Armchair Patriots

[SykkBoy]

Originally posted by The Hammer@May 26 2004, 07:37 PM
For the record Sykk, how many of those things do you actually do? Just curious because I work my ass off to make money for my family and so I can pay taxes and when I'm not working I spend the little time I have left with my family. I don't have time to volunteer or go to VA hospitals so I donate to lots of good charities and put a little flag on my fucking cars. Oh, and did I mention that I pay taxes?

Of course, I don't go around second guessing our politicians all the time and arm chair politicing. I love this country and I repect the people that defend it, but I also know that they chose to do that, it's a job just like flipping burgers or driving a truck. There is no draft so they had the opportunity to do lots of things besides join the military.

I respect doctors that cure people a lot more than I respect people in the military that probably chose to join up because it was the easy thing to do. Doctors go to school for years and dedicate their lives to saving lives and keeping us healthy. Sure they make a lot more money than a private in the army, but they didn't just walk down to a recruiting station and sign a piece of paper and then act surprised when they found out they actually had to do the job they signed up for.

I'm not disagreeing with you completely, but I felt the need to rant a little too. After all, it's a free country thanks to the people that serve in the military.

No problem
I actually do all of those things. I make volunteer time. I wasn't "military material" so I support in other ways. I am at homeless shelters around Holiday time and constantly work with the local homeless shelters.

I don't go around tooting my horn often about it. it's my way of giving back to the community and those who've served.

I make time for my family, but I also make time for community. I got tired of complaining about righting wrongs and put my money (time) where my mouth is.

Paying your taxes is great, but are you saying it makes you more of a patriot than everyone else?

I love this country and I respect our troops, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything they are sent to do. It doesn't mean I hold. My patriotism is earned because I feel this is the greatest country in the world. I love my kids, but if I feel they are in the wrong, I'll tel them so and my country and my community are no different.

I don't claim I'm the only patriot or act like I'm the biggest patriot in the world, I just get tired of talking heads on television and in Internet chatrooms think the be all, end of patriotism is flying the flag and nothin else. There is so much more to being a patriot than flying a flag.