Letters, 7/4: Defining patriotism
Patriotism is an emotionally packed subject and it should be. This is especially true during war and other national crises. During war, some define patriotism only in terms of supporting that war — if you don’t support the war you are seen as unpatriotic.
During the early stages of this war, upward of 70 percent supported it, and now only a minority do. Does this mean that people have become less patriotic? Surely not. It just means that patriotism must be more fully and carefully defined. It must go beyond mere lock-step with wherever a government takes us at the moment.
To get us onto a rational level of discussion, I turned to my dictionary, which defined patriotism as “love and loyalty to one’s own country.” Thus, a patriot upholds the values of the founding documents — the freedoms and rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. This certainly necessitates citizen participation. It means being informed and active in public life.
Love for country certainly means a love for the people, caring about the well-being of others, that they have opportunities for meaningful work at a living wage.
It is patriotic to care about quality education for all people, rich or poor, rural and inner city. This implies a willingness to adequately fund such education, and for some it means volunteer work.
It is patriotic to work for good health for all, which begins with safe water and pure air. It would include safety assurances of our food. And then access to quality health care for people regardless of income.
It means seeking just treatment of all before the law. A person’s color, ethnic origins, sex or economic status should not be a hindrance to just treatment. All must be able to feel secure. That can include being a part of a neighborhood watch program or a civil rights organization. It means ensuring that everyone’s voice and vote is heard, standing up for the rights of the weak and neglected. It means seeking public safety while ensuring personal freedoms.
There is undoubtedly much more to loving one’s own people, and we need to consider where this leads us.
The challenge of patriotism is the challenge of love to the people, the land and the ideals of freedom and justice for all. It is putting this into practice in our daily lives.
Jay E. Schmidt, Lincoln
Banner of freedom
For 232 years the flag of the United States has been the banner of hope and freedom for generations of Americans. The flag is a symbol of a country that has grown from a small group of 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 states.
Men and women have followed the flag into battle with unwavering courage. Thousands lost their lives, and thousands more shed their blood for the U.S. flag so the rest of us could continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The flag is not just a piece of cloth fluttering in the breeze. It represents the soul and life of our country. It is a symbol of liberty, decency, loyalty and freedom for everyone.
Yet, today, there are many who show very little respect for Old Glory.
While people are viewing a parade, many do not stand and salute the flag as it passes by. The flag has been spat upon, trampled, burned in disgrace and even used as a piece of clothing!
On this Independence Day, proudly display this Red, White and Blue. Teach the children about the flag and the respect it deserves.
Helen R. Kottas, Crete
A solemn reminder
Gosh, it’s only the First of July! All around me — north and south — fireworks are flashing, bombs are bursting in air, and dads are watching their offspring celebrate. It doesn’t get any better’n than that!
Our little experiment — a government of, by and for the people — seems to have made a difference! Knowing more than a bit about it, I’m astonished that it has endured — and deeply grateful that it has. Again, it doesn’t get any better’n than that!
For every “starburst” that explodes, every “rocket” that thrills, every “Cat-5” that stuns, every “whistler” that shrieks, there are at least 35 veterans who die, a thousand who suffer from traumatic brain injury, another thousand who wander homeless, and countless others who are anxious and aimless.
Enough! The Fourth of July is an auspicious and momentous celebration, but it is also the solemn reminder of our nation’s overriding commitment to peace and prosperity for us and our children, and for those who yearn for freedom wherever they live.
’Twixt the first and the fourth, think again of the promise and the possibility. And ponder the burden that such promise demands from each of us. Only then can you light the fuse on the fireworks.
Daniel J. Davis Sr., Lincoln
Made in China
So there I was Sunday, waiting in the checkout line at the Walgreens when one of those small “impulse buy” merchandise displays caught my attention.
There, just in time for July 4 and on the eve of the Olympics, was a basket of American flag-embroidered red, white and blue wristbands, something that anyone could wear to signify their pride in home and country.
And there on each patriotic wristband was a large sticker boldly proclaiming “Made In China.”
I picked up one of the wristbands and held it out to the young store manager standing a few feet away. “I’m not sure you’re going to sell many of these,” I told her with a somewhat straight face.
“Why’s that?” she asked.
“You don’t see anything wrong with patriotic gear made in China?”
She now looked at me as if I were clueless. “Everything’s made in China!” she stated matter-of-factly.
