Real Patriotism

Lawrence W. Reed, president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, has an excellent essay on The True Meaning of Patriotism:

Patriotism is not blind trust in anything our leaders tell us or do. That’s just stupidity, and it replaces some very lofty concepts about the true meaning of the word with the mindless goose-stepping of cowardly sycophants.

My friends on the pro-war side of the aisle would be wise to heed Mr. Reed’s message. Too many of ya’ll are guilty of full-blown “mindless goose-stepping.” I can, and will, disagree with my President without being a traitor to liberty. Anyone stating otherwise is willfully ignorant of the concept.

For those who need a bit of a primer, my own key points to remember:

• Bumper stickers and flag-waving are not patriotism.
• Cheerleading for a particular war is not patriotism.
• Blind hatred of all things French is not patriotism.
• Childish boycotts of French products does not equal patriotism.
• Screaming “traitor” at those who disagree with a particular war is not patriotism.
• Disagreement with a particular war is not “siding with the enemy.”
• Agreement with the President is not patriotism.
• Disagreement with the President is not treason.
• Dissent is not treason.
• Nationalism is not patriotism.
• Nationalism is not patriotism.
• Nationalism is not patriotism.
• Nationalism is not patriotism.