Patriotism.

[Kobuk]

What is patriotism?
What does it mean to be a patriot and be patriotic?

These, and other questions, are being asked and argued by lots of people all over the U.S. in the wake of the NFL/National Anthem controversy. So to the Furtopians here on the forums.........
What does patriotism mean to you?
How "patriotic" are you?
And do you think people should be "forced" (Enforcing rules, laws, etc.) to be patriotic (Singing national anthem, standing for Pledge of Allegiance, hand over heart, etc., etc.) ?

[Loc]

I'm not patriotic, nor do I think it should be enforced. By all means, be patriotic if you want, but don't hurt others or expect them to do the same.

I prefer celebrating decent individuals and ideas over arbitrary boundaries on rocks and games of "my country is better than yours".

Humans are good at finding ways to claim their group is better than another group, and patriotism done wrong can just further the idea of "us vs them" and push people apart.

[cause the rat]

Patriotism simply means you love your country of birth.  Unfortunately it can also be a tool used to control the people of that same country. In this case some people are using it to berry the meaning of the anthem protests. Taking the protests away from what they are really about. And drowning that message with patriotism.

In truth the people effected by racial discrimination are Americans. So if your were a true patriot you would do what ever you could to protect your fellow countrymen. That is true patriotism.

[Rocket T. Coyote]

Patriotism means standing by one's country, not necessarily the leader--to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt.\

As for the protesting, it's free speech, but do it on your own time. NFL players are well paid to play a game and folks are paying hard-earned money to see it played. The NFL will loose revenue as long as this political theater continues. This balderdash doesn't happen at hockey games btw.

[Kobuk]

This balderdash doesn't happen at hockey games btw.

I have a modeling friend who said the same thing. But give it time. If it can happen in the NFL, NBA, and I've heard it happen at high school events too..........then it'll be just a matter of time before it hits other sports.

[Varg the wanderer]

The NFL will loose revenue as long as this political theater continues.

Economics seems to be getting the message across fairly loudly to the NFL, too. I don't think any laws should be passed. It is freedom of speech after all. The whole "talk with your wallet" phrase is true, and here is proof of it.

[Kobuk]