Truth and Patriotism, a Rambling Statement

Radical nationalism/patriotism has proved to be as dangerous and divisive as any radical religious fervor has ever been. Truth is truth, regardless of were it comes from. Something is real or it's false. Often the holder of the truth makes a determination and the truth is either hidden, distorted or revealed depending on the benefit or detriment to the possessor of this truth.

To know the truth is freedom from the manipulation of the truth by those who's power is determined by how well they can control the truth. Patriotism could be defined as self preservation of a group of people. If saying the patriotic thing is not true but helps preserve the group then lying has a place. A patriot, as any business person, has to know the difference between the true and false, how they communicate things to the outside is relevant to the need to survive and flourish.