<Tab/>My own actions during the invasion of Iraq certainly do not fit Thoreau's conception of patriotism. Patriotism is not an act against the established government, it is not writing blasphemous poetry; it is the love of your country, as it exists. I love my country, the United States of America. <Tab/>To label Sadaam Husayn as a cruel despot who deserved what he had coming to …showed first 75 words of 621 total…

…showed last 75 words of 621 total…Undoubtedly, nations of such stature would have no interest in said military offensive. <Tab/>True patriotism is willing to stand up for your nation. One who really loves their nation loves more than the soil it exists upon, loves more than the nation it once was, or the nation it could be. Thoreau's opinion concerning government and patria discount him as no more than a political idealist, not a true patriot.