Miniature commentaries

From the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary:

Patriotism (n): Love for or devotion to one’s country.

Nationalism (n): Loyalty and devotion to a nation, especially an attitude, feeling, or belief characterized by a sense of national consciousness, an exaltation of one nation above all others, and an emphasis on loyalty to and the promotion of the culture and interests of one nation.

I can’t say for sure whether or not the people who protested at the Bush rally were patriots, but I’m glad they weren’t nationalists masquerading as patriots like the “U-S-A” chanters below them.

(And yes, it is possible to love this country and not blindly follow its leader, thank you.)

I have been constantly reminded that we live in different times, fearful times. I was concerned after the attacks last year. However, I got over it, probably faster than some would consider appropriate, but whatever. When the USA PATRIOT act passed, talks about national identification cards rose and the government wanted to put federal marshals on planes. I became concerned, but I still wasn’t afraid. However, the majority of voting Americans essentially gave Bush carte blanche to do whatever he sees fit for the next two years in the name of American interests, whether they actually are or not.

Now, I’m scared.

Whenever I see someone thanking God for some victory or achievement, I am always reminded of an Onion article in which a professional football player blames God for his inability to catch what would have been a game-winning pass.

And that always brings me to another question: If those people who assume God is with them during a competition are right, does that mean (doesn’t that mean) that God is against those who oppose them?

Why do they think God cares who wins or loses, anyway?

Two of the greatest words in the English language are “defenestration” and “calipygean.” (If you were looking for something like “love” or “understanding”, Oprah comes on at 4 p.m.)

Back in high school, I was talking with one of my rather eccentric friends and asked him whether it was better to think too little or think too much. I thought it was better to think too much – that way you are almost assured to cover every angle, and at the very least, more than not thinking enough. He disagreed, saying that thinking too much could lead to you out-thinking yourself, possibly putting you in a worse situation than you were before.

Right now, I am pondering a similar question. Is it better to trust too little or trust too much? The former leans toward being closed and guarded, but the latter is equally close to vulnerability. Personally, being seen as a distant person is not the most ideal situation, but I would much rather be that than be too open.

Have you ever noticed that many of the vegetarians and vegans who feel so adamant about their choice to try to make the more carnivorous of us miserable about what we eat are the same people who believe humans are no better than any other animals?

If that’s the case, if humans are no better than lions, bears, wolves, sharks and other carnivorous and omnivorous animals, and if those animals can eat meat, why can’t we?

The person who said “it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” either has never been in love or should have been kicked in the ass.

A father in British Columbia is suing a youth hockey league for $200,000 for psychological and punitive damages because his son did not win the MVP award despite being the league’s top scorer, and that because of not winning the award, the son doesn’t want to play hockey anymore. The father furthermore wants the award taken from the kid who won it and given to his son.

To that father: Your son lost. Tough. Deal with it.

If you really think that the absence of people saying things that you find offensive is the same as those things not existing, life is going to be very disappointing. If you think no one should say things just because it offends someone, no one will ever be able to say anything. And if you think a newspaper should not print things just because you don’t like them, well, you’re missing the point of free speech.

I’ve noticed that I have written 11 columns without mentioning libertarianism but one time. Well, given that libertarianism is my political affiliation and core philosophy, I probably should plug it at least once.

Two great libertarian Web sites to go to are The Advocates of Self-Government at http://www.self-gov.org/ and (of course) the Libertarian Party at http://www.lp.org/. I won’t push you to visit them, though it’s beyond obvious I would like you to.

Take care, and see you next week.