don’t care about anything except ourselves. The “humanitarian” efforts that we take are always associated with the bottom line. What’s the net worth to us, in dollars or political favors? When instead the question should be “what is the net worth to our humanity?”

No, Mr. President, I do not accept that you had “darn good” intelligence. No, I think you’re full of shit when you try and differentiate between Niger and Africa. No, I do not accept your intentions as true.

And I am a patriot.