Hello. I stumbled across your LJ while browsing shared interests. I liked this entry. Hope you don't mind me commenting.

If I was asked that question I'd probably give an almost identical answer to yours, though from a British perspective. Is this patriotism? I've decided that it probably isn't. I'm pleased that I was born in a country that has a developed liberal democracy and civil rights, but these are concepts that are bigger than any one state; they embrace the whole of humanity. Patriotism doesn't.