Defining Patriotism As Dissension: Obama Refuses To Wear Flag Pin
What can one say about a presidential candidate that can’t be persuaded to wear an American flag pin? We’re not talking about Katie Couric or the Dixie Chicks here, but a man who wants to be president! Shouldn’t our president be our greatest patriot? What does it mean if our president cannot recognize in America and its short history reasons enough to earn a public display of reverence? To wear a flag pin can mean many things, it doesn’t have to mean that you support slavery or that George Bush is your hero. But to refuse to wear a symbol of your country as you run for its highest office can only mean two things to me: America means nothing more to you than any other country, or you’re unwilling to defend this country’s honor. Either reason disqualifies you from the White House.
Senator Barak Obama’s reason for refusing the flag pin is typically liberal: utterly selfish and simplistic:
“The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin,” Obama said. “Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.
“I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest,” he said in the interview. “Instead, I’m going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism.”
On Thursday, his campaign issued a statement: “We all revere the flag, but Senator Obama believes that being a patriot is about more than a symbol. It’s about fighting for our veterans when they get home and speaking honestly with the American people about this disastrous war.”
True patriotism is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security? Surely such an intelligent man doesn’t understand the symbol of the flag as being so one dimensional - like the Nazi symbol. Whether his revulsion stems from a fear of nationalism; the popular disdain of the internationalist, or the fear of popular patriotism as it is widely understood, he leaves us to decide his motives, but its obvious he doesn’t think this country is great. Such distorted definitions of patriotism abound on the left, and one wonders if this isn’t a tawdry political seduction, that he’s tapping into a liberal America that views the flag with the snort of contempt. I can’t believe that Obama sees his country to be as loathsome as Nazified Germany - wholly unredeeming and unworthy of honor, but it’s either ignorance or calculated dishonor that motivates him to reject such a simple act signifying love for his country.
Patriotism: devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.
If it’s ignorance that leaves him without the ability to find something worth defending about America, let me offer him reasons he might find useful in regaining enough faith in his country that he would consider embracing his country:
1) America is truly a land with open arms. It welcomes millions of legal and illegal poor immigrants, spreads out a generous safety net for them, and invites them to bring to America their extended family. Americans are the most charitable citizens in the world, and our government often the first to help those abraod suffering through natural disasters or man made horrors. Are we not a generous country?
2) America offers the most opportunity for success in the world - for people of every race, gender and culture. Senator Barak Obama’s story is the story of millions of immigrants who have come here from poor, tyrannical countries to find in America the chance to pursue happiness, and even pursue the highest office in the most powerful country in the world. Are we not a country of opportunity?
3) In America one can drown the crucifix in urine or undermine its military during war without fear of jail or retribution - in fact - we subsidize the acts of the ingrate as we subsidize memorials and museums. Throughout this country religious tolerance thrives without the murderous strife that defines so much of the world. Academic freedom has given rise to an educational elite that fearlessly indoctrinates our children into citizens ashamed of our history and ignorant of our rights and responsibilities. Are we not a liberal country?
4) America celebrates homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle and much of it considers marriage as a relationship of convenience. Throughout our schools children learn about sex at an prepubescent age through state and federal programs designed to undermine the homophobic influence of parents intent on raising their children as heterosexuals. Are we not a tolerant country?
Senator Obama - dare to wear that flag pin on your lapel to invite people to ask an American leader why he would. Then you can tell them that your love of this country stems from its generosity, the opportunity it offers, the liberal values it holds, and the tolerance it teaches. America is not just about foreign policy, or racism, or even capitalism - it is about an ideal that every day citizens of this country strive to make the legacy of our nation. If you cannot find even one reason to be proud enough to wear your love for this country on your breast, you have no business holding any office at all.
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First off great article Shane. It does bring some thought into the mix. While I do think these candidates should have the freedom to chose if they wear a pin or not. On another note, I do feel the president should be the ultimate patriot. The president should be willing to do the same actions every and all soldiers do on a daily basis. While s/he is the leader, s/he should have the balls and patriotism to do whatever it takes to defend, protect, and keep the United States as one of the top nations in the world. *s/he: I will be politically correct.
Oh cmon. Now the conservatives are starting to attack presidential candidates for not wearing a pin? That's just low. And anyway, it's not just Obama. He's just made a big deal about it. Hmmm, I'm googling Mitt Romney. Nope, no pin. Not in the next picture either. nope nope nope. http://images.google.com/images?q=mitt romney
Oh cmon. Now the conservatives are starting to attack presidential candidates for not wearing a pin? That's just low. And anyway, it's not just Obama. He's just made a big deal about it. Hmmm, I'm googling Mitt Romney. Nope, no pin. Not in the next picture either. nope nope nope. http://images.google.com/images?q=mitt romney
You are correct simmons, there are many others not wearing the pin, but Obama seems to be getting most of the blame.
it worked Roger! You posted a comment signed in as an ID user!!
Simmons, C%u2019mon! Your comparing a picture taken off Google and using that as the equivalent of something Obama said? The point is that Barack Obama, a United States Senator, distanced himself from the American flag. Has Romney done that? And do you think that if he was asked about wearing an American flag pin, do you think he would find a sorry ass PC excuse not to wear it? I highly doubt that Mitt Romney is as ashamed of America as Senator Obama is. And if he did, I would be the first to condemn him for that! Sorry, but your comment for the above article is not an accurate parallel.
