How do Americans define Patriotism ?

Question

I am not sure but what I have noticed and heard so far, is that the way Patriotism is describe the same way Italian Fascists describe their pride for their country ?

Answer 1

Patriotism is a deep love for your country and a willingness to defend it against any enemies. (actual enemies, not imaginary ones)

Anyone who has that love is a patriot and it does not matter what their political oreligiousous or personal beliefs. So sure, maybe the Italian Fascists had some common statements with American beliefs but it's bound to happen. Their pride for their country would be the same as the American pride, but that's what patriotism is. Pride for your country, it doesn't matter which country or which beliefs.

Answer 2

Patriotism: positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland'

I don't find anything wrong with being proud of your country as long as it is not taken to an extreme where you are hurting anyone or anything.

Answer 3

No, we Americans define patriotism the same way everyone else does.

Answer 4

Waving the american flag and screaming U.S.A. at the same time.

Something like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LCL2Iqgj...

Answer 5

I think this quote sums it up pretty good.

'A veteran - whether active duty, honorary discharge, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including their life.'

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.

Answer 6

get 100 Americans in a room and you will get 100 different definitions...and if you are highly superficial, you will be able to make all 100 support your narrow views...

Answer 7

Unfortunately I believe the definition of patriotism in the US has devolved to one of "unwavering and blind support of the current Presidential administration" as anyone who voices disagreement with any of the administration's policies has been dubbed (pun intended) "unpatriotic."  In my view, however, to be patriotic is to be willing to stand up for the foundations of what made the country great to begin with. Those include, most importantly, the freedoms in our Constitution (ALL of them, whether you agree with the person/entity who is utilizing them at the moment). Thus, to criticize the war in Iraq is NOT unpatriotic -  It is the exercise of one of the most fundamental rights that the soldiers are (ostensibly) over there to protect!

I LOVE the following quote from the movie "An American President"

America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".

Answer 8

Ah, so it's okay to be proud of any country you may reside in as long as it's not the U.S.? People aren't nearly patriotic enough in this country. All I see is people crying about how much they hate it and want to end democracy to usher in socialism.