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Saturday, May 17, 2008 --- 69 days ago http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lulu-mickelson/redefining-patriotism_b_102252.html
| Okay, I'll admit it. I have become patriotic. A word that just a few months ago I would never use to describe myself. In fact, I would most likely grimace at being labeled patriotic and deny such an accusation. The word evoked the taste of slimy Fourth of July potato salad and conjured up images of unquestioning citizens waving American flags. But as I've watched the events of the current election unfold, I have found a new respect, even love, for my country - redefining how I see patriotism.
For the past eight years, I have felt powerless - unable to change or challenge the decisions of my government. As a citizen I came to the conclusion that nothing I could say or do would ever impact the choices of the Bush Administration. And this deeply discouraged me. How could I be a patriot when I fundamentally disagreed with the actions of my country and felt unheard by my leaders?
Somehow I had accepted someone else's notion that patriotism meant blindly endorsing the decisions of our leaders. That the word "patriot" is reserved only for those who automatically supported our country's invasion of Iraq, who were not bothered as the government stripped away citizen's constitutional freedoms. But this is not a patriot.
Over the last few months I have discovered my own definition of patriotism as my feelings of powerlessness have begun to shift. With the current presidential elections, I have an opportunity to transform the co ... |
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