Whatever happened to patriotism?

I've been reading opinions about the Navy's need for an alternate landing field in Virginia or North Carolina .

[TidewaterLiberta rian]

Whatever happened to patriotism?

This is an excellent question.

I think we have been socialized to be selfish and have a single-minded focus on our own entertainment and pleasure.

As July 4th approaches, I hope we will all be more mindful of the people who sacrifice to protect our freedoms and we will be alert to the politicians who erode them (e.g., domestic snooping and inter-generational borrowing).

[Sweet-e-Pie]

TidewaterLibertarian wrote:

Whatever happened to patriotism?
This is an excellent question.
I think we have been socialized to be selfish and have a single-minded focus on our own entertainment and pleasure.
As July 4th approaches, I hope we will all be more mindful of the people who sacrifice to protect our freedoms and we will be alert to the politicians who erode them (e.g., domestic snooping and inter-generational borrowing).

I think you meant Liberalized not socialized.

[JUDGE DREAD]

Patriotism has been disrespected by the liberal babyboomers and they taught even worse to their own welps. To compound the issue those of us who love our country are slapped in the face repeatedly by both political parties and half the population. Its like being between a rock and a hard place.

[NIKI in NN]

People take their freedom for granted. Thank you to those who make it so that my family can be free. Thank you to the troops and he families that support them. Thank you to the veterans who made it possible to be born in a "free" country.

[SeymourParker]

Sweet-e-Pie wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you meant Liberalized not socialized.

I think TL meant "socialized" in the way that children are socialized by their parents, but your interpretation seems to work too.

[Sweet-e-Pie]

SeymourParker wrote:

<quoted text>
I think TL meant "socialized" in the way that children are socialized by their parents, but your interpretation seems to work too.

Thanks

[Charles]

Not wanting to raise your children near an airbase doesn't make you un-patriotic.
However, not wanting to understand the need for an airbase because it interferes with your enjoyment of your new big screen television might.

Patriotism is expressed in different ways. For instance, I think our military should be provided with whatever is necessary for them to accomplish their many tasks.
And I think those of us who do not serve in the military have obligations too. Our country was founded on several great principles. Our military protects us from other governments/countries just as our Constitution and Bill of Rights protect our liberty.

Today in Congress there will be a vote on Bill H.R.6304 (www.house.gov/) which, among other things, will grant immunity to individuals and corporations who have broken the law and violated the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Here's where we must look out for ourselves and our fellow citizens. If we believe in our founding principles and the rule of law, we need to call our representatives and demand that they vote against H.R.6304. The vote is scheduled around noon today. If you don't know who your representative is you can find out quickly through the link above.

Conversely, if you disagree with my opinion and support Bill H.R.6304, you can call your Representative and encourage him or her to vote for it.

Best regards,

Charles

[okimar]

Sweet-e-Pie wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you meant Liberalized not socialized.

Difference?

[okimar]

Patriotism has devolved into partisanship. With the respective parties claiming to be the "most" patriotic when in truth both are,after their own fashion.

Patriotism like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[BACKATYOU]

SEE THE DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO OR THE LEFTIST AGENDA.PATRIOTISM IS GOING THE WAY OF MORALITY ...OR THE DODO.AMERICA IS FAST BECOMING A MODERN DAY SADDAM AND GAMORA.

[Surry with a fringe]

If you've ever lived around Oceana or Fentress Airfield, you'd understand the concerns. I don't think its unpatriotic to want to live without the roar of jets night and day. I don't think anyone would willingly want them next door. Its one thing to move into an area next to one and then complain but after the fact is a toughy.

[Wake Up]

Most of those that complain about noise came after the base. I think we can disregard that complaint.

My concern is with those of us that believe we must constantly "fight" for freedom. Last time I checked, no one was coming to steal it from us. I have never undeerstood the desire to be loud and powerful. I certainly don't understand the need for "patriotic" Americans to throw the power around the world like some wild west gun-slinger. Oh, BTW, I love my country. I hate its politics.

