Lapel Patriotism

Posted by on . 2 comments.

In the interest of fairness and honesty, I have to go on record commending Barack Obama‘s decision and reasoning regarding not wearing an American flag lapel pin. This is a stupid sidetrack from the campaign, but rather than giving a bullshit political answer, Obama echoed one of our main points here, that “patriotism” has been hijacked and simply doesn’t mean what it used to mean:

“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’m genuinely proud of Obama for this, I just wish he’d act like this on policy.

For the record, John Edwards didn’t wear a flag pin when I met him last month.

WHO DOESN’T WANT TO WEAR THE RIBBON?

Comments

  1. sarabeth says:
    October 5, 2007 at 12:33 pm

    And then there’s Hillary Clinton.

    I can’t find quotes anywhere yet; will add quote and link when I can. But she made a brave statement, where she listed the different ways in which “you can show your patriotism”. High on the list were wearing a pin in your lapel and reciting the pledge of allegiance.

  2. sarabeth says:
    October 5, 2007 at 12:37 pm

    That she could say this right after Obama’s remarks about how meaningless gestures have become a substitute for true patriotism speaks volumes for who she is, both as a person and as a candidate.

    Of course, any of the top few Democratic candidates would be a major improvement over Bush, but it is depressing to think that we may not be able to do any better than Hillary Clinton.