Discrimination

 First, there is a difference between love, patriotism and being proud.  Love , as a verb, pertains to not only the emotion of feelings, but behavior associated with that object as its highly inter-personal and because feelings change behavior also changes.  With this being so, actions and interactions also change depending upon any number of variables and as far as interpersonal love goes.  I cannot love someone unconditionally.  If they consistently lie, cheat with threatening behavior.

Identify with being an American and acknowledge the perseverance accomplishments in the humanism of many Americans.  Although Benjamin Franklin wasn't mentioned.  I recognize his brilliance and moral change when he became abolitionist.  Abraham Lincoln was perhaps the most instrumental in humanist president of all time, and second to none.  Walt Whitman was a tremendous poet and I applaud FDR's efforts in combating Nazi-ism, but not his position regarding placing limits on European Jewish refugees.  He was wrong in that regard.

I agree with Brooks regarding our republics ambition and energy but find it limiting.  Our republics history is very complex and contradictory and I cannot dismiss Rex's referring to Trump as being gaudy.  Trump, the convicted felon and pathological liar betrayed the idea of democracy with his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election results and his constant whining about a fraudulent election.  Our elections in transfer of power, according to the founding fathers, were supposed to be peaceful.  What might Lincoln Whitman, FDR and Ronald Reagan say about the January 6 riot at the capital?  If Brooks is love for Trump is unconditional,, that's based on his denial, rationalization, and intellectualization at best.

Our Republic, not America, to be more precise, has been extraordinary at times; and in other times, inhumane discriminatory sadistic and inappropriate.  Just recently, there was a murder by Ice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A 37-year-old mother was shot and killed by some one working for the president.  Brooks, how would you describe that action?  What About your unconditional love about Ice president and all the sycophants in their lying, deceitful stories..  How can you be proud about all the lies and deceit and criminal behavior by this fascist GOP government?