“Of course,” I said turning toward the door. “Including patriotism, too, I see.”
Troy D. Larsen, Lincoln
During the early stages of this war, upward of 70 percent supported it, and now only a minority do. Does this mean that people have become less patriotic? Surely not. It just means that patriotism must be more fully and carefully defined. It must go beyond mere lock-step with wherever a government takes us at the moment.
To get us onto a rational level of discussion, I turned to my dictionary, which defined patriotism as “love and loyalty to one’s own country.” Thus, a patriot upholds the values of the founding documents — the freedoms and rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. This certainly necessitates citizen participation. It means being informed and active in public life.
Love for country certainly means a love for the people, caring about the well-being of others, that they have opportunities for meaningful work at a living wage.
It is patriotic to care about quality education for all people, rich or poor, rural and inner city. This implies a willingness to adequately fund such education, and for some it means volunteer work.
It is patriotic to work for good health for all, which begins with safe water and pure air. It would include safety assurances of our food. And then access to quality health care for people regardless of income.
It means seeking just treatment of all before the law. A person’s color, ethnic origins, sex or economic status should not be a hindrance to just treatment. All must be able to feel secure. That can include being a part of a neighborhood watch program or a civil rights organization. It means ensuring that everyone’s voice and vote is heard, standing up for the rights of the weak and neglected. It means seeking public safety while ensuring personal freedoms.
There is undoubtedly much more to loving one’s own people, and we need to consider where this leads us.
The challenge of patriotism is the challenge of love to the people, the land and the ideals of freedom and justice for all. It is putting this into practice in our daily lives.
Jay E. Schmidt, Lincoln
Banner of freedom
For 232 years the flag of the United States has been the banner of hope and freedom for generations of Americans. The flag is a symbol of a country that has grown from a small group of 13 colonies to a united nation of 50 states.
Men and women have followed the flag into battle with unwavering courage. Thousands lost their lives, and thousands more shed their blood for the U.S. flag so the rest of us could continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The flag is not just a piece of cloth fluttering in the breeze. It represents the soul and life of our country. It is a symbol of liberty, decency, loyalty and freedom for everyone.
Yet, today, there are many who show very little respect for Old Glory.
While people are viewing a parade, many do not stand and salute the flag as it passes by. The flag has been spat upon, trampled, burned in disgrace and even used as a piece of clothing!
On this Independence Day, proudly display this Red, White and Blue. Teach the children about the flag and the respect it deserves.
Helen R. Kottas, Crete
A solemn reminder
Gosh, it’s only the First of July! All around me — north and south — fireworks are flashing, bombs are bursting in air, and dads are watching their offspring celebrate. It doesn’t get any better’n than that!
Our little experiment — a government of, by and for the people — seems to have made a difference! Knowing more than a bit about it, I’m astonished that it has endured — and deeply grateful that it has. Again, it doesn’t get any better’n than that!
For every “starburst” that explodes, every “rocket” that thrills, every “Cat-5” that stuns, every “whistler” that shrieks, there are at least 35 veterans who die, a thousand who suffer from traumatic brain injury, another thousand who wander homeless, and countless others who are anxious and aimless.
Enough! The Fourth of July is an auspicious and momentous celebration, but it is also the solemn reminder of our nation’s overriding commitment to peace and prosperity for us and our children, and for those who yearn for freedom wherever they live.
’Twixt the first and the fourth, think again of the promise and the possibility. And ponder the burden that such promise demands from each of us. Only then can you light the fuse on the fireworks.
Daniel J. Davis Sr., Lincoln
Made in China
So there I was Sunday, waiting in the checkout line at the Walgreens when one of those small “impulse buy” merchandise displays caught my attention.
There, just in time for July 4 and on the eve of the Olympics, was a basket of American flag-embroidered red, white and blue wristbands, something that anyone could wear to signify their pride in home and country.
And there on each patriotic wristband was a large sticker boldly proclaiming “Made In China.”
I picked up one of the wristbands and held it out to the young store manager standing a few feet away. “I’m not sure you’re going to sell many of these,” I told her with a somewhat straight face.
“Why’s that?” she asked.
“You don’t see anything wrong with patriotic gear made in China?”
She now looked at me as if I were clueless. “Everything’s made in China!” she stated matter-of-factly.
“Of course,” I said turning toward the door. “Including patriotism, too, I see.”
Troy D. Larsen, Lincoln
Copyright © 2002-2009 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.