http://www.texaskaos.com Texas Kaos Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:42:39 GMT http://www.texaskaos.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5052 San Antonio Stonewall Democrats rented a booth for the day and marched in the 9:00 PM Parade. I was amazed at how the event has grown the last few years. We passed out hundreds of stickers, sold a few T-Shirts and registered 32 voters. We had 20 folks from SDSA marching in the parade with our banners. We received loud applause and screams from the parade crowd, in part I think, due to our name. We were the only group with the word Democrat in their name. <p>There were about 6 Democratic candidates in the parade-a very good thing. <p>By the way, if you see a video of the parade somewhere, the answer is yes, that is spilled chili on my shirt from eating a hot dog. <br /> Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:50:22 GMT Bulldog http://www.texaskaos.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5052 http://www.texaskaos.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5051 <i>Defining patriotism, and what it means to one of American's citizens.</i> <p>It is the United States of America's Independence Day. To most people in America this means that today is a day to celebrate our country and show unabashed patriotism. The very idea of patriotism has been on America's tongue recently. There has been a debate about what patriotism is, and what it means to be truly patriotic. <p>Patriotism is more than loving one's country, and it is more than loving the ideals and values of one's country. Patriotism is more than holding a sign in protest, and it is more than wearing a uniform in defense of those holding the signs. Patriotism can be pure and simple and difficult to describe in words. &nbsp; <br /> I have had the opportunity to experience patriotism in two very distinct ways: I have experienced the 4th of July wearing our nations uniform on the deck of an aircraft carrier in the middle of the Arabian Gulf, and I have experienced being in the middle of a mass of humanity calling for change at Congress Avenue and 11th Street in front of the Capitol Building in Austin, Texas. I can say for certain that both of these kinds of patriotism are completely equal in value and are both completely necessary. <p>America is not great because of flags, statues or moments. America is not even great because of a piece of paper on which rights and liberties where written on. America is great because of the ideals of the men who wrote down those rights, and because of the men who defend those rights today. America is great because of its past and its future. Our past is full of triumphant acts and horrible sins. Our future is full of high hopes and the promise that we can all create something truly remarkable. <p>There has also been much discussion and finger pointing about what is unpatriotic and what is un-American. I truly believe that the charge of being unpatriotic and un-American is a disingenuous argument and is intellectually lazy. As a veteran and a voice of dissent what I find unpatriotic and un-American are those of us that choose not to wear a uniform or pick up a protest sign. I find that what is truly unpatriotic and un-American is indifference. <p>Patriotism is not found on a flag pin on a lapel, patriotism is found in the heart beneath that flag pin. Patriotism cannot be defined by pointing to a symbol; patriotism can be defined by the collective voice of America's citizens. Patriotism is not found in a particularly political party, patriotism is not found in being a conservative or liberal. Patriotism is found in both those that seek a political office, and those that volunteer helping those in need. Patriotism is not a noun or an adjective; patriotism is a verb. Patriotism is found in action. <p>Patriotism is hoping for our future while remembering our past. Patriotism is knowing that America is both a great and unfinished country. &nbsp; Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:43:57 GMT liberaltexan http://www.texaskaos.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5051