[atlarge-discuss] Independance day. Another way - America: Love It but Don't Leave It

[Jeff Williams <jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com>]

All fellow members, fellow Americans and all lovers of country(s),

  Here is another one that is worth the reading esecially for
many members here.

See: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=16319

Patriotism is love of country. But love comes in many forms: deep,
permanent and unconditional, as well as superficial, fleeting and with
strings attached. Too often in America, expressions of patriotism seem
to flow from our perceived status as "#1” – in terms of military might,
wealth, freedom, and democracy.

Our leaders remind us in nearly every speech they make that we live in
the "greatest, freest, most just nation on Earth." They remind us so
often, that one can't help but wonder if they really do believe it. 
That is a patriotism borne of fear, confusion and insecurity.

What if America wasn't – or isn't – number one? Would we still love our
country then? Suggest American fallibility, and you may find yourself
labeled a traitor. But how, then, are we to find our way to a better
America, if this superficial, insecure patriotism prevents us from
naming problems that need fixing and traits that need changing?

The solution is to reject false, jingoistic patriotism, and to 
embrace a patriotism based on the unconditional love of one's 
country. Note: that's unconditional love, not unconditional 
approval. Like a parent loves a child, or a child a parent, 
we love our country because it is our country. Period.

Beware: This type of patriotism brings with it much more responsibility
than the kind based on superficial, conditional love. Once you accept
responsibility for your country in the way that a parent does for a
child – or a child for a parent – then you're really committed. When 
your country misbehaves, you can't just roll your eyes as if you 
had nothing to do with it.

Too many on the left have tried to absolve themselves of responsibility
for their country by saying "that's my government, not me." Too many on
the right have tried to erase the responsibility governments have to
represent all the people by saying, "Love it or leave it!"

Perhaps as old political categories such as left and right lose their
relevance, we can aim for a new political unity based on a new kind of
patriotism. Let's leave behind the hollow patriotism which is based on
disdain for and fear of others. Instead, let's define a new 
patriotism – one that expresses our unconditional love for America 
and lives up to our responsibility to our fellow Americans.

Regards,

--
Jeffrey A. Williams
Spokesman for INEGroup LLA. - (Over 131k members/stakeholders strong!)
"Be precise in the use of words and expect precision from others" -
    Pierre Abelard
===============================================================
CEO/DIR. Internet Network Eng. SR. Eng. Network data security
Information Network Eng. Group. INEG. INC.
E-Mail jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com
Contact Number: 214-244-4827 or 214-244-3801

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-unsubscribe@lists.fitug.de
For additional commands, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-help@lists.fitug.de