Now, in this current climate, who is it that’s throwing around these charges of no patriotism?

So when I post this quote to you, you might think that some Republican leader gave this speech about the anti-war left that’s doing everything they can to defeat the country, that’s redefining patriotism as hatred and dislike and disapproval of the country. But a Republican did not say these things.

It was Mr. Clinton. It was President Clinton in a graduation speech at Michigan State University, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan at 1:30 in the afternoon on May the 5th of 1995. He was talking here about the Michigan militia. He tried to blame the Michigan militia, a whole bunch of people, for inciting such anti-government rhetoric that it inspired people like Timothy McVeigh to go out and blow up the Murrah building in Oklahoma City.

1995, the graduation address at Michigan State. “How dare you suggest that we in the freest nation on earth live in tyranny? How dare you call yourselves patriots and heroes?”

Now, right there, think about all the attacks the left has made about the warrantless wiretapping program, the Patriot Act, and they’re running around and they’ve got themselves convinced they live in a police state and that Bush is spying on them.

The left, they want to matter so much, and they’re me, me, me. Everything has to be about them. So if they were to hear Clinton talk to them, “How dare you suggest that we, in the freest nation on earth, live in tyranny? How dare you call yourselves patriots and heroes? I say to you, all of you, the members of the class of 1995, there’s nothing patriotic about hating your country.”

Who hates the country today?

Draw a line, put people on the left, put people on the right. Who hates the country today? It’s people on the left who hate the country today. Clinton is saying, “There’s nothing patriotic about hating your country or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government.”

Well, let me change this. How about pretending you can love your country but despise your military? “There’s nothing heroic about turning your back on America or ignoring your own responsibilities. If you want to preserve your own freedom, you must stand up for the freedom of others.”

Just to finish the Clinton quote. “You must also stand up for the rule of law. You cannot have freedom without the rule of law.”

Clinton Foundation:
Remarks by President Clinton at Michigan State University — May 5, 1995