The Weekly Watch
Patriotism?
What is patriotism? The standard dictionary definition reads “love of one’s country.” However, it seems that patriotism is often confused with nationalism.
Nationalism is about power: its adherent wants to acquire as much power and prestige as possible for his nation, in which he submerges his individuality. While nationalism is accordingly aggressive, patriotism is defensive: it is a devotion to a particular place and a way of life one thinks best, but has no wish to impose on others (Orwell 1968, 362)
Based on Orwell's definition, the US is full of nationalists rather than patriots. I like the idea of loyalty to place. I think America the Beautiful would be a better national anthem celebrating our natural beauty rather than our bombs bursting in air.
America
A Poem for July 4.
1904 version
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
Another good option for national anthem might be "This Land is Your Land"
My two favorite verses are:
When the sun came shining, and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting
This land was made for you and me
As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said "No Trespassing"
But on the other side it didn't say nothing
That side was made for you and me.
I guess the songs depend on if we have something worth singing for. It suits me if the focus is on our natural resources and beauty, but celebrating our wars, bombs, and failed government just don't do it for me. Seems the US has been at war for its entire existence. What does it take to get us off that track? The first clip below focuses on the question of peace and the US.
So this week we celebrate the "Declaration of Independence". "When in the course of human events..." You know the thing!
These lofty words are a bit misleading.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
All men except those of color, and certainly not women, half the human population.
"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?" Frederick Douglass asked in 1852. The speech is as relevant today as when it was given.
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour.
Powerful words in that day and now.
What put me on this train of thought is a 2 hour long intriguing conversation among some of the few real journalists in America today. I normally excerpt the pertinent parts, but the entire clip is excellent. Take it in small pieces this week if you're pressed for time.
Max Blumenthal, Aaron Maté, Michael Tracey, Clint Russell & Sam Husseini
The conversation revolves around the peace movement, the Ukraine war, and censorship/propaganda.
Another good (80 min long) conversation focus on the proxy war with Russia is:
Putin locuta causa finita. McGovern, Johnson and Martyanov on "the Prigozhin thing"
Ray McGovern - https://raymcgovern.com/
Larry C. Johnson - https://sonar21.com/
Andrei Martyanov - http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/
Seymour Hersh: Prigozhin’s Folly The Russian ‘revolt’ that wasn’t strengthens Putin’s hand.
Max testified about the Ukraine proxy war at the UN security council this week. I thought he was spot on. (14 min)
Max Blumenthal address the UN Security Council on the role of US military aid to Ukraine in escalating the conflict with Russia and the real motives behind Washington's support for Kiev's proxy war.
Scott has been on many podcasts this week. I found his conversation with Garland one of the best from the week. I've got it cued to the discussion of the stupidity of a war with China.
About 35 min remain. Listen as long as you like.
End Washington’s Buildup for War with China, Pursue Peace and Economic Cooperation
America’s new Cold War with China is a bi-partisan imperial project led by the Democrats. In 2011, former President Barack Obama began it in earnest, dubbing it the “pivot to Asia.” The “pivot” entails the largest military buildup since the Second World War, shifting hundreds of bases as well as two-thirds of all US Air and Naval forces to the Asia-Pacific region. Washington is encircling China for a future war with Beijing.
In 2020, while Americans were distracted by the Covid-19 crisis, Donald Trump’s war cabinet seized the opportunity to drastically expand the US military footprint in Beijing’s near abroad by sending more warships and spy planes, conducting aerial surveillance flights, to the region and especially the South China Sea. These provocations have been vastly escalated by the Biden administration.
Americans must soon put the shoe on the other foot and ask how Washington would react if instead China was surrounding the US with weapons of war and military bases.
...but noooo, Xi is a dictator. Our president is merely a thief, liar, and war monger....not to mention a demented tottering old fool.
