Like much of the country, last night I watched fireworks on TV. My choice was the Boston Pops because I love the 1812 Overture. The music is stirring, It made me wonder what the 4th means to others. Those of use who lived through WW2 experienced the pulling together of the whole country in a sense of patriotism that I've not seen expressed as totally or with such dedication by so many since.
Patriotism is love of and/or devotion to one's country. The word comes from the Greek patris.[1] However, patriotism has had different meanings over time, and its meaning is highly dependent upon context, geography and philosophy.
After 9/11, many people spoke out with patriotic fervor. Sadly, our then President, spoke the words someone else undoubtedly wrote for him to say and then proceeded to make a total mockery of the entire essence of what he said. "Americans are a free people, who know that freedom is the right of every person and the future of every nation. The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world; it is God's gift to humanity." - George W. Bush, State of the Union address 2003
How can the many immigrants and political refugees currently in the US, legally and illegally, can understand the fight Americans have had for so long to build America into the nation it took only eight years for George W. Bush almost bankrupt. It took him little time to help collapse the economy, trust in government, patriotism and values that for so long had served to bind Americans with love and loyalty for their country.
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