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Patriotism as a Weapon
Author: BobR
Date: 07/06/2017 13:03:40
Â
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" - Samuel Johnson, 1775
Dear readers of this blog are likely already aware of a story that occurred Tuesday, the Fourth of July. In celebration of the day, NPR tweeted out the Declaration of Independence, in Tweeteriffic 140 character chunks. Low-information tRump voters (is that redundant?) were outraged. Why because they thought it was an attack on tRump.
Yes, that's correct - they didn't recognize the Declaration of Independence on the day we celebrate its release. These self-described patriots don't even know one of the most important founding documents of our country.
It shouldn't be that surprising, though. If you made a Venn diagram of tRump supporters, rednecks, and Tea Partiers, it would very nearly be a perfect circle. These are people who use patriotism as a bludgeon, who drape themselves in the affectations of America, without really understanding the history behind them.
Take - for example - the Gadsden flag
The flag grew out of the original "Join or Die" cartoon by Ben Franklin. Indeed, the rattlesnake was our first animal symbol (before we made it the bald eagle). The meaning is meant to represent the colonies as a whole. It is NOT meant to represent individual liberties. It was also one of the country's first flags, and as such is as much a symbol of a unified United States as the stars and stripes.
The same lack of historical knowledge goes for the confederate flag. It was the battle flag for only one VA regiment, not the flag for the confederacy as a whole. Those who flew it were traitors to the country, trying to protect the right to own slaves, and - ultimately - losers. People call it a "rebel" flag, but they're only rebelling against intelligence and historical accuracy.
These people always make claims to support the Constitution, but the only parts they really know are 1/2 of the 2nd amendment (that "well-regulated militia" part always seems to get forgotten), and the 10th amendment (or their interpretation of it). They proclaim their 1st Amendment rights all the time, but forget that it also declares freedom of the press (i.e.: the media), and freedom of religion. Islam is a religion; so is Judaism and Hinduism. The 1st Amendment does not declare "freedom of Christianity".
What the Constitution does proscribe (in the preamble) is "... a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty". Yet they might describe "a more perfect union" and "promote the general welfare" as government overreach.
The United States has had a few mottoes through the years. Closer to our formation they were "e pluribus unum" (from many - one) and "united we stand" (which got bastardized on awful T-shirts as "we stand united" immediately after 9/11). Nowadays, however, we are less united than ever. The Civil War was an attempt to disunite us. It failed. What war could not do, though, is happening via propaganda, lizard-brain reflexive partisanship, and a lack of interest in history, civics, and respect for real information.
The divide is not entirely geographical, which makes another civil war unlikely. The lack of civility in general, however, is making the divide more dangerous. Hiding behind symbols of patriotism and claiming to love one's country more than "the other" cloaks the anger and hatred in a sheen of respectability. Only knowledge, understanding, tolerance, and empathy can bridge the chasms. Whether we as a nation have the desire to do so remains to be seen.
Dear readers of this blog are likely already aware of a story that occurred Tuesday, the Fourth of July. In celebration of the day, NPR tweeted out the Declaration of Independence, in Tweeteriffic 140 character chunks. Low-information tRump voters (is that redundant?) were outraged. Why because they thought it was an attack on tRump.
Yes, that's correct - they didn't recognize the Declaration of Independence on the day we celebrate its release. These self-described patriots don't even know one of the most important founding documents of our country.
It shouldn't be that surprising, though. If you made a Venn diagram of tRump supporters, rednecks, and Tea Partiers, it would very nearly be a perfect circle. These are people who use patriotism as a bludgeon, who drape themselves in the affectations of America, without really understanding the history behind them.
Take - for example - the Gadsden flag
The flag grew out of the original "Join or Die" cartoon by Ben Franklin. Indeed, the rattlesnake was our first animal symbol (before we made it the bald eagle). The meaning is meant to represent the colonies as a whole. It is NOT meant to represent individual liberties. It was also one of the country's first flags, and as such is as much a symbol of a unified United States as the stars and stripes.
