What is a patriot?

[Bubba]

No, not the football team. Serious question about the meaning of a word too often thrown about as support for one political position or another.

What is a patriot? What does being a patriot mean to you?

[easyrider16]

Well if you asked me when I was younger I would have said someone who supports their country and the ideals upon which it was founded. Today I'm much more cynical. Patriotism is often used for nefarious ends. Look at all of the most horrible incidents of state action across world history and you will find at the root of almost all of them someone who describes himself as a patriot.

What I would like the term "patriot" to mean in our context is someone who questions *all* government officials and politicians, not just the ones they voted against, and cares more about the institutions of freedom, rights, democracy, and the rule of law rather than any particular leader, party, constitution or government. But I'm not sure that's ever going to be an accepted definition.

I dunno man, I look at the world and see one people divided artificially into tribes that fight one another for mostly stupid reasons. Patriotism is in a way can be a kind of tribalism - my country is better than your country, and since we're so superior we should be able to do whatever we want regardless of how it affects you. That can be a dangerous mentality and produce a lot of suffering and misery in the world. Thus, Oscar Wilde's quotation, patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

[deadheadskier]

In 2020?

Apparently hyper masculine, white males who support Trump, the 2A, Q conspiracies and a love to demonstrate it all on social media to trigger the libs.

That's pretty much the M.O. of 99% of people these days who self declare as Patriots.

[XtremeJibber2001]

That's pretty much the M.O. of 99% of people these days who self declare as Patriots.

I think you're onto something ... perhaps a patriot is someone that would never call themselves such a name?

My father in law was part of a clandestine Navy group during Vietnam. Many in his group were killed - one KIA from his group has a Navy ship named after them. They saved hundreds, if not thousands of lives, through execution of their missions.

I think of him as a patriot. You'd never know it if you met him. Humble to the core, yet proud to have served his country.

[Bubba]

In 2020?

Apparently hyper masculine, white males who support Trump, the 2A, Q conspiracies and a love to demonstrate it all on social media to trigger the libs.

That's pretty much the M.O. of 99% of people these days who self declare as Patriots.

What does it mean to YOU, not what you think it means to others?

[deadheadskier]

In 2020?

Apparently hyper masculine, white males who support Trump, the 2A, Q conspiracies and a love to demonstrate it all on social media to trigger the libs.

That's pretty much the M.O. of 99% of people these days who self declare as Patriots.

What does it mean to YOU, not what you think it means to others?

By definition, it's someone who supports their country and is willing to defend it. Which should mean defend all people, lands, etc, no matter political affiliation.

[ANGUS]

A patriot defends the constitutional rights we were granted. They help their neighbors. They come and put out your chimney fire at 3 am. They stop and pull you out of a ditch in a snowstorm. They will defend your right to express your freedom of speech. Even if they disagree.

[Guy in Shorts]

Took an oath eons ago - I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States... So help me God.
Kind of covers most bases.

Am I hyper masculine if I ski in shorts?

[Bubba]

In 2020?

Apparently hyper masculine, white males who support Trump, the 2A, Q conspiracies and a love to demonstrate it all on social media to trigger the libs.

That's pretty much the M.O. of 99% of people these days who self declare as Patriots.

What does it mean to YOU, not what you think it means to others?

By definition, it's someone who supports their country and is willing to defend it. Which should mean defend all people, lands, etc, no matter political affiliation.

Does that mean “my country right or wrong”? People who have protested military action ie Vietnam have been called by many “unpatriotic”.

[Bubba]

Took an oath eons ago - I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States... So help me God.
Kind of covers most bases.

Am I hyper masculine if I ski in shorts?

That’s a military oath, including obeying the President. What if the order given by the President or other officer is illegal? Would it be unpatriotic to disobey?

[Guy in Shorts]

Took an oath eons ago - I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States... So help me God.
Kind of covers most bases.

Am I hyper masculine if I ski in shorts?

That’s a military oath, including obeying the President. What if the order given by the President or other officer is illegal? Would it be unpatriotic to disobey?

Uniform Code of Military Justice is the standard by which the military operates. As in any system that establishes rules and order not every outcome is perfect. Orders are meant to be followed so disobeying would subject you to being charged. Found defending myself at "The Green Table" a character building experience. You most certainly can be a patriot yet disobey an order. Deck is stacked heavily against you so you must be ready for the outcome.

[Bubba]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread after the events of this past week since it was self-declared "patriots" that rioted in DC and broke into the Capitol.

[skidogg]

i see traitors not patrots

[Guy in Shorts]

I see Buccaneers.

[skidogg]

they won last nite
thet showed ther true colors on wensday