I just dont understand what the problem is. It is just a lapel pin. Who cares? Maybe his daughter wanted to see it and she lost it. I just dont see how him not wearing a american flag lapel pin makes him not like america.
2007-10-11 10:06:14 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
I agree with you. It's been blown out of proportion and is out of control. But blame the media, they like to do that.
Patriotism is in the heart and respect for our country, the flag, and its people. Not in a pin.
2007-10-11 12:38:55 · answer #1 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Barack Obama says he no longer wears an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He commented on the pin in a television interview Wednesday and then again on Thursday at a campaign appearance in Independence, Iowa.
Noting the TV interview, he told the campaign crowd, "I said, you know what, I probably haven't worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic."
"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart. You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That's what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals."
He had been asked about the pin Wednesday in an interview with KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids.
"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."
Obama was campaigning Thursday on the third day of a four-day trip to the early voting state.
At one stop, he called for new restrictions on deployment of National Guard and Reserve troops along with an expansion of benefits for them and their families.
"I will not be a president who extends tours for our Guard units overseas while Americans are stranded on rooftops right here at home," Obama said.
My Personal View on the Subject:
There is an old song from the Vietnam War era that say's "Your American Flag Decal Won't Get you Into Heavan Anymore." Obama is right, there are so many people that are runining our country and asking us to wave the flag in front of our face to blind us from the true attrocities. American soldiers in Iraq Rape a 12 year old girl and murder her family, American security forces open fire on civilians and do not suffer the same punishments the military face when an "accident" of this caliber happens, Bush asks the CIA to butter up intellegence to make it look like Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, Bush ubuses the constitution and calls it a hinderence, and the list of corruption hiding behind all the car flags and yellow ribbons goes on and on. True Americans are trying to protect our constitution and protect the lives of our sons, fathers, daughters, and wives that are currently being slaughtered because of one man's lies.
True patriotism is wearing a flag lapel pin, Car window flag (always clean and fresh) and having the car flag magnet....Unfortunately it is patriotism towards the manufacturing company (China) not America!
2007-10-11 17:43:32 · answer #2 · answered by klover_dso 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't bother me and many people at all.
However, it was one of the dumbest PR moves that he could make. Especially with all of the stupid and unneccessary PR mistakes which have hurt his campaign as have helped Hillary Clinton gain a perhaps insurmountable lead.
The fact is, patriotism and the flag plays in Middle America, you need to invoke the flag and patriotism in your campaign. The Democrats especially, since Republicans have often painted them as less patriotic which has helped solidify their dominance in Middle America in recent years. If Obama didn't wear a lapel pin, its likely few would make much notice, but the fact that he brought attention to this issue, and implicitly said that he was not wearing one shows what a lightweight he is when it comes to campaigns. You can;t say that. Bush 41 killed Dukakis in 1988 because Dukakis said he wouldn't require school to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. You have to play patriotism to play in the South and Middle America, and Democrats need to get at least a few states in the Midwest, Middle America, the South, or the West, to get enough electoral votes to win the Presidential race.
2007-10-11 17:18:18 · answer #3 · answered by Super Tuesday 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What I don't understand is his reasoning. Wearing the pin(at least now) signifies you back the US forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. It doesn't mean you support the war. It's the same thing as flying the US flag; it's a symbol of the US and freedom, etc. It doesn't mean your for or against anything; just proude & happy your American.
2007-10-11 19:54:50 · answer #4 · answered by crb2512 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not that he does not wear a flag pin that bothers people. Its his reasoning for not wearing it that bothers people. He has made a conscious decision to not wear one because he feels it is a substitute for true patriotism. That's what people don't like. I don't wear a pin all the time but I would never say that I would not ever wear a pin again.
2007-10-11 17:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by Dash 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Vevicka has it right, inasmuch as it shows Hussein Obama's Muslim traits. Obama is naive, inexperienced, and clearly needs some tutoring re political campaigning. Obama, a left of leftist liberal, has insulted all America, and all Americans who have fought and died under our flag. The stupid remark was definitely unpatriotic. Imagine, if some Republican had made such an unpatriotic statement. The media would carry the story for months, night and day! Incidently, NO to BILLARY; you need to enroll in remedial spelling courses.
2007-10-11 21:08:32 · answer #6 · answered by john c 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No. I am glad he took it off or didn't wear it. He doesn't need to put a whole in his suit. It is just a pin, and it was probably made in China and has lead in it. Unhealthy if you ask me. He is still the candidate of my choice.
2007-10-12 01:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We as a people in the United States are united under one flag. Under this flag people have fought and died. Go to DC and see the statues. When we lose sight of what we are united under we as a country and its citizens lose the country. Our forefathers wrote songs about that flag. No it doesn't make me angry, it is sad to see a nation go down the tubes because they have no idea what the flag stands for.
2007-10-11 18:32:55 · answer #8 · answered by grandma 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think his not wearing it was just a publicity stunt. It did get him some press time, although some people will take it negatively.
But you are right...it is just a pin for goodness sake.
2007-10-11 17:21:06 · answer #9 · answered by opinionated1984 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Dont care if he wears the pin or not. His stance being pro illegal say it all. He does not care for Americans as much as he cares illegal immigrants.
2007-10-11 18:30:17 · answer #10 · answered by mnwomen 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