Blind nationalism is tiresome patriotism

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

Thursday, July 31, 2008 | 2:02 a.m.

Assuming you think you are a patriot, what kind of patriot are you?

Are you the type who loves your country, but thinks it’s perfectly all right to criticize your leaders and their actions?

Or are you the nationalistic type of patriot who thinks that everyone should support their country and its leaders without exception?

We have had eight years of this latter kind of patriotism, in which anyone who criticized President Bush was a dirty traitor, and heaven forbid if you pointed out that we shouldn’t have gone to war in Iraq, or criticized the handling of the war there, or the no-bid contracts that were awarded to the administration’s friends, because you were a no-good traitor who didn’t support the troops.

Enough of this nationalistic fervor, which Sen. John McCain embodies, calling for our total allegiance. Sen. Barack Obama will be a breath of fresh air after President Bush. Look at how he got on so well with world leaders during his recent trip. His plans to bring the Iraq war to a successful conclusion, provide proper schooling to our youth, and health care to all is a framework that all can embrace. It’s time for a change.