Liberty Maven

The title of this blog entry was taken directly from an amazing article by R. Lee Wrights on the subject of “Patriotism versus Nationalism” in which he dispels the myth that true patriotism means blind allegiance to one’s leaders.  Here’s a snippet from the article:

I saw the following quote in a letter to the editor of a newspaper in a southwestern town:

“In time of war, patriots throw their politics aside and stand behind their leaders, because there can be only allegiance to their country….”

With this one simple statement the writer, who claims to be a patriot, gives carte blanche to whoever owns the government to act with impunity in a blatant display of nationalism. A true patriot would never make such a statement, much less write about it in her/his local newspaper. It is this very attitude that has allowed dictators to rise throughout history and massacre untold millions whether it has been in the name of the Fatherland, or the Motherland, or the Homeland. This false-patriotic philosophy dictates that in times of war it is the citizens’ duty to support their leaders regardless of how evil or pure their intentions may be. As the Little Rascals would say, “What a bunch of hooey!” I am sorry, but I just cannot accept that as a proper definition of patriotism. Blind allegiance is the mother of tyranny, not patriotism.

“He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.”

- Albert Einstein

Now that I think of it, this bring into question McCain’s creepy “Country First” campaign slogan, doesn’t it?  It’s eerily reminiscent of the Nazi slogan “Deutschland Uber Alles” in the 1930’s and early 40’s.

Read R. Lee Wrights’ article here.