Comments on: Hi. My Name Is Erin, And I AM A Patriot

By: Lauren Horsley

Lauren Horsley — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:41:23 +0000

Mothergoosemouse’s comment is interesting to me. I definitely feel that someone who makes an ignorant statement like “Republicans are stupid” or blogs about how their children shouldn’t be in a room with Republicans for too long would fall very clearly into the category of “…those who preach tolerance often display so little of it themselves.” Why can’t we, as passionate political participants, disagree without hating eachother for it? Why is the mud-slinging necessary?

By: America the Beautiful

America the Beautiful — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:33:10 +0000

[...] like what my friend, Erin, has to say about this. I have never considered myself a [...]

By: mothergoosemouse

mothergoosemouse — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:49:22 +0000

“He would be remiss to NOT hold accountable those of us so quick to decry our accusers while we call names at the other side.”

Thank you! You have no idea what that means to me. I’ve said many times before how ridiculous it is that those who preach tolerance often display so little of it themselves.

By: mothergoosemouse

mothergoosemouse — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:48:21 +0000

He would be remiss to NOT hold accountable those of us so quick to decry our accusers while we call names at the other side.

Thank you! You have no idea what that means to me. I’ve said many times before how ridiculous it is that those who preach tolerance often display so little of it themselves.

By: Belinda

Belinda — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:27:15 +0000

Just a tangent, but I have to admit that I supported Wesley Clark’s political aspirations a few years ago–I really thought he was a good hope for the Dems at the time. He’s also from Arkansas…my point being, what’s in the water down here? I think you need to move here for a while, then maybe YOU can run for president! A chicken in every pot, a #suckit on every laptop. GO ERIN.

By: Carol Ramsey

Carol Ramsey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:55:17 +0000

I think the word patriot is a big word that includes many kinds of people, including those that question their government and challenge it to be better. The word is big enough for people who question more of the time and people who support more of the time, the country works best with some of both. I love that Obama’s speech recognized that. It is so much easier to write a speech about the one-dimensional, easily-digestible versions of big words. I get pretty excited when the national conversation goes beyond that.

By: phyllis

phyllis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:41:00 +0000

…oops, sorry about that…

to continue….you *definitely* qualify as a patriot, and thanks for reminding us all that we do too! i do sometimes feel outside the “patriot club” and this was a great reminder.

By: phyllis

phyllis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:39:22 +0000

i’m usually lurking around here but i had to stop by and say, Erin, you ROCK. this was a great post, and i think you *definitely*

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:11:31 +0000

According to Dictionary.com one definition of Patriot is “a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.” You my friend are the epitome of that.

By: Lara

Lara — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25:20 +0000

This is my favorite part of his speech:

“Of course, precisely because America isn’t perfect, precisely because our ideals constantly demand more from us, patriotism can never be defined as loyalty to any particular leader or government or policy. As Mark Twain, that greatest of American satirists and proud son of Missouri, once wrote, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” We may hope that our leaders and our government stand up for our ideals, and there are many times in our history when that’s occurred. But when our laws, our leaders or our government are out of alignment with our ideals, then the dissent of ordinary Americans may prove to be one of the truest expression of patriotism.”

I actually listened to him and felt like one day soon I may actually be comfortable reciting the Pledge of Allegiance again.