Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 08:43:40 +1000 (GMT+1000)
From: MULAMBO-AT-pseud.pseud
Subject: Re: M-INTRO: Patriotism



i wouldn't worry about those who seem to hold 'ironic' positions with
regards to patriotism, or their attempts to justify a zealous devotion to
one's country, as the term has come to mean exactly that.  most responses
have forgotten their own history.  take the formation of the united states
as an example.  the revoultionary fathers (and mothers) were the
dissenting voices of the eighteenth century.  i am sure that they were
accused of biting the hand of the british empire that established the
colony.  i am not too sure if their opinions would have been equated, as
someone has done on this list, with shit but would have been denergrated
nonetheless.  now it seems if one likewise asks questions about the
existing order they are ridiculed and dismissed as ungrateful misfits, who
given other circumstances, should be put to death (would we have a
trail?).

what i think the initial post tried to highlight or attempted to draw
parallels with is the zealous, but disinterested and uncritical support of
political (patriotism) and economic (consumerism) structures that are
themselves predicated on discrimatory (one's place of birth or one's
amount of wealth - at the very least) principles that have not stood up to
any serious examination (whether that is marxist, conservative, socialist,
historicist, loony left or right).





------------------------------------------------------------
"There can be no doubt about the task
 confronting us at present:- a ruthless
 criticism of the existing order...  that
 will shrink neither from its own discoveries
 nor from conflict with the powers that be".
            Karl Marx 1843.



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