Aging Iraq Invaders Keep Accidentally Saying ‘Iraq’ Instead Of ‘Ukraine’
Both China and Russia (India, and so on) suggest mutual respect among countries for sovereign nations, but the US thinks itself "exceptional". In other words, "We are extraordinary", you are merely common. My Grandmother often used the expression, "They're as common as pig tracks" to denigrate others. That attitude, to our mind, gives us the right to other country's resources and labor. We've been that way since our inception, as evidenced by our treatment of first nation's peoples, the Monroe doctrine, and onward.
At the risk of being heavy on the Max Blumenthal commentary this week, listen to his take on Modi's visit to the states...
Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate discuss the visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Washington and the real motives behind his congressional opponents, as well as the sudden pressure by the Biden administration on Saudi Arabia as its leadership embraces the politics of multipolarity.
Looking around the world, the US isn't the only country on the brink of collapse...
Macron dances as France burns (14 min)
and one more from the Duran...
UK failed state, targets Nigel Farage (20 min)
Let's circle back to the premise of this column about patriotism. This week I've been wondering if I can be a patriot feeling as I do about the nature of our government. When I read Orwell's comparison of nationalism and patriotism, I realized my appreciation of our natural resources, beauty, and working people does qualify me as a patriot in those limited terms. I do love my home in the Eastern Deciduous forest on Lookout Mountain. I appreciate all the hard working people around me in this poorer part of the country. Their hearts are mostly in the right place, but they've been so propagandized to believe the US is exceptional. I'm saddened by the current nature of America. It is easy to say, we lost our way, but maybe rule by oligarchs was the intention all along. A few years ago we visited Charlottesville, VA. In close proximity you have Jefferson's and Madison's mansions/plantations, as well as the more humble Monroe (upper class) residence. No doubt this country was created by oligarchs of the day. They needed to provide for slavery because their livelihood was dependent on their labor and value as property. Perhaps we can never escape that legacy?
So what do you think? Are you a patriot? Do you love America, or France, or the UK, or NZ, or Germany, or whatever country you are from? Perhaps the notion is outdated and misplaced. I'm curious about your thoughts on that or anything else, and look forward to your comments below!
Comments
Defending Democracy
This one is even harder. It is easy to compare and contrast Nationalism vs Patriotism. But 'Democracy?' I just returned from Greece. They had their election while I was there and like all Western Democratic nations it was a farce. I read The Guardian article about Mitsotakis to my family that lives there and they laughed out loud. He, like every other Western "leader", is a spokesman for the banking/investment sector. As long as that is going well, the country is going well. Western media will praise him. (Or in the case of Macron, ignore his horrible leadership.)
Meanwhile, my son-in-law is enlisted in the Greek Army. They are making changes where he HAS to retire at 50 but not take a retirement check until 60. His father is a retired doctor and his pension is dropping like a lead balloon. But they have money for a new multi-billion dollar pet projects.
Greece was a shipping leader. The port of Pireaus is now China owned. Germany owns the lion share of Athens airport.
The sell-out Western political class isn't even nationalistic, much less Patriotic. Though I bet they all own a flag pin.
Elections in Greece, left collapses.
according to the Greeks that are the Duran...
10 min or so.
Yes, you're correct democracy is a whole other can of worms. Thanks for bringing it up. Really there's enough meat there for multiple essays to tackle that subject. My first thought is, "What democracy?"
I did catch a speech which illustrates a good Irish patriot...
On Saturday 24 June, 2023, Clare Daly and Mick Wallace hosted an event of international speakers in the Morrison Hotel in Dublin to contest the government's narrative, and urge the defence of Irish neutrality.
As to democracy, it seems to always be captured by monied interests focused primarily on war, pillage, and arrogance.
Thanks for the comment and story!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
powerful speech
much to agree with there
thx
Mick's down below...
...clip is worth a listen too. Medea was there as well.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
In other words, short version
Ireland is an independent nation
we support neutrality in foreign affairs
EU, NATO will not get us involved in
something which does not harm our
way of being. pound sand
That would be the best scenario...
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good Morning Mr. Watchmaker
The idea of patriotism pretty much fell ill with the Patriot Act.
