"I'm proud of my country, I support the war, and if you don't, you should be quiet."
This is the neo-conservative viewpoint that passes for patriotism in the United States these days. The above is not a quote from the piece; this is:
It should not matter now, if you want this war. The fact is we have it. It is here. I would like to impress upon all of you the importance now, of supporting our fellow men and women, who are fighting. I wou ld [sic] like to impress upon all of you the importance now, of supporting our country.
I've said many times that I wish our troops no ill will. I hope none of them die. But I wish that they weren't in a position that had them facing death. My government has put them there in error, and for me to not say so is to lend that error my implicit approval, and to betray my own beliefs.
I refuse. I won't pretend I agree when I don't, or that I support when I don't. And don't you dare imply that that makes me unpatriotic. All the good that comes in this country comes as a result of protest, anger, and dissent. Campaign finance reform, equal rights, and the exposure of every damn governmental evil in history would never have happened if people listened when they were told they should "support our government." Our country was built around the ideal that the common man ought to have his views heard; not only that no one should be able to tell him when to be silent, but that has an obligation to speak up, of his own accord.
You vainly tell me to be silent? You, my friend, are more unpatriotic than I.
Posted by slade at March 21, 2003 12:02 AM