Update: McCain Selects Gov. Sarah Palin as Running Mate

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by 4mrusmc

12th, my definiton will first start with what Webster says. And that is: one who loves his or her country. Then I will amend it by saying: one who is willing to defend it at all costs. One who believes in what the founding fathers sought for the vision of what this country should be in such documents as The Declaration of Indepenence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights.

Okay, I can dig that. But that definition is a little too abstract for me. What about those who don't or can't serve in the military. How are they to prove their love or defend our country? Surely that would leave out hundreds of millions of Americans, wouldn't it? Another thing, since you cite the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, how does the institution of slavery factor into this and more recently, the Jim Crow era, as it relates to our founding fathers and their ideals of sacracfice and service?

I'm not trying to stir the pot, just trying to see exactly when did America start loving and defending other Americans - all Americans.