Put Away The Flags, by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 4, 2022

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

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I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism,” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 3, 2022

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

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Where Is Your Loyalty? by The Man From the North

I Will Stand With The Most Vulnerable

Image by Lorie Shaull via Flickr

The Essays of The Man From the North by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published May 1, 2017
June 27, 2022

For all the avowed patriots who demand my Pledge of Allegiance and salutes on Loyalty Day, Fourth of July, and other patriotic, militarized holidays, I fling this question to your hearts: how deep and far does your loyalty to your country run?

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The Fourth is an Annual Day of Collective Amnesia, by Kenn Orphan

Lies

Image by tq2cute via Flickr

by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 5, 2021

“​Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” — Albert Einstein

“Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people’s brains and then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.” — Arundhati Roy

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Put Away The Flags, by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 4, 2021

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism,” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 2, 2021

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

Continue reading

Chris Hedges: The Nature of Patriotism

American Dream

Image by Lady Madonna via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Jul 4, 2020

On the show this week, Chris Hedges discusses the nature of patriotism with West Point graduate and US Army combat veteran, Danny Sjursen.

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I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 4, 2020

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

The Japanese pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor were being patriotic. The German people who supported Hitler and his conquests were being patriotic, fighting for the Fatherland. All the Latin American military dictators who overthrew democratically-elected governments and routinely tortured people were being patriotic — saving their beloved country from “communism”.

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Put Away The Flags by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 3, 2020

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

Chris Hedges and Danny Haiphong: Myths of American Exceptionalism

American Dream

Image by Lady Madonna via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges and Danny Haiphong

RT America on Aug 31, 2019

Host Chris Hedges talks with journalist Danny Haiphong about how the myths of American meritocracy and individualism are used to legitimize the accumulation of inherited wealth by the ruling elite class. Haiphong’s new book with Roberto Sirvent, American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People’s History of Fake News – From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror.

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Put Away The Flags by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
crossposted at The Progressive (2006)
July 5, 2019

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 4, 2019

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

The Japanese pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor were being patriotic. The German people who supported Hitler and his conquests were being patriotic, fighting for the Fatherland. All the Latin American military dictators who overthrew democratically-elected governments and routinely tortured people were being patriotic — saving their beloved country from “communism”.

Continue reading

Christian Sorensen: War Industry Muster–Why Work for the War Industry? + Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab is a Part of the War Industry

Starting the protest against US wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Image by Fibonacci Blue via Flickr

by Christian Sorensen
Writer, Dandelion Salad
June 18, 2019

C.P. Sorensen on Jun 13, 2019

Welcome to the War Industry Muster. In this episode we analyze how people justify working for the U.S. war industry.

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If You Really Love Your Country…

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

The Essays of The Man From the North by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
January 20, 2019

If you really love your country, you would not be satisfied with platitudes and flag-waving, national anthems and military parades. A truly patriotic citizen does not sit idle as the land and waters of his country are polluted by extractive industries. A true patriot does not sneer and scorn her fellow citizens who live in poverty or are unhoused. A true patriot does not place higher loyalties with corporations than human beings. A true patriot sees no glory in war, nor security in spending more on military than on peace and justice for all of humankind.

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There Is No Good Kind of Nationalism by David Swanson

BTTH.Vigil.50.WDC.25sep05

Image by Elvert Barnes via Flickr

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy, Oct. 23, 2018
October 25, 2018

Trump is for nationalism. So the “Resistance” is predictably for . . . wait for it . . . the right kind of nationalism — or nationalism worn properly, as The Week advises. The problem isn’t nationalism, The Hill informs us, it’s phony nationalism and spurious nationalism, or as the Washington Post explains along with CNN, the problem is actually white nationalism. Of course, white nationalism is a problem, but not just because it’s white — also because of the nationalism. Unless you read Esquire which comes up with the oh-so-novel pronouncement that nationalism is indeed bad, but patriotism is good.

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