Is Barack Obama Unpatriotic?

[AmericanDreamer]

Obama stops wearing American flag pin

WATERLOO, Iowa - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he will no longer wear 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.

“My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on your lapel than what’s in your heart," he told the campaign crowd Thursday. "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.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21138728/

What do you think?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ccbPVMBKQpA

[AlanC]

Eh.. this is no big deal. Politicians tend to wear what ever ribbon/lapel pin they think will get them votes anyway.

It really means nothing and its absence will mean the same...nothing. I suspect he is doing this for the same reason every other politician is wearing or not wearing something, to get more votes.

[ViolaLee]

What a stupid thread.

[Elrathin]

He is not unpatriotic, in fact I have respect for him unlike some Americans that wear a pin or "seem" patriotic ONLY after a tragedy happens.

[Buck Laser]

Wearing--or not wearing a flag pin--is an utterly meaningless measure of patriotism. Frankly, I'm amazed you'd even suggest it as an issue, much less make it a poll.

[micfranklin]

We must really be sucky at choosing relevant issues if patriotism is determined by wearing a pin.

[Truth_and_Power]

Remember it's not about policy, it's about likeability and being "presidential". This is not an election, it's a disgusting national episode of american idol.

[Kevin67]

Ship him to Cuba.

[Professor]

Being patriotic is more important that acting patriotic by perhaps, wearing a lapel.

[PatrickHenry]

My opinion is that the implied accusation of this thread borders on imbecility.

[ViolaLee]

My opinion is that the implied accusation of this thread borders on imbecility.
I've noticed that for two weeks now.

[Buck Laser]

Ship him to Cuba.

Ship Mitt Romney to Cuba? Why?

[underdawg]

I have great respect for anyone who refuses to wear those crappy lapel pins. If people are judged by whether they wear a pin, fly a flag, or put a stupid bumber sticker on their car, then I think that is a pretty sorry thing. Patriotism is not a fashion statement.

[Elrathin]

I have great respect for anyone who refuses to wear those crappy lapel pins. If people are judged by whether they wear a pin, fly a flag, or put a stupid bumber sticker on their car, then I think that is a pretty sorry thing. Patriotism is not a fashion statement.


Agreed I remember reading in History when people would attend church just to attend it for appearance. They were not believers, but just showed up for appearance.

Patriotism is something you ACT on, you don't wear.

[AmericanDreamer]

My opinion is that the implied accusation of this thread borders on imbecility.
I've noticed that for two weeks now.

It's great to voice your opinion, to to infer that the poster of this thread (Me) is an imbicile is not a very mature or fair way to deal with the question, and it borders on personal attack. Please stay on topic.

There is no implied accusation that Obama is unpatriotic, just a valid question given the passion most patriotic voters have concerning the American flag. Some see burning the flag as unpatriotic, and there are those with warped ideology that view the burning as patriotic.

Personally, wearing a flag pin doesn't mean you are unpatriotic, and he should have the right not to wear it. But he also understands that he could lose votes for not wearing it. Everyone has different views.[hr]

I have great respect for anyone who refuses to wear those crappy lapel pins. If people are judged by whether they wear a pin, fly a flag, or put a stupid bumber sticker on their car, then I think that is a pretty sorry thing. Patriotism is not a fashion statement.


Agreed I remember reading in History when people would attend church just to attend it for appearance. They were not believers, but just showed up for appearance.

Patriotism is something you ACT on, you don't wear.

Agreed.

[ViolaLee]

My opinion is that the implied accusation of this thread borders on imbecility.
I've noticed that for two weeks now.

It's great to voice your opinion, to to infer that the poster of this thread (Me) is an imbicile is not a very mature or fair way to deal with the question, and it borders on personal attack. Please stay on topic.

There is no implied accusation that Obama is unpatriotic, just a valid question given the passion most patriotic voters have concerning the American flag. Some see burning the flag as unpatriotic, and there are those with warped ideology that view the burning as patriotic.
You're calling people who respect the flag and know proper flag etiquette, warped? Why don't you read Flag Etiquette and learn the proper way to dispose of an old or worn flag. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

Personally, wearing a flag pin doesn't mean you are unpatriotic, and he should have the right not to wear it. But he also understands that he could lose votes for not wearing it. Everyone has different views.He would only lose votes to ignorant and uneducated morons who have no idea what real patriotism means. [hr]

I have great respect for anyone who refuses to wear those crappy lapel pins. If people are judged by whether they wear a pin, fly a flag, or put a stupid bumber sticker on their car, then I think that is a pretty sorry thing. Patriotism is not a fashion statement.


