If there were on definition of patriotism in the minds of all who speak of it, it would be much easier to respect or to condemn "patriotism" Certainly there are massive numbers who effectively exalt and proclaim that "we are the greatest nation, composed of the greatest people, and God has ordained and empowered us to mold the world to his ends". One step removed, there are the "patriots" who consider themselves to be the only true Americans, entitled to do anything to their fellow citizens in the pursuit of their just cause. There remain those who may consider themselves patriots because they love their country, but would hope to see it as an area occupied by one fraction of the human race. And I just struggled with how to define that last faction, and whether I've defined it at all well.