How do you define patriot?

[dogman]

Here is the first sentence from a Beacon News staff writer's article about a Hastert book signing. "Kendall County patriots came out in droves last week to get their copies of Speaker Dennis Hastert's book signed by the area's most famous homegrown celebrity." http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/city/a08hastert.htm
Here is my response to the paper's Open Line.
I was amazed today when I read an article by Beacon staff writer David Garbe. His first sentence described “Kendal County patriots” seeking the autograph of Dennis Hastert. I would never have guessed that this was patriotic. It would have made sense if it had read that they sought the autograph of a patrioteer, but no, it said they were patriots. I have known patriots, men who sacrificed life or limb in service to their country. Even men like the brave National Guardsman I heard on the news to
day asking Mr. Rumsfeld why our troops had to search landfills for metal and ballistic glass to reinforce their vehicles. Later I read an internet article about Iraqi War vets beginning to show up in homeless shelters. There has been a story running this week in a Chicago newspaper about the fact that Illinois disabled veterans are being compensated at a lower rate than in other states. It seems that it is not such a good thing to be a patriot. Dennis Hastert and his party don’t seem to have the time for real patriots. Feel free to let them know your thoughts.