Jan 09 2009
GOPAC For The Left: Part I- Being A Patriot
The concept of what makes one patriotic has been kidnapped, brutalized, and given a gnarly case of Stockholm Syndrome by the GOP. People who understood what it meant to be a patriot- Thom Paine, Fredrick Douglass, Bill Maher- have been left behind like an under-performing school district. To the Republican Party, patriotism is sticking your head in the sand and never criticizing your government(unless you can manufacture a way to blame a liberal). Patriotism is a three word slogan you can place next to your American flag/God Bless Our Troops bumper stickers on your massive (compensatory) SUV.
Having spent several years in the service of my country at national and state levels, as well as not being some kind of mindless drone that takes my cues from the likes of Limbaugh, I can offer some of what I’ve learned to Democrats wishing to crush an opponent in our next election cycle.
1) As the party that so successfully eats its own, rarely unifies, and historically reacts rather than leads, it’s imperative that the qualities we dislike in other Democrats become inherent in our actual political opposites. In other words, save some of that mojo for the general election. And by “mojo”, I mean “mudslinging”.
2) Dissent is patriotic. This is one thing the GOP will never understand. At least, the GOP of the last 30 years. To the modern incarnation of the Republican Party, the Flag (oh yes, it gets a capital letter) is a security blanket. And if they wrap themselves tight enough in the Flag, no harm will come to them. Republicans, and many Congressional Dems, spent the better part of the last eight years wrapped so snugly in the flag that the circulation was completely cut off to their brains(I’m looking at you, Feinstien, Reid, Pelosi, Rockefeller, Conyers, and Rangel). By reclaiming the patriotism card, and going back to the original intent that loving your country includes recognizing its flaws and wanting to correct them, we can move forward and actually fucking do something about the messes of the last decade.
3) Patriotism shouldn’t be limited to stump speeches. For exemplary examples on how one serves as a patriot- see the voting records of Russ Feingold and Dennis Kucinich.
4) Never, for a second, allow the right to revise history. The fact that our taxpayer money is being spent on the “Bush Legacy Tour”(revisionist history at its “finest”) should not only piss you off, it should scare the shit outta you. Revisionists have already deified Reagan (something around 75% of Americans should have a problem with, but for some reason, don’t), vilified the successes of the Clinton Era (or claimed them for themselves), swept every misstep, blunder, and gargantuan fucking failure of the Bush Administration under the rug, and are hard at work sabotaging an Administration that hasn’t even taken place yet. This shit has got to stop. You, yes you, the astute, good looking, charming, and capable progressive reading this (and you too, birdie) have the power to do just that.
Stumble It!
Living here in small-town MI, I’ve gotten a lot of crap from people who’ve all but accused me of being “unpatriotic” and “anti-American” because I oppose the war in Iraq. Or they call me “liberal,” even though i hold mostly conservative views. As for revising history, i think both sides are guilty of that.
At least Bush will be gone soon.
Okay, I’ve been really sick since last night, so if I don’t make sense, please overlook.
On No. 2——you are SO right on! This is the thing that I can not understand about Repubs and some Dems. It makes me want to burn the freaking flag.
So, I do criticize Dems, but I often wonder if I’m not helping the wingnuts in doing so.
For example, although I feel seating Burris is a mistake, Obama wants BUrris, and if as Dems we don’t support this, are we not providing more fodder for the wingnust to criticize Obama unfairly?
Also on no. 2—-am I reading it wrong, or is no. 2 a contradiction of no. 1, RR? (i am typing as I flounder between puking and crying).
On No. 3———so very true, and sadly, too rare.
On No. 4——–um, I agree in principle. But, how does one go about stopping them? They are, after all, virtual champions in this area. Just like they are really good at pretending that many of them aren’t racists, by trying to redefine racism on their own terms.
Okay, back to bed.
“You, yes you, the astute, good looking, charming, and capable progressive reading this (and you too, birdie) have the power to do just that.” lol poor birdie…
Yeah Dennis Kucinich is my hero (how many other senators have seen a U.F.O. and talked about it?), you ever see any of his video’s against the Wall St. Bailout?
“IS THIS THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS OR THE BOARD OF GOLDMAN AND SACHS?” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGzLfmV4Ks
good stuff, good post, good to have you back rhino.
Have you seen this by Hack Halperin? Unbelievably misleading.
http://thepage.time.com/2009/01/07/rev-wright-will-be-nearby-on-inauguration/
Delete that first post I sent lol
HAHAAAAH! THE RHINO IS BACK, BITCHES! God bless your agnostic intellect!
http://waxingpoetically.today.com
http://artfromtheoutskirts.today.com
http://heroes.contentquake.com
psssssssst hey rhino- insider secret- if you make the next comment on my blog it’ll be my 420th…
act accordingly…
You know, I am one of those strange hybrids between a strong Ron Paul Republican (non-interventionist, drop the fiat currency, pro constitution, anti-patriot act) and a fully red godless Communist…so the Dems just don’t help me get my rocks off.
still glad to see you back rhino
The Flag that they have wrapped themselves up in is full of holes from the constant raping of the constitution over the last eight years.
Bill Maher?
Yup. Bill Maher. Since it seems to be the first time you’ve commented here, I’ll leave it at I usually throw in a joke or two to see if you’re on your toes. I would never put Maher in the same category as Thomas Paine. Maher gets more laughs.
I have found it most interesting over the past few years how the concepts of “patriotism” and “citizenship” have become moving targets that morph on cue. Social police action is effective especially when the banner of “freedom” acts as shroud to cloak the loss of liberty. So, when can we expect Part II–looking forward to it as always!
~k
I”m totally astute, charming, capable and progressive. As for the patriotism not equaling shutting up and bending over, I’m with you
Man..you lefties are so full of shit it’s not even funny. It’s okay to dissent against your government…however, it’s treasonous when you asshats start calling our brave troops baby killers and accuse them of killing people under the cover of night.
Your own leftard representatives in Congress have done some serious harm to our troops. Sure, it’s okay to oppose the war - but - stop taking shots at our troops. They defend your right to dissent.
This is just a bullshit post trying to explain why you’re still an asshole. You’re beloved Obamessiah promised you guys hope and change and so far all he has done is given you and the rest of the country the same old shit. He brought back the entire bullshit Clinton administration - how the fuck is that change? He’s already told you guys he is backing out on every single campaign promise and isn’t going to change a thing.
You call that patriotism? Patriotism is calling out every freakin’ dipshit representative in the country regardless of sides or party. I have never toed the party line because both parties suck. So far - all you are pushing for is continuing to divide the country by choosing sides. How the hell is that patriotic?
United we stand, divided we fall. I guess you’d rather this country fall to islamofascists through our own division?
@ BOBO………
Every word Rhino said is true. YOUR party was in control of all 3 branches for years, and all of you sucked up to Dubya and Cheney. Try owning YOUR idiots — at least we Dems do that.
Watching you attempt to wrap yourself in the cloak of bipartisanship is even more nauseating than your indiscriminate rah rah misplaced patriotism.
Thanks for the laugh.
Ha! I swear I wrote my last comment before reading the first paragraph here.