On this Veterans Day, we pause to reflect on the true meaning of patriotism as distinguished from nationalism. Staunch WW II anti- Fascist Resistance freedom fighter Charles De Gaulle defined it best : “Patriotism is when love of your own people come first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”
French President Emmanuel Macron schooled Trump and Putin on the difference between patriotism and nationalism today, marking the 100 year anniversary end of WW I : “Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By putting our own interests first, with no regard for others, we erase the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the thing that keeps it alive: its moral values.”
“Trump’s European Vacation was as bad as the movie. He wimped out of honoring our fallen troops because of a misting. He moped around in his hotel room and insulted fire victims. And he was scorched by the French President. This is not winning. This is a national embarrassment.” Rep. Eric Swalwell