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From: genji@ucbopal.CC.Berkeley.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Star Spangled Banner
Message-ID: <125@ucbopal.CC.Berkeley.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 8-Dec-83 12:18:45 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbopal.125
Posted: Thu Dec  8 12:18:45 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 11-Dec-83 01:00:48 EST
References: <1021@ucbcad.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Calif., Berkeley CA USA
Lines: 34

Here, for reference, is a portion of the letter which some folks
found objectionable;  first is part of the quote from the original
letter about the Star Spangled Banner, then my comments:
<<	...  United States' National Anthem. ...  I automatically rose
<<	to my feet upon hearing ...  A warm feeling rushed through my
<<	body ...  intensely invigorating ... Patriotism, pride, and
<<	fellowship were definately components of what I was feeling.  I
<<	was proud of my country and of the audience.  I do not know
<<	why.
Spoken like a true patriot!  Maybe you'll go off to war on the same
unknowing emotional high.	--Genji

Now answers to critics:
   "If I am not for myself, who can be for me?
    If I am only for myself, what am I?"	--Hillel
The problem with patriotism is not the love of one's own country, but
the exclusion of others.  The dictionary definition may say nothing
about exclusion but patriotism in practice does just that.  And usually
patriotism in practice also excludes significant portions of one's own
country people from love.  It's negative aspect is most visible, an
ideological force against internal and external enemies.

Patriotism could be considered virtue in the era of Thomas Paine and
Benjamin Franklin, but today it's an anachronism, as is its social
base, the nation-state.  Of course, we should love our own country, the
only home most of us have; but let's break out of nationalism and care
for the whole world.

Automatic patriotic emotional responses do make me think of people
going blindly off to war.  Instead of resonating with patriotic appeals
during this period when the government desires support for military
action, let's think before acting.  R. Reagan seems bent on showing
that it isn't only Democrat Presidents who can lead the USA into a
major modern war.	--Genji