(no subject)
it really bothers me when people say that anyone who doesn't wear a flag pin or doesn't recite the "god" part of the pledge of allegiance, or supports peoples' rights to burn the flag is unpatriotic. I think that this country is fucked up. Maybe fucked up beyond all recognition. But I still love it, because it is my country, and love it despite its flaws. I don't trust people who consider this country perfect. I don't trust blind patriotism. But I respect and honor people who love this country and understand that it still has room to grow, to better itself, and to learn to be a good role model in the world. Criticizing this country is not unpatriotic, it's honest, and to love America despite its flaws is a better homage to it than wearing some dumb pin.