Title: Memorial Day

My country, right or wrong! God bless America! Happy Memorial Day!

My country, right or wrong. If right, to be kept right. And if wrong, to be set right.

Amen! Wait… What did you just say?

You heard me.

“Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!” Steven Decatur

“Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.” James Bryce

“Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.” Calvin Coolidge

“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it.” George Bernard Shaw

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Nathan Hale

“The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?” Pablo Casals

“We here highly resolve that … this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abe Lincoln

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.” Mark Twain

It’s a dangerous world out there. I think we should thank the troops for the sacrifice they make for us.

I agree. But my thanks are probably little solace to those families of the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice.

They probably don’t want your thanks, sour puss. But I think they appreciate some acknowledgement.

Thank you soldiers for the sacrifices you made when our government got it right. Sorry about all the other times.

No, that’s not right. Even if the government screwed up, they still sacrificed in good faith they were doing right.

“Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.” Bertrand Russell

That’s harsh.

Yes it is. So it’s the responsibility of our leaders to be crystal clear about motivations and intentions when going to war.

People like you just piss me off. You’re not super patriots like the rest of us.

“A super-patriot is someone who loves his country, but hates 95% of the people living in it.” MAD Magazine

Sounds about right.

Happy Memorial Day. And thank you to the soldiers who sacrifice to keep us safe. May our leaders deploy them wisely.

I can drink to that.