Do Peaceniks Really Believe “Peace Is Patriotic”
In a New Oxford Note in our March issue, we commented in passing on the “Support Our Troops” decals and bumper strips. Among the peaceniks, we’ve seen “Peace Is Patriotic” bumper strips, even placards planted in front yards. But what does it mean? The conjunction of “patriotic” with “peace” sounds like a disconnect.
“Patriotic” means love of one’s country. Does loving one’s country mean one loves one’s country because it is peaceful? That’s quite a stretch. A patriot is above all one who will defend his country from an aggressor nation. If anything, to be patriotic is about war (a just war, we hope), not about peace. In the movie The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, about the American Revolution, Gibson was initially unwilling to fight the British. But when he saw the brutality of the British, he fought, and he fought bravely. Gibson was a patriot, and the movie was aptly named The Patriot.
You May Also Enjoy
In our parlors, with our educated tongues, we deplore not only the Swaggarts of this world but all who attend them, and all who aren't quite "up" to us.
The Black Legend of Pre-Vatican II... Theology in Catholic Schools... When a Child Becomes an 'It'... I Will Take My Chances on Judgment Day... That Sandwich-Truck Owner... Suicidal Pacifism... A Proposal for the Middle East... Update on the NOR Reading Clubs... On EWTN...
Jesus chose for His mother’s guardian the disciple “whom He loved.” There were few, if any, who were better fit for such an important task than St. John.