11/05/2009 01:07:28 AM EST

When did "patriot" become a synonym for "right-wing douchebag"?

posted by LudwigVan

First of all, off topic: Cenk needs some new phrases; he's got plenty, but he could always use more, I think. I nominate one that's football-related: "giving him the business".

Now on to the beef...

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I'm getting really irritated at this: if you watch TV long enough, it seems that the only people who can talk about "patriotism" and "freedom" and fly the American flag are openly right-wing individuals, or at least rednecks, biker thugs and other lovely individuals who feel the need to act badass and think that's what being American is all about. Example: the "Get a Brain, Morans" guy.

Of course we more enlightened citizens know that patriotism is not about showing off (see also: the Obama lapel pin "controversy"). But it's our flag too. And the media, as usual, is to blame for perpetuating bullshit.

I'm just sayin'.

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When did "patriot" become a synonym for "right-wing douchebag"? | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
About the time when "terrorist" (none / 0)
became a synonym for muslim

by birdboy1 on 11/05/2009 01:17:03 AM EST

It's one of those things... (none / 0)
...the right wing has claimed for themselves. They used "patriotism" as a means to further their foreign policy agenda (whatever shovels money to big corporations), just like they used "freedom" to further their domestic agenda (whatever shovels money to big corporations). Also note that "Real America" loves their versions of "freedom" and "patriotism", in addition to demanding more social discrimination in order to protect "family values".

by OldGerman on 11/05/2009 05:40:10 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Always have been (none / 0)
...since the 60's. anyway...

"America - Love It Or Leave It" bumper stickers were popular with the George Wallace and Ronald Reagan voters...

by MedfordTim on 11/05/2009 08:32:01 AM EST

Read below (none / 0)

"The first thing Fascists usually try to do is silencing the opposition."

by opposition on 11/05/2009 09:45:59 AM EST

Oh the right wing (none / 0)
co-opted  the word patriot long ago

They co-opted God too

A conservative believes nothing should be done for the first time

by C D on 11/05/2009 02:15:39 PM EST

When did "patriot" become a synonym for "right-wing douchebag"? | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
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