What makes someone unpatriotic to you?

To me there is a difference between not being patriotic and being unpatriotic. Unpatriotic is taking action against ones country, while just not being patriotic means you just don't care. The person who isn't patriotic might choose not to stand for the National Anthem, but the unpatriotic will talk through it, or make fun of the people standing. The person who isn't patriotic might not join the military, but the unpatriotic spits on soldiers... or shoots at them. On the other hand, a person who is patriotic might protest a war, but the unpatriotic takes sides with their nation's enemies... either figuratively or actively.

I thought that this post would be easy to respond to but after a bit of thought I really am at a lose of words. (yes probably one of the only times I haven't had somethimg sitting at the tip of my tongue to say!) I think that to BE patriotic you ahve to love your country and want what you feel is best for your country. Now yes, this can be anything afterall, what I think is great for my country you may not think so and vice versa. But I think that patriotism isn't if you have fireworks on your countries birthday, it's not coz you have a flag displayed, it's not because you believe the government like a sheep following what the shepard says. Being patriotic is in your heart if you love your country and want to make it better. Even in a small way like volunteering at a food bank or picking up garbage from the ditch, or when you are in a different country being courteous because you are an ambassador of your country. If you are in a different country and you treat people nicely then those people will think that you and your country folk are all nice (we hope!). It has nothing to do with paying taxes, being in government, or anything like that.

Being patreotic means many things. I was born and raised in Canada,and was proud to join the army when I turned 18,then came along trudou(the traitorous PM)that hated the English,so ditroyed our culture and country. I recieved my honerable discharge(as we were allowed to get out early if we did not approve of the changes)and joined the American army to fight for the freadoms from communizm in Viet Nam. We were treated with great disrespect from our own people when we returned,so I just returned to Canada. While I do have great respect and feelings for all of North America,I cannot say the same for the governments of either country. I will fight for the country,not the idiots running them. I always have,and always will cast my vote for the governments,but it is a loosing battle as in Canada,we are run by the majority of the people,like the U.S.,but unfortunatly,all the voting power here is in the nuts in Ontario and Quebec. Thank you for the chance to vent.

Little things like not paying one's taxes, not buying your country's products, but instead, go for things which are foreign-made, when you bad-mouth your own country in front of other people (from other countries)...these are a few unpatriotic actions. For me, they are simply sad, because people should really love their own country whatever happens to it...and whatever happens to it depends so much on its people.

I am more inclined to believe those who DO NOTHING are unpatriotic. I believe we all should know just what our constitution means, how laws are drafted and ALL should be involved in the checks and balances that are suppose to be built into our democratic system. Too many blindly follow the mainstream media coverage and believe that to be the truth. Too many care more for the celebrity or sports coverage than they do for what's going on right under their noses with respect to the changes (and these changes are NOT for the better) in our laws and our rights. Yes, we live in a beautiful country, but soon everyone who's been glued to the "bxxb" tube will soon find out they only thing they can do is watch the programing their new government says they can watch. Or is this happening already. NASA has been censored, the EPA cannot say anything about Global Warming. No, you are not wrong, and probably more patriotic than most.

I agree freedom of speach, I think burning the flag or spitting etc is unpatriotic. I think that we have a right to talk about what ever the fack we want. I also think that doing anything unjust to war remorials is unpatriotic. I am very patriotic but then Im born the day before australia day so I think this has always had something to do with it. Plus I love it here.

With the way people feel about their elected officials (like they had a choice between the second worst candidate and the worst) trust me disagreeing with government decisions is not unpatriotic it is the norm. Remember this is a country founded by Revolutionaries and traitors to the crown. Now if you are living out in the middle of nowhere today amassing an army of followers and a weapons collection better than the ATF -AND planning for a violent overthrow of the government that could be construed as unpatriotic. Treating military service people &veterans they way some treated them during and after Vietnam that is unconscionably unpatriotic. Some people just run their mouth to get attention by saying outrageous things. I am not sure they are unpatriotic just opportunists. Be careful not to fall for their bait and get into an argument with them that is all they want.

Patriotism is a very personal thing, and difficult to describe and define. In times of war, those that actively protest and attempt to prevent the continuation of the war, be it 'just' or not is variable, may be considered unpatriotic expecially if the battle/war is won. If there is an invasion in your own country it is unlikely that you find someone protesting the defense of ones home and in supporting the invading force, this may be considered unpatriotic. Patriotism and nationalism often go hand in hand, though different they express the idea that you mentioned, 'if you are not with us, you are against us' when taken to the extreme. For me unpatriotic, is the active and organized destruction of the fabric of a country, for malicious intent, with no benefit to the people of that country. To protest a war, is not unpatriotic. People have a conscious and understand that no one really wins in a war, people die and families and homes are destroyed. Many times the result 50 years later is that either things return to what they were before or the instability created by the action is still affecting peoples lives. It is when you lose everything that you see that life is important, to fight to preserve it is noble. The sense of patriotism is thus associate to the side of the combat you are and if you are victorious. If you take the countless wars through time, the example of the colonial wars were fought to create a new nation, those that fought to obtain their new country are known as patriots yet if they had lost and the countries remained as they were, they would have been known as rebels and unpatriotic. To disagree with ones government, can never be judged in these term, patriotism has nothing to do with the the actual government, or what it stands for. In this way, every time government changed there should be a protest . If a more liberal governmente feels that the money that is appied in its military would benefit educational, health system instead, that is not unpatriotic it is a moral decision of priorities and in a way patriotic as it is the active improvement of the people in your country.

I don't think there's anything wrong in the way you think because I feel exactly the same way about my country too. I love my motherhood but I hate the government! That's it - nothing more and nothing less. You said everything above that I would type in here?:)

Good write its fine, most poeple do wrong things to limit ther success, like some country's government. I love my country too.evryone should love ther country too.this is your good post.

Patriotism is loving your country despite its flaws and striving to protect, defend, serve, and uplift the people IN it. The government is not your country, it is merely a facet. The taxes you pay are not your country, it is merely a component. the goods and services you buy and where they are made are not your country, they are material goods. Patriotism is standing up for the founding principles of your nation, its people. and what you feel at heart is honorable, true, and right. Sometimes the most patriotic act one can do is simply standing up and saying, 'no I will not do this.' This is espcially true of Americans since their founding principles are based on equality for everyone, and doing what is right and true. My countries laws and governing bodies have lost their way, the people have given up their freedom for tv dinners, and 'home land security'. Deep in their hearts though, inside every person who can truly claim to be American there is a heart that beats red, white, and blue. That heart which leads the legs to stand, the fist to raise, the lips to part and the words 'we the people' to echo out. I have done and will continue to do many things in my life that people claim are unpatriotic. I have neither remorse nor sense of guilt over these actions. I did what is true, what is right, what is just, and thus according to the founding principles of America, I did what was american. As such, as a true son of America I am a patriot.