Senator Barack Obama's on CNN now this morning, giving a great and stemwinding speech on the meaning of Patriotism from Independence, Missouri, which includes this line: "Mark Twain said that Patriotism was being proud of your country all the time and your government, when it deserves it."
My feelings, exactly. I think Republicans and fans of the current war and American aggression at home and abroad forget that. I don't have to support my government's decisions because it's part of America. I can question what my government does and still be a patriot. In fact, that's the real ideal of America.
"True Patriotism," Obama said, "can not be forced or legislated."