Internationalism shouldn’t be at war with national feeling and pride, with a genuine patriotism. To act as if they are cedes political ground to the false patriots of the MAGA movement unnecessarily. The latter wrap themselves up in the flag and espouse patriotic feeling, but we shouldn’t allow them to do that without challenging their hypocrisy and dishonesty.

At the same time, we should unhesitatingly declare by our words and actions that we believe in a patroitism – in love of country – that is grounded in democracy, equality, peace, and solidarity. It is us – not them – that upholds, albeit in difficult conditions, everything that is best, beautiful, and liberatory in our country’s past and fights to embed that in our present and future.

Republicans claim to be fighting the “elite,” corporate and otherwise. But there is nothing in their legislative or political agenda that would suggest that they are. Talk is cheap!

Genuine patriots will vote Democratic this fall.

Be a patriot, stand up for America, resist and defeat Trump, Trumpism, and their fraudulent brand of patriotism. Each of us can break the silence in the workplace, the checkout line, the gym, the church, and the union hall. Wherever we find ourselves. Without it we can’t win elections – first of all, this November – or much else! It’s an essential part of creating a more just world and sustainable planet.

Listening to Aretha on Radio Woodstock. She’s in concert at Filmore West years ago. What a voice, what a musical genius. She finished the concert with “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, make this world a better place if you can.” I kick myself now that I never saw her live in concert.