There is also a narrative that R=nationalist=Trump=Nazi=bad. This is the Establishment narrative.FredS wrote: 20 Dec 2022, 09:04What in blazes are you talking about? This looks to me like you've heard that 'nationalism' is seen or understood as a bad thing (it's the 'na" in nazi after all) so you're trying to pin it on the other side. Nationalism is simple enough - it's the unwavering devotion to ones own nation (or race as used for white nationalists) above all others. It's not a bad thing itself. One doesn't have to be against other peoples to be for ones own. I'd argue that the Christian model is to care for ones family & nation while also caring for others, as you're able, and especially others who are disadvantaged. It's why the Church has never asked for all of our fruits to share with others - you keep what you need for you and yours and give what you can to care for others. I know it's a stretch, but ideally, we'd like individuals, corporations, and yes, even nation-states, to operate per that model inasmuch as they can.Del wrote: 20 Dec 2022, 05:47 It's not that a I have partisan dislike for Democrats, or that Republicans have not been guilty of jingoistic fervor.
It's just that Democrats are the ruling Establishment now. . . They remain the Establishment, even when they lose elections.
If "nationalism" means anything specific and evil, I'd define it as "blind and unquestioning support for any and all policies of the nation's Establishment."
I guess a defining mark between patriotism and nationalism could be this:
Under patriotism, the citizen-families thrive in freedom and prosperity.
Under nationalism, the State Establishment increases as everything else declines.
The Over Simplified Del Model™ looks like this:
R=Patriot=Good
D=Nationalist=Bad
I am trying to cut through the fog of rhetoric and get at what JPII is trying to tell us, and what wosbald means by posting it as his signature.
JPII warns against new forms of tyranny being pressed upon us by way of national policy and national identity.
I am concerned that our schools and Blue-state legislatures are pressing CRT and LGBT agendas into our national identity. Christians have been cast as "bigots." Righteous citizens are afraid that they might be seen as "pro-life." Small business owners are being prosecuted for holding a private desire to respect natural marriages and avoid participating in gay weddings. A father is being prosecuted for exposing school officials who covered up the rape of his daughter in a girls' bathroom by a cross-dressing boy.
During covid, wearing a mask was a symbol of nationalistic conformity. Wearing an American flag patch was a sign of rebellion.
JPII offers a valid warning about nationalism and tyranny. I want to be sure that I/we are seeing the threats clearly.
There's one dog that isn't barking. Where's wosbald?
