Patriotism is not 'my country right or wrong'; patriotism means loving the ideals for which America stands and having the courage to speak up when these ideals are distorted for personal or political gain. The American government was instituted to be the servant of the people, not our master.

Peace is an extension of war by political means. Plenty of elbow-room is pleasanter -- and much safer.

Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet you can't win.

...more than six people cannot agree on anything, three is better and one is perfect for a job that one can do. This is why parliamentary bodies all through history, when they accomplished anything, owed it to a few strong men who dominated the rest.

The stars incline, but do not impel.

Random chance is not sufficient to explain random chance. ~Jubal Harshaw

You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.