After the festivities last night and all the T-shirts I saw — and wore — to various celebrations, parades, and whatnot yesterday, I have two questions: * Is patriotism a virtue? * Why?
We commemorated our victory of 1776 over the British with simulated explosions, and the entire valley smelled of gunpowder still this morning. John Olsen again lit off a ginormous plywood platform of legal fireworks, giving an amazing finale to a fun party full of food, Rifftrax, and good friends. Other than a great excuse to party, though, I found myself wondering if, in the balance, the twin sisters of nationalism and patriotism have been a good thing for humanity as a whole.
Patriotism
Umm.. well, I have become decidedly less nationalistic in my old age. I think America is awesome. Its really great to live here. It may be the best place ever to live.
BUT – I also like Papa John’s way better than Dominos. I start to find it absurd that I should therefore consider Papa John’s the best ever, and be willing to fight and die to support Papa John’s. I like it best, and I want it to keep making good pizza, so I will do my best to make Papa John’s best. If you like Domino’s better, then good for you.
In the same way, I am not particularly pro-america. I appreciate people who are, and I am certainly more pro-America than I am any other country.. but I am pro-my family, and pro-people. So its hard for me to see the American people as better or worse than anyone. I just see people.
That being said, I want America to prosper and be safest, because it is best for the people I care about for that to be the case.
So, yay America, and I fully support our troops who are doing their best and laying down their lives in hopes to make mine better.
Visit the Official Justin Timpane Website Music, Acting, and More! http://www.timpane.com