Good for Obama.. people shouldn't be making politics using patriotism anyway. Wearing a flag doesn't make you patriotic! It's what you believe in that counts.. besides too bad most politicians don't respect flag code. http://www.legion.org/?section=our_flag&subse... (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. So.. patriotic organizations eh? I don't think politicians should be allowed to exploit it because: (i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. (Car dealerships annoy me so much because of this.. over on "autorow" they practically have an American flag arms race and have these totally gaudy gigantic flags that just totally fly in the face of any notion of honest patriotism)
Good for Obama? The man is running for President of the United States and its good for him to fear the American flag? That same flag that was held high and proud on the front lines of every war that was ever fought in the name of freedom. The flag represents America as a people and the historical values that those people stand for%u2026. liberty is the first to come to mind. Lets stop and reflect back on the greatness of America and where the American flag was held in its highest honor%u2026 America, a nation that fought and won one of the greatest underdog victories in human history when it dared to challenge the British Empire. America, a nation that sent 400,000 men to die to end slavery. America, a nation that sent young Americans to die to Clean up 2 of Europes world wars. America, a nation that virtually fought and won the Cold War all by themselves. America, a nation that will fight the war on terror, while the rest of Western civilization hides their heads in the sand America, a nation that gives more in charity than any other country in the history of the world. America, a nation that is THE first responder when the world community finds itself in a mess. And yet, the Left is ashamed? Obama fears a pin because the Anti-America Left is a giant voting constituency in the Democratic Party. Its that simple! Like many other liberals today and in the past, Obama is willing to trample on the great symbols of this country so that he can win an election%u2026. THAT IS A DISGRACE!
Perfectly said, Uncle Seth! Patriotism is not a dirty word. Patriotism is honoring the sacrifice of ouir sons. Patriotism is utterly foreign to the pacifist left. They have embraced the empty rhetoric of moral equivalency. Not loving your country is like not loving your mother. So sad.
Always remember, being patriotic is better than looking patriotic. Oh, and like Propagandhi said, "Fuck Nationalism."
I think the message is in why he took it off. It doesn't matter if it is right or wrong to wear the flag. For a presidential candidate to do that, well that is concerning to me. What would you think if your neighbors or your friends and family started taking down their flag they proudly display from their front porch? Look, maybe none of them should be wearing flag pins in the first place. But to refuse to wear it just gives the other side more cannon fodder. Dumb move politically.
you are right, being patriotic and looking patriotic are two different things.
If you ever find an interview where Romney says "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," then we can both agree there are worse things happening in America than Barack…
I like the flag pin and running for president does not require one to wear one. As Ev said: "If you ever find an interview where Romney says "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," then we can both agree there are worse things happening in America than Barack…" As far as I'm concerned he chose to remove the pin and announce it as a political move, although I'm sure he believes it. One problem is not appearing prepared for the reaction to it as a politician and especially for one running for this office. Another problem is that his action coupled with his statements makes those that do wear a pin seem somehow ignorant. His reasoning is shallow and lacks anything other than painting him as the Leftist he is. Aaron: Nationalism does not mean Nazi or Nasty for that matter, but that is obviously where it could lead and has in history, but nationalism has a good side to it as well. Too many look down on our nation and only seem to be able to point to its mistakes and/or questionable moments and ignore good or positive advancement. There is no greater nation on earth and contrary to some peoples belief we are not becoming an evil empire.
We see your true colors shining through. It is good decisions, leadership, and our involvement in the right level of representation that matters. If you are trying to pick the President by who is willing to wear the flag, you have missed the point, and volunteered to be misrepresented. The point is not fashion sense it is time for the good and decisive people to come to the aid of their nation's leadership. Beware though, this is just the start of data points that create noise and confusion. Stay the course… If you are clear on what the President DOES need to do, be, and act upon to represent us well, the "wearing of the flag' of the brand that represents our country is not as important as the being of the brand. Give me a coke in a glass or a can and I can tell you that I enjoy it just the same, but mix some fillers in that brand, to cut corner, save money and keep turning a dime without thought of what makes us American and I WILL notice.
I have no problem with Obama NOT wearing the pin. That is a personal choice and if he truly feels that way, he should not cower just because he is a Presidential candidate. I prefer to see him being real. I do not think a person is unpatriotic because they do not praise the flag as most do. I am a Military Mom, stand firmly behind my country, love being an American but do not wear flag pins either. I am not against them nor what they symbolize, I just don' care to wear them.
Perfectly said, Chris C.
Well, I have to agree with what the thinking blogger states as the American flag code… personally, i think he just got tired of a rusty hole in his lapel from a made in china .39 cent (probably lead based) trinket. luckily, We have designed and produced a reasonable solution that is much nicer and should quell this controversy once and for all. (and it's waterproof) available soon
Bob, from speaking with you before and seeing your product, I can say it is much much nicer than the .39 cent china-made American flag pin.
Look, if you're running for office and all the other guys are wearing the pin, then WEAR the pin. If it means keeping your campaign on course and not letting it veer off into how you feel about it, then don't make an issue out of it. Waitress Polly flies the flag in front of her house most days. But it doesn't mean that my neighbors aren't patriotic. But I understand that his circumstances are unique, and if winning means wearing the pin, then shut up and put it on. By the way, Roger-boo, I got a shirt for you on my blog. And Josh. I must've messed up this comment system something bad. I can't log in. Even with that password.
I don't care if you wear a pin - my point is that if you're running for president, and you decide to make an issue of not wearing the pin - then have the sense to give us a better reason than telling us that supporting the Iraq war is unpatriotic, and that speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security is patriotic. Huh? There are plenty of reasons not to wear the pin - with China slathering on all that lead paint on our flag pins it's a health hazard to have it tainting the air under your nose. But Obama isn't even that creative - and if anything - this episode makes him out to be a real jackass.
By the way, Roger-boo…" ? Do I even know you?