Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel."

 

The Captain of the Mother Ship:  "BB-IDAHO…….ARE YOU PROUD OF AMERICA?  (how’s that for a question?!)"


BB-Idaho answers with wit and dignity:

BB-Idaho says:

RE: “BB-IDAHO…….ARE YOU PROUD OF AMERICA?  (how’s that for a question?!) Sort of like “are you still beating your wife?” ! I’ve been proud of the US ever since I was born the day Greece surrendered to Nazi Germany. I was proud when Biden was president (gasp!). But I’m a member of the Silent Generation, so I don’t get all puffed up about it. I’m still proud, but pondering Proverbs – Pride Goeth Before A Fall. Naturally, I am proud of our education system, I like teachers, and when I had to fire someone, I felt that somehow I failed. I live in one of the most Republican states in the country – but they talk to me. – and no, I am still not beating my wife 🙂

PS. Bravo! Well done, Sir!




Dear BB-Idaho,


We here at P.E. would NEVER question your being proud of America.

What the Captain of the Mother Ship (and her sailors) don't understand, and never will, is that one can love one's country and criticize it when it fails to live up to its ideals and laws. She and her Trumper pals will not tolerate anyone who calls out this country when it fails to live up to its promise and elects a convicted felon/sexual assaulter to represent us. They will never understand what it means to live in a democracy where loyalty should be given to our Constitution NOT TO A PRESIDENT!

Right now, we are being tested by a president who doesn't believe in our ideals and laws, and the Mother Ship sailors and Captain love HIM, not the Constitution. 

Mark Twain famously said, "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it," suggesting a distinction between loyalty to one's nation and critical evaluation of its actions. 







2 comments:

Dave Miller said...

Bravo BB!

My youngest birthday memory is of losing out on a party to celebrate my 5th birthday in November of 1963 as the nation mourned the loss of JFK. Since that day, politics has fascinated me.

I've seen plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly here in the US and from our government led by both GOP and Dem presidents.

I've been critical of both parties, supported both parties, walked precincts for both parties and voted for people of multiple parties.

Sadly, none of that matters to the worst of the MAGA partisans we see online.

All they see is ppl who are critical of, at this moment President Trump, and they declare those folks unAmerican, American haters, scum, evil and worse.

Your grace, wit and yes, understated love for America is to be admired.

Anonymous said...

Thankfully my parents encouraged me to speak my mind and stand up for what was ethical and moral. They said that is what loving ones country and true patriotism requires.

Because they were right I continue to love my country while having at present nothing but disgust and disdain for one party and the present leadership, if you can even call it that.

The cancer of authoritatianism and fascism is eating away at the very fabric of the country and I fear it is treading the same path post WWB I Germany did when Adolf Hitler assumed power. The playbook of the Felon of the USA mirrors Hitler's playbook.

America is teetering. Too many more strong and unethical winds may very well cause a complete collapse into total tyranny.