This week there has been a lot of discussion by the media about the meaning of the word “patriotic” and by association the accusation of “unpatriotic.” With the presidential elections looming and political rhetoric waving like flag, the concept of patriotism is undergoing microscopic disassemblage.

Did you know that you can make a peace dove by folding an “I voted” sticker like origami? Now that’s patriotic!

“Patriot” seems to be rather amorphous and bows to the whims of popular trends. Supposedly the word is derived from the Latin, “patriota,” which translates as “fellow countryman” and in the early 1600s came to mean a “loyal but disinterested supporter of one’s country.” However, as early as the mid-1700s and into the mid1800s, “patriot” became a word of derision and was used in unflattering ways.

Americans seem make the most use of the word and nowadays attach to it a high degree of emotionality. Our own president has called people and groups “unpatriotic” for voicing their own opinions or speaking out against the current administration’s policies. During the past 8 year, people have been detained for protesting the war, for wearing t-shirts that protest the war, and for disrupting public events. Each time, in addition to the possible legal infraction, these people have been called “unpatriotic” by one or more of the president’s cabinet. Even members of congress have been called “unpatriotic.”

Did you know? The USA PATRIOT Act is an acronym for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

However, as one dialogue unfolded on The Diane Rehm Show on July 3, I was at least pleased to hear that many disdain the accusation that those of us who speak out or differ with our leaders are less than patriotic. Quite the opposite: one caller voiced my opinion exactly, which is that speaking out is uber-patriotic.
Our ancestors fought and died for our right to speak out, and we should be angered that our elected officials choose to mock and belittle that right.

Patriotism is not about revenge and killing people; it’s not about fighting for oil; and it is not about falling in line to watch the emperor walk naked down the street. It’s about speaking our hearts and caring about our friends and neighbors and all the people who make up this country, even the ones we don’t agree with.

I like that Obama has reaffirmed that all Americans are patriotic despite where they may stand on various issues. That’s a start in a healthy direction.

A lot of us feel patriotic when we say, “Support the troops. Bring them home,” or “I’m not going to shop ‘til I drop” just because the President and Congress sent me $1200.