One of the great attractions of patriotism-- it fulfils our worst wishes.

[KlatooBNikto]

In the person of our nation we are able,vicariously, to bully and cheat.Bully and cheat, what's more,witha feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.--- Aldous Huxley.

I have always marveled at Aldous Huxley's insights from the Brave New World, but the above quote took my breath away, in its relevance to our current situation and how easily we are getting manipulated in the name of patriotism and a concocted terror war.

I would even add the spectre of Religion to this insight and say that when religion is mixed in with blind patriotism, the resulting stew is a poison that can corrode our very souls without us being even aware of it.

[BOSSHOG]

1. Throw in ignorance

and you have a holy trinity; fake patriotism, religious beliefs and a relatively ignorant base. Harken back to late 2002 and early 2003 when we were all American Hating liberal bastards. It turns out we were right and now we are supposed to move on, concentrate on the future. I have to chuckle. I guess we should move on like conservatives did in 1996. They moved from whitewater which occurred in 1978. Yes, ignorance is bliss.