Volunteering: The Purest Form Of Patriotism

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

What I am encouraging people to do is for people to challenge the government if they feel that the government is not properly representing their intentions and beliefs.

From The Declaration of Independence:

"...it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

Sorry for the lack of clarity

Edited July 15, 2008 by bvfdjc316

[ex-commish 490]

quite frankly i'd rather people in my life learn cpr, bls and vollie for a vac or learn firefighting and join a vfd than go into the armed forces and learn to blow up an entire country, and even then some of those army people are volunteers.

I don't think the military's only purpose is to blow up other countries and your statement does a dis-service to our members of the Armed Forces. I do believe besides protecting our country they also spend alot of time in peace keeping missions and helping those who can't help them selves. We have lost alot of good Americans doing all of this. While what we do may be patriotic they are the true patriots as they defend our freedom. Alot more than just blowing up countries.

[helicopper 1,050]

Fascinating subject and great responses!

I'd have to say that the purest form of patriotism is placing your country's interests (or in this case community's) ahead of your own whether by service in the armed forces, being a citizen legislator (as was apparently intended by the founding fathers - not the ruling class of self-proclaimed royalty that we deal with now), or by contributing in some other way to your community (volunteering is surely a part of this).

Activism is also a form of patriotism but it has been so bastardized by special interest activists that the word itself is controversial. But we should all be community activists, not necessarily on a single issue but to advance the community overall. This is in all our best interests and ultimately we all benefit from this type of behavior.

And in the event that our government chooses to ignore the will of the people and further evolve into the royalty that we forcibly evicted once before, we will have to do it again!

[Guest MVFD334]

When it comes to our troops I can look past any reason they may have to enlist. The guys/gals goto war not only abroad where they get treated like s***, but come home and have to deal with the few groups that are against it . Guys putting themselves on the line to do good for humanity for people they dont know only to come back to the land they ultimatly protect and get slandered for it. I dont consider troops patriots. But more so Hereos.

I started this post with a tiff with Seth and I would like to apologize because it has taken away from a more deserving topic.

Anyone that takes any time to donate time, energy or money for something that benefits those who need it, is a great thing. We shouldnt pass judgement on people becuase why we might think they do it, because there are those out there who do nothing and complain about those who do it. Lets not drop to there level. so wether its changing a tire for an old lady (hot single mom if your lucky :~) coaching little rugrats how to throw a ball or run a play, or charity type events, We here on this board all have one thing in common, We all do it. I hope more people would and wish that this generation that is coming up would do it for pure reasons so that when we are older, we know that we taught by example.

[Guest]

I don't think the military's only purpose is to blow up other countries and your statement does a dis-service to our members of the Armed Forces. I do believe besides protecting our country they also spend alot of time in peace keeping missions and helping those who can't help them selves. We have lost alot of good Americans doing all of this. While what we do may be patriotic they are the true patriots as they defend our freedom. Alot more than just blowing up countries.

hey seth, can we have an new icon for those who don't quite get sarcasm

[Future Fireman 4]

hey seth, can we have an new icon for those who don't quite get sarcasm

Vacguy, we already do. This smilie: Its code is simple: : ROLLEYES : Remove the spaces.

Mike

[Guest]

Vacguy, we already do. This smilie: Its code is simple: : ROLLEYES : Remove the spaces.

Mike

lol thanks mike, i just find that to be a bit more "cute" than i was looking for. that smilie face always remimded of me a girl i used to date...she would make that same face everytime she wanted me to buy something! friggin' girls!