"So, I switched my alarm clock to come on to a different radio station. This morning, to wake me up, comes blaring across my radio, 'I pledge allegiance... blah blah blah'. I mean, how annoying can you get? A bunch a kids rambling off that old-fashioned stuff. Do kids even say that garbage any more? How annoying! You can bet I'll be switching the station again tonight!"
Excuse Me???? It took everything in me not to blow my top right there and then. I simply said, "I like hearing the pledge of allegiance, and I don't think it's old fashioned, and if kids are not saying it anymore, than it's a real shame."
Tomorrow, I'm taking a big American flag poster to put up at my desk. Who knows? Maybe I'll stand and salute and say the pledge every hour just to drive home my point. Well, okay.... maybe that wouldn't be the best way to handle it!!!
And to think.... the day after Sept. 11 even! Shameful!
5 comments:
Yes! Yes! Be patriotic! That's a good idea. Let Freedom Ring! Though, in my humble opinion it's good to reflect about what true, healthy American patriotism is all the same, and not confuse it with nationalism or a civil religion.
The widely acknowledged father of conservatism, the Irish-born British statesmen Edmund Burke, adored the nation. Burke however insisted upon seeing it — in vivid contrast to the centralizing nationalists in his day — as a community of communities, as one built upon a diversity of what he called "the smaller patriotisms" such as family, church fellowship, neighborhood, and voluntary civic associations. He praised the "small platoons" because they are what make a nation beautiful and create a healthy vibrant civil society. Scoffing at the nationalists of his day, Burke objected to an imposed faux patriotism (i.e. nationalism), and quite naturally sympathized with Americans colonials in their bid for independence.
"To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely."
—Edmund Burke
It is very good to make the distinction between patriotism (loving one's country and promoting its well-being within Biblical parameters) and chauvinistic nationalism ("my country, right or wrong").
"Patriotism, not nationalism is the ideal attachment."
—Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn
When I was contributing to an online encyclopedia article related to conservatism, I duly noted that among Americans, "one must be an Ohioan, Texan or Virginian as surely they are an American." How can we love our nation if we don't love our community and region, while seeking its betterment? (In other words, our esteem for the local and provincial and our regional cultural distinctives is what separates us Americans from Nazis. It's what makes us Americans. :-)
So, there is no shame in opting to hang your state flag as high (or in place of) Old Glory, or getting a Lonestar flag decorative bedspread instead of one with the Stars and Stripes. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both spoke of their respective states as their "country."
FYI I was an overread pre-law, political science student, hence my big mouth.
Not enough patriotism going around these days... it's discouraging!
Here's one for you that might help though.
Glad to know ya. Come on by sometime!
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb...
I like the Pledge of Allefiance too....the Lord is returning soon.
Not enough patriotism going around these days... it's discouraging!
I miss Ronald Reagan... **sigh**
He gave Americans a reason to hold their head up high, rather than cow to communism like the Democrats. Reagan was a patriot.
And yes Bill, we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." We of faith should be thankful for our Heavenly citizenship.
Ryan, I like and affirm your comments about patriotism here particularly in regard to "the smaller patriotisms".
Kristi, I think it is a shame when people tear down their country for the sake of tearing it down. There's a time and great need for constructive criticism. But I don't like it either when people can't see the good in our country.
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