[ Editorial: NFL's anthem rule vs. the patriotism of protest ] By the way: It's simply not true that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. 71: Today you will receive a certificate from the Indiana Bar Association with Canons of American Citizenship. Critics of undocumented immigrant residents often say that the undocumented persons should just get in line and go through official channels to become citizens. Weve swapped the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) for He who has the gold, rules. And if were really honest, even the models too many parents and grandparents set for their posterity demonstrates raged patriotism, gossip, slander and unforgiveness. google_color_url = "008000"; Let me conclude with having you ponder a 250-year-old question. New York, NY: Philosophical Library Google Maps. House of Commons debates, 28 January 1942 And here in Hammond, just a few miles away, hundreds gathered in front the federal building to stand up for the human rights of immigrants. "DISSENT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF PATRIOTISM" . You can come to the airport on Friday without fear. From the American Revolution to the Battle for Seattle, from Shays Rebellion to the Stonewall uprising, from Thomas Paine to Martin Luther King, from the Uncle Toms Cabin to Black Lives Matter, from Helen Kellers opposition to the First World War to Mohammad Alis draft resistance, from the Muckracker journalists of the early 20th century who criticized capitalist greed to Daniel Ellsberg who leaked the Pentagon Papers: dissent is perhaps the most important American tradition. According to the Jefferson Library: "There are a number of quotes that we do not find in Thomas Jefferson's correspondence or other writings; in such cases, Jefferson should not be cited as the source. Over the last few years, both those on the left and right have protested in big ways. The 51 State Department FSOs (Foreign Service Officers) comprising the Dissent 51 are . The trouble is, notes reader Dave Forsmark, who has been waging a one-man campaign to correct what he believes to be a blatant . Jefferson may not have literally said, Dissent is the highest form of patriotism, but I think its fair to say that he and the other founders believed it was indeed a high form of patriotism. There are winning over the ahidjo regime was bad luck for every media, national review and be arguing about the highest form of dissent the patriotism is. Contrary to the accusations of those who slander immigrants, both documented and undocumented immigrants are among the most law abiding people in this country. He allegedly said, A republic, if you can keep it. The question still stands. Deputy Managing Editor. It is the peaceful American way to turn the nation away from a self-defeating course.. Each of you has no doubt had an interesting journey to come to this point. Americas hardboiled newsmen cant get enough of the Thomas Jefferbunk Per the link, it gained popularity in 1969 when NYC Mayor John Lindsay uttered the phrase during a speech at Columbia University. Now, all that dissent they were cheerleading a moment ago borders on treason. Indeed, for eight years under Bush we heard that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism" a profoundly stupid and self-serving bumper sticker of a notion. Funny enough, this clich of a phrase used to pardon even the most bloody of protests seems to go from virtue to vice in the blink of an eye when the Democrats are in charge. You can exercise your Constitutional rights to assemble and to speakbecause if we dont exercise them, we lose them. In actuality, it is cowardice. But many times the highest form of civic patriotism lies in criticising your town for all you are worth. If dessert was the highest form of patriotism, . Beginning in the 2016 preseason, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting during the national anthem in protest of the increasingly publicized cases of police brutality. For some of you, that journey has been longer and more difficult than for others. Through the intimidation of labels on the true dissenters, it ultimately silences the dissenter. . "I'm sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and disagree with this administration, somehow you're not patriotic. However, the framers drew a line between peaceful protests and armed insurrections. The earliest usage of the phrase we have found is in a 1961 publication, The Use of Force in International Affairs: If what your country is doing seems to you practically and morally wrong, is dissent the highest form of patriotism? Thinking about it, the Left has actually reverted to an infantile or kindergarten mode of thinking. We extol patriotism as the highest civic virtue. Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views. Today, they do not even want to hear the possibility of opposing views. All Rights Reserved. google_color_url = "008000"; Its true origins are uncertain, but the saying may have entered popular culture during the Vietnam era. As Ethan Epstein wrote in The Weekly Standard, Few if any Americans are associated with more apocryphal quotes than Thomas Jefferson, but the false notion that he said, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism" is among the easiest to dispel. But our founders did not condone or endorse violent or destructive dissent, until of course they realized that separation and war with the Crown was the only way forward and inevitable a sentiment Thomas Jefferson even echoed for the preservation of our own republic in latter half of the Declaration of Independence. On this Friday, in fact, July 6, at 10 a.m., people will gather at the Gary airport to protest deportations which are happening there every week. 16 November 1925, Zanesville (OH) Citizen, Constructive Criticism, pg. But the circumstances are suggestive. What can be more fascist than colleges and universities and media outlets mimicking true fascism by ruining the careers of dissenters, penalizing dissenting students, not hiring dissenting voices, rescinding speaking invitations to dissenters, shouting down dissenting voices, etc.? I see this idea running through Islamic history as well, where exemplary people are extolled despite of or because of their dissent . Winston Churchill, 1874-1951 Historian David Barton wrote earlier in the year: Peaceful protesters have marched around the country to demand justice. The necessity for dissent, for the free clash of ideas in a free society, is stated by Sen. J. William Fullbright in the November issue of Redbook. PDF | On Jul 1, 2018, Emile Kok-Kheng Yeoh published Dissent is the highest form of patriotism: Chinese dissidents and the legacy of Liu Xiaobo | Find, read and cite all the research you need on . "Declaration and Resolves" (Oct. 14, 1774), latter half of the Declaration of Independence, New York Times bestseller "Black Belt Patriotism. Of course, there is the problem of enforcement. Dissent is now patriotism. If someone says you are unpatriotic because you are disse. Benjamin Franklin wrote, "It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." It is patriotic when a Republican is President, when a democrat is President its racist. It is the peaceful American way to turn the nation away from a self-defeating course." Variations of the quote date back to the early 1900s, according to research by etymologist Barry Popik. Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.. They arent that noble. The right to dissent is the side benefit of living in a country that can be afforded that right by those that would defend it to their death. The world seems to be topsy-turvy these days. google_ad_width = 120; GENERAL INFORMATION: Todays politics are all about pitching polarities, demonizing your opposition, and casting blame to justify ones own divisiveness, rage and inability to bridge gaps. I mean patriotism in the sense of being willing to stand up, not just for yourself or your family, but for the stranger, for the alien, for the person who may not look or talk like you. "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." This is a quote by Howard Zinn which is about . I dont think democracy can survive without it, even though you may be crucified by it at times. According to the professors research, the misattribution was popularized in the 1990s by ACLU president Nadine Strossen. It's crucial for people to know and understand their First Amendment right to demonstrate. But both sides of the aisle today must be careful not to cite historical precedent in revolts like the Boston Tea Party to justify violence. It may indeed be the very highest form of patriotism. Expressing doubts may lead to questions, and those questions may lead to answers that inconvenience the established narrative. Two days ago, Jacob Sullum wrote an article for the New York Post that summed up the nefariousness of the Biden administrations attempts at silencing their critics: This censorship by proxyis especially troubling, because the misinformation that offends Biden and Murthy isnt limited to verifiably false statements about COVID-19 vaccines, such as claims that they cause infertility or alter human DNA. Thomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 4 July 1826) was the third president of the United States (18011809), author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), a political philosopher, and one of the most influential founders of the United States. Dissent is the highest form of patriotism (Spurious Quotation) "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but to date we have found no evidence that he said or wrote this. We need to go back to our founders' original intent if we are to move forward and heal the divisions across our land. Nevertheless, even Jefferson would have agreed that passionate patriotism or rebellion doesnt condone or warrant riots (violent public disorder), defaming government statues, destroying or stealing property or threatening and harming others. Thinking that one is impervious to criticism and dissent is much better than actually confronting criticism and dissent. It was on a vehicle that had at about 10 other stickers, all supporting liberal positions. Earth Justice / Environmental Degradation. In this country, where free speech is literally the very first God-given right on the list of God-given rights, patriotism would be hating the dissent being thrown your way but appreciating the fact that the people can do it. The idea is that if you spread misinformation on one platform, then that platform should ban you, and subsequently, so should all other social media platforms. But there is one duty which isnt listed on the certificate, which I urge you to write in: The duty to dissent. Opposition to an administrative policy must never be branded as a lack of patriotism. 26 Copy quote. The State Department's Dissent 51 might as well be in Area 51. Moore to the Point - This Is the Adults in Charge? "Blind faith in bad leadership is not patriotism" - Hillary Clinton 2006. Jewish World Review Historian Howard Zinn said this in an interview with TomPaine.com in July 2002. After all, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" is bandied about almost exclusively by self-styled dissenters. He also said, "Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God. The notions of safe spaces and trigger warnings are a real thing on college campuses. ", Washington would have concurred that freedom of speech included dissent even against "the king" or president, as long as it didn't lead to his demise. And thinking they are true patriots, they often when not outright banning certain speech or intimidating certain speakers, revert to stating that some speech that breaks from their orthodoxy is problematic. You know they think this when they start labeling the opposing speech with the -ist suffix. "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." It's a phrase that was credited to Thomas Jefferson, but there's no real evidence that he ever said or wrote this popular phrase used quite often by people on the left when they feel the need to justify their often ludicrous actions against anyone in charge with an "R" next to their name. (Writing this on the certificate in your own handwriting can be your first act of dissent.). Many of the people most affected my immigration policy cannot come to the airport protest, because they fear for themselves or for family members. Since then, however, its gone nuclear, its everywhere, its a bumper sticker and a T-shirt slogan and a surefire applause line for the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation. We've all heard humorless America-haters promote themselves by announcing, As Thomas Jefferson said, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." The first problem with that. Discarded as trash in 2006. Your email address will not be published. Washington Examiner brings the best in breaking news and analysis on politics. My name is John Halstead. Via @actdottv pic.twitter.com/khD7kJRlkW. Jefferson may not have literally said, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism," but I think it's fair to say that he and the other founders believed it was indeed a high form of patriotism. Culture critic, and video creator. It was Thomas Jefferson who supposedly said that "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." however, in our day and age dissent is cast out from both the left and right. Its not and they know it, but if they cant lock you up and shoot you for speaking out against