Patriotism

[dewman]

What ever happened to the nationalism and spirit of America? Maybe it's just me, but since 9/11, it seems as though America is slowly loosing that surge of Patriotism that errupted once again. When I go to school, I am extremely disturbed by the lack of Patriotism and the fact that most people I talk to would rather avoid the draft than to fight to save their rights and country. When I talk of joining the service, they look at me strangely, as though I were an insane person. Americans are too happy just harvesting the fruits of liberty, and are not prepared to plant it and preserve it. We are under attack, by so many enemies, yet the people of America seem to happy to just try to squeeze out as much leisure as they can before the vine of freedom and liberty dies. We need to be proud of our country and be prepared to defend it, like so many that have gone before us. Many of you reading of this are probably active or retired military, and I want to hear your opinions in particular: is America as a whole loosing its patriotism? We need to rekindle the American Spirit, to make people proud of who they are, not just temporarily, but for good. On 9/12, the neighborhood was full of flags, but now, on 7/8, there are maybe 10 total in the entire area. Unfortunatly, this seems to be the case accross the country, patriotism is dieing. To all who gave everything to save this country and its ideals, I thank you.

[Andy]

Patriotism in this country has always been a strange thing. Usually we need a victim(s) to rally around. The war on terrorism isn?t a war in the traditional sense, thus you won't see an influx of patriotism until there are more victims. Look at history.

Revolutionary War: The Boston Massacre was the story of victims. No taxation without representation meant all people in the colonies were victims.

War of 1812: All the sailors who were press ganged into service with the British Navy were victims. Plus everyone who wanted to export their goods to Europe were victimized.

Mexican War: President Polk said American blood was shed on American soil. That actually wasn?t true but then again it wasn?t that popular of a war. Pretty short one too.

Civil War: Lots of ?victims? on both sides of the fence.

Spanish American War: Remember the Maine!

WWI: Lots of American victims due to German submarines.

WWII: What could be more inspiring than Pearl Harbor?

Korea: Those poor folks in the South got invaded and in the beginning US troops were getting their butt?s kicked.

The Tonkin Incident: No real victims - Vietnam was not a popular war.

Iraq War: They invaded a ?friendly? nation and we could have all been victims of a gas shortage.

Every Indian War: Jeb go shot by an Injun and his wife was the victim of a rape.

Fact is if Americans or our interests are not victimized, patriotism is on the wane, it?s the way it?s always been. Luckily, there have always been a few good men.

Stay healthy,
Andy