Redefining what it meansto be an American became
"we are all terrorists now". Liberties and Justice reserved for
the state and corps. Endless war has taken away the value of victory.
The stars and stripes has now become a symbol of military adventurism.
National pride is morphing into shame. Some serious housecleaning is in
order.
Thanks for the OT!
The decline has been gradual...
Throughout my life. I put much of the blame at the feet of the CIA, with its promotion/creation of war, assassination of our best leaders, and illegal activities to secretly fund those actions. The patriot act was indeed a nail in the coffin of what bit of democracy existed.
Perhaps that sense of shame you mention will deepen and expand in our population. That is a hope. A change is sure needed.
Hope all is well and the boats are afloat!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Douglass the patriot?
Happy Cuatro de Julio, everyone.
I see my main Republican's name came up - he is quoted correctly above from his 1852 Independence Day speech.
But in the same speech he also said this:
Frederick Douglass' views on America and patriotism evolved a lot over time:
Source - The Federalist
(Feb. 2017)
Yeah, love those founding principles. Even if all too many American are ignorant or dismissive of them the idea and ideals of America are important to a whole lot of people around the world.
And not only in a positive sense. For those - for example, the Chinese Communist Party - whose rule is based on the principle of individuals being subordinate to the authority of the party and state, the idea that the sole source of legitimacy and authority of the state is what is granted by the individual members of society is, umm... unsettling. In fact, they (and authoritarians generally) correctly regard the very *idea* as a profound, even existential threat - and so of course act to stamp it out wherever and by whatever means available.
Your quotes from Douglass were spot on
Your quotes from Douglass were spot on.
There is much to admire in the US constitution as well...if only it was applied...like freedom of speech and so on.
China is an interesting case. We try to filter them through our western lens. A much larger percentage of their citizens feel their government addresses their needs than in our country. They also have fewer TOTAL people in prison despite their much larger population. When the people objected to the lockdown they were (IMO) very suddenly removed...perhaps carelessly. My point being they are responsive to peoples demands, whereas in the US not so much...nor the EU.
Thanks for your thoughtful and thought provoking comment!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
From every mountainside...
let freedom ring!
Took me decades for it to finally register that 'My Country 'tis of Thee'
and 'God Save the Queen/King' were the same melody -
Quite a contrast in themes.
not to mention...
The Star Spangled Banner was an English drinking song melody.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Not only that, it was a protest against
new laws prohibiting the age-old practice of innkeepers maintaining whores on their premises (this is where the "myrtle of Venus" comes in).
Not exactly a stellar example of source material.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
you made me look up Myrtle of Venus...
I'm a bit of a folk song nerd, so I'm glad you made the comment and caused me to look it up!
Below are the original lyrics to that drinking song as first published in 1778 with a added few notes:
The song was composed to be the anthem of a gentleman’s drinking club, devoted to wine, women and song – perhaps in that order.
Anacreon is the name of a famous Greek poet with similar tastes who lived some 2500 years ago, long before we ‘found’ the North American continent and called it ‘the New World’. Momus is the god of mockery and satire.
The song tells of men who ask Anacreon, the poet to sponsor their club. He says yes, and “I will also…” All the trouble ensues from there. I won’t ruin the ending for you.
One of the herbs appearing in the song is Myrtle (myrtus communis) sacred to Venus/Astarte. It is infused in water and used for youth, love, fertility and prosperity workings. Bacchus’ vine was of course the grape, which has long associations with fertility, lineage and abundance as well as over-indulgence and drunkenness. Bay Laurel is used to impart protection, healing, psychic powers, strength and purification.
This poetry was written as solo performance art, meant to be spoken or sung by one person with musical accompaniment. This means the melody is as much a part of the song as the words. Think of “Stairway to Heaven” or “Amazing Grace” – it would be difficult to separate the words from the music in your mind. The same was true for people of the time. Hearing the tune naturally would bring to mind it’s original words.
These are those words:
To Anacreon in Heav’n, where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a petition
That he their Inspirer and Patron would be;
When this answer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian:
“Voice, Fiddle, and Flute, no longer be mute,
I’ll lend you my name and inspire you to boot,
And besides I’ll instruct you, like me, to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs.
