A Little More About Lapel Pins

About not wearing an American flag lapel pin, Obama said Republicans have no lock on patriotism.

“A party that presided over a war in which our troops did not get the body armor they needed, or were sending troops over who were untrained because of poor planning, or are not fulfilling the veterans’ benefits that these troops need when they come home, or are undermining our Constitution with warrantless wiretaps that are unnecessary?

“That is a debate I am very happy to have. We’ll see what the American people think is the true definition of patriotism.”

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My comment:

Nice to see someone stand up to the school-yard bullies.

And then there's this from Sean Carman on 23/6:

Small minds, small concerns. Yes, there are big issues facing the country, but never mind them. What really matters is Obama's explanation for his failure to wear an American flag pin on his lapel.

You know, why even have the primaries? Cancel the debates. Let's just interview the candidates about why they wear or don't wear the flag pin. From their answers we'll decide who should govern the country.

Kristol's argument on the Obama flag pin question ("Flag-gate!") is just so unbelievably, insidiously stupid. The man is a 50-year-old fifth grader. Obama explained that at some point he decided to express his patriotism by speaking out against the war in Iraq. That, Obama decided, might be a more authentic expression of patriotism than wearing a flag pin. And so, when he began speaking out against the war, he put the flag pin down.

Actions may speak louder than words, but words, Obama decided, speak louder than flag pins.

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I have an idea that might appeal to Bill Kristol: The Flag Pin Police. Let's have paid federal law enforcement officials go around questioning citizens about why they aren't wearing American flag lapel pins. If anyone gives an answer that seems "grandiose" or insufficiently humble for our tastes, we'll disqualify that person from holding public office.

What is that again? There's a name for that. Something we once fought against, I think.

Oh yeah. I remember. It's called "fascism."

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