Health Warning: Trump supporters are advised to ignore the following blogpost.
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Actually there is something wrong with that word. You only have to look back through the annals of history and you will see why Trump's ignorant use of the term should be chilling to all of us.
There is a subtle but very significant difference between patriotism and nationalism. There's nothing wrong with being a patriot - proud of your home country. This is what Charles deGaulle had to say about the difference - "Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first."
Many other thinkers - far wiser than Donald J. Trump - have reflected similarly on nationalism. Here's what Albert Einstein said, "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind." and here's Arthur C. Clarke - "It is not easy to see how the more extreme forms of nationalism can long survive when men have seen the Earth in its true perspective as a single small globe against the stars."
And here's Pope John Paul II - "Pervading nationalism imposes its dominion on man today in many different forms and with an aggressiveness that spares no one. The challenge that is already with us is the temptation to accept as true freedom what in reality is only a new form of slavery."
On a separate Trump issue, his conniving response to the recent pipe bomb deliveries has been breathtakingly audacious. He has sought to use these troubling events to his advantage by once again throwing mud at the news media. No word of sympathy for The Obamas, The Clintons, Robert deNiro, Joe Biden or staff at CNN New York - just another hefty slap in the face for "fake" media when ironically it is Trump himself who has stoked the kind of division and unhealthy nationalism that will produce such outrageous acts.
We're in deep, deep trouble in this country. I don't know how this is all going to end, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be good. I can't believe we've come to this. I keep hoping we're better than Trump and his supporters and that this is just a minor blip in our history, but I fear that this is EXACTLY what we are. It's horrifying. If I prayed, I'd be praying for a massive "blue wave" in the November midterms. I don't have much faith in us anymore, though. :(
ReplyDeleteTrump seems to be doing everything in his power to turn back the blue tide - including using the pipe bomb deliveries to his advantage. You have got to hand it to him - he is a cunning s.o.b..
DeleteOh, Mr. P. You have no idea what it's like to be living here now. It's terrifying. Every day is a new and unbelievable nightmare. "Vote" every one says and yes, of course I vote but I don't even believe in the system any more.
ReplyDeleteIn years gone by I had the impression that for most ordinary Americans, national politics were very much on the fringes of their day-to-day lives. Now they seem to have become centre stage.
DeleteTrump is a lot of things. Nationalist isn't the first choice adjective I'd use to describe him!
ReplyDeleteHow about nasty, arrogant, pompous, ill-informed and self-obsessed? When some ill-educated men enter their seventies that seems to be the kind of character they adopt.
DeleteHow about white nationalist?
DeleteBooyah!
DeleteI'd say all of those apply!
DeleteJust to be clear, he is too stupid to really have any idea of what he said. He has no knowledge of history or vocabulary, and no sense of right or wrong. I apologize to all for having this dolt as the president of my country.
ReplyDeleteI accept your apology Dianne though I certainly do not hold you personally responsible for his boorishness and outlandish cunning. Please advise friends and family to vote Democrat in the mid-terms.
DeleteNow matter how you cut it, Trump is a disgusting human being.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if his mother loved him.
DeleteHe loves to accuse the press of fake news yet most of what comes out of his mouth has no truth or factual backing to it. I pray for change and improvements in our country yet I fear what we now see here. I always vote but as Ms.Moon said it is hard to believe in our system any more. I have learned the importance in appreciating what good you have when you have it for you never know when it will be gone.
ReplyDeleteYour final point is a good one. I guess that many Americans now look back affectionately on the Jimmy Carter years - or even Ronald Reagan's time in office. There was much more dignity and civility back then and the news media were not vilified day after day.
DeleteRegardless of his upbringing, which from all accounts was not a good one, Trump has a "very, very, very, bad" case of Malignant Narcissistic Syndrome.
ReplyDeleteMNS. I hope to God that it is not infectious but the pipe bomber and the Pittsburgh shooter suggest that it probably is.
DeleteOh, please. You will be sorry if you get me started on Donald and the swarm of ass-kissers in Washington! But, in a way, we deserve it. If half of our nation is so dumb and so racist and so unaware that they adore this fool, then there really is no hope for us. And, where are those of us who are against him and all he spouts out? All the secrets and lies and bitterness and blatant racism and misogynistic behavior. We have to do something if we are to save our country. How can we allow him to withdraw us from the world stage and encourage other world players to do the same? If any of us agree then we are all racist and against science and education and....let's face it....FACTS! My heart and mind are overwhelmed every day with the world he is leaving for my children! Fuck him! And, fuck those who would - and will - vote for him again!
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteIt heartens me that there are intelligent right-thinking Americans like you and Steve and Jennifer and Ms Moon and Bonnie... You embody what America is really all about.
DeleteHistory will not be very kind to Donald Trump. I hope he lives to regret what he has done and continues to do. He treats the highest position in his country like it's a game, and he's willing to do whatever crooked and morally wrong things he has to do in order to win it.
ReplyDelete"Regret" is surely not a word that figures in Trump's vocabulary. He is incapable of admitting faults and weaknesses.
DeleteI know that you don't respond (or possibly even read) comments mad when a post is past and gone but I have to say that I agree absolutely with your sentiment on the use of the word 'nationalist'. It is, in those circumstances and with that context, abhorrent.
ReplyDeleteWell I do look back from time to time Graham. I am pleased that you are also sensitive to the term "nationalist".
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