Americans can genuinely take pride in the Constitution of the United States, it is unequaled among nations of the world.  Yet Americans tend to take pride in America for the wrong things, and tend to violate their most precious asset, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
     American soldiers and Presidents of the United States take an oath to defend their nation but the oath requires them to also protect and defend the US Constitution.
     The greatest tragedy of the Bush Administration is the blatant violation of the Constitution and Bill of rights.  In violating the Constitution, President Bush has trashed each soldier under his command who took the oath to defend and protect the Constitution.  Americans have every right to be proud of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and Americans should be ashamed of the violation of the Constitution by President Bush's spying on American citizens without a justified Warrant.

I can only imagine what he would have thought of the FISA enactment, much less the perversely titled "Patriot Acts".

Today, people call him a "Patriot". A phrase now used to disquise the intent of the most unpatriotic balderdash. This is a term I'm sure he would happily forego were we to return to his declared principles. As would his cousin and mine, John. The anniversary of John's death was last week.

Strangely, John's closest friend and deepest rival, Tom died the same day as John. Their relationship had been repaired and each thought the other would remain to keep their principles unforgotten.

He lead the fight against FISA.  He lead the fight against the war in Iraq.  He was the only senator wise enough, brave enough and tough enough to stand against the Patriot Act.  He leads the fight on habeas. More than two years ago Feingold introduced a resolution to censure President Bush for authorizing the no-warrant domestic surveillance program. He's been fearless ongay marriage.  The list can go on and on, but you already know who he is and what he's stood for as a progressive leader.

Patriots see their nation as a people and not a place
When asked to serve, a Patriot asks for whom and not for what
Patriots seek unity when others hide behind division
A Patriot sees one not many
Above all, Patriots love their country as they do their own family, friends and selves

Have a Grand 4th Everyone  

One of the great joys in browsing the Internet is when you find a referral to a site that you would never in all likelihood have discovered for yourself.  

So it was today, when I followed a link from the Huffington Post to Wonkette, and they had a story up on one of the most wondrous wingnut sites I've ever seen:  Country Above Self

A short note from a man more patriotic than you could ever dream of being...

A Dollar Fifty Patriot
(or why I don't celebrate memorial day)

Monday is officially Memorial Day. This weekend, however, our nation's beaches will be full of laughing half-naked tourists looking to shake that pale, white tone of skin they earned through a winter full of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Superbowl dinners. The stores will be full of shoppers eager to make a penny on a buck savings on cheap, dime-store plastic items they really don't need. Backyards will be spent grilling and barbecuing cholesterol laden foods which will inevitably cause a night's worth of painful indigestion. Alcohol will be consumed by the gallons to be rewarded by a Monday or Tuesday morning hangover. All to remember our fallen dead.

When the Color Sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.

-Medal of Honor citation for William H. Carney

Carney was born a slave in Virginia. Some sources say he was emancipated when his owner died. Others say he and his father escaped slavery and the latter bought the family's freedom.

All sources agree that when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Carney was among those who signed up for the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also referred to as the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry.

Those sources also agree that Carney took up the colors (the flag) and never let them touch anything but Fort Wagner air. And on this date in 1900, Sgt. Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his service to our country.

Do you believe it?

He put on the flag pin!

How long before the McHillary team smears him for being a flip-flopper???

Here's the link:

http://www.cnn.com/...

Are YOU a patriot?

Do you ever have those feelings, those little whispers about whether you are patriotic enough?  (Enough to exist).

Wearing your colors every day, but still have that lingering doubt.  Use this handy check list every day to make sure you know that the world knows that you are a patriot.

      This is my first diary attempt and I don't expect much.  Please do me a favor, however, and try to keep any responses civil.  I have been reading this site and MyDD for about 2 months now.  In that time, I have noticed a trend on both sites that I find more than a little troubling.  

      First, a bit about me.  I am a white male that grew up in a small Pennsylvania town.  My parents split with one Republican and one Democrat.  I have lived and traveled all around this country.  I have worked as a carpenter, dishwasher, stockboy, designer, and restaurant GM.  I have never had the honor of serving in the military, but I am an Eagle Scout and my Grandfather was a part of the spearhead into Germany in WWII.  I am a patriot and I consider myself a progressive.  Now, onto the actual point of this diary...

Albuquerque businessman, entrepreneur, and community activist Michael Padilla entered the race for State Senator in District 11.  "It is more important than ever that State Senate District 11 has a hard working and experienced leader that gets things done," said Michael Padilla, a thirty-five year old life-long democrat.  "Our district needs a leader willing to fully commit the time, energy and courage to make sure we are well represented in the state legislature."  

Padilla went on to add, "I will provide solid leadership that can stay ahead of public safety trends, economic changes, educational requirements, environmental impacts, and desperately needed infrastructure enhancements."

Padilla concluded by saying "Our families in Westgate, the South Valley, and Los Padillas have been paying taxes for over 100 years, and we have been forgotten and ignored, I will stop this immediately and make sure we get our fair share."

I need someone to clearly explain why I should take Obama seriously. Here are my "issues."

Apparently we have a new measure for patriotism, namely an American flag lapel pin.  Don't have one?  You're un-patriotic, simple as that.  Since life is so black & white, lets take a look and find out who meets our newfound patriotism requirements...

Much ado about a lapel pin.

This is a poem dedicated to our Commander in Chief--that valiant patriot and "decider" who fearlessly embrace the task of giving our last breath for his cause.

I did not know Milo Radulovich, and his name barely registered when I saw it in yesterday's obituary, but he was a true patriot who in the words of his brother in law,

put his finger in the dike against the flood of McCarthyism.

more below

Heartfelt problems