Yesterday, Our Dear Leader, Donald Trump, indicated that he wants our country to hold an annual Military Parade, similar to those held in France (and in Russia and North Korea); this, he believes, would demonstrate our patriotism, like standing for the National Anthem or applauding Our Dear Leader during his State of the Union Address.
But patriotism is not superficial. Waving a flag, saluting tanks and clapping for the President are not acts of patriotism. We are patriotic when we defend our democracy, when we protest unwise or unjust war, when we support human rights and when we demand social justice.
A President who divides us, who threatens freedom of the press and who ridicules the Judiciary is not patriotic. A President who foments racism and demeans immigrants is not patriotic. A President who repeatedly lies to American citizens is not patriotic. Donald Trump is not a patriot.
But patriotism is not superficial. Waving a flag, saluting tanks and clapping for the President are not acts of patriotism. We are patriotic when we defend our democracy, when we protest unwise or unjust war, when we support human rights and when we demand social justice.
A President who divides us, who threatens freedom of the press and who ridicules the Judiciary is not patriotic. A President who foments racism and demeans immigrants is not patriotic. A President who repeatedly lies to American citizens is not patriotic. Donald Trump is not a patriot.
