I've often wondered why 'patriotism' so often collapses in upon itself like some wildly gyrating neutron star trying to outshine the heavens. Hitler's patriotism was strong and impassioned but when you can't see the common ties that bind the German people to the rest of mankind over and above those that bound them to one another it ceases being true patriotism and becomes instead a sort of mental virus. The point of perfect equilibrium would be having respect and pride in one's own culture/nation...