What is Patriotism

The question of what does it mean to be patriotic, is one that has been in the fore front of political dialogue as of late. I have always considered myself to be a strong patriot. However I do not believe that in order to love ones country you must blindly support it. I believe that a person can love their nation and protest its policies, can love there nation and feel it's current direction is wrong, can love there nation and feel that the current President is misguided. As a matter of fact I feel that in order to truly love your nation and guard against the rise of tyranny and the misuse of power one must keep a keen eye on there government and its leaders.
However that being said, I also do not believe that you can truly be a patriot if all you do is seek to find fault and blame with your country. Many who seem to always be the ones at the protest rallies, raging against everything from pollution to a free market. Many of these same people can it seems only ever find fault with their nation. They seem to believe on spec any allegation and ill word spoken about there country.To be the first to find fault and opine against nearly everything about america. That is of course there right, and is to be respected. However I do not understand how someone can claim to love there country and yet loath everything about it, and be the first to have an ill word to speak.
What I find even more ironic is that many of those within the group that I am speaking of are usually the first to ciriticize and the last to take action( except of course for carrying a picket sign). Many of these "concerned americans" while the first to spout off at the mouth are one of the last groups to vote, or campaign, to donate money, register voters, organize meetings to hold discussions, and to work for change within the system. I find it ironic that they claim to care enough to march and protest ( again as is there right) yet so few of them actually care enough to work for real change.
I have realized that it is not my place or my right to question anyones patriotism, however I would say that if you truly love your country it is your duty to give everything you can to try and fix the problems that you see and to make your nation into the county that you want rather then bitch about what it has become and yet do nothing about it. That is hypocracy, and that is not America at least not in my opinion.

Constitution

In a comment about my post entitled "Vote" It was assumed that I had not read the constitution of Iraq, and of course he was right. However I have remedied that by reading the document. Does the constitution have its problems? Yes, as does any governing document that has ever been written, including the United States Constitution which is considered by many throughout the world as a model for self rule. However it is a statement and a testiment to the deire of the Iraqi people to govern themselves.
I argue that the constitution is a democratic one because it was the people of Iraq who choose those who wrote it and it was the people of Iraq thru free election that approved ( or disapproved its unclear yet wheather it passed) this governing document. In the twenty-five or so pages of this document it repeatedly speaks of religious, racial, ethnic, and gender equality being a primary right of the people.
As for regional government that have semiautonomy that is not much different from the states and provinces that exist in many western nations. The constitution speaks at great lengths about the rights of the individual.
Another thing that was mentioned was that the constitution was not democratic because of its mention and protection of religion because religion has no place in democracy. I believe that statement is foolhearty and wrong headed. You see democracy is simply self government, a government made up by, of, and for the people. Each deomoracy is unique to the nation in which it exisits and this is no different for Iraq.
This is a nation in which religion places a vital role in every aspect of their culture. It is an important part of their lives, to exclude it from any mention in there constitution would in and of it's self be unIraqi. It should also be pointed out that while islam is the official religion of Iraq the right of freedom of Religion and its free exercise; and protection from religious persecution are clearly defined and protected. It is also stated on several occasions that the Constitution and the law are supreme authority in Iraq and not the quran.
Democracy is implementing the will of the majority while trying ones very best to protect the rights of the minority and as long as this is done, a nation can mention God and still be free, or a nation if the people so desire may clearly define themselves as overtly secular as the French government did, and I doubt that anyone would say the french arent democratic. It is having and exercising those choses that makes a democracy work.
I hope that this constitution does pass and that it layes a foundation for self-government and self reliance in Iraq. For freedom, and the right to choose ones own destany should be every mans dream for his fellow man. So I hope that this constituion passes, I hope that the government that will be elected in decemeber can smooth out its rough edges. So that maybe; just maybe Iraq can have a real chance to be free.

