Well, we know all 4 of those are wrong. The United States is a long shot from being the greatest country in the world: just look at that ecological disaster called the City of LA. :lol:
You are correct that patriotism does not mean being silent nor following your country into great errors if it is going that route.
I prefer to separate the concepts of nationalism from patriotism. Their are plenty of people in other countries who are patriotic towards their country but also don't boast with some religious fervor that their country is simply and totally the best country on earth. Or some might feel that way but be more sober about and be like, "For me [x country, say Italy or Spain or Morocco etc.] is the best country on earth."
And patriots unlike nationalists, usually don't feel compelled to join their country in storytelling of hate against another country or people (say, Jews or Russians), under the proposition "we all have to stick together on this."
But sticking together honoring the nationalists flag (in this case Old Glory) is probably a lot less harmful than sticking together to bomb Syrians, Libyans, Iranians, North Koreans, and if Americans are actually dumb enough: Russia.
But what is protesting to honor the American flag supposed to mean? It means you are protesting the National identity with its concept of "one nation" united. At least that is what I am certain they all are protesting.
They could claim another meaning (though I think they all would be lying): they are giving a symbol of duress within the country.
In the military you are taught a number of ways to symbolically communicate to fellow American forces that you or both you and your troops are under duress. I'll tell you one. You run the American flag upside down.
So, they could [be dishonest and] claim they are kneeling etc., to communicate the country is under duress. But they could have verbalized that from the beginning if that were there intent.
As a side note.... for all those that claim to be soooo patriotic but just "hate" Donald Trump who "single handedly divided the country," then one could better be a patriot in modern times if they read up on some of the patriots of the European Dark Ages. Less pampered with far more dangers in all directions (just living was dangerous) their "patriotism" (call it that instead of clan loyalty, tribe loyalty, or loyalty to their kingdom) was often the "Light Ages" compared to our pampered time in which American patriotism is supposed to come with comforts and no pains.
