Piney -
You're exactly right that the beauty of this nation is the first amendment protections that we have which make it clear that we as Americans have the right to say exactly what we want. What's sad - yes, pathetic - is that people running for the highest office in the state of Texas are successfully appealing to conservatives by saying that they HATE AMERICA.
This is not some crazy old preacher or some guy at a bar; these are people in positions of authority and, again, running for the republican nomination for the highest office in the state - and there are hundreds of people standing there cheering. You'll also note that not a single conservative on this board has bothered to post a message condemning these views. IMHO, that shows how quick they are to turn on their own country just because they lost a presidential election.
I started this thread because, frankly, I was sickened by the bile these candidates were spewing. Apparently, it really doesn't bother too many others on this board. I guess its okay to campaign on "hating America" now. That's a shame. (I wonder if they were wearing flag pins???)