Agreed I remember reading in History when people would attend church just to attend it for appearance. They were not believers, but just showed up for appearance.

Patriotism is something you ACT on, you don't wear.

Agreed.


Aren't you the one who voted yes? Didn't you just say he would lose votes for not wearing it?

[AmericanDreamer]

I have great respect for anyone who refuses to wear those crappy lapel pins. If people are judged by whether they wear a pin, fly a flag, or put a stupid bumber sticker on their car, then I think that is a pretty sorry thing. Patriotism is not a fashion statement.


Agreed I remember reading in History when people would attend church just to attend it for appearance. They were not believers, but just showed up for appearance.

Patriotism is something you ACT on, you don't wear.

Agreed.


Aren't you the one who voted yes? Didn't you just say he would lose votes for not wearing it?

How are you so sure of how I voted. My vote is private, and that is how it will remain. If you want my opinion, I am making THAT public. People should not be so concerned with how others vote just to follow the crowd. The problem is that many people don't think for themselves anymore. I agree that there are hypocrits who call themselves patriotic when they really are not. They are posers that follow the lead of their party line. Patriotism is definately NOT a fashion statement.

[ViolaLee]

How are you so sure of how I voted. My vote is private, and that is how it will remain. If you want my opinion, I am making THAT public. People should not be so concerned with how others vote just to follow the crowd. The problem is that many people don't think for themselves anymore. I agree that there are hypocrits who call themselves patriotic when they really are not. They are posers that follow the lead of their party line. Patriotism is definately NOT a fashion statement.
Because your vote came immediately after you made the poll. It was obvious. Your anti-Obama polls are all very obviously showing how you feel.

[AmericanDreamer]

How are you so sure of how I voted. My vote is private, and that is how it will remain. If you want my opinion, I am making THAT public. People should not be so concerned with how others vote just to follow the crowd. The problem is that many people don't think for themselves anymore. I agree that there are hypocrits who call themselves patriotic when they really are not. They are posers that follow the lead of their party line. Patriotism is definately NOT a fashion statement.
Because your vote came immediately after you made the poll. It was obvious. Your anti-Obama polls are all very obviously showing how you feel.

You are not correct. Show me some proof that shows that I voted immediately after I started this thread. Why does it matter anyway? The less concern members have for eachothers votes, the more time they can spend staying on topic and responding to the thread. Besides that, a member's vote is nobody's business but their own.

[Elrathin]

Besides that, a member's vote is nobody's business but their own.


Well that depends on who sets up the poll. Some polls can be made public to see what others vote for. The "DF Primaries" thread is an example of a poll that shows what people voted for who.

[preservanation]

Some at the DNC have suggested that he is a scruffy barbarian.
Issue Date: www.insightmag.com - Jan. 16-22, 2007, Posted On: 1/17/2007

Hillary's team has questions about Obama's Muslim background

Are the American people ready for an elected president who was educated in a Madrassa as a young boy and has not been forthcoming about his Muslim heritage?

This is the question Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s camp is asking about Sen. Barack Obama.

An investigation of Mr. Obama by political opponents within the Democratic Party has discovered that Mr. Obama was raised as a Muslim by his stepfather in Indonesia. Sources close to the background check, which has not yet been released, said Mr. Obama, 45, spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary, in Indonesia.

"He was a Muslim, but he concealed it," the source said. "His opponents within the Democrats hope this will become a major issue in the campaign."http://www.insightmag.com/Media/MediaManager/Obama_2.htm

[Pookie]

Mercy. This is real nitpicking at best. A dang lapel pin. What's next? The color or brand of his underwear will make him a Commie?
Purrs,
Pookie

[preservanation]

This is not me or all my fellow neocons saying this...it is the Clintons and the DNC.
Can you say irony.
The Dems are attacking the black man while raising the specter of religion and running on the sex of the presumed nominee.
Too bad Obama isn't gay...the left could really tear him apart then.

[AmericanDreamer]

Besides that, a member's vote is nobody's business but their own.


Well that depends on who sets up the poll. Some polls can be made public to see what others vote for. The "DF Primaries" thread is an example of a poll that shows what people voted for who.

In general, a person's vote is a personal thing, and does not need disclose it to anyone else if they choose. Of course, if you participate in a public poll, then the results are public. That is a no brainer.

