No U.S. flag pins for Barack Obama

[snopes]

Comment: Subject: American Flag Lapel Pin

I know that some on my list will disagree with me and that is their right.
I am man enough to support their right. However, I must tell you that I
think they are dead wrong.

Yesterday, Barack Obama stated he would no longer wear the American Flag
Lapel Pin. According to him, it does not represent the United States. My
thought is if this little flag does not represent the United States Flag,
what does? I would suggest he make a hasty exit from the country.

My President? Absolutely no way.

[lord_feldon]

Obama is perhaps my new favorite candidate for this. I've always thought needing to tack and gaud yourself to show patriotism was stupid.

According to him, it does not represent the United States. My
thought is if this little flag does not represent the United States Flag,
what does? I would suggest he make a hasty exit from the country.

It perfectly represents the United States flag, although the level of detail is probably lacking. Whether or not that represents everything in the United States, and whether or not people, if it does, need to debase it by wearing it as an article of clothing, is a different thing.

Do people think that last sentence lends them credibility? It doesn't.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by lord_feldon

Do people think that last sentence lends them credibility? It doesn't.

Really. The great thing about America is that if you're offended by people who don't wear their patriotism on their sleeves, you have the freedom to leave and go live somewhere else.

- snopes

Originally Posted by lord_feldon

It perfectly represents the United States flag, although the level of detail is probably lacking. Whether or not that represents everything in the United States, and whether or not people, if it does, need to debase it by wearing it as an article of clothing, is a different thing.

I agree--in my eyes, calling someone unpatriotic or anti-American because they don't wear a US flag pin on their clothing is about as accurate as accusing someone of being pro-cancer because they don't wear a pink ribbon.

[E. Q. Taft]

MediaMatters.org follows the story:

During an October 3 interview with ABC-affiliate KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was asked why he was not wearing an American flag pin on his lapel. Obama responded, "[R]ight after 9-11, I had a pin," adding: "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." Obama also said: "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. 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 testimony to my patriotism." However, several media outlets -- following the lead of Internet gossip Matt Drudge -- have presented Obama's comments as a recent decision made by the candidate, and not an explanation of something he chose to do several years ago. CNN, ABC, and Fox News have reported on the "controversy," providing a platform for several conservatives to attack Obama's patriotism. As NBC News political director Chuck Todd put it, "this was the media getting a classic case of the Drudges."

Mark Evanier comments:

The worst thing some people can find to say about Barack Obama these days is that there's something wrong with his patriotism, as proven by the fact that he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel. This is three notches below Ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with wearing one of those pins but a gesture that small should never be confused with actually doing something meaningful. It's like the folks who, after 9/11, spent three dollars for a plastic flag, stuck it on their cars and then acted like they'd made a substantive contribution to The War on Terror. Putting a flag on your car or your coat is just about the dictionary definition of The Least You Can Do.

There's more in both places.

Frankly, I have to say that this has given me more respect for the man. I've always been annoyed by the (seemingly) widespread belief that slapping a flag sticker on your car or listening to Lee Greenwood's song is a highly patriotic thing to do, and to hear of a canditate who agrees and says that he wants to show his patriotism through *gasp* actual action taken is highly refreshing.

Maybe I'm not very patriotic, but I have always found those cheap little flag pins kind of tacky. Why would I put much meaning behind a (usually) $.99 little pin that you can buy at the pharmacy counter while you pick up a pack of wart remover.

And consider all the rules for proper display and care of the flag. If this little lapel pin does indeed represent the flag, what's to be done with it when it's not in use? Is it okay to toss it onto the bureau with the other flotsam and jetsam. What if falls off? Must it be found? Must soldiers and sailors and others in military uniform salute it. Can you wear it into a dark room without shining a spotlight on it. Can you wear a coat over it? What about rain? And so on...

Oh, and what happens when the flag is to be flown at half staff?

[Malruhn]

Don't be silly, turtle, you wear it on a belt loop!!

I have to agree, this is stupid, hate-mongering. My respect meter has gone up for him as well. I still don't care for his [i]politics/I], but I have more respect for him as a citizen.

[lord_feldon]

Originally Posted by turtle

Oh, and what happens when the flag is to be flown at half staff?

I think you wear it as a navel piercing.

[Esprise Me]

Every time Obama makes the news for some "scandalous" statement or gesture, it reaffirms my belief that
a) he would make the best president out of all the current presidential candidates, and
b) he'll never get himself elected, because too few American voters are capable of grasping, much less appreciating, his nuanced ideas and positions.

It's made the pre-primary coverage almost unbearable to follow.

[Mickey Blue]

The last sentence in the OP pretty much validates all that is wrong with wearing American Flag pins in this country.

-MB

Originally Posted by snopes

My
thought is if this little flag does not represent the United States Flag,
what does?

It does represent the United States flag, so what? Where does it say in your constitution you must wear your flag at all times? In the UK we have become very wary (and a little weary) of people who hide behind the Union Jack or especially the St George's Cross (flag of England). Liking and using the flag is not that bad but too many people use it to support racist (and sometimes homophobic but don't ask me how that works) views. There is an old and extremely distasteful phrase over here 'there aint no black in the union jack'.
So I say support the flag all you want, but never use it as shield or weapon to support your own opinions.

[Dog Friendly]

Does anybody else have an earworm of Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Any More by John Prine?

What's that? Now you do? Oh.

Mr. Goering, would you talk to these people in the OP for a moment? Thanks.

[AnglRdr]

Originally Posted by Dog Friendly

Does anybody else have an earworm of Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Any More by John Prine?

For just about the last 6 and a little some years, actually.

I *heart* Prine!

[DawnStorm]

This whole "issue" reminds me of junior high school, where you're ostracized if you're not wearing the "right" shoes, shirt, or whatever.
Why is this a big deal???


Dawn--and he doesn't have to worry about forgetting to remove it before cleaning the suit--Storm

[eif]

Many years ago when I was around the age of 12, I came to the conclusion never trust anyone who wears an American Flag pin. To me it was like they were hiding behind the flag. Of course the politician I learn this from was Nixon. But the same can be said of any politician who must have a symbol on their clothing, be it a flag, hammer & sickle, etc. Same can be said for any minister (priest, person of the cloth,...) that waves a bible or other holy book around.

[Saint James]

Originally Posted by Esprise Me

Every time Obama makes the news for some "scandalous" statement or gesture, it reaffirms my belief that
a) he would make the best president out of all the current presidential candidates, and
b) he'll never get himself elected, because too few American voters are capable of grasping, much less appreciating, his nuanced ideas and positions.

It's made the pre-primary coverage almost unbearable to follow.

I am reminded of the story of Adlai Stevenson, when approached by a supporter telling him that "every thinking person will be voting for you", to which he reportedly responded: "Madam, that is not enough. I need a majority.”

[Troberg]

My thought is if this little flag does not represent the United States Flag, what does?

Perhaps someone is confusing an idea with the symbol of the idea?

[musicgeek]

Lewis Black put this whole thing in perspective nicely on last night's Daily Show.