Patriotism

[poddster]

Is unconditional patriotism a desirable attribute or not?

[poddster]

There are some places that demand unconditional patriotism and if it is not forthcoming you forfeit your life.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Not exactly - you can easily go through the motions without feeling the least bit patriotic. It's not the same thing as obedience.

[muppet_detector]

---

@poddster wrote:

What constraints should be applied to patriotism? And while we are at is what constraints should be applied to loyalty

---

you would need to define what you mean by both words and in what context.

Some people are only loyal (to other people or entities) or patriotic when it suits their personal agenda.

[poddster]

Try that in the military while under fire.

[the_great_she_elephant]

---

@poddster wrote:

Try that in the military while under fire.

---

Try what - patriotism or obedience? I think staying alive would pretty much marginalise any other consideration in that situation.

[muppet_detector]

---

@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

---

@poddster wrote:

Try that in the military while under fire.

---

Try what - patriotism or obedience? I think staying alive would pretty much marginalise any other consideration in that situation.

---

But then we hear of people being awarded or commended for their lack of consideration for their own personal lives. We hear of people in society and the military putting the lives of others before their own.

They enter minefields under fire to retrieve people incapable of seeking safety for themselves. They enter volatile situations to retrieve the bodies of the fallen. They enter burning buildings to save other people. They accost burglers and others (for example) even when it puts their lives at risk.

[the_great_she_elephant]

It is true, ordinary people can be capable of extraordinary courage and self sacrifice, but Poddy's post, to which I was replying, specifically mentioned "in the military under fire."  In that situation i doubt very much whether the thought uppermost in anyone's mind would be "Gosh My country is so great and I'm so proud to be an Aussie."

[nero_bolt]

---

@poddster wrote:

Is unconditional patriotism a desirable attribute or not?

---

Patriotism is NOT allowed any more poddy, the left and greens have seen to that

[the_great_she_elephant]

What is your definition of patriotism, Nero?

[poddster]

But i wonder if this thought went through some minds, " Why is my country ordering me to massacre innocent men women and children?" That would and should prompt one to question ultimate patriotism