We are required to fight the enemies of freedom everywhere if we are to preserve our own. To do less invites tyranny. I agree that Thomas Jefferson was speaking of throwing off their own oppressive government and not liberating someone else. But the principal is the same. If it were not, then France would have not come to our aid in the War for Independence. They were aiding the enemy of their enemy and promoting freedom in the process.

May we project the America I love around the world. The one of peace through strength which is the only method that works by the way and the freedom of the individual to work, to strive, to hope for a better future for him and his family. As Eddie Murphy says in “Coming to America”…..”Only in America!”

I don’t know where the idea came from that patriotism means “my country right or wrong” and that the existence of Americans is more valid than that of citizens of other countries. There are probably quite a few Americans that exhibit that kind of nationalism, but I think the world view is that pretty much all of us feel that way. I think that misconception is reinforced by all the “hip Americans” apologizing for our President, claiming to be Canadian, and other nonsense.

I love my country, but I don’t feel that being an American citizen makes me any better than anybody from any other country – but I do feel that I am blessed and I’m really happy that I was born here and am able to live here. I believe with total conviction that I can be proud of the principles that this country was founded on and continues to be guided by (kinda) without feeling superior or being arrogant.

Chris I think the way you live your life and conduct yourself – with total responsibility for your well being and the course of your life- is inspiring. I just wish you had a more positive view of the United States and I wish a lot more Americans lived their life with that same sense of self reliance that you have instead of relying on the government to take care of them from cradle to grave.

I like your blog. People like you make me proud to be an American. I can agree to disagree with you – I just wanted to throw in my two cents.

@ Brian Holiman – I’m down with pretty much everything you had to say. I can definitely cosign that.

@Nomadic Matt – You are spot on about the electoral college. I bring that up every time people cry about the popular vote. Makes plenty of sense when you think about it. Checks and balances are a great thing.

@Teddy Carrol – Although I probably disagree with you about a great many things – you have make a great point. Of course it seems to me you believe that myself, Brian Holiman, and others who are proud to focus on the many virtues of America – are “true believers” drinkin’ the kool-aid and all that. It is possible to occupy some middle ground. It doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other. I don’t have any problem with skepticism about the government or dissent of it. I think many peoples attitudes and motivations for dissent are not quite as pure or warranted as they were back in the days of the American revolution…well anyway Teddy – You make a good point and a valid point and it is well taken.

That is where your hijacking of that famous phrase withers. Jefferson was not talking about noble sacrifice against enemies of freedom. You know, the kind we’ve been engaged in with our “fight ‘em over there” philosophy?

He was speaking of the people’s right, and duty, to rebel; to dissent; to question authority; to make a basic statement that might does not make right and that the people will – with violence, if need be – do what is necessary to preserve their freedoms. Just prior that most famous quote, Jefferson also said this: “… what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?”

Take the “my country: right or wrong” blinders off and see that pointing out our obvious flaws and hypocricies does not seek to destroy America or its embrace of freedom. It is, in fact, the true “lifeblood of freedom.”

This country was not founded true-believers, rather it was founded by skeptics. Skeptics of a system that gave too much power to the thrown. Skeptics of a system that did not allow dissent. Skeptics of a system that bled the patriotism of Rule Britannia. They broke away from a rigid, top-down imposition of government rule and created a republican democracy that holds to the belief that the power of government is given with the consent of the governed.

In that light, dissent is necessary. Otherwise, a country and its people may be led astray by leaders who place themselves above the constitution they swore an oath to protect. When the people are too busy wrapping themselves in the flag, they are incapable of seeing the misdeeds that are carried out in their names.

No, not really… I don’t really think the U.S. “should” or “shouldn’t” do anything. I’m just pointing out that there are good things and bad things about any country, including the U.S., and I’m generally skeptical of hyper-nationalism anywhere.

As noted, I’m also skeptical of other Americans who criticize the U.S. all the time without realizing the freedom we have. It truly is a great privilege and not something to take for granted. But patriotism does not mean that citizens are supposed to believe we are better than everyone else, or that we should be silent when our government takes a course of action we do not agree with.

OK, off to Warsaw — see you all later!

I’ll read your comments soon; life is hectic over here but I should be in the land of good internet on Wednesday.

Interesting thoughts on the electoral college. I have never considered that before.

BTW – it was about four days from Russia to Vienna. I didn’t make it to Moscow, just St. Petersburg. But yes, I’m an increasingly quick traveler these days. I’ll write more about that at some point.

@ Kaila,

I agree that it’s probably best for us to part ways. Good luck with everything.

The US fails to provide health care for 16% of it’s population? Ideally, the government would focus on governing, not mothering, and would provide zero health care for 100% of the population.

Guns are a problem? They were certainly a problem for the British during the Revolutionary war.

The way people in the world are moving around now, I feel it’s far more important to be a citizen of the world. Yes “like” your country by all means (as Miko pointed out the Europeans do), but don’t forget there are other people out there with existences that are as valid as one’s own, however different they may be.

I have nothing against Americans or America and have been known to enjoy the occasional Starbucks and Big Mac. There are aspects of the American way of life that I don’t like and there are others that I like. Individuals I have met have usually been very pleasant just as most people in the world are once you get talking to them.

I honestly think excessive blind patriotism is a dangerous sentiment and can lead to a lot of violence and intolerence (witness 20th century history and, no, I don’t just mean Nazi Germany).

Understated patriotism as you outline it in this article… why not?

From one citizen of the world to another, cheers!