No. You do not need to agree with my beliefs in order to be ‘patriotic.’ IMO patriotism is not an outside absolute, but an internal feeling. For me, that is a feeling of confidence, respect, reverence, pride for the inherent goodness of our citizenry and the nation we have created. A nation to be cherished, nurtured and constantly encouraged to be ‘a more perfect union.’

I accept your analogy, but conversely doesn’t the same apply to seeing our nation from only the most negative perspective? Anything in the extreme has the potential to be dangerous. Both ends of the spectrum risk radicalization.

I am speaking in the most general of terms, and of course, there are exceptions to my characterizations, which I acknowledge. You may not need to believe that your family is empirically the greatest, but your love for you family must be unconditional. You must believe it is inherently good in order to sustain and maintain healthy, loving relationships that continue to deepen and grow. Otherwise, the family becomes conflicted and estranged.

Can you really deny that our democracy provides the greatest
opportunities for freedom, justice, achievement and prosperity?

Also, I think you confuse exceptionalism with superiority.

We are exceptional due to our unique national credo: the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, our historical evolution and distinctive political institutions.

I am not ignorant of faults committed by our government.

My point is that there should be a balance that in my opinion seems to be missing on the left and from the Obamas.

For example, I can acknowledge that going into Iraq was a poorly planned and executed, a mistake, but I can also make the case that our courageous and capable military can overcome the challenges and obstacles they face and achieve success: a free, stable, self-governing Iraq that can defend itself from terrorists and insurgents.

I can be against the war, but acknowledge progress due to the hard work, intelligence and creativity and integrity of our military generals.

I can agree with parts of your argument and disagree with others without resorting to fear-mongering and hateful rhetoric.

I thank you for your thoughtful post and I have enjoyed this opportunity to share my opinion with you.

Your remarks about American exceptionalism struck me. Does one have to agree with them to be considered patriotic by you? I have been thinking of two analogies that illustrate, to me, why belief in American exceptionalism is unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

The first analogy is to my family. I dearly love my family, including the immediate relatives, extended family, and in-laws. They’re very supportive and loving. Yet I’d never describe them as “the most free, most just, most innovative, most prosperous and generous [family] the world has ever known.” If I made such a statement, most people would find it ridiculous. Why? Because there are many great families out there, and because my family has their share of faults. I don’t have to believe we’re the greatest family in the world to love them deeply, or be very grateful for them, or have no desire to be a part of any other family.

The second analogy is to religious cults. Those who have studied cults document that many believe in their exceptionalism. They convince their followers that they alone know the truth and practice the truth. This is one of the beliefs that make cults so dangerous, because it isolates their members from the outside, “inferior” world, and makes it very hard for members to view the group objectively.

D. obviously you were not there, or you would know that she did talk about service members dying. She talks about them quite often.

Also, with regards to your question about who is more patriotic, our servicemen or Michelle Obama — this is not the patriotism olympics. We do not measure patriotism or compare it among ourselves. There are no scorecards for patriotism. Either a person is a patriot, or they are not. Michelle Obama is a patriot, and so is every single person serving in our armed forces. To use their service to tear down another person, any person, is extremely disrespectful.

Frankly, I will do all I can to avoid that scenario.

Here’s the answer to why Obama won’t sit down with Petraeus or hasn’t gone to Iraq until it became politically expedient for him to do so: because he was “against the war from the start.”

Whatever that means.

What will be interesting is how if there are increased American casualties from the Obama surrender, how they will be blamed on Bush.

Obscure to you, perhaps… Not to me. Our homicide rate here in Oakland for 2008 now stands at 55… and we’re only halfway through the year…. and haven’t hit summer yet. It’s not at all obscure to me.

Obama is running for president, and if he wants to win this election (his victory is not assured), he will need to persuade undecided, swing voters, not the already committed supporters like yourself.

For example, IMO, it is important for politicians – especially those ‘running to be Commander in Chief – to visit war theatres like Iraq and Afghanistan if only to show support and respect for the troops serving there. Obama probably should have visited Iraq more than once for this reason alone.

Obama appears to have confirmed last night, at a press avail on a flight from Denver to Chicago, that he never made the effort to meet privately with General Petraeus at any point during his trips to Washington.

Senator Obama had the opportunity to receive a private, unvarnished briefing from the man responsible for directing what is unquestionably the country’s most consequential military operation in decades, and it appears he never sought such a meeting.

Given that the left routinely criticizes Bush for stubbornly resisting to change strategy in Iraq, it would only help Obama to show his willingness to become fully informed rather than trying to deflect criticism as yet another ‘distraction.’

I believe in Obama, and have since I saw him speak at the Democratic Convention in 2004. I remember saying to my family as we sat and watched him speak “Oh my god! This is a once in a life time poliician! I’m so glad he’s one of us!”

And I’m so glad he made the decision to run for president.

Not since JFK have I felt so good about a candidate.

GOBAMA!

I’m talking about Obama . . . He, Obama, is the one who is “disappointing.”

Seriously… WTF is this?

“As I have traveled this country, I’ve been impressed not by what divides us, but by all that that unites us… That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger’s divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn’t reflect the country I see or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause.”

Clintons stir up this “the black guy can’t get white votes” and this #@$% talks about people who have supported his narrow azz for years “divisive”!!!

What was that word… Yeah! UNACCEPTABLE!!!

Hell, it’s been said here.

You say “blame your friends for the soldiers dying in Iraq.” But Rikyrah says, “stepping out into the unknown everyday, knowing that all it takes is just one nut. One crazy person.”

That’s what the soldiers face in Iraq every day-the proverbial “one crazy person.” Yet they don’t merit a mention by liberals because they don’t agree with the war. They prefer to tell the soldiers “fuck you” while they’re still fighting.

Really, what’s the difference?

And I’ll apologize for suggesting kids dying was an “obscure reference.” I’m removed from those environments now, but it was wrong of me to reduce the matter to insignificance.

I have three sons raised in the public school system and I would disagree with your assertion that “In this academic and political environment it is impossible to ignore what is vile in our history.” There is still a lot of ignorance masquerading as knowledge.

And no, I don’t think Obama needs to state it more — I hear that you want it stated more, but I am quite happy with the statements he has made.

rikyrah, thank you for this. I wrote my take on dawn’s remarks as well. And I stole your picture:

Be Not Afraid

In this academic and political environment it is impossible to ignore what is vile in our history.

It is the dominant theme of liberal, progressive, Democrat ideology.

I also stated that I acknowledge and except the bad as well as the good, but I will not allow my overarching view of this country to be predominantly negative.

Whatever reason soldiers have for enlisting, the requirement of ‘the job’ is the same for all: a willing commitment to put one’s life on the line for one’s country. they all deserve our respect and gratitude.

And frankly, I am more concerned with Obama’s promises and policies with re: ti Iraq and Iran, his plans to raise taxes and increase the size and scope of the federal government.

I believe 80 something % of Americans polled said they didn’t like the direction this country is headed this dissatisfaction is not exlusive of the people you failed to mention.

As far as the soldiers and their mention in speeches, I’m sure they would rather have that GI Bill passed than lip service and thank yous for serving but fuck you when you get home.

He needs to say it more.

::

That’s some serious inanity.

You don’t have to live in Chicago to know about kids dying in the streets. Or in schools. Kids die in the streets in all urban communities in this nation and a whole lot of suburban and rural ones as well.

Kids also die in the streets in Iraq. In Amsterdam. In Berlin and Prague and St. Petersburg and Sydney. In Rio and Johannesburg and Istanbul and Tokyo.

People who see the world only through the lens of the military are seriously fucked up.