Wearing virtue on our lapels

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped1010parkeroct10,0,3282851.column

The much ado about Barack Obama's decision not to wear an American flag lapel pin was, well, symbolic.

To follow the debate that followed the headline that followed the non-story about a dated decision is to witness where acute partisanship has led us. From the hue and cry on the right, you'd have thought Obama had flushed a Bible down the toilet.

What Obama did might have escaped anyone's notice but for what he said when a reporter in Iowa recently asked him about the pin. In the Age of Public Virtue, it is apparently essential that citizens flaunt their patriotism; crucial if they're running for public office.

Obama replied that he had worn a flag pin immediately after Sept. 11, 2001, but removed it when he felt it had become a substitute for "true patriotism." He said he preferred to demonstrate his allegiance to the U.S. by "speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security" and by trying "to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."

One could argue that Obama didn't say exactly the right thing, politically. When campaigning for president, it's probably best not to insult all those nice Iowans who have flagpoles in their front yards and flag pins in their lapels.

[LiberalFighter]

1. I have not once displayed the flag in any form as a result of 9/11

Wearing a flag lapel pin does not prove ones patriotism.

[2Design]

2. I used to put out a flag for appropriate holidays and stand for songs

but the repubs using this to show they like these criminals in office and all the rest of the right wing agenda has changed when or where I stand - ballgames - yes - because it is not a republik stand - anywhere where it was appropriate but not part of this new devious patriotic bullshit that is not only not patriotic but criminal - I do not support torture number 1 and I do not support murdering all the people in iraq - so when I see a lapel pin - I see a right wing nut

[Bitwit1234]

3. What in the hell makes a person more important if he/she wears

a flag pin or not. The orneriest, common ass liar, hypocrite, treasonous dog would wear a flag pin.(For example the bush turd) Does it help him hell no.

[ixion]

4. I really can't believe this NON-story ever made it to the press

it is such a ridiculous thing to be discussing.