[Elrathin]

And in general, the person that sets up the poll is the first person to vote in it. Generally. That is a no brainer.

[ViolaLee]

AmericanDreamer - why are you pretending? You made a poll because you didn't want to use links to your quotes. You made several polls because you don't like Obama. Do you really think people on this board are stupid?

:lmao:

[preservanation]

Don't answer that, AD.

[ViolaLee]

Yeah, you wouldn't want to incriminate yourself ;)

lol!

[PatrickHenry]

...Hillary's team has questions about Obama... educated in a Madrassa as a young boy and has not been forthcoming about his Muslim heritage?
Anything on this from the Clinton camp? Or do you only have this reich-wing smear article for evidence?

[Buck Laser]

...Hillary's team has questions about Obama... educated in a Madrassa as a young boy and has not been forthcoming about his Muslim heritage?
Anything on this from the Clinton camp? Or do you only have this reich-wing smear article for evidence?

The people who are blaming the Clinton camp for this crap are usually easily confused. This kind of stuff has been floating around for a long time, and it comes from exceptionally stupid right wingers, and appeals only to their own kind. This "Hillary's team" baloney badly underestimates the subtlety of whatever dirty pool they might play. If they do dredge stuff up, it'll be more clearly based in reality.

I think the people who are swayed by the Madrassas story and Obama's crypto-muslimism are too dumb to be useful idiots. :nana:

[AmericanDreamer]

Don't answer that, AD.

I won't take the bait. Thanks for the tip, Pres.

[Saq-analyzer]

You don't need to where your homeland flag if you are in your homeland.:peace:

[AmericanDreamer]

You don't need to where your homeland flag if you are in your homeland.:peace:

You are right about that, but it sure helps get the votes!

[ViolaLee]

Then why did you vote that he should be shipped to Cuba?

And what kind of moron votes for a President according to what pin they wear?

[AmericanDreamer]

Then why did you vote that he should be shipped to Cuba?

And what kind of moron votes for a President according to what pin they wear?

You are assuming that you know what others votes are. Nevertheless, you may continue to believe that if you like. Unless you provide proof for your assertion, then it will remain a baseless statement.

As far as what kind of moran votes for a President according to what pin they wear? Well, probably the same kind of a moron that votes for someone based on gender or the color of their skin.

[Elrathin]

I can safely say the person that DID vote Obama as being unpatriotic, is a complete spineless idiot that I would not shed a tear for if they were run over by a bus.

[AmericanDreamer]

I can safely say the person that DID vote Obama as being unpatriotic, is a complete spineless idiot that I would not shed a tear for if they were run over by a bus.

I agree with you, but the person still has a right in this country to voice their opinion without reprisal. Do you agree?

[Elrathin]

I agree with you, but the person still has a right in this country to voice their opinion without reprisal. Do you agree?


Without Reprisal? No. You are free to your opinion, but you are not free from criticism about your opinion in this country.

I am going off the definition of reprisal being an act of retaliation. That retaliation can be made in the form of boycotting or criticism. I'm not saying physical force or anything illegal is justified though.

[underdawg]

It seems to me that if you are looking for someone who is considered unpatriotic, I would look for those in this country that would undermine our constitution by sacrificing certain freedoms for a false sense of security that the patriot act does and those reponsible for illegal wiretapping. I would also look towards the person or persons whoever they may be who outed the CIA agent Valerie Plaime.

[preservanation]

underdawg, who outed Plame, in your eyes?
Just curious.

[underdawg]

I suspect it came from the white house, and if I were a police detective I would seek out those who had the best motive and the most to gain by outing her.

[AmericanDreamer]

It seems to me that if you are looking for someone who is considered unpatriotic, I would look for those in this country that would undermine our constitution by sacrificing certain freedoms for a false sense of security that the patriot act does and those reponsible for illegal wiretapping. I would also look towards the person or persons whoever they may be who outed the CIA agent Valerie Plaime.

A agree. There are bigger fish to fry. but nobdy likes the smell of fried fish.

[Professor]

Mercy. This is real nitpicking at best. A dang lapel pin. What's next? The color or brand of his underwear will make him a Commie?
Purrs,
Pookie


Obama wearing Red boxers, a Russian supporter? Tonight on CNN.[hr]Or like in When Harry Met Sally, how Sally's boyfriend broke up with her because there was no sunday in her days of the week underwear. Why isn't there sunday Barack? He claims to be Christian, but doesn't where his sunday underwear.

