RANDOM JACK POETRY HOUR: ON TYRANNY
Reclaim
Patriotism
Tyranny
flies under the flag of patriotism
Authoritarians
always lay claim
But
if we live in a true democracy
There
is no greater lie
And
can be no greater shame
The
cry of patriotism fuels the lies of war
Demands
the sacrifice of basic rights
Justifies
unspeakable crimes
Defends
the indefensible
Leads
to internal strife
It
is time to redefine patriotism
It
is time to reclaim the flag
A
patriot believes in the nation
For
what it represents
Not
unconditionally like lemmings
Marching
blindly into the sea
But
for what the nation stands for
And
for what it proudly could be
A
patriot defends the nation and her flag
Against
those who would abuse her
Fomenting
violence and immoral acts
Committing
injustice in her name
And
demanding we excuse her
A
patriot knows and upholds
The
bill of rights
Against
pretenders who never read
Past
the second amendment
A
patriot stands for free and fair elections
The
foundation of our democracy
Without
regard for the outcome
But
with respect for the ballot box
A
patriot supports a free press
Including
mainstream media
Especially
when it conflicts
One’s
own beliefs
A
patriot raises a hand
Takes
an oath to democracy
And
swears to defend it
Against
all enemies
(Based on Timothy Snyder's excellent pamphlet.)