Okay, this is a rant. If that offends you, delete this email or skip this blog article. It is unfortunately, election season and I have some tags left. <<< === Good Hunting!
Fake Patriots
I debated as to whether I was going to write this article. To be sure, it is motivated by an intense ANGER at the Far-Right’s usurpation of American Ideals as if they are the sole arbiters of what makes an American. Over the last twelve years, we have seen a steady theft of icons and ideals that belong to ALL the American people and a reassignment of these to white supremacist and the RNC. They all claim they are making America great again (as if it ever was not the greatest nation on earth[1]) but in reality, all they want to do is divide the people into ever smaller cliques so they can sew dissent. I am justified in my indignation but I still debated as to whether railing against this was productive. Then Donald Trump spat on Arlington Cemetery and attempted to use the sacrifices of those great men and their families for his personal aggrandizement. Okay, enough is enough. Donald Trump and everyone who supports the MAGA movement are, at best, FAKE PATRIOTS, a true cancer on the American psyche and history, culture, and body politic of our great nation.
Actions not only speak louder than words, they also happen first and faster. People will tell you what they want you to believe about them. In polls, everyone is a loyal, moral, community minded. In reality, they sometimes cheat, are sometimes racist, steal, and engage all sorts of behaviors that they know are immoral but they somehow justify as acceptable. Watch them. When you ask a public official if they are racist, they will, of course, say no; but then they favor their white colleagues or make issue to point out that some of their staff are black (as if the color of their skin was a job qualification?). You see, actions belie our real ethics. So, it’s no surprise that when Donald Trump goes to Arlington, unlike most of us, he isn’t thinking of the sacrifices these men and women have made in the service of our country. No, he’s looking for a photo opportunity that makes him LOOK like a patriot (rather than a draft dodger).
Patriotism was often defined as uncritical support for U.S. policies, our constitution and government, our military, our history, and the American Ideal. We generally think of patriots putting country before self. You see this in military service, community leadership, first responders, etc. Patriots work for the interest of the country rather than self-interests. Its not just flying the flag. Its not what you say, but what you do that makes you a patriot. Which brings me back to the MAGA people who actively disdain America’s heritage, actively criticize our greatest achievements, and USE the trappings of American as props in their cult of personality. The American Revolution was fought to depose a king and patriots NEVER want to see another.
Being patriotic is explicitly not about religion (the Bill of Rights prohibits establishing national religion). Its not about race or national origin (many of our greatest Americans were immigrants). It’s not about whether you served in the military. Its not about which party you support (George Washington famously admonished Adams and Jefferson for engaging in party politics). Its not about what language you speak, where you live, or who you love. Being an American patriot is DOING things to support our country.
Which is why, when you see MAGA people engaging in the following, if you are a true patriot, you should be upset:
- Blindly following a politician rather than a political platform. America is an idea, not a tribe, not a political party, and NEVER a dictatorship or a dynasty. ANYONE who wants office so that they can enact laws on their own, without the consent of the people is inherently ANTIAMERICAN! Trump is big on doing things without consent – especially in the bedroom, and that’s a good metaphor for what he wants to do to our country!
- Believing in empirically false conspiracies (like Donald Trump’s big lie that he won the 2020 election). This is a clear accusation that other elected officials (states’ Attorney Generals – many of whom were Republican), are subverting the Constitution. Court after court, including judges appointed by Trump, confirmed the election’s legitimacy. By continuing to raise doubts among the public about the election’s legitimacy, is just a means of seeding dissent within the public and has resulted in internal terrorism. Trump and his fellow fake patriots are doing this to undermine our nation’s electoral system and destroy our democracy.
- You might be a fake patriot if you support restricting the right to vote. What Trump and his supporters want to do is prevent people of color, and other classes of people from voting so that their minority can be over represented. America is stronger when EVERYONE participates. True patriots want the whole country to part of our elections, our economy, and our society, not just the anointed few (like in Russia).
