When I was a kid, the word ‘patriot’ brought with it a rush of warm, proud feelings. Stories of the Revolution and those Patriots flooded my brain and lifted my spirits. All of the kids wanted to be patriots like our heroes in the history books.
When I hear that word today, no such feelings arise; rather, my brain signals danger. They have corrupted that perfectly good word. The extreme right wing here in America. They have hijacked ‘patriotism’ and twisted it into a code word for hate of ’the other.’
The Southern Poverty Law center just released a study documenting a 244 percent increase in the number of conspiracy-minded, anti-government “Patriot” groups in a single year. Militias — the paramilitary arm of the “Patriot” movement — were a major part of the increase. Like other extremists, “Patriot” groups have been fueled by anger over immigration, the troubled economy and an array of initiatives by President Obama.
What's your opinion? Do you think it's silly for people to dress up like 18th century Minutemen and go to demonstrations? Are these people misguided or just passionate?
Please leave a comment.
Dressing up like "Patrtiots" is a great idea. Going to Washington and petitioning the gummint is a great idea. These concerned citizens want to return this nation to a simpler time when their voices could be heard!
ReplyDeleteI applaud their spirit! I just wish they would go "Full Monty" with their schtick and WALK to Washington, over the hills and through the woods--noneathem "treasonous" interstate highways for "True Patriots"--with their flintlocks.
Are these people misguided or just passionate?
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on why they are dressing-up. Of course, when the KKK dress-up, there is no need to ask why.
Costuming has a long and sordid history. Just today in our local paper is a story of a group of middle aged men who dresses up as nuns and sodomized a young woman in some perverted Satanic ritual.
Of course men sent off to wars are in costume and infrequently we read that they abused their costumed-position.
I often wonder why hunters costume-up, dressing like brush. With their scopes and powerful weapons, the animals haven't got a chance.
"What's your opinion? Do you think it's silly for people to dress up like 18th century Minutemen and go to demonstrations?"
ReplyDeleteDon't you understand symbolism?
Politicians use symbolism all the time. Now they have a problem with it being thrown back in their faces?
Fascinating.
Mudrake: The Southern Poverty Law center just released a study documenting a 244 percent increase in the number of conspiracy-minded, anti-government “Patriot” groups in a single year.
ReplyDeleteFearmongering at the SPLC
Jesse Walker | March 3, 2010
http://reason.com/blog/2010/03/03/fearmongering-at-the-splc
Ah, yes--the SPLC (Southern Preposterous Lie Center, as Mr. Vanderboegh has accurized their name to). SPLC's side of the story has been heard. Click here and here if you're more interested in accuracy.
ReplyDeleteEven if you can't be bothered to read those, please take a minute to read this solid gold response from Mr. Vanderboegh to an SPLC request for an interview. It's short and, to my way of thinking, very sweet.
Anyone remember the Bicentennial? Back in 1976, patriotism was cool. They had giant parades and events. School children were introduced to increased discussion and classwork about The Revolution, they had plays and programs and even were bussed to see "The Freedom Train" and similar museum events. We even coined money to commemorate it.
ReplyDeleteNow the founding fathers are treated as "misguided" at best and down right vilified in some classrooms if taught at all. Anyone that quotes or honors The Revolution is a militant according to the hate group Southern Poverty Law Center.
I bet they don't even show Johnny Tremain at schools any more as they did in the 70's.
Back in 2001, on September 11, I was at the Battlefield of Yorktown, a National Park. Before they closed the park that morning, I purchased a Gadsden Flag at the gift shop. Seven years later, in a 2008 MIAG report, the Department of Homeland Security label me a potential terrorist because I own something in which the Federal government sold me.
Go figure.
Demo - The truly sad commentary on the state of freedoms in America today is that they could not legally protest in D.C. while wearing a Revolutionary War era flintlock.
ReplyDeleteI think anyone who loves America and at least honors the constitution enough to realize it has to be changed to do something it opposed is a patriot. I have no problem with them.
ReplyDeleteI've read mudrake's page a bit (I still feel a little dirty) and he's nothing approaching a patriot. He is a man who claims anyone who opposes him is unpatriotic and then worships everything from the old world and broken economies of Europe.
Fortunately there are few like him, and less all the time.
There's nothing uber patriotic or unpatriotic about dressing up in historical costumes. It is simply symbolism, and shows dedication to walk around like that.
"The truly sad commentary on the state of freedoms in America today is that they could not legally protest in D.C. while wearing a Revolutionary War era flintlock."
ReplyDeleteWhat's truly sad is that without the gunz, they're just clownds. With the gunz they get "respect", the MAN gotta listen when they bring the gunz!
Zorro, Thanks for the links; I looked at them all with fascination and enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteLet me ask you a crazy question, are you Mike V. commenting here under the pseudonym Zorro?
The reason I say it's a crazy question is because Mike is a big guy and it's embarrassingly grandiose (you know I love that word) of me the even think he'd come around here.
But the reason I thought it is, when reading his response to the SPLC, which you said is "solid gold," I thought how similarly you and he write.
Mikeb says:
ReplyDeleteLet me ask you a crazy question, are you Mike V. commenting here under the pseudonym Zorro?
Damn--poor Mike Vanderboegh. John Lott gets the hot, sexy girl, and Mike is stuck with me (OK, OK--I haven't seen anything about Mary Rosh being "hot and sexy," but she's an imaginary woman--if I'm going to imagine a woman, she's going to be hot and sexy, damn it).
Nope, Mikeb, I'm not Mike Vanderboegh. I don't think it's his style to use an anonymous internet pseudonym, as I am, for reasons of my own.
But the reason I thought it is, when reading his response to the SPLC, which you said is "solid gold," I thought how similarly you and he write.
Now that's some grossly undeserved flattery you've honored me with. I appreciate it, but it's a grave injustice to Mr. Vanderboegh.
What's truly sad is that without the gunz, they're just clownds. With the gunz they get "respect", the MAN gotta listen when they bring the gunz!
ReplyDeleteAww, look Democommie is projecting again. How cute!
If you think carrying guns is about getting "respect" then it's a good thing you're anti-gun and don't carry.
By the way, Mikeb, before you ask, this Zorro, referred to by Mr. Vanderboegh, has nothing to do with me.
ReplyDelete