topic Re: Patriotism? in Community Chat

Patriotism?

Demitra1 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:29:28 GMT

I just read with interest the thread on wearing red, white, and blue on the 4th. Some thought if you didn't, then you're not patriotic.

Patriotic???

A few days ago, my DH called and said he had picked up a military HITCHHIKER. I was soooo worried, and yes, downright irritated that he had taken such a risk.

During two two phone conversations, he assured me that the guy was a "good kid". I had visions of the "kid" holding a knife to DH's throat. Ugh!!!! You can imagine!

His goal for the day was to get to a town 30 miles beyond our home.

He told DH he had been deployed twice, and he had been discharged a few days earlier. Now, I don't know the particulars.....why he didn't take a bus, or why family wasn't involved, but DH felt he was in need. (I will add here, DH thumbed to high school many many times, BUT, that was back in the day).

Ok, when he got him to his day's destination, DH bought him dinner. While eating, DH thought to himself that he couldn't just leave him there, so he drove him THREE MORE HOURS! Thank God everything turned out well.

From where he picked him up, till he returned home, DH drove seven hours!

Yesterday, the 4th, DH didn't dress in red, white, and blue. I really doubt that Vet would care, do you?

Patriotic??

Re: Patriotism?

chickenbutt — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:35:15 GMT

It feels to me like something that goes hand in hand with this kind of perverted view of patriotism that began right after the beginning of this century.

It was this new brand of patriotism defined by 'either you're with us or you're a terrorist'. Of course, the 'us' to which it referred with was the 'we're the only good country and we need to blow everybody else to smithereens' kind of sentiment.

Remember the whole flag pin thing? Yikes! If one didn't wear a flag pin they were unpatriotic. If they spoke against the horrors that were going on they were unpatriotic and a part of terrorism.

Sadly, that whole 'lowest common denominator' type thinking is still alive. But I think that a lot of us aren't like that. I was patriotic WAY before patriotic was cool, so I get it. I think a lot of us here also 'get' it.

Re: Patriotism?

151949 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:36:40 GMT

Personally , I found that entire thread to be idiotic.

Cudos to your DH for what he did.

Re: Patriotism?

151949 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:39:52 GMT

My cousin was telling me his 96 yr old neighbor comes out every day with his walker to hang the flag and he salutes it and says the pledge of Allegience. Then at dusk he comes out with his walker to take it down. If it rains he hurries out to get it down.My cousin offered to put a spotlight in for him so he would not have to take it down at night but he said he doesn't mind. That's patriotism.

Re: Patriotism?

Preds — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:40:30 GMT

Patriotism to me is like your religion. You don't have to "wear" your colors to know what's in your head and heart. It shows in your daily life and the lives of those around you.

Wearing of the colors is a fun activity to showcase your pride ... just like St. Pat's day, Christmas or orange and black at Halloween.

Re: Patriotism?

Marp — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:41:31 GMT

Patriotism comes from within not what one has on.

Re: Patriotism?

chickenbutt — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:42:51 GMT

Preds wrote:
Patriotism to me is like your religion. You don't have to "wear" your colors to know what's in your head and heart. It shows in your daily life and the lives of those around you.

Wearing of the colors is a fun activity to showcase your pride ... just like St. Pat's day, Christmas or orange and black at Halloween.

Yeah, totally! I like a fun aspect to something like that, and I didn't see the thread in question here, but if the implication was that anybody who didn't play along was noe patriotic, that's just kind of messed up.

Hey, I will do colors for fun too except the kind of funny thing is that I don't care for green so St Patrick's Day used to be kind of painful for me. I never had any green clothes! ha!

Re: Patriotism?

Isobel Archer — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:43:54 GMT

@Demitra1 wrote:
I just read with interest the thread on wearing red, white, and blue on the 4th. Some thought if you didn't, then you're not patriotic.

Patriotic???

A few days ago, my DH called and said he had picked up a military HITCHHIKER. I was soooo worried, and yes, downright irritated that he had taken such a risk.

During two two phone conversations, he assured me that the guy was a "good kid". I had visions of the "kid" holding a knife to DH's throat. Ugh!!!! You can imagine!

His goal for the day was to get to a town 30 miles beyond our home.

He told DH he had been deployed twice, and he had been discharged a few days earlier. Now, I don't know the particulars.....why he didn't take a bus, or why family wasn't involved, but DH felt he was in need. (I will add here, DH thumbed to high school many many times, BUT, that was back in the day).

Ok, when he got him to his day's destination, DH bought him dinner. While eating, DH thought to himself that he couldn't just leave him there, so he drove him THREE MORE HOURS! Thank God everything turned out well.

From where he picked him up, till he returned home, DH drove seven hours!

Yesterday, the 4th, DH didn't dress in red, white, and blue. I really doubt that Vet would care, do you?

