Once upon a time patriotism was an honorable and noble thing. Unfortunately, the word has been hijacked by right-wing zealots who have bastardized the concept beyond recognition. Now, when you see the word patriot it is, or should be, a flag that it is being used by ideologues to support their very narrow concepts, but primarily that you agree with them. These self-anointed “patriots” have no room for deviation on any matter and appear to live in a fact-free environment of their own making.
In a post on Facebook regarding the firing of Michael Atkinson, the Intelligence Community Inspector General who revealed the complaint (as required by law) that led to the impeachment of Donald Trump, I received this reply, “Or, better put, only loyal American Patriots need apply. Deep s\.” The direct implication was that Atkinson was not an “American Patriot.” Strangely, that comment was written by a retired CIA officer, but one who consistently supports Trump no matter how bizarre his actions.
Importantly, Atkinson had served 15 years in the Justice Department, thus under multiple administrations both Republican and Democratic. He was appointed by Trump to the IG position. As repeatedly demonstrated, Trump has no understanding or appreciation for the independence of Inspectors General. As the prior quote indicates, Trump only accepts sycophants, and his base of patriots concur. For Trump, and his base, truth is the enemy as they concoct alternate realities, rewrite history, and degrade trust and confidence in legitimate news media.
Trump’s anti-inspector general campaign continued as I drafted this article. While denying responsibility for anything, he also actively moves to negate any real oversight of his actions. On Tuesday (7 April 2020) it was the Pentagon’s acting Inspector General, Glenn Fine, that Trump removed. That action was taken specifically so that Fine would not have oversight of the funds (over $2T) appropriated by Congress in response to the economic crisis brought on by coronavirus. Based on his record of competence and impartiality, Fine had been selected to chair the newly created Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC). With four years in his current position, and 11 years as an IG for the Department of Justice, he is not considered to be a true patriot by Trump’s base. We also know the Department of Health and Human Services IG, Christi Grimm, is in trouble. Ms. Grimm’s fault was to release a report that illuminated many of the shortfalls currently facing American medical establishments. Because the report contradicted several of his lies, Trump attacked to honorable civil servant who had worked in that field for more than two decades. Again, truth was the enemy– but for patriots, loyalty to Trump supersedes all else.
The current “American Patriots” are a fearful lot; a very fearful lot. While they won’t admit it, they fear most everything, change and truth being high on the concerns. Rejecting the fact that the world is interconnected, they cling to notion that foreigners are to be held with suspicion and that they are only here to get free stuff taken from them by the government. Of particular concern to these patriots is perceived abuse of our healthcare system which depletes the resources needed for taxpayers. They falsely believe that no undocumented immigrants pay taxes. Worse, as espoused by Trump, these immigrants are most likely criminals (They send murderers and rapists, but he assumes some may be good people). Facts regarding immigrant contributions to the U.S. economy or committing fewer crimes than our citizens are of no interest to real patriots.
A significant majority, but not all, of these new American Patriots, are white and the ties to supremacist groups strong. We all should remember Charlottesville and the torchlight march reminiscent of Munich in the 1930’s. The chant, “Jews will not replace us,” has a direct correlation to one of their great fears, that of being replaced. Also noteworthy was the support they received from Trump. The racial component was made clear with a dramatic increase of white patriotic organizations following the election of Barack Obama. No matter how he responds to questions, there is little doubt that Trump plays to that audience and they understand his support.
It is certain that the U.S. will not remain a white majority population indefinitely. When I worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, I lived in New Mexico, which was the first state to have no ethnic majority. Other states, especially in the Southwest are following. Immigration and birth rates are facts of life. Change is often unsettling, but it need not be fearful. Change is also reality. For those in the Patriot Movement, the inevitability of minority status is a driving factor for their actions. (Predicted for 2044)
Today’s patriots worship gun ownership above nearly everything else. Whenever tensions arise their first impulse is to buy more guns. The gods of the NRA intentionally foster the notion that having more guns is the answer to social problems. This could not be more apparent than in the current medical pandemic. Not only did gun sales increase, but the NRA stepped in and threatened governors who did not place gun stores on the essential business’s rooster. The rationale eludes logic, but one can only assume something akin to the zombie apocalypse stirs in the minds of these patriots as they envision the imminent devolution of modern culture and a return to medieval times.
There already are more guns than people in the country. Yet, with each crisis there is a stampede to buy more weapons. For patriots, there is no thought as to how many would be enough. When asked, the fearful patriots claim they are acquiring the weapons for protection. If asked to articulate the threat they perceive, the response is usually anecdotal about some terrible crime they heard was committed somewhere. A few have personal stories, but that is a tiny minority. One study of crime victims found that weapons were used in self-defense in only 0.9 percent of such incidents.
Lest one conclude that survivalist thinking is too far-fetched, go and explore the ads that populate much of the right-wing thought. As examples, there such companies as Survival Cave, Mayday Emergency Food Ration, Be Prepared, and an explicit one My Patriot Supply. Many of these products come with a 25-year shelf-life in case Mad Max reigns again.
