Who loves America? It’s not just one party

Re “The last refuge of the GOP,” Opinion, Sept. 9

I agree with Geoffrey Nunberg’s analysis of the Republicans’ attempt to seize the mantle of patriotism for themselves. They actually express not patriotism but jingoism -- the mindless support of aggressive nationalism.

My patriotism is devoted to the things that make America unique. We have a nation established to provide liberty to its citizens under the rule of law established by the Constitution. These are the ideals that make America worthy of our devotion. They are also ideals the Bush administration believes are disposable.

CHRIS TABER

Long Beach

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I see pseudo-patriots with tin flags in their lapels -- many of whom never saw a single day in the military, never acted except to pose for photo ops -- as hypocrites.

As a Democrat and a person who has served in the military and comes from a family of men who served, I object to these self-serving individuals who rely on pretense to shelter themselves from any thorough examination of their love of country. Going to war in Iraq -- sacrificing young American men and women to die and be wounded for a lie -- was beyond reprehensible. That they feel they have a lock on patriotism because they are Republicans, the party of loyalty, fills me with anger and disgust.

PATRICK O’BRIEN

San Juan Capistrano

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I would like to supplement Nunberg’s otherwise brilliant article by recalling the words of Samuel Johnson: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel,” and the excellent retort of Ambrose Bierce: “In Dr. Johnson’s famous dictionary, patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer, I beg to submit that it is the first.”

Certainly the behavior of the Bush administration, as well as that of all the foaming-at-the-mouth right-wing pundits out there, confirms the validity of these words.

STEVE WATKINS

Eagle Rock