Are you in the family?

"I think Americans are more alike than most people realize. I don't care if you're a Republican, a Democrat, a Christian, a Muslim, a football fan, or a patriot. These are all part of one big family--and that's a family of sheep."
-Charlie McDanger's page-a-day calendar

p.s. For a non-sheep perspective on flu shots, check out Karen DeCoster's post:

The flu paranoia season is upon us, and, as usual, the government-medical complex is ramping up its fear mongering over … the flu. Coughing, sneezing, sore throat, diarrhea, fever, and other simple stuff has been elevated to life-and-death status. Read on...

p.p.s. I recognize that many thinking people describe themselves as patriots. Wanting what is best for one's country is obvious and sane, and needs no explanation or title. Justifying an action because one's country happens to be the actor, however, is plain thoughtless, and is in any case antithetical to the interests of the country.

Do self-described patriots in this country love the principles it was founded on? Or do they love what it has become? It surely cannot be both; any man who likes one must despise or disregard the other. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel--of a torturer, of a warmonger, of a thief of civil liberties, of a bailout architect. All this is done in the name of patriotism. Think for yourself.