Quote: Martlet, if you are serving then good job, and I don't include those who are or have served in Iraq in that "us" (such as JCBullen). This was aimed squarely at those on the board who would intone that by being staunch Republicans they should automatically be included in the same breath with those who are or were serving in the current conflict. I did my time in the Service as well, but I would never take it upon myself to say that I'm out there defending freedom (as our troops are doing), as the poster Kevin posted appears to do. I am just SICK & TIRED of the opinion around here (as well as by the likes of Coulter or Hannity on FOX), that if you don't like Bush or believe he is doing the right thing, that in the same breath you are traiterous, unpatriotic, or aiding and abetting Al-Queda! If I were truly so unpatriotic, I would not have gladly given 6 years of my life to the Navy, nor would have I supported our going into Afghanistan without reserve (a mission I still believe 100% in, although I think we've allowed Iraq to divert our attention from building up a stable democratic government in that country, or bringing Bin Laden to justice, 5 years on, not to mention hamstringing our ability to confront Iran and N. Korea). I love this country, warts and all, and I just don't believe that supporting a politician or party goes hand in hand with being Patriotic, and if I recall, several of our forefathers warned us extensively against those who seem overly patriotic!
There's nothing wrong with being patriotic. I'm not sure what you mean by "overly patriotic".
You don't have to agree with everything this administration does, either. I don't think anyone (who actually follows politics) can honestly say they believe in every decision made by a President. I also don't think most people believe that disagreeing with the President on Iraq means you are unpatriotic. I think it's what you do with those beliefs that matters. I'll elaborate.
If you don't agree with the reasons for the war, that's fine. If you protest the war, that's fine. If you protest carrying a sign that likens Bush to Hitler or call soldiers terrorists, that's pretty over the top. If you protest with people who are carrying that sign you're grouping yourself in with that crowd. The enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend. If you constantly look for news, or slant existing news, to shine a bad light on our accomplishments there, that's over the top.
If you're over the top, you're coming close to presenting yourself as unpatriotic. If you're way over the top, you're already there.
That's the reason liberals get labeled as unpatriotic so often. They all aren't. The vast majority of them aren't. However, they allow the vocal minority to stand under their umbrella. Since that nutjob minority is the loudest, that's the image the party portrays.
You could turn that around, change liberal to conservative, and make the same argument. It's just not as extreme right now because the lightening rod just happens to be a Republican.
