Michel's Commentary

12/6/2001  888WebToday     Much has been said and written lately about the "New Patriotism" which has swept the nation since the September 11th terrorist attacks.

It is a remarkable fact-that Patriotism seems to come into fashion in a big way only in times of war or some other national calamity.

June 14th is Flag Day, designated as such by an Act of Congress. But do you remember how many flags you saw on display this June 14th, three months before the terrorist attacks?

Before that fateful day, I noticed more pink and green banners promoting the environmentalist cause than I did the stars and stripes.  And I saw more red ribbons boosting aids awareness in button holes than I did miniature old glories.

Now our flag is on display everywhere and in a bewildering variety of modes.  One company that manufactures ladies under garments has reentry come out with a complete line of unmentionables - done in stripes and stars and whatever else might invite the rocket's red glare - and not to mention, the bombs bursting in air.

It has now become not only unpatriotic not to display your colors - it is bad for business too.  Drive down the typical American mainstream or visit a shopping mall and you will hardly find a shop window that does not call upon God to bless America.

There is nothing wrong wit this, except that you cannot help but wonder whether in some cases, at least, it is being done to avoid being put at a competitive disadvantage in the market place - if you don't show that you are at least as patriotic as the next guy, you could lose some customers to him.

What is truly deplorable is the clamor for public assistance from Congress in the name of seemingly endless list of "victims" of the attacks - a clamor raised in the noble name of patriotism. Everybody from New York cab drivers to the failing airline companies have put in a bid for government support as alleged "victims" of Osama bin Laden's terror, implying that it is unpatriotic not to give them the money.

Carry their logic to its conclusion, and we are probably all entitled to some sort of compensation from the government for the emotional stress, economic loss, or shock and grief all of us have experienced since the World Trade Center went down in a pillar of fire.

But one of the reasons why America is a Republic worthy fighting for, one of the reasons why we should always be proud to fly our flag - has to do with rugged self-reliance which is the very backbone of the American way.  We should not expect the government to compensate us for the misfortunes that may befall us.  Above all, we should not put a price tag on our patriotism or carry it inside our pocket book.  And the next time Flag day rolls around, we should remember that flag we bought on special sale from the stock left over after bin Laden was laid low - and fly it proudly.

 And those are my thoughts .........
 

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