POEM: Patriot

My name is
I am a force to be reckoned with
That few dare oppose
Just tell me what country I live in
And I'll know exactly how to behave

is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” – Samuel Johnson

typically runs into contradictions when patriots from different countries honestly compare notes. Inasmuch as is rooted in interest to the exclusion of other nations' interests, , and wars are inevitable.  This form of patriotism is simply .  I do believe in patriotism if it simply represents an appreciation and celebration of one's particular place in — such as geographic , the particular people you know in face-to-face in a particular place.  This Pablo Casals quote captures it well:

“The of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should stop at the border?”

 

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