quote:

ORIGINAL: jlf1961

quote:

I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

That first line is the kicker. By swearing to defend the constitution, is it then patriotic to follow the orders of a president who is clearly violating the constitution?

quote:

ORIGINAL: dcnovice
FR
“I confidently trust that the American people will prove themselves … too wise not to detect the false pride or the dangerous ambitions or the selfish schemes which so often hide themselves under that deceptive cry of mock patriotism: ‘Our country, right or wrong!’ They will not fail to recognize that our dignity, our free institutions and the peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: ‘Our country—when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right.’”

—Carl Schurz, “The Policy of Imperialism” (October 17, 1899 speech)
http://www.bartleby.com/73/1641.html