I hate writing this grouchy blog on the eve of Christmas Eve, but something caught my eye the other day that I cannot let pass.

A neighbor of mine has a pickup truck with three interesting bumper stickers on its back end.

One of them says “Served Proudly” and it has a U.S. Army unit insignia next to the phrase; another is of Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the national flag; a third sticker says, simply, “SECEDE.”

OK, so here’s what confuses me.

This individual was proud to serve his country, the United States of America. He is so proud, in fact, that he drives around in his truck with the national symbol on its tailgate. I’m with him so far.

Then that bumper sticker jumps out at me with the word “SECEDE,” which, by the way, is in all capital letters; I guess he really wants to pull out of the nation he served “proudly.”

What is it with these secessionists? Do they love the country or what? If they love the US of A, why do they now want to leave it, presumably, to form another country?

I’m betting this person calls himself an American patriot. If so, then perhaps my neighbor needs to examine what the word “secede” means.