Vote

I was nearly moved to tears today as I watched countless Iraqis risked there lives and the lives of there loved ones, by casting there vote in the constitutional referendum which was held today. It was moving to see a people who where for so long held under the boot of a ruthless dictator; to finally have a voice in the affairs of there nation.
It is not clear yet the exact out come of this vote, but what is clear is that the people of Iraq will not be denied there say in the future of there people. This vote is a victory for Iraq and for the cause of democracy. Wheather or not the constitution passes, no matter what the face of the new government may look like, the people today proved that freedom will not be quelled.
As an American I cannot help but think of our own democracy which has many similaritys to the fledgling flower which is growing today in Iraq. Our democracy came out of the horrors of war and the violence of men. Many said that such a government was not realistic or sustainable and yet we proved them wrong. Our first days as a republic where filled with strife, violence, and political rancor. Yet we managed to endure and to prove that we, and not a tyrant would governor.
I have the highest hopes for the people of Iraq, there democracy will not look like America's nor should it, it will be unique to the people of this fine nation. It will be a tool and a servent as any good government should be. If that is the people don't abandon the "hardwork" of democracy for an easier subjugation by a despot, dictator, or king.
I am glad that I got to witness this it is something I shall never forget, something that I shall tell my children about. As an American it makes me appreciate more my democracy and it makes me even more resolute to strive everyday to maintain the tenants and the ideas upon which my nation was founded.
I have my entire adult life been an avid voter, I am the kind of guy who under normal circumstances can tell you when the next school board election is. It is days like today that make me realize that taking an active role in my government is vital not only to my well being but to the well being of all my countrymen. As one of the countless generations who was born with the right to vote, to free speech, to freely assemble, to bear arms, to a speedy trail, and many many other libertys for which I was not required to shed my lifes blood for I feel it is my duty as a citizen and a decent human being to excercise my right to vote. After all is simply stating ones choice, saying "Yes or no" or "This person or that one". I am proud to do that, and after seeing an entire nation of people risk everything to cast there vote. Waiting in a line for a few minutes after work seems much less of a hassle after all.

Protests define America

I often hear people, especially those who are on the same side of the political spectrum as myself speaking out against protesters and protesting. I have done so on occassion myself when I thought that it was excessive or showed a lack of common human decency. However my message to those who pooh-pooh protesting is to say that the right to protest that which we believe to be wrong or oppose is one of our most cherished rights as an American citizen and should be respected. Now I do not agree with the anti-iraq war protesters but I would die defending there right to protest because thats what it means to be an American.
Now one area that I do disagree with many of the protesters on, aside from the issues that they are protesting. Is the lack of common decency that is displayed by protesters. An example of this is something that I was recently told about. A friend of mine told me about a protest that took place at the funeral of a soldier that was killed in Iraq. The protesters actually pickted the poor fellows funeral telling his family that he was a "warmonger" and was "going to hell" this of course caused the soldiers already distraught family greater pain. It also made the anti-war protesters and the anti-war movement look like heartless savages. Because after all there is common human decency that should be maintained. Causing already distraught family of a fallen soldier even more pain simply becasue you think the war in which he/she fought is legal is in my opinion unhumanine.
However our right to PEACEFULLY assemble is guarrentieed in our constitution. Any who love and respect our constitution must, therefore respect and protect the right to protest. I do however have to acknowlegde that it is usually the people and institutions that protect the rights of the protesters that are so many times the focus of the protests. But that I suppose is how it is suppose to work in a free society.
Now I believe in the right to protest that which you don't agree with and feel is wrong, it is also anyones right to spend your life opposing much of the very agenda that the protesters promote. Rigorus debate is the cornerstone of any great democracy. So the peta people, who protest my eating of meat and wearing of fur, have the right to protest and I have the right to eat my ten ounce t-bone, buy my wife a new mink coat, and call them quackes, so long as I protect there right to protest. Because it is also might right as well.
Now seeing as how I am on the subject I must clarify something, a citizens right to protest does not give them the right to destroy other peoples property, break the law ( which they can do in civil disobediance but then shouldn't be surprised when they get arrested) or commit violent acts against there countrymen.
So the point I am trying to make is that it is not unamerican to protest your government ( although it is possible for some unamerican groups to protest in america) it is uniquly American to protest your government. I will give my life to protect that right, and yet will also spend my life opposing much of the liberal, radical and ill advised ideas proposed by those who seem to make a living protesting damn near everything. That afterall is the beauty of America.