Re: Teaching the truth about false patriotism

[Marilyn Langlois <langlois-rine@comcast.net>]

Beautiful letter, Joe.  Thanks for sharing.  I, too, am proud of all the
people you name in the last paragraph.  We need to join with all of them in
strengthening our communities and our humanity in the face of the onslaught
Rich describes in his commentary at

>is at http://www.rohan.sdsu.edu/%7Ergibson/onkozol.htm
>

love and blessings,
Marilyn

From: Joe Navarro <jlnhca@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ca-resisters@interversity.org
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 16:10:35 -0700 (PDT)
To: resisters ca <ca-resisters@interversity.org>
Subject: [ca-resisters] Teaching the truth about false patriotism


The following is a letter to the editor in the Hollister Free Lance.
 

 

 
Patriots Excel in Ways Other Than Promoting Products or Agendas

Editor,

Recently, the word "patriotism" has been exalted, either to sell products,
promote a political agenda or as a genuine emotion of pride toward this
nation. Is pride of one's nation equivalent to blind allegiance to the
policies of a political party or government officials? Or, can a tradition
of resistance to oppressive laws and critical opposition to bad policies be
another way of demonstrating pride for one's nation?

The "Patriot Act" reverses our civil rights and undermines the U.S.
Constitution. Most conservative politicians have constructed a perspective
on patriotism that assails immigrants, makes flag burning a criminal act,
bans gay and lesbian marriage, and creates laws that allow law enforcement
agencies to spy on people who may be vocal critics of White House and
congressional policies. This politically repressive focus restricts our
rights and does not expand them, and violates the intent of the U.S.
Constitution, the Amendments and Civil Rights laws.

I am proud of Abolitionists, who opposed unjust slavery laws; Mexican
Americans who fought to defend themselves from repressive laws and
systematic violence after the annexation of northern Mexico; Native
Americans who resisted being confined to reservations; civil rights
activists who march for equality and human dignity for all people; women who
have fought for voting rights, the Equal Rights Amendment and freedom of
reproductive choice; gay and lesbian rights activists who have struggled
relentlessly for their human rights; labor activists who struggle for better
workplaces; and, peace activists who oppose unjust wars and imperialist
aggression.

Joe Navarro,

Hollister
 

 
http://www.freelancenews.com/opinion/contentview.asp?c=189393
  
 
  



________________________________________________
 
Joe Navarro, Literary Vato Loco, creative writer, poet and teacher.
 
Available for workshops and presentations.
 
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