Patriotic??

I'm sorry you are so irritated that your DH helped the Vet.

Re: Patriotism?

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:50:08 GMT

@151949 wrote:
My cousin was telling me his 96 yr old neighbor comes out every day with his walker to hang the flag and he salutes it and says the pledge of Allegience. Then at dusk he comes out with his walker to take it down. If it rains he hurries out to get it down.My cousin offered to put a spotlight in for him so he would not have to take it down at night but he said he doesn't mind. That's patriotism.

Technically, I think that sounds more like idolatry than patriotism. The flag is not the country, but I definitely admire his dedication to the flag as a symbol of the country.

Re: Patriotism?

Hooty — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:58:09 GMT

@Demitra1, it was a nice and wonderful thing that your DH did, but I don't think it has anything to do with Patriotism, just because the guy was in the military!!!

I enjoy wearing red, white, & blue whenever and I don't think not wearing it doesn't mean you are not patriotic, I am not trying to declare anything!

BTW, I married someone in military, and YES we are very patriotic!

Re: Patriotism?

Moonchilde — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 20:58:45 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
@Preds wrote:
Patriotism to me is like your religion. You don't have to "wear" your colors to know what's in your head and heart. It shows in your daily life and the lives of those around you.

Wearing of the colors is a fun activity to showcase your pride ... just like St. Pat's day, Christmas or orange and black at Halloween.

Yeah, totally! I like a fun aspect to something like that, and I didn't see the thread in question here, but if the implication was that anybody who didn't play along was noe patriotic, that's just kind of messed up.

Hey, I will do colors for fun too except the kind of funny thing is that I don't care for green so St Patrick's Day used to be kind of painful for me. I never had any green clothes! ha!

Same here. I did wear a decorated shirt - for fun and to be cheerful. The vast majority of people I was around all weekend did not. It never occurred to me that they weren't patriotic, or that I WAS "especially" because I had a particular shirt on - OR that one needed to "be patriotic" on the 4th - whatever that even means.

LOL - was this thread started by the Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day people? Sounds about right.

We're all Murrikanz ;-)

Re: Patriotism?

Moonchilde — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:02:13 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@Demitra1 wrote:
I just read with interest the thread on wearing red, white, and blue on the 4th. Some thought if you didn't, then you're not patriotic.

Patriotic???

A few days ago, my DH called and said he had picked up a military HITCHHIKER. I was soooo worried, and yes, downright irritated that he had taken such a risk.

During two two phone conversations, he assured me that the guy was a "good kid". I had visions of the "kid" holding a knife to DH's throat. Ugh!!!! You can imagine!

His goal for the day was to get to a town 30 miles beyond our home.

He told DH he had been deployed twice, and he had been discharged a few days earlier. Now, I don't know the particulars.....why he didn't take a bus, or why family wasn't involved, but DH felt he was in need. (I will add here, DH thumbed to high school many many times, BUT, that was back in the day).

Ok, when he got him to his day's destination, DH bought him dinner. While eating, DH thought to himself that he couldn't just leave him there, so he drove him THREE MORE HOURS! Thank God everything turned out well.

From where he picked him up, till he returned home, DH drove seven hours!

Yesterday, the 4th, DH didn't dress in red, white, and blue. I really doubt that Vet would care, do you?

Patriotic??

I'm sorry you are so irritated that your DH helped the Vet.

Sadly, so very typical of this forum. I seriously doubt the fact that he was a vet mattered, as a wife she was worried about him picking up a stranger, period. The man happened to be a vet, this thread is a out the 4th of July. Not a stretch to mention that the hitcher was a vet, and not meaning, for the love of G-d don't ever help a vet. Sheesh.

Re: Patriotism?

Cakers3 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:04:26 GMT

A patriot has gratitude for what this country offers. The patriot does not misuse the privilege of being a member of the USA.

A patriot acknowleges when situations arise that do not reflect our heritage and speaks up; the patriot sees the wrongs that do happen and realizes that our country has its thorns. The patriot does not excuse but also does not misdirect blame.

The patriot stands up for the voiceless because our democracy is established for exactly that reason.

The patriot remembers all those who have gone before him/her to keep him/her safe; and recognizes the current citizens, both military and civilian for their acts of courage and does his/her best to emulate them.

The patriot does not praise those who want colors worn or flags displayed; the patriot also does not denigrate those who choose not to display our flag or wear its colors.

The patriot will always show by example the respect our USA deserves so that all citizens can examine their own consciences - are we all doing what we can for our country? It can be something as simple as caring for our environment to becoming involved in efforts to help those less fortunate.

Patriotism isn't about colors; it's about people.

Re: Patriotism?

Demitra1 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:09:55 GMT

Exactly, Moonchilde, exactly. Apparently I didn't spell that out clearly enough for some to understand. Thanks!

Re: Patriotism?

