If they ever do write the book on Pelican OT, this thread could be held up as sort of a Rorschach test demonstrating the different ways that people react to a certain stimulus. My initial reaction to all jingoism is the same as RPK's, I knew instantly that I was reading some made-up BS that the NASCAR crowd slaps each other on the back over, and I am conditioned to dismiss it. "You could have heard a pin drop"..., yeah, that and a pud being whacked as some fool made this up.
I'm sorry, but insipid jingoism is a uniquely American trait. Fortunately not held by most intelligent people, who view patriotism in its proper context which is to give credit where due for positive marks we've made in the world without turning a blind eye to the opposite. This country will not disintegrate from internal dissent, but it might from the policies of certain flag lapel-wearing thieves and con men.
You can tell a lot about a person by their jokes. When they are not particularly witty or clever but instead are simply designed to flush-out who is "down with the cause", it's more revealing than they probably intended. It's also ironic that the most jingoistic are often frat-boy Bush cheerleaders like Sammy who've never risked anything while the "liberals" like DariSC and RPK (I think) actually put their skin on the line.
