How do democrats reframe the meaning of patriotism?

[stray cat]

I think of Patriotism as putting people and the country ahead of politics and self interest.

Having a plan before committing Americans to war.

[BattyDem]

1. Patriotism is not believing in the flag, it's believing in the meaning of the flag.

Symbols mean nothing if you don't believe in what they represent.

[AlCzervik]

2. there is a huge difference between jingoism and patriotism.

and when i hear bullshit about the lapel pin from people i often mention that and of course the response is usually "What's jingoism?" and then i explain it and plead with them to start reading books.

[Warpy]

3. I've given up suggesting they read

because I know the dunderheads won't read anything heavier than "People" or "TV Guide."

I do suggest they look a word up to find out if they've been insulted.

Then I just walk away laughing.

[Preston120]

4. Who Said that Patriotism was the last refuge of a scoundrel?

[csziggy]

5. Samuel Johnson (1709–84)

SAMUEL JOHNSON.—James Boswell, Life of Johnson, entry for Friday, April 7, 1775, p. 615 (1970).

“In Dr. Johnson’s famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first.”—Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary, at entry for patriotism, The Collected Writings of Ambrose Bierce, p. 323 (1946, reprinted 1973).

H. L. Mencken added this to Johnson’s dictum: “But there is something even worse: it is the first, last, and middle range of fools.”—The World, New York City, November 7, 1926, p. 3E.

http://www.bartleby.com/73/1306.html

[sutz12]

6. Good question...

I've always thought that it should have more substance behind it than a high school pep rally.

:shrug: