Patriotism is the best quality one can have.

Well to begin, the freedom of speech is really that free to begin with. One may not slander or invoke what is identified by the constitution as fighting words. With any type of government where you have a very broad freedom, some restrictions must reside to insure order. In regards to freedom of speech one can say pretty much whatever one wishes, but you may expect cendorship if what is being said is too rash against the government. You can disagree with it's actions but the government will not please everyone, indeed it cannot. That's the thing about being free is that it is not totally free. Not because our government wishes us to be restricted, but because men must be governed. The Far left has turned the media into a circus and they only ever report and build upon the negative aspects of government. This is why he have more offensive and immoral content on television. The get around the offensive rule in the constitution by claiming the filth is "art". Is that something you feel comfortable with when it comes to your children on day? Gay and lesbian marriages are seen as longer lasting compared to traditional marriage through the eyes of the boob tube. Premarital and extra marital sex is also shown as normal. Why? Because it is shown as art, because under the consitution it would not be allowed. Next, I assume you are referring to the 2000 election when Bush beat Gore in the second tightest election in History. Florida had an issue with it's voting machines. Bush did not cheat. Gore wanted a recount again and again and again and each time he lost. Eventually there must be a winner and with the provisions that we have in place for such an event, Bush was declared the winner. I remember the African Americans claiming their votes had been thrown away and many votes were, but not just theirs but many peoples because the ticket had a hole punched for both Bush and Gore so they were disqualified. That is why Bush won, because he would have won anyway. Then you have people that cry Gore had that popular vote, but we have the electoral college because mainly the masses will not make a wise decision and that's why the founding fathers put it in place. Let's face it some people should just stay out of politics. With Hurricane Katrina, I say this with all due respect, it didn't just happen with them at unawares. They were told to evacuate and they chose not to, not because they couldn't but because they wanted to stay. It is then that they choose to blame the government. And yes I agree, it shouldn't have taken the government so long, but it was a state problem. I had not previously known of the Indian situation so I cannot comment as I know little detail. Patriotism should be taught in schools though. I do not see it all around me and I live in the south, one of the most patriotic regions in America. I will tell you what I see. I see America insulted and ridculed by it's own entertainment industry. I see Rolling Stone fabricate lies of every manner against America. I see a land where at one time it was considered taboo for the flag to be burned by just anyone, and even then it had to be for a special occasion. Now people do it out of protest because it's symbolic and it's art. I live in a land where people want the God of our fathers removed in every way from our most important documents as the misinterpret the constitution. The need for patriotism is greater than ever. It is on the shoulders of patriots that we even have this debate. Which brings me to my last point... It is patriotism that allows for your free speech just as it allows for the 5 rifles and 2 pistols in my home. If not for patriotism we would not have broken from England and we would not have our constitution that makes us free. Thanks for the debate. Mayhaps we shall debate again as there are a few other topics in which I would like us to discuss.