-Caveat Lector- http://toogoodreports.com/column/general/shelton/20020102.htm
The Misplaced Passions Of Our Misguided Patriotism By Lee R. Shelton IV Toogood Reports [Wednesday, January 2, 2002; 12:01 a.m. EST] URL: http://ToogoodReports.com/ What is patriotism? If you subscribe to the dictionary definition of the word you would say that patriotism is the love for or the devotion to one's country. If, however, you subscribe to the prevailing post-9/ 11 definition you would say that patriotism is the blind, unquestioning devotion to one's national government. There is, as you might guess, a huge difference. This redefining of patriotism has been evident across the entire political spectrum. "Conservatives," who have made a living voicing their opposition to big government yet have failed to do anything about it, have climbed aboard the patriotic bandwagon and have stated their unwavering support of President Bush's methods in his war on terrorism. "Liberals," who have enjoyed demonizing the military except when their boy Clinton was in office, are now waving flags along with their "conservative" brethren and are even joining in choruses of "God Bless America." The average American can also show his or her patriotism by proudly displaying Old Glory in virtually every venue imaginable. The flag of our federal government can be seen unfurled on T-shirts, jackets, socks, lapel pins, football helmets, stocking caps, coffee mugs, serving trays, napkins, towels, ball point pens, bumper stickers...the list is endless. By flying the flag they are sending Washington a message: "We're behind you! We support you 110%! Go get 'em!" That's all well and good. If what happened on September 11 was an act of war, Congress should declare war and see to it that the threat against our national security is eliminated. But what we have now is not technically a war. Ever since 1941, declaring war has been viewed as a mere formality, something we can avoid by sidestepping the Constitution and allowing the president to have unilateral control of the military. I suppose waiting for Congress to declare war only gets in the way of the Commander in Chief´s ability to do what we elected him to do. We have forgotten that our government needs constitutional restraints and have come to the conclusion that to limit government in times of crisis is unpatriotic. We have decided that our immediate albeit temporary safety is worth sacrificing a little liberty. You want military tribunals without a declaration of war and with no congressional oversight? You got it! You want a new government bureaucracy created to mandate strategies for local law enforcement? No problem! You want the federal government to take over airport security despite its inability to protect our borders? Consider it done! Our leaders in Washington are hoping that we are so embroiled in our patriotism that we will go along with their efforts to assume more power than they were ever meant to have. Many Americans are so blinded by their "neo-patriotism" that just about anything short of an outright ban on the freedom of speech will be tolerated. And I cannot even say that with complete confidence. Politicians would have you believe that the true patriots are those concentrating on our current undeclared war and are devoted to avenging the deaths of thousands of Americans. In their minds, true patriots do not question authority when Congress and the president are trying to do their jobs. We´re at war. How dare anyone second- guess the intentions of the ruling class! Unfortunately, too many people have forgotten what a true patriot is. True patriots are those who are still devoted to upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States and the principles that built this nation. True patriots understand that limitations have been placed on the federal government for a reason, and that without those limitations we are no better than the tyrannical regimes we claim to abhor. True patriots know that Uncle Sam poses a bigger threat to our freedoms than Uncle Osama. Whether you believe we are engaged in a just war or not, the fact remains that our government has historically capitalized on crises in order to pry liberty from the hands of the very citizens whose rights it has sworn to protect. A true patriot would not cave in to the pressure to exchange liberty for safety. A true patriot would remain wary of every move the government made and would scrutinize the government's actions in light of the Constitution. Irish statesman John Philpot Curran once said, "The condition upon which G-d hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." I can't help but wonder, are there any true patriots left in America? NOTICE TO WRITERS: To obtain required information prior to submitting your essay to Toogood Reports for publication send for “Commentary Submissions” guidelines. Nonconforming submissions will not be considered for publication. January 2, 2002 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Toogood Reports contributor Lee Shelton is a freelance writer residing in Minneapolis, MN with his wife, Dawn. He describes his politics as "Paleo- Conservatarian" — a conservative sociopolitical philosophy with libertarian leanings, tempering both with Biblical and constitutional principles, and advocating a return to the federalist ideals of our forefathers. Visit Lee's personal website or e-Mail him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Copyright 1999, 2000 by Toogood Reports. 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