[cronic]

Is Barack Obama Unpatriotic?.. how stupid.. anyone that sees just how much of a racist he is will realize he is neither patriotic or unpatriotic.. he is just your typical African American who feels his race is oppressed. ( himself included ) because they were slaves 200 years ago. Because there are only 4 black doctors vs 5 white ones. Because he as well as the rest of his "people" cant get there attitudes or there mindless brains out of the past.... He proved that by jumping on the Sharpton band wagon, which proved he had no opinion of his own concerning the Imus scandal until pressured to say something.. I can assure you he sat down and thought long and hard what to say at that time in his career and he had to decide, do i speak what I really feel or do I say what the rest of the black community wants to hear!! He is spineless in the fact that he wouldn't defend Don Imus's comments knowing full well it was all blown out of proportion... Obama doesn't belong in the white house.. he belongs on the Oprah Winfrey show sitting beside Jesse Jackson and that Joke of a Reverend - Al Sharpton!!!!!!!..You want someone like that running our country.. Wake up People..

[PatrickHenry]

I don't think he's a racist.

Obama grew up in a white family and has been pretty successful in predominantly white institutions.

[Torrid]

I don't think Obama is unpatriotic, but I just don't agree with his policies.

[cronic]

I don't think he's a racist.

Obama grew up in a white family and has been pretty successful in predominantly white institutions.


ok.. ok.. maybe i was just a tiny bit strong on this one.. but.. I got turned off when he didnt stick up for the I - man after all the good Mr. Imus said about him.. then again alot of people turned on the i - man

[PatrickHenry]

Even white people reacted to the nappy-headed hos statement...

[cronic]

Even white people reacted to the nappy-headed hos statement...


your right.. I know.. not sure why tho.. i wondered if they was people that didnt watch him?.. I watched him everyday.. set my alarm clock to him.. now I would vote him for pres..lol..the man has done more for children then anyone in this world...I don't think there is a more giving person when it comes to children. he gave hundreds of thousands of his own dollars for sick kids and millions was generated in total by everyone...his being fired took alot of money away from the ranch and the children he helped due to lost endorsements and other future donaters. I am even the moderator to an imus in the morning group on myspace.. altho i have been pretty relaxed in keeping that updated.. from watching the man daily for years.. I would swear all my money that he didnt mean it in any racial way.. maybe it was a poor choice of words but what he was trying to actually do in a funny way was compliment the team themselves for being good at what they do.. it seemed funny to everyone until Al Sharpton went public about it.. next thing yano.. the country is in an uproar.. I still feel bad for him.. I bet he wished he had called in sick that day..haha... but can i just say one more thing.. realism hit me when all that happened and I saw just how racially motivated the African American race was after that. especially Rev Al Sharpton.. No one was whipped.. no one was slaved or mis - treated.. and I've come to realize and recognize that racism will never die because the African American race wont let it!

[PatrickHenry]

Is there an "African American" race?

Not trying to be offensive here.

I live in Hawaii, where the "races" are all mixed up.

Basically, race is a meaningless issue here...

[cronic]

thats a good place to be then friend.. wish it was like that here

[ViolaLee]

You think Imus is god and Barack Obama is racist?

Where do these people come from?

Are you KDKDK?

[cronic]

You think Imus is god and Barack Obama is racist?

Where do these people come from?

Are you KDKDK?


lol.. I'm from Ohio.. old fashion and hard working. I'm an old farmer at heart but defiantly a country boy.. I think Obama like so many others feel his race is still oppressed which is absurd.. maybe that don't make him a racist tho so..I'll be willing to back away from that a bit.. as far as Don Imus being God..well..lol. not sure there is one of them but If I had to pick a person for the God job.. He would be at the top.. when you can raise Millions of dollars for sick children every year.. when you can be a huge part in raising our vets disability pay from service in Iraq.. 10 fold even.. He helped expose the walter reeds hospital scandal and himself and his wife are inspirational in greening the world and hospitals all over..At the very least.. anyone that knows about him also knows he is a very great man and very giving.. all the Imus bashers out there couldn't hold a candle or even come close to achieving all the good he has done.. If no one knows this.. I suggest Google.. you may just learn a little something you didnt know. I have noticed so many Don Imus bashers never knew him before his comments that got him fired and im sorry.. I just believe there was alot of people jumping on the band wagon concerning his so - called mistake.. Kinda off the subject tho in this thread.. I dont like to do that but I thought an answer was deserved! huggz ViolaLee.. oh and im not kdkdk.. but i met him yesterday..lol