Philip Galanes writes the Social Q’s column in the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times. It’s always a good time catching up with him via his answers to the public’s etiquette questions.
His definition of patriotism is strong and I don’t think it was ever a word with an ambiguous definition until it was co-opted by “patriotic” groups. This probably happened after 9/11.
Oh 9/11. How you changed the world. Just like we knew you would.
Here is his worth repeating (and I have many times this week) definition of Patriotism:
Real patriotism involves personal sacrifice: paying taxes rather than finding loopholes; investing real time and energy to make our communities better for everyone; and loving America, even when our countrymen and -women do things we disagree with.
This is Happening 