Superpatriotism
Michael Parenti's "Superpatriotism" makes a convincing argument that rabidly militaristic superpatriots "are not admirable at all."
Superpatriots are always ready to follow our national leader without questions, especially when it involves the use of military force. Their faith like devotion becomes fanatical and their battle cry- " America love it or leave it"- makes America the issue. By making our nation the issue, attention and blame is shifted away from what is being perpetuated by the current leadership. Superpatriots claim a monopoly on patriotism and seek to defame dissenters for not loving their country. Parenti concludes: " If the test of patriotism comes only by reflexively falling in lockstep behind the leader, whenever the flag is waved, then what we have is a formula for dictatorship not democracy."
Superpatriots heap praise upon those who serve our country and among them are the chickenhawks, a label which applies to our privileged leaders who are hawkish on war, but avoided military service in Vietnam. Topping the list of chickenhawks are: Bush, Cheney, Karl Rove, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, John Ashcroft, Douglas Feith, Trent Lott, and Tom DeLay. These chickenhawks speak of democracy, freedom, and liberty to justify the invasion of Iraq at a time when all other justifications have been discredited. Chickenhawks are responsible for diabolically promoting the invasion of Iraq using bogus intelligence.
According to Parenti the lack of employment opportunities in civilian life is frequently the compelling reason for enlisting in the military and is called "economic conscription". Every time another young American is killed in Iraq, remember we have been fortunate to have experienced the life they should have had. By using "economic conscription" our privileged leaders are taking advantage of young underprivileged American men and women. Chickenhawks view them as expendable and economic cannon fodder for the military industrial complex.
Superpatriots are always ready to follow our national leader without questions, especially when it involves the use of military force. Their faith like devotion becomes fanatical and their battle cry- " America love it or leave it"- makes America the issue. By making our nation the issue, attention and blame is shifted away from what is being perpetuated by the current leadership. Superpatriots claim a monopoly on patriotism and seek to defame dissenters for not loving their country. Parenti concludes: " If the test of patriotism comes only by reflexively falling in lockstep behind the leader, whenever the flag is waved, then what we have is a formula for dictatorship not democracy."
Superpatriots heap praise upon those who serve our country and among them are the chickenhawks, a label which applies to our privileged leaders who are hawkish on war, but avoided military service in Vietnam. Topping the list of chickenhawks are: Bush, Cheney, Karl Rove, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, John Ashcroft, Douglas Feith, Trent Lott, and Tom DeLay. These chickenhawks speak of democracy, freedom, and liberty to justify the invasion of Iraq at a time when all other justifications have been discredited. Chickenhawks are responsible for diabolically promoting the invasion of Iraq using bogus intelligence.
According to Parenti the lack of employment opportunities in civilian life is frequently the compelling reason for enlisting in the military and is called "economic conscription". Every time another young American is killed in Iraq, remember we have been fortunate to have experienced the life they should have had. By using "economic conscription" our privileged leaders are taking advantage of young underprivileged American men and women. Chickenhawks view them as expendable and economic cannon fodder for the military industrial complex.
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