What does psychology have to do with it? An example of the choice between patriotism and pacifism will be the guru of existential psychology. This is Richard Bach, an American classic writer of the 70s generation. The author of "The Seagull" and "The Messiah Who Didn't Want..." Those who have read it know that this is more important than Freud, those who have not read it I am agitating. He is interesting today for the combination of different tendencies, opposite on the issue of love for the fatherland. One of the inspirers of the hippie movement, which did not have a high opinion of patriotism. A reasonable opinion, what is the dignity if your ancestors killed the same neighbors. In his works, he addresses world peace more than once. This includes fraternization with a Soviet pilot. And the joy of being lucky to miss the Korean and Vietnamese wars with the same Soviet pilots. R. Bach was indeed fortunate to serve during a short period of peace in US politics. Well, not peace - the Cold War. However, we should not forget that Bach did not serve as a conscript, but as a military fighter pilot, after which he worked as a writer for the Air Force and Lockheed. On the other hand, he is a living guru, which means he can change his opinion. And he does. Drawing from a family album. Latvia. So in an interview in 2014 (coincidentally, the year of the annexation of Crimea?) Bach elaborately recounts his memories of the Cold War. And he is no longer so humane and empathetic towards his colleagues on the red star planes. He recalls dangerous moments: “When 1 - 2 squadrons were heading towards the Iron Curtain, right at us. Right at the border. And when the Soviet fighters reached the border, they turned sharply and went home. Then they looked on the radars how many of our planes took off from here, and how much from there. It really looked like a game. As far as I remember, the Americans did not allow themselves to do this. We will not use dirty tricks." Drawing from a family album. Latvia. Well yes! Everything would be fine, but there is only a discrepancy. These are the stories I have already heard. Many of my ancestors were precisely those Soviet pilots. Exactly on the western border of the USSR. They flew, fought, taught others to fly and landed fighters. Almost since the first imperialist one. They told exactly the same thing, but it means the opposite - about the Americans who are always provoking. Drawing from a family album. Latvia. That is, just like that, the ringing ideal wisdom of R. Bach retreats before patriotism. One can say that Bach, despite his wisdom and loyalty to the ideals of love for all humanity, allows himself to be a patriot. It allows one to prefer the people in which he lived as a mission. Of course, Soviet pilots checked the reliability of the borders of Europe. However, the Newport ones were in no way inferior. It was American pilots who loved to violate air borders; you can see the list of recorded air border violations. Does this mean it is permissible to love the Motherland regardless of the truth? Perhaps this is the master's last lesson. Despite love and compassion for the whole world, the truth can be embellished for the fatherland.