I have become wondered by the use of the word patriot. I amazed at how often it is given over as a derisive term. As if to say being a patriot is a bad thing. The dictionary says a patriot is a person "who loves, supports and defends his country". It no wears mentions foreign policy or support of the party or the military. It is specific in its wording, defense of country. Defense can be with any weapon at hand. A rifle or a word can defend us against an attack. The song writer can have as telling an effect against an enemy as a sniper in a tree. Is one the greater patriot? One of the greatest patriots I can recall in my life time was Phil Ochs. He loved the country and the people there in. He wrote songs in defense of the country and the people and he never waivered in his love of the land. "Power and Glory" is one of the most patriotic songs I have ever heard. It is clearly about love of country. He never let his love of country detere him from fighting what he thought of as stupid foreign policy. For that he had "Cops of the World" and "White Boots Marching in a Yellow Land." I see nothing wrong with being a patriot.

Don