Tired of fake patriotism

I have often wondered what Samuel Johnson, the great 18th century English writer, meant when he said, “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” Now, I think I might know.

Ever since President Donald Trump took office, self-imposed Trumpian chaos has engulfed our country. Recently, when the going got tough, Trump played the divisive patriotism card by questioning the patriotism of National Football League players who took a knee during the national anthem.

For Trump’s self-interest, playing the patriotism card diverted attention for a brief time away from North Korea, the Russia investigation and the president’s failure to get the GOP’s repeal and replace health-care measure through the Senate.

A case could be made that the protesting athletes love America more than Trump does. From the outset of his running for president, he demonstrated he loves himself more than he loves our country. It is time for Trump and his overwhelmingly white Republican Party to take a knee and stop the fake patriotism. Wrapping oneself in the flag doth not a lover of country make.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 7:18 PM with the headline "Tired of fake patriotism."