Re patriotism and nationalism:

I’m Prepared To Give My Life For This Or Any Country

By Curtis Stalbank

March 28, 2007 | Issue 43•13

As a true patriot, I would gladly die in battle defending my homeland. I love my country more than my own life. But I would also be more than willing to give my last breath in the name of, say, Mexico, Panama, Japan, or the Czech Republic. The most honorable thing a man can do is lay down his life for his country. Or another country. The important thing is that it’s a country.

Like those heroes who spilled their blood fighting for independence against the British Empire, I, too, would forfeit everything to win for my countrymen the right to be governed by politicians in our own capital instead of in a capital located further away. Nothing is more profound or more sacred than to die for one’s country, an adjacent country, or some other, foreign country.

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(via Manuel Lora)

This spoof reminds me of this quote:

“All politics and war opinions aside, I have the highest respect for people — of any nation — who choose to devote their lives to the service of their country.”

Which I rant against here: