Peacetime Patriotism Is Not About "The Rocket's Red Glare"

Is Patriotism Frustration, Fright and Flight … or Fight?

Forbes, on November 22, 2024 published: "Ellen DeGeneres Flees U.S. for the U.K. After Trump Win: A New Standard." In July 1903, the McClure’s Magazine editorial staff published this article on “Patriotism.” Although it is now over a century old, it should sound alarm bells for many of us in this election year of 2024.

Is Patriotism Flight or Fight?
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McClure's Magazine was taking on corruption across the United States of America. Its journalists—the foremost muckrakers of the day, were publishing exposés on Standard Oil and the corrupt political institutions that ran the cities of St. Louis, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. The editors were encouraged that their readers understood their motivations, but some readers were discouraged by what was being exposed.

​This is the resulting McClure’s Magazine editorial.

​Peter E. Greulich edited this article and added headings for clarity and readability. As you absorb this article, think of today’s individuals and institutions that need a good dose of patriotism. In 2024, be strong … be of good courage … and display your peaceful, unifying patriotism by refusing to be corrupted by those with unethical compasses that seem to always point south, away from true north. I praise the McClure’s editorial staff for continuing to express these “truths.”

​The century and year may be different, but the "times" are the same!

We should do the same:

Do not fly away in frustration, fear or disgust …

Do not be discouraged …

Be courageous …
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Be patriotic!

Peter E. Greulich, Vietnam-era Veteran, December 2024

What is Patriotism?