As a classic example of their fear, while writing this article I called out the author of a ridiculous email posting. The following response was received. “When did you go senile? In any case this is a Civil War and I consider you not to be a patriot.”Now that is from a Ph.D. level physicist and ardent Trump supporter who has never served a day in any official capacity in the U.S. Government, while I have half a century of dedicated service both active duty military and other organizations. Worth noting is that he has been beating the civil war drum since Trump took office. That threat of civil war reverberates in many of the right-wing patriotic circles. Based on Georgetown University polling data, the Washington Examiner reported, “More than half the likely electorate thinks we are more than 70% of the way to being at the edge of civil war.”
In general, the new patriots get their information from Fox News, OAN for television and Rush Limbaugh and other right-wing radio outlets and similar online websites. They are almost exclusively self-reinforcing of what they already believe. It is worth noting that the Trump campaign intentionally exacerbates the situation. As an example, from the Trump Campaign website I receive communications from “Mike Pence” asking specifically did I “trust the mainstream media.” Their actions represent an overt attempt to spread distrust among not only their base, but extend that to others who might be so influenced.
The words of retired general, and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly are extremely poignant. “You are not an informed citizen if you only get your information from Fox News.” General Kelly had a front row seat watching the effects of right-wing media (as he could often be seen holding his head during Trump’s rants. But what is critical is that Trump’s overt attempts to undermine other major media outlets are working. Polls show media approval hovering in the low 30 percent. This is a concerted attack on America, but applauded by patriots in their echo chambers.
Symbology is important. Patriot literature and media tends to wrap themselves in the American flag – while Trump literally does so for his base. Then too the Statue of Liberty is seen in a great deal of their literature. There is a one-upmanship at play as well regarding which person/organization can be credited as the most patriot. One must agree totally with their philosophy and counterfactual statements, or be considered not patriotic. Intolerance is a hallmark.
A frequent refrain by the new patriots is that any criticism of Trump, his policies, or the country’s action means that you hate the country. That is currently displayed in discussions regarding social programs. Recommendations such as providing healthcare for all citizens is considered the evils of socialism. That is even more ironic happening during a pandemic with record numbers of infections and deaths. But as demonstrated by the Wisconsin primary election fiasco, the right-wing patriots and GOP place ideology over life. Unfortunately, that position was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Incongruence is a hallmark of the patriot movement. Most members vehemently support the pro-life agenda, which is internally inconsistent. They object strenuously to federal funding for Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides healthcare for women on a massive scale, often where there are no alternatives. A tiny fraction of their medical support (about 3 percent) does go to providing abortions in some locations, but the vast majority (97) percent of their efforts do not. Ironically, most of these same anti-abortion patriots support capital punishment which by definition ends life (and is very expensive). Inexplicably, they see no contradiction if philosophy.
Concurrently, they rail against Congressional spending for social programs and support Executive Branch policies designed to reduce aid to poor people and take away healthcare benefits to millions of Americans, especially in Red States. They labor under the misconception that people are basically lazy and choose to remain on welfare programs. The current economic crisis should dispel even Republicans of that notion as many formerly employed workers suddenly find themselves in dire straits. Remember, even before this situation emerged, surveys found that about 40 percent of Americans could not handle an unexpected expense of $400.
Patriots claim they want less government. That is fine until disaster strikes and they suddenly demand more services and complaint that better preparations weren’t made. The notion of the fiercely independent, rugged, self-made individual is basically a myth. Still, patriots cling tenaciously to that illusion.
Since Trump was elected there has been a hue and cry concerning the Deep State. Paranoid, Trump and his patriots repeatedly assert that a coup is being undertaken to undermine his position. Contrary to popular belief there is no “deep state.” There are, however, millions of professional civil servants who courageously perform their duties regardless of which party is in office. Many have held their position for decades. Political appointees aside, they generally perform admirably, often under adverse conditions. They hold their positions because the know stuff and how to get the job done. They also understand legal limitations and responsibilities. Repeatedly we have witnessed experts assailed, sometimes fired, for following the laws of the land. For the self-anointed patriots who consistently demonstrate willful ignorance and incompetence, these attacks are incongruent with the good order and well-being of America.
Unencumbered by facts, these new patriots often support positions that are anti-scientific (think climate change which they won’t even mention) and support regressive measures designed to help the world. The recent actions taken by the EPA to roll back auto emission standards, or protection of wetlands are examples of incongruence between these actions and providing a place in which all safely can live.
During the American Revolution, the founders, and their supporters, placed ideals above their personal safety, fortunes and livelihood. They were true patriots. It is a sad state of affairs that their concepts have been hijacked by groups of small-minded, fearful people who have distorted the concept of patriotism and fail to recognize the damage they are doing to our democracy. Their actions are the antithesis what it should mean to be a patriot but currently dominate.