The same lack of historical knowledge goes for the confederate flag. It was the battle flag for only one VA regiment, not the flag for the confederacy as a whole. Those who flew it were traitors to the country, trying to protect the right to own slaves, and - ultimately - losers. People call it a "rebel" flag, but they're only rebelling against intelligence and historical accuracy.
These people always make claims to support the Constitution, but the only parts they really know are 1/2 of the 2nd amendment (that "well-regulated militia" part always seems to get forgotten), and the 10th amendment (or their interpretation of it). They proclaim their 1st Amendment rights all the time, but forget that it also declares freedom of the press (i.e.: the media), and freedom of religion. Islam is a religion; so is Judaism and Hinduism. The 1st Amendment does not declare "freedom of Christianity".
What the Constitution does proscribe (in the preamble) is "... a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty". Yet they might describe "a more perfect union" and "promote the general welfare" as government overreach.
The United States has had a few mottoes through the years. Closer to our formation they were "e pluribus unum" (from many - one) and "united we stand" (which got bastardized on awful T-shirts as "we stand united" immediately after 9/11). Nowadays, however, we are less united than ever. The Civil War was an attempt to disunite us. It failed. What war could not do, though, is happening via propaganda, lizard-brain reflexive partisanship, and a lack of interest in history, civics, and respect for real information.
The divide is not entirely geographical, which makes another civil war unlikely. The lack of civility in general, however, is making the divide more dangerous. Hiding behind symbols of patriotism and claiming to love one's country more than "the other" cloaks the anger and hatred in a sheen of respectability. Only knowledge, understanding, tolerance, and empathy can bridge the chasms. Whether we as a nation have the desire to do so remains to be seen.
Comments:
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Comment by 
wickedpam on 07/06/2017 13:12:16
wickedpam on 07/06/2017 13:12:16
Morning 
Ya know the people that use that "don't tread on me" motto seem to be ok with treading on everyone else.
Ya know the people that use that "don't tread on me" motto seem to be ok with treading on everyone else.
Comment by 
Raine on 07/06/2017 13:24:02
good morning!
Raine on 07/06/2017 13:24:02
good morning!
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 13:32:27
Raine on 07/06/2017 13:32:27
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 13:44:00
Raine on 07/06/2017 13:44:00
Dear lord, pt. 3.
In a span of 13 minutes, on foreign soil, Trump trashed the American free press, the U.S. intel community, and Obama https://t.co/rMljkC0oXH
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 6, 2017
Comment by 
Scoopster on 07/06/2017 13:46:15
Scoopster on 07/06/2017 13:46:15
Mornin' all... 
Comment by 
BobR on 07/06/2017 13:52:34
bingo
BobR on 07/06/2017 13:52:34
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Ya know the people that use that "don't tread on me" motto seem to be ok with treading on everyone else.
bingo
Comment by BobR on 07/06/2017 13:53:13
Keep an eye out for reports of tRump buying a hotel in Hamburg
BobR on 07/06/2017 13:53:13
Quote by Raine:
Dear lord.
Trump couldn't find hotel to book for G-20: report
Keep an eye out for reports of tRump buying a hotel in Hamburg
Comment by wickedpam on 07/06/2017 13:53:48
I tried to listen, I just can't.
wickedpam on 07/06/2017 13:53:48
Quote by Raine:
Dear lord, pt. 3.In a span of 13 minutes, on foreign soil, Trump trashed the American free press, the U.S. intel community, and Obama https://t.co/rMljkC0oXH
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 6, 2017
I tried to listen, I just can't.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/06/2017 14:10:29
or buying some land with a 500 year old building so he can knock it down build his throne of tacky.
wickedpam on 07/06/2017 14:10:29
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Dear lord.
Trump couldn't find hotel to book for G-20: report
Keep an eye out for reports of tRump buying a hotel in Hamburg
or buying some land with a 500 year old building so he can knock it down build his throne of tacky.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 14:35:34
Raine on 07/06/2017 14:35:34
Someone has a confederate flag in this crowd.
