Wow. Liberals being asked to justify their patriotism? It isn't like that hasn't happened before. I know you don't mean to be inflammatory, but isn't it hubris to assume that anyone that doesn't agree with you isn't "patriotic" or has to defend their love of country?

I won't argue with LH's definition of patriotism, although I think in the context of politics the definition is simpler:

Patriotism is the love of one's home, the desire to protect it, and both the desire AND WILL to work at making it become the best place it can be.

I personally love this grand experiment our Founding Fathers embarked upon. The US is a young country and we aren't done experimenting yet and we have much to learn (pro and con) from other societies, and to ignore the wisdom of human experience is folly. I think the Constitution is a simple and elegant recipe for society, and I hate to see it trampled by those who place their personal power and desires over the design of our government.