How patriotic are you?

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Last refuge of a scoundrel

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel" -- Samuel Johnson, celebrated British man of letters, and English Loyalist ("Tory") during the American Revolutionary War

He was criticizing the colonial uprising against the Crown and King of England, so of course he would refer to the "Patriots" of that war as "Scoundrels" -- he we merely smearing the colonials (Later to become "Americans") as liars, thieves, cheats and scum of the Earth for daring to revolt against his beloved king, George III.

As far as the OP's question is concerned, I served in the U.S. Navy, and I would gladly serve again (if they awarded me with an officer's commission this time).

A fool can never be capable of patriotism nor an intelligent nor a charlatan..

An intelligent 'what'? Please complete the quote and cite its original source.

Not at all. There are things I hate about my country and I don't love it (nor any other country for that matter).

My only emotional ties are entirely personal (family, personal memories).

The best I have to say is beyond that is that I like some of the food and snacks (but hate that my faves often vanish from stores). The last Soviet republic indeed!

Outpost of civilization.


I am even less of a nationalist than I am patriot. Don't even get me started on how I feel about the government and all things official.

I can't really say that I'm particularly fond of my country especially with regards to omnipotent state which seems to expand on an almost daily basis.

I can and do appreciate the values of this country namely rugged individualism and distrust towards authority.

Apart from that, I can't get on board with all that flag waving collectivist crap or the whole civic duty nonesense.