Patriotism and the election year

Time covers the state of patriotism. It includes a statement from Barack Obama. McCain did one too, look it up yourself if interested.

"That is the true genius of America -- a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles. It's the idea that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution; and that our votes will be counted."

- Barack Obama, in Time

Time also covers the enigma known as flag lapel pins.

Parade Magazine also gets into the theme, getting another good statement from Barack and the standard "my country right or wrong" bullshit argument from McCain. Once again, find that crap yourself if interested.

"In the end, it may be this quality that best describes patriotism in my mind--not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, one another as Americans. The greatness of our country--its victories in war, its enormous wealth, its scientific and cultural achievements--have resulted from the toil, drive, struggle, restlessness, humor, and quiet heroism of the American people. That is the liberty we defend--the liberty of each of us to follow our dreams. That is the equality we seek--not an equality of results but the chance of every single one of us to make it if we try. That is the community we strive to build--one in which we recognize we share common hopes and dreams, one in which we continue to insist that there is nothing we cannot do when we put our minds to it, and one in which we see ourselves as part of a larger story, our own fates wrapped up in the fates of all who share allegiance to America's singular creed."

- Barack Obama, in Parade

There is also a bonus comment from Jim Webb taken from his book "A Time to Fight", which I've been reading in between all the baby books I'm trying to absorb.