On Barack Obama and patriotism
Published: July 11, 2008
Much has been written, in the columns of this paper, regarding how one displays patriotism, especially those who wear a lapel pin — or in the case of the presidential candidate, Mr. Obama, the lack of
one. This entire thing is nonsense.
As a two-time Vietnam Veteran, I can forgive Mr. Obama for not wearing a lapel pin. I do however; question his character and his patriotism for different reasons. His character comes into question by his
involvement with the Right Reverend Jeremiah Wright. It is true that Mr. Obama attended the church where Reverend Wright was pastor and in which he was married and his children baptized.
After twenty years, he denounced his association with the reverend after first defending him. Does not that matter in determining ones character, or is someone going to accuse me of being a racist?
Equally troubling to me is Mr. Obama’s lack of patriotism for this GREAT country of ours — not by the lack of a flag lapel pin — but his explanation of why he doesn’t follow protocol when the National
Anthem is played. According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 171 —During the rendition of the National Anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are
expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Something most Americans have known for years, we teach our kids and accept as part of our American heritage.
Mr. Obama’s response — “As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides.
There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American Flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be
swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.’ If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.”
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
A. VIC POILLUCCI
Woodbridge
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Reader Reactions
I’m sure we all eagerly await Mr. Poillucci’s apology to Barack Obama—in the form of another Letter to the Editor—now that the newspaper has apologized in an editorial today for publishing it in the first place.
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/opinion/article/opinion_and_responsibility/18397/
Oh, and Mr. Poillucci, may I remind you that sincere apologies never contain the word “But”. You might also be wise to avoid any variation on the “I apologize if my words offended anyone” cloak of deniability that to many apologists wrap themselves in today. That’s not an apology, nor does it assume responsibility for your actions.
jVA,
In November, this will all be over. Won’t it?
“Don’t you know that all the cowering, womanly eggheads that slobber over BHO daily won’t stand for him to be legitimately criticized. “
Of course when pwanon calls you an egghead, he means “completed high school”.
I wonder what pwanon is going to complain about when Obama is elected and the country doesn’t fall apart? Or maybe things actually get better? Sort of like when Bill Clinton was President.
He’ll probably start complaining about the President’s sex life or something. Apparantly its ok for our president to drive the country into the ground, just so long as he doesn’t get a little action on the side.
jVA
“How sad that this is the depth of our political process.“ Well spoken. Unfortunately, George Washington was the only President of the United States not to be savaged in the political arena.
Vic,
How dare you criticize Saint Obama in these pages. Don’t you know that all the cowering, womanly eggheads that slobber over BHO daily won’t stand for him to be legitimately criticized. After all…the man is made of faberge, and may break into a million pieces if forced to answer anything resembling an adversarial question.
In the meantime, let’s go ahead and elect him, raise gas prices a bit more, surrender to anyone who breathes on us, let Al Qaeda set up shop wherever they please as long as they agree to have tea and a “stern talking to” with Pres. Obama, and maybe even pass a slavery reparations bill while we’re at it, since this country and all those of us who are “typical white people” (BHO’s words..not mine) are responsible for all the ills poor Barack has triumphed over in his long, difficult, disadvantaged life.
“Your opponent wears a pin, you wear a pin”
How sad that this is the depth of our political process. I’ve seen more substantive thought given to choosing the homecoming queen at Potomac High.
Well, Vic, you’ve outdone yourself on this one. Your comments are clearly over the top. Also, what is this business about being a Vietnam veteran? Who cares? What does that have to do with patriotism? Bush and Cheney both dodged Vietnam service, yet I’m sure they are as “patriotic” as the next guy.
JVA,
Read the post by Godsaveus. His reasons are also my reasons. In addition, the pin was a
no-brainer”. Your opponent wears a pin, you wear a pin; Politics 101. I did see Sen. Obama standing while our National Anthem was being played, his hand was not on his heart. I attended a high school graduation ceremony at the Patriot Center. As the Colors were being presented & as our National Anthem was being played, dozens of people in the audience were using cameras, cell phones & other devices to take pictures of the graduates. It looked like Oscar night in Hollywood.
Wonder how many people in the audience were taking pictures of Sen. Obama as our National Anthem was being played.
You bet, RonCharest.
I completely agree with NEtoVA. The Potomac News is largely at fault for allowing this letter onto the letters page in the first place. People tend to believe the facts that they read in newspapers, even they are on the letters page.
I have no problem with people who want to argue against Obama. Godsaveus just gave four or five reasons why he wouldn’t vote for Obama. I don’t agree with any of them, but at least he’s not just making stuff up.
Its hilarious though that he has the gall to complain that Obama wants to “smear his opponent allowing his supporters do the dirty job running dishonest campaign ads”. You realize you’re writing this on the comments page where a McCain supporter is spreading baldfaced lies about Obama. You can’t be freaking serious.
Mr. Polluci” during the last presidential election, the Bush campaign crowd claimed McCain was mentally ill. Is this still true? And the same crowd campaigned that Georgia Sen. Clelan was unpatriotic despite his having lost several limbs in war. Is this Republican/Bush claim true, that Clelan was unpatriotic? I await your reply - if you have the courage, fortitude, and strength.
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