It should be self explanatory why you shouldn't run from bears. But, for those needing a quick primer: 1) they can run faster than you 2) they get hungrier than you 3) does there need to be a #3? Black bears are the most unpredictable -- best to wave your arms around wildly, making a bunch of noise and make yourself look much bigger than you are. They scare pretty easily, comparatively. But, if they insist on eating you, drop to the ground and play dead (see "Brown bears" for more on playing dead). Brown bears also will generally flee if you wave your arms around wildly and scream loudly. If they don't and come closer for a meal, drop to the ground, face down, covering the back of your neck with your hands and play dead until they leave. Polar bears, will eat you no matter what, so whatever you do, try to sock them in the nose, gouge their eyes or stuff mittens down their throats before you run: as Cobra Kai was wont to say, "If he can't breathe, see or run, he can't fight!" Or something like that.
And now, what I really wanted to talk about:
Nationalism versus Patriotism
As the Republicans take control of both of our houses of Congress, with the rise of more movies and tv shows like "American Sniper," I want to take a moment to more clearly define "nationalism" and "patriotism." People seem to use these terms nearly interchangeably, and it annoys me.
I talk with people on mass transit or engage in conversation at the lunch counter or just begin conversing on the street after being accosted by some random dude (usually it's a guy . . . rarely is it a woman). It seems I attract the more verbose, bellicose and belligerent types who want nothing more than to shout at me about the most amazing topics. This gift both greatly amuses and severely annoys me.
I noticed a HUGE uptick after W was placed into the Oval Office the first time in the use of the terms "patriot" and "patriotism." And, the terms were being misused. Or, rather, the terms were misappropriated by those wishing to add more pizzazz to the idea of war, torture and other crimes against humanity.
The following are my definitions that I learned about 18 years ago -- I cannot find a web link to support this definition, only that I was writing in undergrad classes about the dangers of confusing patriotism with nationalism. I did well on the papers, as I remember, though many of my classmates were highly critical of my definitions. I enjoyed the debate and remember defending my position well -- much to the amusement of the professors.
First of all, a patriot: A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
Notice that the definition says "supports their country." Not a nation or a state or an idea. Support of one's country, one's land. Some of the first patriots in the Americas? First Nations' peoples who defended their countries to the best of their abilities, either through armed means or through diplomatic means. You do know that over 90% of First Nations' peoples never took up arms to defend themselves, yeah? That only a very small percentage of First Nations' types actively fought the US military (or it's precursors, the militias)? And, that those who did fight had been pushed and pushed and pushed again further and further away from their homelands?
Okay, so a patriot, by my understanding is a person who zealously defends his/her country from all threats, both foreign and domestic.
Patriotism is then: The quality of being patriotic; vigorous support for one’s country.
So, patriotism means that one defends one's country from all threats, both foreign and domestic.
On the other hand, nationalists and nationalism are defined as: Nationalist: a person who vigorously supports their nation (especially it's central government) and is prepared to zealously defend it against it's perceived enemies or detractors.
Notice that a nationalist will vigorously support the government, not the country, against perceived threats, both domestic and foreign. Nationalists put the central government and political leaders above the rule of law, even at the expense of the citizens.
And nationalism: The quality of being nationalistic; vigorous support for one's government.
Patriots separate out human actions/institutions from the defense of one's country -- or land. They will zealously defend their country (land), but still criticize their government and political figures as they see fit. They also tend to be independent thinkers who do not want "invaders" to take over their country, but who are also the first to call out their political leaders for wrong-doings done in the name of patriots.
Nationalists zealously defend their government and political leaders from any criticism whatsoever. They love their homes, but will turn them over to the government, if the government asks. They cannot abide any criticism of their political leaders or their government. They tend toward group-think, totalitarianism and appreciate a strong, dictatorial, tyrannical leader.
Patriotism requires thinking. Nationalism requires blindly following.
At least to my way of thinking . . . objections? Further comments?