{"id":211,"date":"2008-07-04T23:02:00","date_gmt":"2008-07-04T23:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2008\/07\/what-is-patriotism.html"},"modified":"2008-07-04T23:02:00","modified_gmt":"2008-07-04T23:02:00","slug":"what-is-patriotism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat\/2008\/07\/what-is-patriotism.html","title":{"rendered":"What is Patriotism?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>
I saw a poll on one of the morning shows today. They did a survey asking what people consider patriotism. My answer didn\u2019t even make the long list that included voting, wearing a flag pin, and other things that I believe doesn\u2019t necessarily make someone patriotic. Looking at the long list of things that I don\u2019t consider representing patriotism got me thinking.<\/p>\n

I consider myself patriotic because I love my country. Pure and simple. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone can wear a flag pin, or vote. But to say from your heart that you really love your country, even if you don\u2019t agree with everything its leader does or its policies, is patriotism to me.<\/p>\n

I watched the fireworks tonight as the Fourth of July<\/span> celebrations sent lights exploding over the East River on TV. I actually live near the area where they go off. I can hear them explode in my apartment. But I have no desire to face the packed crowds to stand outside for many hours, often in the rain, to watch. Are they more patriotic than me? Nope! I\u2019m just more practical. I had a friend who worked at the UN with an office overlooking the festivities and for several years I was spoiled with a front row seat. So now I\u2019m content to watch from the comfort of my air-conditioned place.<\/p>\n

As I watched the finale, I felt wonderful about being an American as the band played God Bless America<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve despised many of the policies of the current administration and count the days till Bush is out. My heart gets heavy when I think of the war we instigated in Iraq. But I can speak freely about it. That\u2019s part of the freedom I celebrate as part of being an American.<\/p>\n

I have a good friend in Tehran Iran. She translated one of my books six years ago and we\u2019ve been writing to each other ever since. She doesn\u2019t have the freedom I have. She can\u2019t even read this blog! It\u2019s banned, as are many things for her. Even my book got banned after she translated it! She\u2019s used to living with restrictions. I\u2019m not, because my country allows more freedom.<\/span> Nasrin can\u2019t speak out against her president in public. I can, and do!<\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny, because right after 9\/11, it seemed like everyone had flags hanging and I wanted one too. All the motivated patriots had flags on their cars, homes, etc. Since I live in an apartment, there\u2019s no place to hang a real one so I got a cardboard facsimile and taped it to my outside door. It\u2019s been there ever since. What I find funny is how many people question why my flag still proudly adorns my front door<\/span>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve asked if patriotism is only supposed to show itself after a tragedy. But they don\u2019t get it!<\/span><\/p>\n

It actually gets comical when folks question why I\u2019d want a flag on my door now. Or sad. Some have a very skewed view of patriotism. To me, rituals don\u2019t necessarily make you one way or another.<\/span> You can vote or wear a flag pin and not love your country. My flag is on my door from my heart, not from habit.<\/span><\/p>\n

A while after 9\/11, we had the huge blackout. Our hallways have no windows. I was out when it happened and had to walk up 10 flights of stairs to get home. There was an auxiliary light on as I walked up the stairs. Just as I reached my floor, it went out, leaving me in total darkness. There are 2 stairwells on my floor and I couldn\u2019t remember which one I\u2019d come out on. I became disoriented and got scared in the darkness, not being sure where my apartment was.<\/p>\n

Then I saw a reflection on a door. It was from my shiny cardboard flag!<\/span><\/p>\n

The flag people questioned helped me get home. It\u2019s still mounted proudly on my door, as people wonder why. Because I\u2019m not a fair weather patriot!<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday USA! Happy Fourth of July to you all!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you enjoyed my post, please leave a comment and\/or click on the bookmark and write a short review at some of the sites, especially Stumbleupon and Digg. Thanks!

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