this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2024
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[–] [email protected] 46 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

Since that quote in 1875, "patriotism" has wandered over to the other side of the line, inbred with superstition, ambition, and ignorance, and turned into nationalism.

That just leaves intelligence, by its lonesome, on the other side.

[–] elliot_crane 45 points 4 months ago (1 children)

That’s not patriotism. Being patriotic is like being honest; if someone has to stress how honest they are, they’re not.

[–] EleventhHour 27 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (3 children)

Put another way: patriotism is shown through actions, not through words.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago

I show my patriotism by voting and ensuring the rights and autonomy of others is protected. That's theoretically why nations exist. I can be proud of mine when it fulfills that promise.

[–] APassenger 6 points 4 months ago

Or flags. Especially with blue lines.

[–] Clinicallydepressedpoochie 5 points 4 months ago

Patriotism is loving your country by loving its foundation. It's people. Loving your neighbor. Loving your brothers and sisters. I feel no love from the GOP.

[–] morphballganon 30 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Grant isn't referring to "ruh ruh 'Murica" as patriotism, he's talking about appreciation of what we have. Different political alignments just appreciate different things; the left, liberty, and the right, supremacy of rich, white males.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 4 months ago (5 children)

Yeah, I get that. But in 2024, when you hear the word "patriot" who do you think of?

[–] neatchee 45 points 4 months ago (2 children)

We should not allow terms like this to be coopted. It's a pretty standard tactic: dilute the language of your opposition so it becomes harder for them to communicate effectively with an audience. Trying to constantly change your position's vocabulary is a losing strategy as the intended audience can't keep up. Instead, we must take back the words that are important and, for example, clearly state that it is the oppressor who is unpatriotic.

A flag doesn't make you a patriot. Loving guns and blind faith to Constitution doesn't make you a patriot. It is care for your fellow American, defending the weak and disenfranchised, and protecting the ideals of self-determination and opportunity that make someone a true patriot

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I really appreciate this take. In the pursuit of better language, some groups also hamper their own ability to communicate - not a slam against the attempt, but between that and the other side diluting the group's words, it's an uphill fight

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (1 children)

not a slam against the attempt, but between that and the other side diluting the group's words, it's an uphill fight

And they are absolutely doing it on purpose. Stripping meaning from words benefits them, because their side doesn't care about truth, or facts, or policies. As long as they can make the Other suffer, their base will scream whatever the word of the day is, and every time they steal a word, it makes matching their organization a little bit harder

[–] ChronosTriggerWarning 2 points 4 months ago

Stripping meaning from words benefits them, because their side doesn’t care about truth, or facts, or policies.

"Insurrection" and "impeachment" have both been getting this treatment lately.

[–] kinsnik 9 points 4 months ago

Just like National Socialist party wasn’t socialist, or the Democratic People’s Replubic of Korea isn’ta democracy, the patriotic republicans aren’t patriotic

[–] just_ducky_in_NH 14 points 4 months ago

So, the ignorant people don’t understand what patriotism is. It supports Grant’s thesis.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 4 months ago

Definitely not the Russian shills that are going at our democracy with a weed whacker

[–] AngryCommieKender 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Benjamin Martin, but not the actor that portrayed him

[–] morphballganon 0 points 4 months ago

... Grant wasn't writing in 2024.

[–] givesomefucks 19 points 4 months ago

The most patriotic thing an American can do is criticize politicians and hold the ones they vote for accountable.

Blindly insisting your country/party is perfect and excusing every fault is nationalism.

That's what the nazis had, the Republicans have, and I swear moderates want Dems to adopt.