The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #172859   Message #4194061
Posted By: Steve Shaw
22-Dec-23 - 12:45 PM
Thread Name: Trump CONVICTED - NO new Trump threads part III
Subject: RE: Trump INDICTED x4 NO new Trump threads part III
I don't think I agree with the good doctor. Here's George Orwell on patriotism:

"By 'patriotism' I mean devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life, which one believes to be the best in the world but has no wish to force upon other people. Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism, on the other hand, is inseparable from the desire for power. The abiding purpose of every nationalist is to secure more power and more prestige, not for himself but for the nation or other unit in which he has chosen to sink his own individuality." [wiki]

The first sentence there echoes only good sentiments. "Best in the world" may not represent clear thinking but it reflects contentment and positive feelings about where you live. "America first" and "Make America great again" have nothing to do with patriotism and everything to do with ultra-nationalism, and resemble a quasi-religious form of bigotry.