Mominohio — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:11:41 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@Demitra1 wrote:
I just read with interest the thread on wearing red, white, and blue on the 4th. Some thought if you didn't, then you're not patriotic.

Patriotic???

A few days ago, my DH called and said he had picked up a military HITCHHIKER. I was soooo worried, and yes, downright irritated that he had taken such a risk.

During two two phone conversations, he assured me that the guy was a "good kid". I had visions of the "kid" holding a knife to DH's throat. Ugh!!!! You can imagine!

His goal for the day was to get to a town 30 miles beyond our home.

He told DH he had been deployed twice, and he had been discharged a few days earlier. Now, I don't know the particulars.....why he didn't take a bus, or why family wasn't involved, but DH felt he was in need. (I will add here, DH thumbed to high school many many times, BUT, that was back in the day).

Ok, when he got him to his day's destination, DH bought him dinner. While eating, DH thought to himself that he couldn't just leave him there, so he drove him THREE MORE HOURS! Thank God everything turned out well.

From where he picked him up, till he returned home, DH drove seven hours!

Yesterday, the 4th, DH didn't dress in red, white, and blue. I really doubt that Vet would care, do you?

Patriotic??

I'm sorry you are so irritated that your DH helped the Vet.

It isn't about helping or the vet, It seems the OP was worried for her DH's safety.

These days people are doing all kinds of things to appear what they are not, including dressing in a military uniform to attract some unsuspecting well meaning person that they can then do harm to.

I, too would have been very wary of what her husband did, and would worry until he had parted company with the young man.

It's a different world today, and everything is not what it seems.

Re: Patriotism?

febe1 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:14:08 GMT

I didn't see much over the holiday, but I tuned in and saw Cameron of Halston and Mary, formerly kitchen. Cameron was dressed in all red, white and blue plus he had a flag pin on his jacket. While talking Mary asked where he would like to live. On Independence Day, Cameron said he would like to live in Paris and Mary said she would like to live in London. I turned them both off! I live in the best country in the world and would have liked to hear them both say so.

Re: Patriotism?

RoughDraft — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:14:10 GMT

@Moonchilde Thanks. You saved me the time to type a response.

Re: Patriotism?

chrystaltree — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:18:21 GMT

Your husband is an angel, certainly he was that vet's angel but it was a very risky thing to do. Veterans can be thieves and murderers just like anyone else and he had no proof that the guy was telling the truth. It could have been a very different story. But, I do agree and I think I posted it. Patriotism isn't about what color we wear of if we fly the flag or if go around screaming Happy 4th of July at the top of our lungs. Patriotism is about what is in our hearts and the respect we show for our country. Like voting and attending town hall meetings and participating in them, like listening to candidates before we make up our minds, like respecting the rights of others to opinions that differe from our own. And yes, like giving a stranded veteran a ride home,

Re: Patriotism?

qbetzforreal — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 21:57:13 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
@Demitra1 wrote:
I just read with interest the thread on wearing red, white, and blue on the 4th. Some thought if you didn't, then you're not patriotic.

Patriotic???

A few days ago, my DH called and said he had picked up a military HITCHHIKER. I was soooo worried, and yes, downright irritated that he had taken such a risk.

During two two phone conversations, he assured me that the guy was a "good kid". I had visions of the "kid" holding a knife to DH's throat. Ugh!!!! You can imagine!

His goal for the day was to get to a town 30 miles beyond our home.

He told DH he had been deployed twice, and he had been discharged a few days earlier. Now, I don't know the particulars.....why he didn't take a bus, or why family wasn't involved, but DH felt he was in need. (I will add here, DH thumbed to high school many many times, BUT, that was back in the day).

Ok, when he got him to his day's destination, DH bought him dinner. While eating, DH thought to himself that he couldn't just leave him there, so he drove him THREE MORE HOURS! Thank God everything turned out well.

From where he picked him up, till he returned home, DH drove seven hours!

Yesterday, the 4th, DH didn't dress in red, white, and blue. I really doubt that Vet would care, do you?

Patriotic??

I'm sorry you are so irritated that your DH helped the Vet.

Sadly, so very typical of this forum. I seriously doubt the fact that he was a vet mattered, as a wife she was worried about him picking up a stranger, period. The man happened to be a vet, this thread is a out the 4th of July. Not a stretch to mention that the hitcher was a vet, and not meaning, for the love of G-d don't ever help a vet. Sheesh.

Exactly. The issue was the DH picked up a hitchhiker which is dangerous for men and women.

Re: Patriotism?

SilleeMee — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 22:04:07 GMT

My neighbor hung a flag from a tree branch in his front yard. Well, if you know the rules, this is a huge no-no. I know my neighbor, he's a nice guy, so I told him. His reply: "I was only trying to be patriotic and decorate my tree for the 4th of July".