Patriotism - the first refuge of hypocrites
What is patriotism? Patriots want what's best for their country. Therefore, whether a Thai supports Thaksin Shinawatra, the Democrats or the military junta, he is patriotic if he sincerely believes that his political philosophy is the one that best serves
Unfortunately, the word patriotism has been hijacked by people who want regard only those who agree with them as patriotic. For example, in America, when a Republican president started a war under false pretences, Republicans said anyone disagreeing with the decision was unpatriotic. But when a Democrat (especially a black one) becomes president, just watch the Republican maniacs at Fox News not only deprive the president of support but refuse to show him even the minimum of respect.
In Thailand the Democrat elitists called for the overthrow of the Yingluck Shinawatra government. But as soon as the junta came to power, these same Democrats called those engaged in even the mildest form of protest “paid agitators”. Meanwhile they tell expatriate critics to get out of the country.
These Democrat hate-mongers don’t know the difference between patriotism and hypocritical political extremism.
Eric Bahrt
