>Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 21:48:54 -0500 >To: >From: Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Flagwaving Blues > >I have little use for those who wear their patriotism on their buttonholes, >or their piety on their necks or their foreheads. But I won't get in the >way of those who wish to do just that. It is their prerogative, and it is >their choice. > > >Similarly for flagwaving. > > >Flagwaving , like other forms of similar demonstrations, IS a form of >speech. Not everyone is articulate enough, or have the opportunity to vent >their feelings about love of country thru verbalizations, or thru writings. >To them flagwaving is a legitimate and valid form of communicating how they >feel. NOTHING wrong with that. I respect that. > > >What I have NO respect for is when flagwaving or absence thereof is used as >a yardstick to judge somebody's patriotism. If I don't go waving it, and I >am automatically deemed unpatriotic because of it, is what I reject. > > >Why? > > >Simple. Anyone can wave a flag to demonstrate one's love of country. But >even an out and out charlatan, or a true traitor can do just that--and pass >off as the genuine stuff. While a genuine patriot could be accused of being >unpatriotic for not waving a flag. > > >It is NOT a valid yardstick. > > >Similarly for the outward demonstrations of religious faith. It is >something that is abused much more often than flagwaving. I know many, >first hand, who go about sporting their piety, while their true selves are >far less than nominally respectable. > > >Ultimately it boils down to this: We can fool the whole wide world. But we >cannot fool ourselves, unless we choose to do just that. > >cm
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