The crowd in Warsaw, Poland, for Trump https://t.co/RvYFZUw4ld
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) July 6, 2017
Unless I am mistaken - that is a Confederate flag flying at Trump's reception in Poland.
— Elliott Lusztig (@ezlusztig) July 6, 2017
This is madness. pic.twitter.com/pKzn3kzJhs
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:51:44
Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:51:44
Good morning, bloggers!!!
I have an interview early this afternoon. It feels like a Tuesday. Fortunately, I slept solidly last night as the fireworks were a lot less intense.
Still waiting on the materials for a California teaching license, even as I check out East and around here.
I have an interview early this afternoon. It feels like a Tuesday. Fortunately, I slept solidly last night as the fireworks were a lot less intense.
Still waiting on the materials for a California teaching license, even as I check out East and around here.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:52:08
Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:52:08
So, is there a pool about which world leader Trump will offend first in Hamburg?
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 14:52:10
Raine on 07/06/2017 14:52:10
FT is reporting that Felix Sater is cooperating with the FBI.
I have the link but can't get behind the pay wall.
This is from Raw Story.
I have the link but can't get behind the pay wall.
This is from Raw Story.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 14:53:20
He already did:
Obama.
Raine on 07/06/2017 14:53:20
Quote by Will in Chicago:
So, is there a pool about which world leader Trump will offend first in Hamburg?
He already did:
Obama.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:53:36
I suppose if the administration's staffing levels were at normal levels, someone would have handled this far earlier.
Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 14:53:36
Quote by Raine:
Dear lord.
Trump couldn't find hotel to book for G-20: report
I suppose if the administration's staffing levels were at normal levels, someone would have handled this far earlier.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 15:02:19
Sater has ellegedly been working with feds for almost 20 years.
and there is this:
Raine on 07/06/2017 15:02:19
Quote by Raine:
FT is reporting that Felix Sater is cooperating with the FBI.
I have the link but can't get behind the pay wall.
This is from Raw Story.
Sater has ellegedly been working with feds for almost 20 years.
and there is this:
🇺🇸JUSTICE LEAGUE🇺🇸
— Dr. Dena Grayson (@DrDenaGrayson) July 6, 2017
Probing Bayrock / #Trump👉ðŸ¼Andrew Weissman, hired by Mueller, *signed Felix Sater's plea deal*‼ï¸https://t.co/Zuoy6chlYU
Comment by Scoopster on 07/06/2017 15:18:04
Scoopster on 07/06/2017 15:18:04
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 15:24:16
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Raine on 07/06/2017 15:24:16
Quote by Scoopster:
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 15:24:32
Raine on 07/06/2017 15:24:32
Hundreds of "zombies" hold a protest in Germany ahead of the G20 summit pic.twitter.com/akuvBYNrcf
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 6, 2017
Comment by wickedpam on 07/06/2017 15:25:37
I like it.
wickedpam on 07/06/2017 15:25:37
Quote by Raine:Hundreds of "zombies" hold a protest in Germany ahead of the G20 summit pic.twitter.com/akuvBYNrcf
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 6, 2017
I like it.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 15:29:05
Raine on 07/06/2017 15:29:05
Wow!
Polish first lady has no chill for @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/OePCuXWlnR
— G2 Lothar (@LotharHS) July 6, 2017
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 07/06/2017 15:48:30
That is a thing of beauty.
Mondobubba on 07/06/2017 15:48:30
Quote by Raine:
Wow!Polish first lady has no chill for @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/OePCuXWlnR
— G2 Lothar (@LotharHS) July 6, 2017
That is a thing of beauty.
Comment by Scoopster on 07/06/2017 15:49:27
Thread on DU - I asked the author for proper sourcing.
Scoopster on 07/06/2017 15:49:27
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Thread on DU - I asked the author for proper sourcing.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 16:11:52
oh wow, I missed that. Thanks.
