Poll: Do you consider yourself to be patriotic? / LJWorld.com

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Response		Percent	Votes
Yes.		79%	512
No.		20%	135
Total	647

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number3of5 (anonymous) says…

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy and appreciate living in the USA. My husband, father and all of my brothers served in the military to keep the country safe from invasion and to insure freedom to others. But, I don't salute the flag, I don't fly a flag, I don't even own a flag. This is just a symbol. When my children were young, we bought fireworks, and they were shot off on the 4th and the 4th only to celebrate the "Independence Day" celebration. They were not shot off for a week before or even a week after as they are today. In other words, fireworks is a "MONEY" business. I can't recall one thing that the government has promised to the peoples that it has not gone back on in one way or another. So, no I am not patriotic. I hate the way our government is ran, but I have no fail safe way to solve it either. I only know that there should be no promise made that cannot be kept. No treaty signed that is not honored in full. We should honor our mothers and fathers, not put them aside in nursing homes. We should teach our children. We should be more family oriented instead of money oriented. The love of money is the root of all evil.
July 4, 2009 at 8:23 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Some thoughts on patriotism:

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_patri...
July 4, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
monheim (anonymous) says…

It's important to remember that people can be patriotic and love their country without being mindless flag-wavers or jingoists. I love this country, but I think part of truly loving something is knowing that sometimes you are going to have to criticize it, so that it can improve when it needs to. This is a great country, but it is not a perfect country. No country is perfect. I would like everyone to remember that just because someone doesn't fly a flag, or wear a flag, or sing God bless America or have ribbon-magnets on their car, doesn't mean they don't love the country. Patriotism doesn't have to be flashy and loud to be genuine and steadfast.
July 4, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

monheim, well said.
July 4, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
RiverCityConservative (anonymous) says…

I have to agree with the general sentiment of most of the comments posted so far. A patriot gives of himself or herself to improve the country and to ensure that in the distant future children will grow up and people will live in a better America, with more freedom and more equality. In explaining the Star Spangled Banner to a group of international students, I told them that Francis Scott Keys is posing these questions--including "Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"--not only to his immediate audience in 1812, but also and especially to Americans of the future. The flag AND the ideals for which it stands. Not mindless patriotism, but hardy, critically thinking, challenging patriotism. I believe the war resisters and peace-loving protestors of the 1960s (and millions who similarly protested before Bush-Cheney invaded Iraq in 2003) are the most patriotic Americans in our history since those who fought in the Revolutionary War itself. Another great example of patriotism was set by those who fought for Civil Rights in the 1950s and 1960s. Long live the United States of America--and may our democratic principles live even longer!
July 4, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…

I am with RiverCity on this issues. It does trouble me, however, that some folks find reason to dismiss the National Ensign. This flag has been representative of our country and it's people since it was originally conceived. I learned about the proper respect for the flag in grade school as demonstrating respect for all that that "symbol" represents. I was in the Naval Service, and every morning, as in all military services, we raised the flag with customery respect and attention. What really troubles me is that demonstration of loyalty and respect to our flag and the country evoks such negative and non-patriotic feelings, that some people go to rather extreme reasoning to disrespect the national symbol, and to express "their" disregard of national price. Such people have some serious problems. But there have always been malcontents in our society, that is one of the good things about it, that these people who disrespect our flag and our country can live here and not be imprisoned for treason and advocating the downfall of the government.
July 4, 2009 at 11:54 a.m.
Yeoman2 (anonymous) says…

Gads!......"evoke" and "pride". This getting old is really getting to me!
July 4, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
tunahelper (anonymous) says…

hey 5 of 3, go move to iran or north korea or afghanistan.
July 4, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.
charliejohnson (anonymous) says…

I'm with RiverCity
July 4, 2009 at 12:27 p.m.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…

Modern "patriots" often seem to confuse their *roots*.

While "patrio-" is a combining form related to honor of the fatherland, far too many seem to have adopted their own, personal definitions, which of course would be the combining form "idio-" instead... idiotic rather than patriotic.
July 4, 2009 at 12:57 p.m.
gccs14r (anonymous) says…

Our ancestors had the good fortune to be banished to a land brimming with unspoiled natural resources. Never mind that it was already occupied.

We need to get past the ideas of race and nationality and remember that we're all the same species and we occupy a very tiny rock in the vastness of the universe. We could all have a pretty nice existence, but we're too busy killing each other to work toward that goal.
July 4, 2009 at 1:23 p.m.
cait48 (anonymous) says…

My favorite quote about patriotism:

"Loyalty to my country? Always! Loyalty to my president? When he deserves it!"----Mark Twain.
July 4, 2009 at 2:32 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

tunahelper (Anonymous) says…

hey 5 of 3, go move to iran or north korea or afghanistan.

tuna, I respectfully disagree, Our country was founded on the belief that people can hold divergent views and not be imprisoned or exiled to another country because of their views.
July 4, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…

Alia, all tunahelper cares about is pissing people off.
July 4, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.
russ2762 (anonymous) says…

indepence and freedom is gone you cant shot fireworks no more ,it used to be my favorite holiday now it sucks because of some irresponsible people!!!!!!!
July 4, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…

Thanks, jonas for the head's up,
July 4, 2009 at 6:42 p.m.
russ2762 (anonymous) says…

thats what we fought for was freedom
July 4, 2009 at 6:44 p.m.
russ2762 (anonymous) says…

independince day is suppoesd to be about freedom
July 4, 2009 at 6:51 p.m.
russ2762 (anonymous) says…

not laws restricting your freedom
July 4, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
russ2762 (anonymous) says…

this land is starting to become communist with all the stupid laws that are made all the time
July 4, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.
mfowler (Matthew Fowler) says…

In modern-day America, the 4th of July, and the terms "patriotic" and "American," mean glorifying the militaristic and consumption-oriented mindset and the two pointless, useless, and destructive "wars" it has created--while providing poor children with access to health care is considered "unpatriotic," "un-American," "socialist," etc.

'sigh.' Guess I'm unpatriotic and un-Umerkun' then.

Go f yourself.
July 4, 2009 at 9:05 p.m.
sunshine_noise (anonymous) says…

Patriotic means one who loves and defends his/her own country. Its as simple as that. Do you or do you not love your country and would you defend it against another Nation wanting to change our government beliefs? Patriotism has nothing to do with freedom or communism it asks if you love and would you defend your country. This country may not have perfect politicians who are members of our government, but in reading about other Nation's history and how they are today, I'm glad I am an American, because we have more freedoms than you can imagine. We have so many more privileges then you realize. If you are one of the those who complain about our country, who think we have no freedom, try reading the history of other Nations and compare. Try reading the history about Sierra Leon in West Africa, China or Russia. I dispise war, but sometimes it is necessary, a necessary evil but it is what it is. I'm proud of our military men and I love our President. I don't have a flag, but I salute it whenever it is lower or raised. A lot of men died for that flag and what it stands for so we can have the freedom we have today. Stop complaining and start living that freedom, before we lose it all because of too many grievances.
July 4, 2009 at 11:48 p.m.
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…

number3of5 unless you are in the milatary I really hope you do not salute the flag.
July 7, 2009 at 4:56 p.m.