Tribune Content Agency Opinions

Our strange relationship with the word 'patriotism'

There are many definitions of patriotism. Mark Twain said patriotism means supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.

I like this, but it's flawed. Sometimes your country -- i.e., the people -- can do things that require the government to correct its citizens. That's why we have a Bill of Rights. Sometimes "we the people" are wrong, and the individual is right. That's what G.K. Chesterton was getting at when

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