HAVE YOU BEEN A PATRIOT TODAY?

Interesting that I would have this as my next blog entry, after bashing the New England Patriots, which seems almost eons ago...

I have been following the primary elections since Iowa, participated in the campaigns (and still do), and of course voted.

Does that make me a patriot?

If I am against the war in Iraq, while continuing to HONOR THE BRAVE MEN & WOMEN WHO SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES, does that make me a patriot? Or does that make me unpatriotic, irregardless?

If I simply pay my taxes dutifully and abide by all laws, does that make me a patriot?

If I volunteer countless hours to uplift my community, does that make me a patriot? If I speak out against the establishment in the course of uplfting my community, does that make me a patriot? Or does that make me unpatriotic, irregardless?

Quite frankly, people shuld be more careful of how they use the word. Or should we just put ourselves to the dictionary definition test...?

(I think I would pass that test.)


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pa·tri·ot /ˈpeɪtriət, -ˌɒt or, especially Brit., ˈpætriət/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-tree-uht, -ot or, especially Brit., pa-tree-uht] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2. a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.
3. (initial capital letter) Military. a U.S. Army antiaircraft missile with a range of 37 mi. (60 km) and a 200-lb. (90 kg) warhead, launched from a tracked vehicle with radar and computer guidance and fire control.
[Origin: 1590–1600; < MF patriote < LL patriōta < Gk patrités fellow-countryman, lineage member]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.