“If these Mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue,
The devil a Goddess will stay above stairs.
Hark, already they cry, in transports of joy,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we’ll fly,
And there with good fellows, we’ll learn to intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’ Vine.”
“The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids
From Helicon’s banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on’t, shall soon do its errand,
And dam’me I’ll swing the Ringleaders I warrant.
I’ll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Apollo rose up, and said, “Pry’thee ne’er quarrel,
Good King of the Gods, with My Vot’ries below:
Your Thunder is useless” — then showing his laurel,
Cry’d “Sic evitabile fulmen” you know!
Then over each head, my laurels I’ll spread,
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
Whilst, snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he’d cheerfully join —
“The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh shall be mine.
Then, Jove, be not jealous of these honest fellows.”
Cry’d Jove, “We relent, since the truth you now tell us;
And swear by Old Styx, that they long shall intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Ye Sons of Anacreon, then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
‘Tis yours to support what’s so happily plann’d;
You’ve the sanction of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree, our toast let it be:
“May our Club flourish happy, united, and free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s Vine.”
Thanks for the comment and lyric!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Is there a peace movement?
Mick thinks one may be brewing in Ireland...
12 min
We can hope!
Medea seems doubtful about US prospects. Peace [discussion] will not be allowed?
Why There's No PEACE Movement From the Left in America (w/ Medea Benjamin) (20 min)
I guess I'm a patriot for peace regardless of the country.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning everyone
I tell folks that patriotism requires a DNA sequence I was born without.
I admire some of the Founding Fathers for their intellect and eloquence, but it didn't necessarily result in an advance of universal freedom and liberty.
No matter what country I toured, I never responded directly to inquiries about my nationality. I said I was a Texan. I would rather chat about cowboys, longhorns, and the Alamo, than have to make apologies.
We hope to find a moonlight cruise to see fireworks.
I just hope I do not get sea sick!
LO, I hope to watch some videos you brought us. Always informative.
Enjoy your day and the holiday.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good luck with the fireworks cruise!
We saw a few fireworks as we drove home last night. Had a brief encounter with a deer on the way. Luckily with minimal damage to the car, and I hope for the deer.
Enjoy the holiday!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
When traveling internationally,
my wife and I always identify as Canadian, unless we have to produce our passports. Saves a lot of potential conflict.
Probably aren't going to be any fireworks in the Denver area on the 4th, because it looks like we have another wave of storms due to come through. Luckily, my garden is on wheels, so I can roll it back under the upstairs neighbors' deck to get it out of the hail...
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Exactly.
I always tried to set myself apart from the US.
My first trip overseas involved a 10 hr layover in London. While my travel partner went inside the embassy to do some work adding pages to her passport, I walked a sidewalk, asked a woman if she had a light so I could smoke. She said, "You are from Texas, aren't you?"
That started a lively chat about Texas, nary a mention of the US. I have kept it that way in about 73 countries.
Stay cool!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
When traveling...
I identify my nation as (the third world state of) Alabama. Some even think it is a country.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
A couple of interesting posts
How To Plant Propaganda: "Putin has been weakened. Russia is crumbling."
and
Patrick Lawrence: Russian (Melo)drama
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
That seems to be their problem.
Of course, if they were to have a sudden awakening to, say, the value of human life, they'd rush to the negotiating table set by the Chinese. But, well...
So that's what they're doing -- they're doubling down. I can't imagine this lasting forever. From Simplicius' last post:
"there's something so especially sadistic about waving the flag of a country that you're actively destroying" -- Aaron Mate
It all seems a PR hollywood script movie....
...except for the fact that the supposed heroes are being beaten badly...better call in the script writers.
Brian does a good job describing the situation. Thanks for the clip.
Have a good holiday!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
I'm trying to think of heroes here
but if it's a Hollywood script, it's more like one of those con job movies -- except that the con job has gone horribly wrong and the con artists are caught in their own con, obliged to pretend for as long as they can before they are all forced into whatever luxurious retirement they have set out for themselves (while the working class suffers).
