Welcome to FlyerTalk,

I have to say that I don't see how NW is being unpatriotic. Why would they have to be patriotic for that matter? They are running a business, afterall, with fiduciary obligations to its stakeholders. Certainly, your $140 will most likely not make them or break them, but thats $140 more in their revenue. Thats why there are clearly stated rules that don't have to do anything with being "patriotic" or otherwise, they are in the business of providing transportation, not in the business of being emotional, for whatever reason it may be.

On the personal level, however, I do feel bad for the fact that you have to incur extra expense because your travel plans have changed.