The National Gadfly is the alter-ego of Arvan Reese. I come to activism via a long and circuitous route. I was in the US Army...

The National Gadfly is the alter-ego of Arvan Reese. I come to activism via a long and circuitous route. I was in the US Army Special Forces (MOS 18D) from ‘81-’89. I found myself fairly trusting of the inherent “good” of the United States. Although I served during the Reagan administration, I was not a fan of the jingoism or racist subtext of the Republican party. I was very disappointed with the Iran-Contra affair and felt betrayed as an American and as a member of the military.
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel” - Samuel Johnson made this remark while lambasting false patriots of his day.
I do not believe that waving a US flag makes a person into a patriot, beyond reproach. I have seen liars, plunderers and thieves wave flags and religious icons at the crowd like slight-of-hand artists. I believe as Teddy Roosevelt did that no one is above reproach. No one.