With all the chat out here lately, it led me to think about what this means to you. Not talking about your team winning the Superbowl either. Living in this country, it means various things to me. What does it mean to you? Do you consider yourself a patriot? Is it important to be a patriot?
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
Interesting question to say the least.
Im going to try to keep this simple.
I see a Patriot as an individual who is actively involved in doing what they believe is best for the country regardless of how it may effect them as an individual.
Im not going to make a list of those things because there isn't enough space here to list them all. They change with times and situations.
I also see being a Patriot as a responsibilty, not a choice. You either are one or you are not doing your share and may not deserve the benefit you reap from living in the USA.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
The only thing I'd add to logs' definition of a patriot is that a patriot should be willing to stand up and say so if he thinks his country is heading down the wrong path. Blind faith in the leadership is NOT(in my opinion) patriotism.
Im not going to make a list of those things because there isn't enough space here to list them all. They change with times and situations.
Well put logs. Let me ask you based on your comment, do you think that the founding fathers were patriots?
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I also see being a Patriot as a responsibilty, not a choice. You either are one or you are not doing your share and may not deserve the benefit you reap from living in the USA.
Couldn't agree more. Very well said.
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
Matt, Yes, standing up for what you think is right and best for the country may not be popular but you may still be a patriot. It all depends on how you go about it and like John Bear states, if your side wins. If you lose it does not make you less of a patriot, just that history will be writen by the other guys, from their perspective.
Badshotbob, They were patriot to the new world, not to England. Many of them risked what they had for the betterment of this country and fortunately they were on the winning side. The actions of our Founding Fathers had a positive effect around the world. It was truely the first free country with all men being equal at that time. Don't try telling that to Blacks or woman but for it's time in history it was revolutionary yet not totally fair..
Remember..
One can not over look the motive of the individual. There in is where it is determined if the individual was doing what was best for their country or theirselves. Do people, sometimes famous ones, use political or national issues to direct the light onto themselves? When doing that are they patriots? I don't think so. Just because someone stands in a church and preaches, does not mean that they are spreading the word of God.
Sometimes it is obvious and other time very difficult to see what an individual has in mind at the time of their actions. Like the Shaddow said, no one knows whats in the hearts of man, except the Shadow.
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Now you have to picture a combination of PeeWEE Herman and Wally Cox but with less muscle tone, trying to be intimidating None of this is funny! Message edited by Cougar Mag -- 1/7/2005 1:16:42 AM >/b]
Most all these answers have been very good definitions of what a patriot is!
To answer the question of Timothy McVeigh's patriotism, NO!
No way, NO how, was he a patriot! He was a criminal and a murderer!
We still live in a civil society, we are not at war with our own government!
I hope to God that that day never comes, but I understand that true Patriots may someday be considered criminals!
Even in a hypothetical time like this, what McVeigh did was still a criminal act, a terrorist act! He targeted civilians, plain and simple! Patriots would not target civilians!
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Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty or Safety!
Ben Franklin
I LOVE my country, I FEAR my government!
If your mother was an abortion proponent, would you be reading this right now?
Someone who flies the flag year round with pride, not just when tradgedy strikes. Someone who is willing to die for the rights of others. Someone who tells the truth regardless of the outcome. These are some of my thoughts on patriotism.
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What does it mean to you to be a Patriot?
