Thank you
royal subjects
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it." George Bernard Shaw
...
As a conservative I'm OK with tradition. But I wouldn't absolutize it.
I'm an American, meaning, native to the group of continents known as America.
I'm also a U.S. citizen, tax payer, voter. BUT:
I'm also human, and am mindful when my privilege as a U.S. citizen encroaches on any that aren't.
I wasn't a native born American until I was born. BUT !
I was human for most of a year before that.
Thus in the hierarchy, I endeavor to remain mindful that my "patriotism" does not trump my humanity.
None the less, as is the tradition in my homeland: Happy Treason Day !
"We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin (1706-90), U.S. statesman, writer. Comment at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776, in reply to John Hancock's remark that the revolutionaries should be unanimous in their action
"Those who consider the Devil to be a partisan of Evil and angels to be warriors for Good accept the demagogy of the angels. Things are clearly more complicated." Milan Kundera