My name is patriot
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
“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” – Samuel Johnson
Patriotism typically runs into contradictions when patriots from different countries honestly compare notes. Inasmuch as patriotism is rooted in national interest to the exclusion of other nations’ national interests, conflict, violence and wars are inevitable. This form of patriotism is simply nationalism. I do believe in patriotism if it simply represents an appreciation and celebration of one’s particular place in life — such as geographic beauty, the particular people you know in face-to-face community in a particular place. This Pablo Casals quote captures it well:
“The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?”
