Author Spotlight
Nora Lynn
The term patriot has been misused time and time again in our country. It has a different meaning to everyone, and the definition can be twisted in different ways. And that’s ok. What’s not ok is referring to domestic terrorism as “patriotism.”
A patriot’s love for their country is an undeniable quality and to an extent, is an admirable demonstration of loyalty. But don’t confuse a patriot’s agenda with that of a nationalist. Though the events that occurred on Jan. 6 shouldn’t be considered an act of nationalism because that mob’s intentions were so far away from the well-being of our country, they might as well have been Al-Qaeda attacking the Twin Towers.
A patriot holds pride in their country and desires the growth and well-being of their country and its citizens. Attacking the United States Capital with no valid motives in an effort to change the election is disgraceful, and frankly an unacceptable response.
Following the laws of the Constitution that establish stable transitions of power is patriotic. Allowing senators to complete their work without fear of getting shot is patriotic. Entering the capitol building respectfully and legally through its designated threshold is patriotic.
Following the riots, ten republican House representatives who previously held similar opinions to the capitol rioters joined the democratic representatives senators in impeaching President Trump, claiming “incitement of insurrection” for his role in instigating the riots and inability to denounce the rioters’ efforts. The terrorism that took place on Jan. 6 was unacceptable and completely humiliating, and the word “patriot” should be used as many times as I said “we can still hang out if you’re sick” over quarantine (which was never).
It should be obvious that this riot was disgraceful to our country, that this wasn’t a positive historical event marking a so-called “patriotic” rebellion. Members from both political parties have come together in agreement –– this was an embarrassment, an act of domestic terrorism and a threat to the stability of our democracy. We can’t support one sole person over our entire system of government.
Patriots don’t live stream themselves breaking into the Senate Chamber. Patriots don’t get banned from air travel for treason. They don’t claim it’s time for a revolution against a government’s democratic transition of power, so they can live in a dictatorship called the “Trump Republic.”
Two capitol police officers have been suspended after assisting the rioters’ endeavors to get through the capitol –– rioters carrying guns and zip-tie handcuffs. They’re not patriots. Knowingly abandoning their duty of defending our senators is not protecting our country.
One man was photographed sitting with his feet up on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk, claiming that he sat there because she wasn’t appreciating it. He’s since been arrested for violent entry and theft. Stealing federal property because you disagree with the other party’s politics is not patriotic – it’s shameful.
None of these actions had the benefit of our country in mind –– they were meant to benefit one leader, someone who encouraged the violence on the capitol. In fact, not only did he encourage the riots, but praised the rioters and implemented the use of the word “patriot” when describing them.
Patriots understand that our country’s population is sharply divided between two parties, and those parties rarely agree. That doesn’t mean when one party gets their way, the other throws common sense off the side of the capitol steps –– attempting to use force and fear to manipulate the actions of our government and its system, rather than gracefully accepting a loss.
You are entitled to your own opinion, but you cannot threaten others –– or in the case of these rioters, the entire country –– if they don’t agree with you.
Without the structured government we have, the U.S. would be complete chaos, even more than it is right now. These self-acclaimed “patriots” were not patriots at all, but a disgrace to this country.
Wanna know what’s even more disgraceful……rigging an election so that an old senile man can continue to bankrupt this country. Not for 1 second does anybody believe old senile Brandon and his coke head son where elected fairly. It doesn’t take a genius to see what has happened here. They are patriots in my opinion, they will be celebrated before its all said and done.
Agreed