"there's something so especially sadistic about waving the flag of a country that you're actively destroying" -- Aaron Mate
'elensky is an actor...
and his cabinet is made up of his stage crew. It IS theater, complete with his GI Joe costume.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Famous quote:
"Real life is becoming indistinguishable from the movies."
Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, "The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception"
"there's something so especially sadistic about waving the flag of a country that you're actively destroying" -- Aaron Mate
Somebody (Twain?) said that patriotism is the belief than
someplace is wonderful because one happens to live there, or words to that effect.
It also has an entry in The Devil's Dictionary:
― Ambrose Bierce
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Great definitions!
Regardless of source, that's a good one...
Twain has quite a few quotes on the subject...
Man is the only Patriot. He sets himself apart in his own country, under his own flag, and sneers at the other nations, and keeps multitudinous uniformed assassins on hand at heavy expense to grab slices of other people's countries, and keep them from grabbing slices of his. And in the intervals between campaigns he washes the blood off his hands and works for the universal brotherhood of man - with his mouth.
Mark Twain
[Patriotism] ...is a word which always commemorates a robbery. There isn't a foot of land in the world which doesn't represent the ousting and re-ousting of a longline of successive "owners" who each in turn, as "patriots" with proud swelling hearts defended it against the next gang of "robbers" who came to steal it and did -- and became swelling-hearted patriots in their turn.
Mark Twain
Word it as softly as you please, the spirit of patriotism is the spirit of the dog and wolf. The moment there is a misunderstanding about a boundary line or a hamper of fish or some other squalid matter, see patriotism rise, and hear him split the universe with is war-whoop. The spirit of patriotism being in its nature jealous and selfish, is just in man's line, it comes natural to him - he can live up to all its requirements to the letter; but the spirit of Christianity is not in its entirety possible to him.
Mark Twain
Thanks for the visit and comment!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
I would consider these guys "patriots"
No rain for a month in a half to now rain everyday, que sera sera
Thanks for the WW, LO
Still getting those good vibrations
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
They are patriots...
Plus their party is winning a majority of seats.
Countries around the world are rejecting the US...
Dedollarization Accelerates as Argentina Makes IMF Payment Using Yuan
Perhaps the US economy will limit our ability to push war? At least that's my hope.
Glad you're getting some rain. I didn't realize how lucky we are until I visited with other Alabamians yesterday who haven't gotten the rain we have. One fear I have in dry weather is fall wildfires.
Take care and enjoy the rain!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
This is not really that far from the truth.
He who feeds the teleprompter rules the worldPerhaps the best puppet money can buy...
but I think the comic puppet actor 'elensky might win the prize for best actor. Biden's acting seems a bit chaotic. Come on, man!
Thanks for the meme!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Hi all,
Hey LO! Hope its all good out there... especially up on the mountain in the holler!
I always loved George Carlin's version, to wit:
“Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies,
insecticided grain,
For strip-mined mountain's majesty
above the asphalt plain.
America, America,
man sheds his waste on thee,
And hides the pines with billboard signs,
from sea to oily sea.”
― George Carlin
================================
Unfortunately the overwhelming majority of what I see that is pretended to be patriotism, is not. It is what I would call blind or faux patriotism. They don't know what they are really waving the flag for. Few things are as plastic, shallow, and phony, as patriotism in America.
Is it patriotic using sporting events to sell the military? Are Lockheed, Raytheon, Boeing and Gen. Dynamics commercials on TV patriotic? Is companies like Pfizer owning the media and regulators patriotic? Is patriotism the crashing of the stock market and economy? Is citizens united patriotism? How about 'corporations are people too', is that patriotic? Is the offshoring of jobs patriotic? Is the destruction of manufacturing know-how and capability in America patriotism? Is it endless pointless wars for little except profits from dead and maimed people. Is mandating experimental medical treatments patriotic? Is patriotism censorship? Or the constant message monitoring by the thought police at the ministry of truth? Is it letting people die for not being able to let themselves be extorted for insulin patriotic? Is it putting a generation on psychotropics or SSRI's, surely that must be patriotic? How about lying to the people about the dangers and damage of chemicals like glyphosates or neonicotinids, sugar and tobacco, that must be patriotic? Is constant propaganda in the movies and on TV patriotic? Doing nothing about fossil fuel pollution except producing more, is that patriotic? Surely having hungry homeless Vets must be patriotic!
