I don't really like the word "patriotic."  In the past, I've equated patriotism with blind loyalty to the country, going along with anything in the name of America.  I still sometimes cringe when I hear the word.  But, having read others' ideas about patriotism, I've realized that patriotism, like many words that are being tossed around easily today, cannot be easily defined.  According to some people, despite my hatred toward the current administration and my adamant position against the war, I would be considered patriotic.

SATIRE, n. An obsolete kind of literary composition in which the vices and follies of the author's enemies were expounded with imperfect tenderness. In this country satire never had more than a sickly and uncertain existence, for the soul of it is wit, wherein we are dolefully deficient, the humor that we mistake for it, like all humor, being tolerant and sympathetic.
    -    Ambrose Bierce

Many diaries have been written about Stephen Colbert in the past couple of days, and yes, this is another one.  Bear with me here.  People are commending Colbert for a job well done, for standing up to the President.  But Colbert is a comedian, he is a satirist.  And much like Jonathan Swift exposed the problems of the British government, Colbert has used satire to expose the madness of the Bush administration.