Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Outrage of Patriotism: Updated















A note from Radarsite: I could spend the remainder of my life (which, as some of my friends know, is somewhat circumscribed) responding to Obama's recent stupid and unforgivable anti-American speeches overseas. This misguided, totally uninformed anti-Americanism is the reason I started Radarsite. A year-and-a-half ago I wrote a small article titled "A Brief Message to America", wherein I attempted to envision what General "Old Blood and Guts" Patton might have to say to this current weak-kneed leftist/pacifist generation, were he around to say it. Surprisingly, I received more hate mail for this piece than for anything I have written either before or since. Of course, this reaction triggered a new article which I am reproducing here in the hope that it reinvigorates the patriots and shames the lily-livered PC libs who are hell-bent on destroying this great nation of ours. -rg

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As some of you may know, I have written many articles critical of many things. Most often, of course, I've been critical of that dangerous Religion of Peace, called Islam. However, I have also found time to criticize feminists, liberals, Mexican-Americans, and even the Queen of England. But, no other article I have ever written has generated more angry hate mail, nor more malicious personal attacks than a short piece I wrote earlier this week.

No, it wasn't that one about those deadly Mohammad cartoons; and it wasn't that piece about the Jews and anti-semitism -- which I was certain would receive all kinds of objectionable comments, but actually received none.

The article that generated the most vicious and hateful responses -- even more than any of my anti-Islam pieces -- was that short essay I wrote in praise of America, A Brief Message to America. Even some of those people who had previously been generally acceptive of my point of view got upset enough to let me know about it. In sum, the common theme of these protests was that the article in question was "disgusting" and made them "sick". A lot of jokes about running to get the bucket. One angry commenter accused me of "never having written anything of value since I first started posting". I had, till then, never experienced real unmittigated visceral hatred for something I had written.

Evidently, the subject of patriotism is even more inflammatory and controversial than the subject of anti-semitism. What, I wonder, does this say about us here, today, in America? What does this tell us about ourselves that we don't already know? Do you find this as revealing as I do?

In general, I am being accused of two major personal faults: either being a "phony" or a "fool". To me, a phony is someone who says things that they don't really mean; therefore I am not a phony. As to being a fool, I suppose that's for others to decide. Some ninety per cent of the hate mail came from right here in the U.S. -- although, surprisingly, some of the most disturbing came from -- of all places -- New Zealand.

However, I am also happy to report that this little article unapologetically extolling the virtually-ignored virtues of America and Americans also garnered some of the warmest and most genuinely supportive comments I have ever gotten for any other piece (including, to my surprise, Fox News). The most fulsome praise for that article's praise of America came -- not surprisingly -- from our loyal allies in Australia. [See "KG's comments below]

The article is just an article -- but the reactions are significant. Significant and disturbing. This is the nature of our current and growing 'civil war'. These are the enemies we face.

For me, being patriotic is as natural and uncomplicated as loving your parents.
Are our parents without fault? Do they sometimes make mistakes? (although, I must admit, the older I get the less mistakes they seem to have made) The answer to both is of course, Yes. But they are our parents and we love them, don't we? We love them and we honor them, because they are good and they are decent and they have raised us up and nurtured us and protected us from harm to the best of their ability. And, again, the older I get, the more I appreciate how much they sacrificed for me so that I could have a chance at leading a free and productive life.

When I was an adolescent, I thought as an adolescent, and I was more than eager to find fault with them and with all of their 'phony values' and with the way they looked at this world. And I rebelled against them, as I rebelled against all authority figures and all of those loathsome symbols of The Establishment. In this way I was, of course, being a perfect conformist; conforming to the expectations of rebellious adolescence.

Thankfully, and finally, I've grown up now. After September 11, 2001, I've grown up even more -- as I'm sure a lot of us here have.

Over these past years, something has become increasingly apparent to me, a little theory of mine, which I can of course in no way corroborate with facts. It is simply this: the people I have known in my life who seem to be the most productive, the happiest, the most at ease with themselves and this world, are those people who speak of their parents with simple, unreserved affection, loyalty and love. Whether these were attributes which had always been present, or whether they were learned later on through life's experience -- as mine were -- they were almost invariably present and obvious.

I pity our enemies, for I think that they are unhappy and empty, I pity them as I pity all of those current rebellious adolescents who, for the sake of conforming to some perceived convention, have turned on their parents and their country and learned how to despise them and everything they stand for.

Maybe, if they live long enough...

Published in the Chicago Sun Times 3/4/08

http://www.suntimes.com/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=Cz1Gv91h41vGFCz16NNhbwsU29Cz9xWd1sM06sCBBET6WAxVZv0&bbParentWidgetId=B8k88rWwXopuz5STgLeV

A Brief Message to America
http://radarsite.blogspot.com/2008/01/from-radarsite-to-america-brief-message.html

5 comments:

  1. I wonder why the left hates patriotism so much. I have always wondered what is it about being proud of one's nation scares them?

    Every nation makes mistakes (as we witnessed so well this last November), but the people of their nation strive to correct the mistakes of the past.

    This nation has no need to apologize or defend our actions of the past.

    Certain minority groups need to look to the future instead of the past, rise out of the ashes of the wounds.

    And you Roger just need to remain has pure in your love for nation as you are.

    Well said my friend.

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  2. I wonder what outraged these people. Your piece came from the heart and shows your genuine concern for the well being of this nation. I lost both my parents two years ago. They taught us the meaning of patriotism by their example. My father served in Africa and London during World War II. He never really talked too much about his role in the war. It was not until he was close to his death he revealed he had gone to France to celebrate the victory and the end of the war and he said it was a wonderful memory. We also knew during his time in London he helped save the lives of several men trapped in the burning wreckage of the "Flying Fortress", but never received recognition for this selfless act, but it really did not bother him. I think this is typical of my parents generation. My mom was just as patriotic as my dad and got us all involved in a campaign to defeat the democratic machine in a Chicago suburb. As kids we stuffed envelopes, helped prepare voting packages and learned how to participate in our government. Because of their effort and hundreds of others like them, the machine was voted out. I am almost glad my parents did not live to see the change in this country where many people do not believe in anything, but themselves and what they can get out of the government. Patriotism is not politically correct. To many our enemies really need our understanding and believe this peaceful stance will elicit the same response. However, this is the real world and their our people out there with no good intention towards us or our country. I pray for people to wake up and invite others to do the same. I pray also for the poor Captain being held by the pirates and pray he will return to his family soon.

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  3. Thank you Anonymous for your interesting comments. We are definitely living in a different world than our parents.

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  4. You wrote from the heart, Roger, and expressed what many of us Patriots feel. If you are a fool, then you are with the majority of us and we are in very good company!

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