What I see is all closer to idiotic, than patriotic.
My recommendation is to have some good music, and nature, and call me in the morning.
Have good ones all!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
Man are you right...
Just got a nice rain cooling off the summer heat. In the 70's now. Can't say how much I appreciate the weather god(dess)s...at least this summer...so far.
Still enjoying the thrush. Hope all is well in your corner. Looked like TX has been under a heat bubble for a while.
Hope the holiday is a good one for you and yours.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Happy holiday weekend!
Signing out with another candidate as a patriotic song?
Pete Seeger - The Torn Flag
At midnight in a flaming angry town
I saw my country's flag lying torn upon the ground.
I ran in and dodged among the crowd,
And scooped it up, and scampered out to safety.
And then I took this striped old piece of cloth
And tried my best to wash the garbage off.
But I found it had been used to wrapping lies.
It smelled and stank and attracted all the flies.
While I was feverishly at my task,
I heard a husky voice that seemed to ask:
"Do you think you could change me just a bit?
Betsy Ross did her best, but she made a few mistakes.
My blue is good, the color of the sky.
The stars are good for ideals, oh, so high.
Seven stripes of red are strong to meet all danger;
But those white stripes: they, they need some changing.
I need also some stripes of deep, rich brown,
And some of tan and black, then all around
A border of God's gracious green would look good there.
Maybe you should slant the stripes, then I'd not be so square."
I woke and said, "What a ridiculous story.
Don't let anybody say I suggested tampering with Old Glory."
But tonight it's near midnight, and in another flaming town
Once again I hear my country's flag lies torn upon the ground.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Thanks Lookout
It is difficult as an American to feel patriotic living in other countries when you feel on the defensive. I lived in Germany from 1989-1996. For the first years I felt I had to apologise for Americans, and assure people that only a quarter of Americans voted for Bush. Moving to NZ was a different experience. Here people were genuinely curious to know about this American/German family. I was never made to feel apologetic even though the memory of my experience in Germany lingered for a little bit.
The most strongly I have ever felt about America was when camping across it, and feeing blessed by its beauty.
No need to apologize...
...for an accident of birth...it's like apologizing for your parents.
And you are so right about the beauty of the country in all its diversity of landscapes.
Take care and have a great 4th of July!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Thanks for the WW, Lookout.
I meant to stop by yesterday and comment but never made it.
Too bad about the patriotism thing. It didn't have to be this way. Although things were not ideal from the outset, we did have some admirable ideals.
In his introduction to Walter Karp's book The Politics of War, Lewis Lapham noted that Karp:
Lapham writes that Karp's book traces the transformation in the American spirit that replaced the love of liberty with the love of a flag. Karp makes an interesting case.
Thanks again Lookout. Hope all is well on the farm.
love of flag..
and loss of liberty. Good line.
Thanks for coming by and reading.
The homestead keeps humming. Always something that needs doing. Somehow we ended up going to a round of parties this weekend. The last one is tomorrow, but it is in the neighborhood so no long car trips.
Hope your holiday is going well!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Enjoy your parties
, it sounds like a great way to take a break, get a bit of a new perspective on things, and no car trip to boot!
It is good to connect with friends and family...
...but I must admit, it'll be good to be over...too much, too fast, too soon. It'll be great in retrospect, but still in the midst.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Courtesy of Revolutionary Blackout:
"there's something so especially sadistic about waving the flag of a country that you're actively destroying" -- Aaron Mate
That's a great clip...
I featured it last week too.
Worth hearing again, thanks.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”