Patriotism As A Resolution

Resolutions usually orbit around diets, steps, or shelves of books that we swear we’ll read. This year, the show argues for something bigger: a resolution to be more patriotic. The episode opens with gratitude for a loyal audience and a steady run of weekly shows, then pivots to a bold thesis—patriotism can heal division if we choose to celebrate shared wins. That thesis gains fuel from a detailed look at Operation Absolute Resolve, a complex apprehension mission in Caracas described by General Dan “Raisin” Cain, and framed as a turning point for national pride, confidence, and unity.

The core story centers on scale and precision. According to the briefing excerpt, the operation took months of joint planning, integrated air, ground, space, and maritime assets, and synchronized more than 150 aircraft. The point isn’t chest-thumping; it’s competence and consequence. The host highlights how timing, secrecy, and interagency teamwork created a low-casualty, high-impact outcome. For podcast listeners hungry for more than hot takes, the mission becomes a case study in logistics, deterrence, and “peace through strength,” inviting reflection on what modern capability looks like when it works.

From there, the conversation turns to reactions. In Venezuela, crowds reportedly gathered in relief and gratitude; in parts of the U.S., backlash focused less on outcomes than on who authorized them. The host calls out this shift—judging the deed by the doer rather than its merits—as a bias trap. Emotional invalidation, fixation on personalities, and exaggerating minor faults can erase clear gains. This segment resonates with anyone who has watched a necessary debate derail into labels, memes, and tribal loyalty tests instead of evidence and outcomes.

Media dynamics enter next. Narratives, the host argues, often reward outrage because outrage travels faster than context. Listeners are asked to compare channels, sources, and firsthand accounts from Venezuelan Americans who expressed thanks. The episode suggests that editorial choices shape public mood: if we spotlight achievement—military precision, coordinated law enforcement, and diplomatic follow-through—we multiply pride and lower ambient cynicism. If we elevate grievance first, we seed confusion and anxiety, even among people who want to be informed.

The episode then reframes patriotism. Rather than blind allegiance, it is defined as devotion joined to responsibility: volunteering, supporting neighbors, staying informed, voting, and yes, celebrating legitimate wins. The host urges a daily practice—respect for symbols, service to community, and a willingness to critique without reflexively condemning. When we honor the people who plan, risk, and execute complex missions to reduce harm and strengthen security, we rediscover common ground. Pride becomes permission to participate, not a substitute for thought.

Finally, the show positions the “war on drugs” through this lens. If the operation disrupts narcotrafficking and reduces downstream harm at home, that qualifies as a tangible public good. The call is simple and pointed: choose to share positivity, acknowledge competence, and let admiration for skill and courage outweigh habitual outrage. If enough of us practice that form of patriotism, the host argues, our civic temperature drops, our trust climbs, and the country feels a little more like a team again. That’s a resolution with stakes worth keeping.