- Supporting attempts to overthrow the US Constitution on Jan. 6, 2021. The right to protest is critical to our democracy and protesting outside could be seen as an act of actual patriotism (misguided but genuine). Storming the U.S. Capitol, vandalizing our legislative chambers, and the offices of our elected officials, calling for executions, and disrupting the CONSITUTIONALLY MANDATED process of confirming the election (to the point of even disrupting RNC filibusters) is TREASON.
- Suppressing free speech. If you got angry when athletes knelt during the playing of our national anthem in protest of police brutality against Black Americans, you are not a real American. The right to Free Speech is embedded in our Bill of Rights. When that speech is peaceful, it is the very epitome of being a good American. Democracy only works when people are free to say what needs to be said. Sure, you can disagree with the message but the act of expressing it is what makes American great.
- Using our national symbols in disrespectful ways. Pro-Trump rioters used American flags as weapons against police during the January 6th Capitol riot, white supremacist have usurped the Betsy Ross and Gadsden flags as their rallying banners, Trump had his face emblazoned on a version of the flag (as if the country was solely about him). Americans fly the flag with dignity and respect and Americans burn the flag in protest – with dignity and respect! It’s not a decoration, for you to be seen hugging. It’s our national standard.
- If you fly the flag of our enemies, like the Confederate Battle Flag, you are one of our enemies. Now, I understand historical reenactors who fly this flag. There is a context where this is a relevant symbol but outside that context, it is not a symbol of patriotism; it’s a racism, disunity, white supremacy, and hate, no less offensive than the Nazi Swastika (which Trump supporters also fly).
- If you disrespect the men and women of our armed forces, you are, by definition, not a patriot. These men and women, who serve in many roles, not all of which are combat positions, that are vital not just to the defense of our nation but to its economy, its smooth operation, and national identity. Showing these people, and the institutions they serve, anything other than the greatest respect possible, is an affront to all of us who love this country. You can disagree with the orders that come from the government, but these men and women who execute those orders deserve our respect and pride.
I could go on. The list of anti-American actions is pretty much just a narrative of a “day in the life” of Donald Trump. If you are a patriot, you DO exactly the opposite of what he does every day. If not, to quote Jeff Foxworthy, “this is your sign.” Don’t be a Fake Patriot.
Now Fake Patriotism is not always dishonest. Car dealers sometimes fly oversized flags to attract customers. It’s not dishonest (you need to wait until you try to buy something for that …), nor is it malevolent powerbrokers, but it is inherently agenda-driven. In this case the agenda is benign, they just want to sell you something that you are likely already looking to buy. Other forms of Fake Patriotism are manufactured. We all grew up with the Pledge of Allegiance in school (despite its religious overtures). Asking kids to say this pledge was an attempt to create a connection with our symbols; it often backfired, but it was well intended. It backfired because natural patriotism isn’t the product of institutional design. Group loyalty comes from belonging and that requires true connections not pro forma, rote, obedience.
The founders did not create liberty for America, but America for liberty, which they understood that our nation and its people must continually strive to become better and work toward a common goal rather than our varied special interests. The founders would have been apoplectic at the conception that the U.S. ever regress to a time when the elite governed and our citizens were somehow limited in their civic responsibility or opportunity.
Ronald Reagan often spoke of a “city on a hill”– implying that America must be role model to the world for how to be a “good democracy.” When he visited Arlington, he cried for the fallen, and only allowed his photo to be taken at the Tomb of the Unknown as he placed a wreath. This is what we expect from a Republican President (or candidate), not a thumbs up at the grave of a soldier where his widow is paying respects.
[1] My opinion but I will defend it to the death. I’ve even taken an official oath to do so.
Remember, Elections only come periodically. We will get past this one and EVENTUALLY, back to normal. In the meantime, relax, have a beer, and remember that true patriots VOTE their conscience not what they are told to vote!
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 