SO, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY:PATRIOTAs defined by Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriot)
noun
pa•tri•ot ˈpā-trē-ət
-ˌät,
chiefly British ˈpa-trē-ət
Synonyms of patriot
: one who loves and supports his or her country
… praised him as a … motivated patriot who was fearless in the quest to preserve American security.—
W. R. Hearst, Jr.
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To be called a patriot—the word ultimately derives from Greek patrios, meaning "of one's father,"—is today considered an honor, but it wasn't always this way. For much of the 17th century, to be deemed a "good patriot" was to be a lover of one's country who agreed on political and/or religious matters with whoever was doing the deeming. British loyalists applied the word like a badge to supporters of the ruling monarchy, but then the word took on negative connotations as it was applied first to hypocritical patriots—those who espoused loyalty to the Crown but whose actions belied that espousal, and then to outright anti-royalists. But in the 18th century, American writers, including Benjamin Franklin, embraced patriot to define the colonists who took action against British control. After the American Revolutionary War, patriot settled back into more neutral use, but to this day writers on both sides of the aisle grapple over the word.
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More on the Meaning of Patriot
The word patriot signifies a person who loves his or her country and is ready to boldly support and defend it. That meaning has endured since the word's arrival in English in the 16th century, but it has not marched through the years unchallenged. Ultimately derived from Greek patrios, meaning "of one’s father," patriot entered English via French patriote—meaning "fellow countryman" or "compatriot"—during a time of political unrest in western Europe that was characterized by infighting among fellow countrymen—especially among those of the Protestant and Catholic faiths. For much of the 17th century, words like good were attached to patriot to distinguish patriots who shared both a love of country and a common allegiance from those having opposing beliefs and loyalties: to be deemed a "good patriot" was to be a lover of country who agreed on political and/or religious matters with whoever was doing the deeming.
The Catholiques were knowne good Patriots under our former Kings.
— Henry Hammond, A view of some exceptions which have been made by a Romanist to the Lord Viscount Falkland's discourse…, 1646
Patriot was used to mean "good patriot" without modification more frequently by the end of the 17th century, but it tended to apply to a supporter of the ruling monarchy. A Patriot, both the King and Country serves; Prerogative, and Privilege preserves.
— John Dryden, Fables, Ancient and Modern, 1700
Another effect of the tumultuous times was the development of a derogatory use of patriot to refer to hypocritical patriots: people who claimed devotion to one's country and government but whose actions or beliefs belied such devotion. This ultimately led to the discrediting of the loyalty and steadfastness associated with the word patriot.
The years leading up to the American Revolutionary War further propagated the notion of patriot as a name for a seditious rebel against the monarchy. American writers of the 18th century, however, heartily embraced the word to define the colonists who took action against British control. As tensions continued to escalate, a new meaning of patriot came to the forefront, referring to a person who advocates or promotes the independence of their land or people from the country of which they are a colony. Benjamin Franklin provides an early record of this use.
It should be no Wonder … if among so many Thousand true Patriots as New England contains there should be found even Twelve Judases.
— Benjamin Franklin, letter, 7 July 1773
In the end, the patriots won the war and, centuries after America’s Declaration of Independence, patriot has held its place of honor in the English language as the meritorious name for the brave men and women of the armed forces who defend the rights and freedoms of their country. Stripped of all past disparagement, the word has returned to its original meaning: "one who loves his or her country."
Today, active fighting or resistance is not a requirement to being a patriot: a person only needs a strong sense of love for one’s country.
1. Leftist-communists bastardize the meaning by inferring that patriots (those who call themselves patriots) are somehow racist, anti-government nut cases?
2. That even in some government statements or publications, ‘patriots’ are vilified as anti-American bigots and troublemakers? I wonder what part of ‘patriotism’ they do not understand. Unless the citizenry rank-and-file don’t agree 100% with bad laws and corruption in the three branches of government, they are considered seditionists. Even if patriots do not espouse violence or hatred in any form, they are still considered ‘far-right, extremists’.
3. If you truly believe in the Constitution and that it was given to us by God, you are labeled an extremist, even though the Constitution does not mention race or sex. It is a perfect platform for honest and just government – but it is ignored.
4. Which brings us to God. Patriots who believe in the majesty and omnipotence of God are labeled extremists. What! The Creator of us all deserves the worship and honor that is suppressed by new-worldly sources. God does not belong to the ‘New World Order’ and they fear HIM.
5. Don't be swayed by 'Pay..triots'. These are those who are more engaged in selling patriotism (and it's associated products and wares) than enhancing and promoting it.
6. The ballot box is the answer (if it can be saved from corruption). Those anti-liberty candidates at local level are as much a detriment to good government as those lifetime politicians in our federal legislative branch. This may be over-simplifying it, but bad local politicians grow up to be federal demons of the 4th kind. Become active in your local government and assert your right to be involved. Local elections are sometimes decided by single votes and yours may be more important than you think.
7. Let's do it!
PS: Don't be afraid of the label 'Patriot'. It simply means you love your God, your nation, and your family.
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