The rhetorical leverage that “patriotism” has gained over the past year is staggering. While the term has always had a special significance in American culture, it has now become a discussion-ending tool used to stifle dissent. Everything from french fries (er, “freedom fries” - see IHT | Japan Today) to airline baggage (see ABC | Seattle Times) has become a target of misguided patriotic zeal. And things are only getting worse.

According to conservative stalwarts like David Limbaugh, “Defending one’s right to protest is celebrating America’s freedoms. But the act of dissing America while exercising those freedoms is not pro-American (see full article).” The idiocy of this statement should be obvious. What good is the “right of dissent” if one is not able to excercise it? How does this differ from not having the right at all? Of course, this is also the position taken by “President” Bush, whose utter disregard for the wishes of the polity is consistently stunning. Bottom-line: if you dissent, you are an enemy… and that means you’re no better than Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, or whomever else is the administration’s favorite “evil-doer” of the week.

That large portions of our population accept these ludicrous views is disturbing. As the war of agression with Iraq gets underway, we are sure to see another swell of pro-American patriotism not equalled since the aftermath of 9/11/01. In the absence of a credible check on this unbridled nationalism, I am fearful of the consequences that may result. Already we have seen a ridiculous backlash against all things Arab (and now French). Can this racism really be justified by a person’s love of country? I think not. We can only hope that people begin to realize the impact U.S. policy has on people throughout the globe. When our “smart bombs” start flying, they’re not just blowing up buildings - they’re ending people’s lives. They’re destroying people’s families. And all the while, we sit back and watch the lights fly on CNN and cheer for “our soldiers overseas.” What a joke. Or, put more accurately… What a disgrace.