Just for thought...Einstein once said, "You can't simulaneously prevent and prepare for war."

[Coolmind]

Patriotism is alive, but bush has stomped on it. Dissent is part of patriotism and democracy... Jefferson said it. Bush cheney and his sock puppet have pushed us toward fascism, and have shut down dissent and thought by the populace. Blind "patriotism" is dangerous...that is what HItler used to take Germany

[R Ayer]

Ah Herman - "Patriotism is being brainwashed to support whatever corporate-political war is being waged for purposes that have nothing to do with our security."

Are ya saying that fascists are in control of this country? The "nothing outside of the State and everything for the State" mentality is Fascism - correct?
If so those in control need convincing propaganda to get the regular folks to buy into their Wars for Profit agenda - right? Because regular folks - the ones who actually fight and die - believe they still live in the land of the free and all that. As do their parents and husbands and wives and kids and so on.
So - are ya saying that the major sources of news in the US are paid for and not the "free press" everybody is told?

If I interpreted your statement correctly then ya might have some cause to believe as ya do. Check this - http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php...

If ya haven't already.

For them who doubt I say it's good to doubt. Makes ya think.
Maybe start doubting your very safe at home fearless leaders once in a while - and the news folks who tell ya what their employers want ya to hear.

Who owns NBC and MSNBC for one example? Do they have lucrative - and I mean a couple billion dollars type of lucrative- "defense" contracts or not? What do ya'll think they might focus on?

Mayhap selling more product and "news" that's good for business.

Dicky Cheney's friends at Halliburton and KBR and so on are raking in billions of dollars of regular folks' earnings. Does that make him patriotic since he's supporting US industry?
Hmm - particular corporations is more like it. Halliburton just moved operations to a Middle Eastern country I hear so mayhap things are getting blurred.
Ya’ll are paying the bills so I think ya should form an opinion. And not keep it to yourself.

Anybody looking up "Fascism" soon?

[USA RULES]

Maybe if America was still about freedom and justice people would be patriotic. And don't give me that "try living in Iran" bull. They know no different. It is, however, writen in our histroy books that this country was founded on freedom and it was also the very reason we fought to be free. I have patriotism for America, but not for where it is or where it seems to be heading.

[Florida]

The "NOOSE of LIBERALISM"

The Washington Liberal Elite's of Hate! Cast of Grand Old Elite Opportunism Masters: Biden, Carter, Dodd, Edwards, Gore, Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, Rangel, Wexler, Race Card KKK Chief Architect Robert C. Byrd, and Many More, will enslave Obama's Horse and Command his Chariot.

Washington Liberal Elite's have `Humped' the backs of African-American's for the past 45+ years with empty promises and exploitation for $$$ MONEY $$$, POWER and VOTES...

White Racist Liberal's made back room deals with early civil rights leaders and brokered their block of votes in the mid 60's.

Racism is Nurtured and Protected by the so called 'Liberal Elite's, The Machine and Ignorance behind Racism for $$$ MONEY $$$, POWER and VOTES.

RACIST Liberal Elite's and Black Foremen: The Black Panthers, Farrakhan, Jackson, Nation of Islam, NAACP, Julian Bond, Race Cop Al Sharpton, Reverend wRight, Trojan Priest Michael Pfleger's connection to Catholic Pedophilia and possibly "YOU"...are..." THE TEACHER'S and KEEPER'S OF HATE!"

"RACIST" Liberals would be "OUT OF A JOB," Govt Offices and High Places, if they didn't keep up their "RACIST" causes, Not to mention "GOOD PAYING MILLION $$$ JOBS - SELLING "RACISM and LIES" to You, Getting Rich off the Backs of Poor People, Begging $$$ Money $$$ From Their Enslaved Brood and Paying "NO" Taxes Too!!

