The Marketplace
Deborah Blue of Oneonta joined the marketplace of ideas regarding Tom Sears’ column by commenting on the two letters posted yesterday and provided additional insight on the subject of patriotism. She wrote:
“What a wonderful contrast of letters May 20 _ one thanking Tom Sears for putting the ‘truth-hating, blame America first, liberal creeps’ in their place; the other with quotations on what patriotism is.
“Being a liberal creep, I have some more thoughts on patriotism to offer.
“Thomas Paine said, ‘It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from the government.’
“‘Dissent is the highest form of patriotism’ _ Thomas Jefferson
“From James Baldwin: ‘I love America more than any other country in the world, and exactly for that reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.’
“Very appropriate now, from Henry Steele Commager: ‘Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will equate their policies with patriotism, and call criticism subversive.’
‘“No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots’ _ Barbara Ehrenreich.
“And from Sinclair Lewis: ‘When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross.’
“This seems especially apt, considering the Bush family’s ties with Nazi Germany that resulted in Bush’s grandfather being implicated with trading with the enemy, and a recent lawsuit by Holocaust survivors against them.
“Our government, whoever the ‘current occupant’ is, is not our country. Government is a servant, to be hired and let go as necessary. It is long past time to let the Bush administration go, and any others who share its ideas. This administration was wrong to invade Iraq, wrong to deny that climate change was happening, wrong to try to concentrate wealth at the top.
“As a proud ‘liberal creep,’ I invite others to join the Liberal Creep Club. Speak out. Celebrate patriotism by keeping our government honest and moral.”
“What a wonderful contrast of letters May 20 _ one thanking Tom Sears for putting the ‘truth-hating, blame America first, liberal creeps’ in their place; the other with quotations on what patriotism is.
“Being a liberal creep, I have some more thoughts on patriotism to offer.
“Thomas Paine said, ‘It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from the government.’
“‘Dissent is the highest form of patriotism’ _ Thomas Jefferson
“From James Baldwin: ‘I love America more than any other country in the world, and exactly for that reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.’
“Very appropriate now, from Henry Steele Commager: ‘Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will equate their policies with patriotism, and call criticism subversive.’
‘“No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots’ _ Barbara Ehrenreich.
“And from Sinclair Lewis: ‘When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross.’
“This seems especially apt, considering the Bush family’s ties with Nazi Germany that resulted in Bush’s grandfather being implicated with trading with the enemy, and a recent lawsuit by Holocaust survivors against them.
“Our government, whoever the ‘current occupant’ is, is not our country. Government is a servant, to be hired and let go as necessary. It is long past time to let the Bush administration go, and any others who share its ideas. This administration was wrong to invade Iraq, wrong to deny that climate change was happening, wrong to try to concentrate wealth at the top.
“As a proud ‘liberal creep,’ I invite others to join the Liberal Creep Club. Speak out. Celebrate patriotism by keeping our government honest and moral.”
posted by Jim O'Leary | 12:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home