Patriotism – Professional Copywriter | Wyalusing, PA Bradford County

Going for the Jugular when Judging Our Judges

Digging up the dirt on the latest judicial candidate. We’ve all been told that judges are supposed to be nonpartisan and objective in their decisions, basing their opinions on legal precedent (a.k.a. applicable law) as it currently exists. That applies to the U.S. Supreme Court down to the lower courts, including the county Court of Common Pleas and the lowest rung of the Pennsylvania ladder, Magisterial District Judges, numbering four in my mostly rural county and into [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-03-25T19:32:25+00:00March 25, 2022|Conservatives, Judges, Justice, Liberals, Patriotism, Politics, Racism, Supreme Court|

Is Patriotism too Fragile to Withstand History

Digging up the past helps us understand who we are as a nation. I fear patriotism is presented as a false choice. It seems that for many, to be patriotic is to remember and celebrate only our nation’s triumphs. To choose otherwise, to choose to remember our failings, is thus somehow anti-American. — Ken Burns Ken Burns, in the introductory quote, was referring to the only National Historic Site in the United States with the word “massacre” [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:32+00:00November 28, 2021|Black Americans, History, Native Americans, Patriotism, Politics, Racism, Slavery|

Are YOUR Rights More Important than OUR Rights?

How far away are we from the good of democracy to the evil of fascism? Events over the last few years have revealed an attitude among an astonishing number of Americans that their individual, a.k.a. personal, rights take precedence over what is best for a majority. That’s what Democracy comes down to — governing via the majority of citizens who are well informed and concerned about the welfare of their neighbors. People have started to equate their [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:37+00:00October 20, 2021|Constitution Rights, Democracy, Fascism, Nationalism, Patriotism|

Remembering 9/11 and the War on Terror

Contemplating the War on Terror and remembering our last brief display of national unity twenty years ago. I suppose I wrote my 9/11 commentary a year ago when I shared remembrances of my son’s escape from the soon-to-collapse South Tower on the morning of September 11, 2001. It was a happy ending for both Jeremy and us, but after 20 years he is still trying to come to terms with why fate put him there and, secondly, [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:40+00:00September 8, 2021|9/11, Afghanistan, American History, Congress, Patriotism, Terrorism, Unity|

When Patriotism Contorts into Nationalism

Calling all patriots who want America to be the best we can be. If you are looking for a concise definition of patriotism — a phrase that captures its general meaning— it would probably be “love of country.” There really is no simple definition of patriotism, because it is not so much about blind love as it is an affection for and allegiance to your country acquired over a lifetime. It is a love instilled and nurtured [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:09:58+00:00September 2, 2020|1918, Baby Boomers, History, Hitler, Nationalism, Patriotism, Slavery, World War I, World War II|

Drawing Line between Patriotism and Nationalism

When Uncle Sam wants you, make sure history is on your side. I might have to write and run here, because Mary and I will soon be abandoning our cozy little hideaway along the bay front in St. Petersburg, FL. We’re exiting for home in the wee hours tomorrow morning to escape the horrendous traffic through Tampa. Then, after vegging out in Asheville, NC, we’ll embark on a more leisurely drive along about 400 miles of the [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:10:30+00:00February 19, 2020|Baby Boomers, Civil War, Education, Fact Checking, Fairness, History, Patriotism, Slavery, Truth|

Partisanship: And Never the Twain Shall Meet

Forget that "more perfect union" our founders called for. It's us-versus-them from hereon in. To me it’s a little scary that everyone is so locked into political party regardless of what is right or wrong, true or false and moral or immoral. Where have all the nuances gone on what constitutes a Democrat or Republican? I think of myself as being a moderate, whether as a Democrat or Republican (and I’ve been both), but I don’t know [...]

By Wes Skillings|2022-01-24T09:10:30+00:00February 12, 2020|American History, Congress, Conservatives, Donald Trump, Elections, Jim Crow, Liberals, Newspapers, Obama, Patriotism, Politics, Presidency, Social Issues, Vietnam|