It's Obama that needs the "White Votes" and I predict that if Obama is nominated, his "LIBERAL BROOD," will offend more than enough voters by November to lose the election too....

Liberal's don't Defend America, "LIBERAL'S PUNISH AMERICA."

The "POISON of LIBERALISM

[R Ayer]

USA Rules says much in brief. I say he/she/it got it right on most levels. Pith even.

However - despite their State encouraged "patriotic" chants it looks like most Iranians say they like the folks living in the US.
Not too fond of the warmongers been leading the country though.
If folks don't believe me they should look it up. I think Ted Koppel reported on it too.

Some in the US might think the Iranians are strange. Mayhap because regular US folks can't relate to them. After all - most folks here would have been ready to send folks off to war if they heard another country's leader calling them part of "The Axis of Evil".
The Iranians aren't looking to fight us. Neither were the Iraqis and their evil dictator for that matter.

Hiya Florida Aripeka, FL - I gotta say that ya have definitely made an impression and I for one hear what ya say or are repeating.

I've acknowledged ya and others would too except they're more timid types so they might not. And there's not a thing wrong about them keeping their opinions inside so please don't criticize. Be good to yourself and do no harm.

[Hunter of GOR]

Thomas N. Flanary II You are an idiot. Patriotic does not mean having a F18 Superhornet land next to your house. I will bet no one, I said no one wants a jet flying over or next to their house at 10 o'clock at night. It is easy to say let the jets practice somewhere else, but not my house, like you are doing. I have been waken at midnight to come look at a problem on a submarine and aircraft carriers. That is Patriotic. Now the Navy is coming with new jets(F35) and jets still unknown to the public. That will be even louder. So! be quiet about being Patriotic, while you live in your gated neighborhood.

[THJ]

Hunter of GOR wrote:

Thomas N. Flanary II You are an idiot. Patriotic does not mean having a F18 Superhornet land next to your house. I will bet no one, I said no one wants a jet flying over or next to their house at 10 o'clock at night. It is easy to say let the jets practice somewhere else, but not my house, like you are doing. I have been waken at midnight to come look at a problem on a submarine and aircraft carriers. That is Patriotic. Now the Navy is coming with new jets(F35) and jets still unknown to the public. That will be even louder. So! be quiet about being Patriotic, while you live in your gated neighborhood.

If the base was there when you moved in stuff it. You idiots who buy a house next to an airport or air base and then start whining are pathetic.
If you don't like the sound of freedom and security that these military men and women are providing you then move to somewhere where you won't be "offended". How about Siberia? Oh by the way what have you ever contributed to the country. Taking up space and resources doesn't count.

[Say What]

AJB, What a joke this post is. You are the most selfish poster I have read on Topix. You have no charity for anyone. I remember when a poster wrote to ask where to get temporary assistance. She, her husband, and their three children lost their house. Your advice? You shouldn't have had so many kids, and my fave, you shouldn't have bought a house you couldn't afford.

You have accused me of being on the dole, because I am retired military and now teach. Your reply was not to thank me for my service but to belittle me for sucking off the government teat not once but twice (teaching apparently is accepting welfare too) When it comes to single mindedness you are the champ. No matter what teh post, you spin it into your Libertarian, no taxes, no government assistance for anyone for any reason agenda. You do this even when the post isn't related to your agenda.

Now you talk about Patriotism? What a joke. I exercise my 1st Amendment rights too, Dissent is patriotic, but you belittling soldiers, sailors, and airmen for accepting their military retirement is NOT! Perhaps you can walk your talk this 4th of July and "be more mindful of the people who sacrifice to protect our freedoms..."

TidewaterLibertarian wrote:

Whatever happened to patriotism?
This is an excellent question.
I think we have been socialized to be selfish and have a single-minded focus on our own entertainment and pleasure.
As July 4th approaches, I hope we will all be more mindful of the people who sacrifice to protect our freedoms and we will be alert to the politicians who erode them (e.g., domestic snooping and inter-generational borrowing).