"Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. ... Every man who parrots the cry of “stand by the President” without adding the proviso “so far as he serves the Republic” takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the King could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent free man could take such an attitude."
by:
Theodore Roosevelt
(1858-1919) 26th US President
Source:
Works, vol. 21, pp. 316, 321
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Reader comments about this quote:
WOW, such truth from a man that destroyed more freedom than just about any other president.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    And that is the sentiment behind real Patriotism. Loyalty to the principles on which the country was founded.
     -- J Carlton, Chicago today     
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    Tell that to Nancy, Ralph, Barbara, Barney, Obama, and the rest of those misfits in Washington.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    We have and should exercise our right to disagree with politicians, of all offices. On the other hand we are obligated to respect the right of Senators, Presidents, Reps and other elected officials to disagree with us and for them to govern and legislate according to their conscience, knowledge, facts etc to which we may not be privy. We should recognize that persons who adminster and serve constituencies larger than yourself or myself will not always or may seldom decide things, support things, or do things just to please you or I. For him to do so would in effect make you or I a dictator. Standing by these people and their offices while at the same time expressing our support or lack of support to them or to specific issues is what Patriotism, loyalty, or loyal opposition is about. I think that is standing by the country. I give the quote a two because I don't think it is nearly or complete or lucent as mine. (Carlton also said it very cogently.)
     -- Waffler, Smith     
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     -- vedapushpa, Bengaluru-India      
    I like what he says, but not what he did. He began the 16th ammendent to our constitution.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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     -- fred, reno      
    I agree with this quote. May God bless America again and get rid of Bonehead Obama and his worshippers. Our country does not need him,or Nancy, or Ralph, or Barney. lets send them home asap.
     -- Harold Siemens, Seguin, Tx.     
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    I would sure like to be there when these, whatever meet their maker. All the dead bodies will be counted then against them.
     -- Jony     
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    Yes! Loyalty to political parties is nonsense -- they lie and lie to get into office. The government is not the country -- the People are the country, and the country is founded upon principle, not politicians. We owe no allegiance to government officers if they are not loyal to the Constitution. True Patriots are neither from the left or right nor are they subjects of a Crown, President, or Party.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    My Dear American Patriots, Please don't complain on here. Write your heartfelt concerns and grievances to your Congressman, the your Senators and to your Governor. The Administration is selling our American souls to the devil. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke). United We Stand. I love my Americans, and God Bless America!!
     -- JCash, Oceanside     
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    oh cr*p. You're Canadians. Now we need a wall between us. What's up with Canada letting in 25K Syrian refugees into Canada?? Got to learn the hard way, eh?
     -- JCash, Oceanside     
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    I think that J. Carlton is an idiot.
     -- JMM, South Bend     
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