Raine on 07/06/2017 16:11:52
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Thread on DU - I asked the author for proper sourcing.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 16:15:32
I found it -- that is MM's version of satire --
Raine on 07/06/2017 16:15:32
Quote by Raine:oh wow, I missed that. Thanks.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Thread on DU - I asked the author for proper sourcing.
I found it -- that is MM's version of satire --
Comment by Scoopster on 07/06/2017 16:16:44
Excuse me for a moment...
....
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGRHGRHRGHRGHGRHGRHG!
Scoopster on 07/06/2017 16:16:44
Quote by Raine:Quote by Raine:oh wow, I missed that. Thanks.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
OH man this rumor... supposedly Claude Taylor & Louise Mensch will be hosting a new show in Greta's MSNBC slot. Not sure how I feel about this (NP with Claude, but I got a little fed up with Louise's antics after a while)
Is louise spreading that rumor?
Where did you hear that, btw?)
Thread on DU - I asked the author for proper sourcing.
I found it -- that is MM's version of satire --
Excuse me for a moment...
....
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGRHGRHRGHRGHGRHGRHG!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 16:38:53
Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 16:38:53
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
Comment by 
livingonli on 07/06/2017 16:50:10
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
livingonli on 07/06/2017 16:50:10
Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 16:55:06
Keep me filled in on that, Liv.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Raine on 07/06/2017 16:55:06
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Comment by livingonli on 07/06/2017 16:57:53
Palast.
livingonli on 07/06/2017 16:57:53
Quote by Raine:Keep me filled in on that, Liv.Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Palast.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 17:02:59
If states have indeed done what Palast claims, there will be a lot of angry people contacting their Secretaries of State.
Will in Chicago on 07/06/2017 17:02:59
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Keep me filled in on that, Liv.Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Palast.
If states have indeed done what Palast claims, there will be a lot of angry people contacting their Secretaries of State.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 17:13:17
is it this story?
If it is, these are two different things. Both are important - really important - but 2 different stories.
Raine on 07/06/2017 17:13:17
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Keep me filled in on that, Liv.Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Palast.
If it is, these are two different things. Both are important - really important - but 2 different stories.
Comment by livingonli on 07/06/2017 17:19:18
That's the story.
livingonli on 07/06/2017 17:19:18
Quote by Raine:is it this story?Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Keep me filled in on that, Liv.Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Palast.
If it is, these are two different things. Both are important - really important - but 2 different stories.
That's the story.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 17:22:58
And this is why we can't have nice things. I hope he is able to tie them together because that article does not. And -- I want to mention, I like Palast overall.
Thanks for the confirm, Liv.
Raine on 07/06/2017 17:22:58
Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:is it this story?Quote by livingonli:Quote by Raine:Keep me filled in on that, Liv.Quote by livingonli:Quote by Will in Chicago:
It sounds like Thom is getting one of the Coast-to-Coast AM callers who is not on his normal sleep schedule.
I'm waiting until Greg Palast comes on. I saw his latest e-mail that contrary to what has been said some states have turned over their voter data to Kobach. I have to look up the e-mail but apparently both Virginia and Massachusetts are on that list.
Was the email from Thom or Palast?
Palast.
If it is, these are two different things. Both are important - really important - but 2 different stories.
That's the story.
Thanks for the confirm, Liv.
Comment by livingonli on 07/06/2017 18:07:32
livingonli on 07/06/2017 18:07:32
Greg Palast is on now. Apparently, Georgia has started to purge voters from the roles.
Comment by Raine on 07/06/2017 20:47:43
Raine on 07/06/2017 20:47:43
OMG, I hate cleaning the house.
Comment by 
TriSec on 07/07/2017 00:43:16
TriSec on 07/07/2017 00:43:16
Good evening. You know I tell the story about the Boston Tea Party three times a day in my line of work now.
It's amazing how many people have no friggin' clue what it was all about.
It's amazing how many people have no friggin' clue what it was all about.