The word “patriot” is now used by the political right as a defense of unpopular policies and an attempt to justify sedition when under fire for anti-democratic rhetoric.
“To be a loyal Republican, one must be either a sucker or a liar,” says Michael Gerson, former speechwriter for George W. Bush.
“And because this defining falsehood (about the election) is so obviously and laughably false, we can safely assume that most Republican leaders who embrace it fall into the second category. Knowingly repeating a lie — an act of immorality — is now the evidence of Republican fidelity.”
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.”
– Samuel Johnson
Flag-waving is a fallacious argument or propaganda technique used to justify an action based on the undue connection to nationalism or patriotism or benefit for an idea, group or country.
“Country not right,” warns columnist Tom Friedman, summing up his feeling on the state of the Republic.
“Subscribing to the big lie that this election was stolen has become a prerequisite now for thriving, surviving and rising in this Republican Party,” he says. pic.twitter.com/koJIGRUSh1
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) May 4, 2021
Trump was so embarrassed by the video of him looking ridiculous while ranting on the Mar A Lago patio steps to 20 people, they actually staged a video with everyone suddenly climbing over each other for a pic. I don’t know which is more pathetic… pic.twitter.com/bGdDJcjYDm
— Mystery Solvent (@MysterySolvent) May 5, 2021