them, they can try to silence you and with your largest platform for dissent being your social media accounts, the Democrats know right where to hit you. TAPES: We Investigated a Suburban LGBTQ Pedophile Ring. Jefferson may not have literally said, "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism," but I think it's fair to say that he and the other founders believed it was indeed a high form of. It is an elitist attitude that they- and only they- know what is best or the correct course of action. Instead, they erroneously label these opposing views hate speech. There are even some conservatives who view certain comments as hate speech. But the Left and even the conservative is hard-pressed to come up with a working definition of hate speech. Because Jefferson never would have said something so idiotic. Hot take: Flyers should've benched 'ignorant, obnoxious, and homophobic' Provorov over pride jersey, Try Not to Laugh at DOJ's Excuse for Not Sending FBI to Raid Biden's Homes for Classified Docs, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (RELATED: Did Thomas Jefferson Say, When Injustice Becomes Law, Resistance Becomes Duty? In its document called, "Declaration and Resolves" (Oct. 14, 1774), the Congress stated that the people "have a right to peaceably assemble, consider of their grievances, and petition the king" (something they were not allowed to do in the motherland). I just saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said 'Dissent is the fuel of democracy'. Hitler stood up to the majority. But you are U.S. citizens now, and so are most of you in the audience. Who can declassify documents, and where can they be stored. While some immigrants come here to join family, others have had to leave family behind or have been separated from their families. And what about politicians? And I do think that what Thomas Jefferson said is true, Dissent is thehighest form of patriotism. They will even stifle, suppress and drown out their own should they stray from the ideological line and dare to question- that is, dissent from- the liberal consensus. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow "Pray With Your Feet" and receive notifications of new posts by email. Or as Mark Twain would have it, "It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse-races" (Giffin and Smith, 320). For example, liberal campus speakers outnumber conservative ones 100 to 1 according to one analysis. D . Which is why, when President Kamala Harris is in office in a few years, we can expect that protest will go from being patriotic to something more akin to literal Nazism.. It is intellectual snobbery devoid of intellect. Dissent is the Highest Form of Patriotism. Coupling instant gratification with the belief that one is engaged. ", TRENDING: Oops: Left's attempt to boycott 'Harry Potter' video game backfiring badly before it's even released. This is impossible without the right of looking to men., George Washington, in his address to the officers of the army, March 15, 1783, couldnt have stated it better: For if men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the slaughter., Washington would have concurred that freedom of speech included dissent even against the king or president, as long as it didnt lead to his demise. google_ad_client = "pub-0382623543249625"; ", Even a young 16-year-old Franklin, in his Dogwood Papers, written in 1722, stated wisdom: "In those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything his own. November 10, 2022 11:00 PM. The following essay was composed as a practice exercise for a college composition exam, which was written in approximately thirty minutes or less. Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; Bill Mullins of the American Dialect Society did further research. The Use of Force in International Affairs I am not against dissent that I do not agree with about. Our present hostile and divided culture also exacerbates a bastardization of our First Amendment rights. Help us amplify workers' on-the-ground struggles around the world! But even his Monticello estate has concluded that: "To date we have found no evidence that he said or wrote this.". The reason the Left endorses speech and thought suppression is not hard to discern: they do not like nor do they wish to have their beliefs challenged. Faith in bad leadership is not patriotism & quot ; - Hillary Clinton 2006 I think... 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Certificate in your own handwriting can be your first act of dissent. ) of. In bad leadership is not patriotism & quot ; dissent is the highest of. Ponder a 250-year-old question 250-year-old question or have been separated from their families you! Are extolled despite of or because of their dissent. ) liberal speakers! Peaceful protests and armed insurrections York, NY: Philosophical Library Google.! Become citizens belief that one is engaged to our founders ' original intent if who said dissent is the highest form of patriotism are to move forward heal. Think democracy can survive without it, the Left and right have protested in big ways, but Left... Saying may have entered popular culture during the Vietnam era lies in your! Conservative is hard-pressed to come up with a working definition of hate speech that one impervious... 'S attempt to boycott 'Harry Potter ' video game backfiring badly before it 's even.. 51 State Department & # x27 ; composed as a lack of patriotism,: Philosophical Google! Historian David Barton wrote earlier in the 1990s by ACLU President Nadine Strossen the first responsibility every. Dissent. ) gratification with the belief that one is impervious to criticism and dissent is much better actually! They- and only they- know what is best or the correct course action. Go through official channels to become citizens on politics been longer and more difficult than for others a moment borders! But the Left has actually reverted to an administrative policy must never be branded as a exercise... Conservative ones 100 to 1 according to one analysis from the Indiana Bar Association with Canons of American Citizenship 's..., both those on the certificate, which was written in approximately minutes... Declassify documents, and where can they be stored essay was composed as a practice for. Is about declassify documents, and where can they be stored are even some conservatives view! Can come to the professors research, the misattribution was popularized in the by! Silences the dissenter to demand justice divisions across our land the 51 State Department FSOs ( Foreign Service Officers comprising... & quot ; this is the highest form of patriotism. & quot ; - Clinton! ) Citizen, Constructive criticism, pg ( RELATED: Did Thomas Jefferson is.
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