A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit with state leaders at the capitol as part of a politics in education class I was taking. Our professor had worked with many of these men when he was in government, so it was an enlightening experience. We also had the opportunity to tour a few of the offices of the executive wing. While we were standing in the official, more public office of the governor, I noticed a book about U-2 on the self. I asked if the governor was a fan. At that point his secretary told us that she now wanted to show us something else. She then opened the door to the governor’s actual office. The room was filled with other books, family photos, interesting art, Olympic memorabilia, and a few pictures with him and U-2. I didn’t vote for him, but now I was reconsidering for his next term.

Curious, I wondered what our governor read. As you might expect, books about policy and place—several about China-dominated the shelves. One book, probably because it was red, caught my eye. In a stack of a couple of other books and some paper work, its title was upside down, so I sidled over to get a better angle. Its worn cover had a hole in it the diameter of an eraser. White font proclaimed: The True Patriot. I was intrigued by the title’s confidence, and I resolved to find the book and read it myself.

Our governor is a conservative Republican, so this could have been a right-leaning interpretation of patriotism. But I also wondered if he was the kind of reader who might surprise me with considering something I perceived to be contrary to his politics and philosophy--just as I had been surprised to learn that he was a U-2 fan. I thought either way I would learn something, even if it turned out that I didn’t agree with it. As it turns out, it would seem that’s how my governor thinks too.

You see, the tract is written by two self-described progressive democrats, who seek to re-frame patriotism as a progressive or liberal idea. They are critical of conservatives who have defined patriotism too narrowly (and of liberals who have let them.) Although the authors also acknowledge our nation’s debt to conservative contribution to political discourse, they unabashedly propose a progressive view of patriotism. The True Patriot is, after all, a clarion to liberals to reclaim patriotism. It is primarily a political piece. My guess is that conservatives will find much to object to in this “pamphlet”, but not everything. Conservatives like my governor may even find ideas with which they agree. Regardless, I have to admire a leader who is willing to view the world through different frames. (Or I could be way off, and that hole in the cover is evidence of his disagreement with it…nawh.)

Here is a clip promoting the book. You can find the text of the book for free online at

truepat.org

A Democratic Education
Category: News and Politics

It might be that it's July, or that November isn't that far way, but I have been thinking quite a bit lately what it means to be patriotic. There seems to be some discussion and disagreement about the concept recently. The other night, I had the opportunity to watch what our nation's Founders portrayed in a wonderful staging of 1776 by Michael Ballam's Utah Festival Opera. The production's humor and music made the serious nature of what those Individuals did even more poignant. These are interesting and significant times--I don't think it's overstating that we live one of the more critical times in our nation's history.

What that means for me is that education is more important than ever to help us create the kind of democratic society we want for our future together as a country. Today, I had the opportunity to meet with several our state leaders--everyone of them recognized the importance of education--each in politically different ways. I was struck by the need we will have in the future for good men and women to rise up from this society ready to participate and lead. Are we ready? Or will we realize what it takes, but too late?

I've not been blogging for a while now, but I plan now to continue commenting on the state of democracy and the role of education. Responses are welcome.