Quote:
Originally posted by Arya
There is nothing wrong with being a patriot, being a blind patriot, that is supporting your country no matter what, is as dangerous as being a traitor.
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A little to "black and white," I think, Arya. As used, the word
IS is pretty all encompasing. It seem to leave no leeway for differences in situation.
If you had said "being a blind patriot
CAN BE as dangerous," I could pretty much agree. In many cases.
Having no tolerance for dissention would have been repugnant to the spirit of the creators of the Constitution and the founding fathers of the country, I believe.
Remeber that many who came to this country, and framed our form of government, did so in order to escape the tyranny of another government. Many still considered themselves "loyal subjects" of their former Monarch/Country/Government. I suppose they really did, "Love it or Leave it," but I think that in the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments, they hoped that nobody else would ever have to make that choice.
That's why I have little tolerance for people who hide behind that phrase as opposed to listening to a different side of a political arugement.
Isn't Freedom of Speech another way of saying Freedom of Opinion -- and taking it a step farther in allowing those opinions (no matter who disagrees) to be verbalized with a fair amount of impunity?