Obama may face grilling on patriotism

[babsbunny]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_attack_fodder

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
59 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama's refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin along with a photo of him not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem led conservatives on Internet and in the media to question his patriotism.


Now Obama's wife, Michelle, has drawn their ire, too, for saying recently that she's really proud of her country for the first time in her adult life.

Conservative consultants say that combined, the cases could be an issue for Obama in the general election if he wins the nomination, especially as he runs against Vietnam war hero Sen. John McCain.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Nedra Pickler is a hack.

A well known hack, at that.

[tekisui]

2. There goes the Nationalistic Racist vote. What'll we do now?

The Racists do not have the voting majority in this country. Let them grumble.

[Flabbergasted]

15. Right. This is not going to swing the election. It will just reinforce the GOP base's

image of democrats.

[jackson_dem]

58. Sincerely, President Michael Dukakis (1988-1996)

[wndycty]

3. Let's have this discussion

One of the keys to patriotism is freedom, and saying that there is only one way to be an American is absolutely not patriotic.

[cali]

exactly

let's have this discussion. it's past time.

[Cornus]

9. Direct and to the point. nt

[Egnever]

55. Agreed long past time to talk about fake patriotism (freedom fries)

I cant wait for that debate.

[ProSense]

4. Conservatives are going to question Obama's patriotism? Sounds about right

since they've been questioning the patriotism of every Democrat since 2001 (actually before, but just to limit it to post 9/11).

I remember the Pentagon attacked Hillary's patriotism last year, and Kerry came to her defense.

[Eurobabe]

5. The Dreaded Nedra, she's still spewing for the AP

:puke:

[TwilightGardener]

34. Actually, I just now read through the whole article on another thread, and Pickler

does a pretty good job of including the REAL story behind the charges--that Obama was standing for the Anthem, not the Pledge of Allegiance, and that Michelle was speaking in a political context. I judged too soon, just from reading this snippet. It's a fair article, actually.

[FrenchieCat]

38. I agree......

this actually debunks and defends Barack pretty well.

I'm sure this is an argument that Barack won't mind having. Let's get this out there; the patriotism argument and who are the real patriot round here. Let's see if attacking a country that didn't attack us makes us the best country in the world. Let's see if wanting to give permanent tax cuts to the rich during wartime is patriotic.

[Eurobabe]

59. are you SERIES?!?!!11?? Nedra, fair?

Hell hath frozen over.

[tabatha]

6. Hopefully the country will see that the person who wants to

return the standing of the US in the world is more patriotic than one who wishes to continue with the bad - McCain. I really think voters can see through this BS.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. here's another RW article on the same topic making the rounds ........

By: Ronald Kessler Article Font Size




Michelle Obama’s comment that, for the first time in her adult life, she feels proud of America helps crystallize who Barack Obama is.

To be sure, the wife of a candidate is perfectly free to have views that are distinct from her husband’s. But on a matter that is so fundamental to one’s being as love of country, it is difficult to imagine that Michelle Obama would publicly twice make such a statement suggesting disdain for America unless she felt it comported with her husband’s views.

Equally important, her statement aligns perfectly with the hate-America views of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s minister, friend, and sounding board for more than two decades. On the Sunday following 9/11, Wright characterized the terrorist attacks as a consequence of violent American policies. Four years later, Wright suggested that the attacks were retribution for America’s racism.

“In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01,” Wright wrote in his church magazine Trumpet. “White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ‘disappeared’ as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns.”

Wright has been a key supporter of Louis Farrakhan, and in December, honored the Nation of Islam leader for lifetime achievement, saying he “truly epitomize greatness.”

Farrakhan has repeatedly made hate-filled statements targeting Jews, whites, America, and homosexuals.

Those who think two of the closest people to Obama could publicly make anti-America statements unless Obama himself felt that way, are fooling themselves. To date, Obama has proven himself to be nothing more than a great orator, rendering the statements of those around him even more important in illuminating his true character and agenda. During his Senate career, he skipped 17 percent of the votes and sponsored only one bill that became law. That bill was to promote “relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Bereft of official accomplishments, Obama has distinguished himself mainly by being against measures that protect American security, such as finishing the mission in Iraq. If we were to leave Iraq quickly, as Obama vows he would do, it would become a launch pad for al-Qaida attacks on the U.S.

Obama avoided voting on extending the Protect America Act, thus putting America at risk when immediate interception of terrorist communications is required. Last August, Obama voted against a measure that would have allowed the U.S. to continue to monitor overseas conversations of terrorists like Osama bin Laden without first obtaining a warrant.

If his radical vote had prevailed, bin Laden would have been given the same rights as Americans.

To this day, Obama has not distanced himself from most of Rev. Wright’s comments. In a statement supposedly issued to address the matter, Obama ignored the point that his minister and friend had spoken adoringly of Farrakhan and that Wright’s church was behind the award to the Nation of Islam leader. Instead, as outlined in a Jan. 17 Newsmax article, he disingenuously claimed he thought the magazine bestowed the award on Farrakhan for his efforts to rehabilitate ex-prisoners.


Neither Wright’s encomiums about Farrakhan nor the Trumpet article mentions ex-prisoners.


Similarly, after John McCain’s wife Cindy responded to Michelle Obama’s remarks by telling a Wisconsin rally, “I have, and always will be, proud of my country,” Barack Obama told a radio interviewer that his wife did not say what people think she said. He then proceeded to rewrite her comments, claiming that she had meant she was encouraged by the “large numbers of people” who have gotten involved in the political process. Michelle Obama then made a similar revision of her remarks.

In her speech in Milwaukee, Michelle Obama said flatly, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”

And what has been wrong with America up to now? That it gave Michelle the opportunity to attend Princeton and Harvard Law School? That it gave Barack Obama the chance to attend Columbia University and Harvard Law School and become a U.S. senator making more than $1 million a year from book royalties?

Was it that America stopped Nazi Germany from continuing to murder millions of Jews? That America has provided Africa and other countries with $15 billion to combat the spread of AIDS/HIV and that another $30 billion is on the way? That 46 percent of all Americans classified by the Census Bureau as poor own their own homes, 76 percent of them have air conditioning, and 75 percent of them have at least one car? Or that America allows us to express our views freely without fear of being put in jail, as is the case in Russia?

A lawyer, Michelle Obama is perfectly capable of expressing herself precisely. In fact, she spoke from a written speech.

Those who do not want to believe she meant what she said — and that Barack Obama could not be so close to Rev. Wright if he did not himself believe in much of what he has said — are in denial.

The real Barack Obama is starting to emerge, and for those of us who are grateful to America for everything it represents, it is not a pretty sight.

[EFerrari]

13. Thanks for posting right wing crap to DU. n/t

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. crap we need to know....this is what is coming and forewarned is forearmed

[EFerrari]

44. The is nothing to "know" about this smear. But good job spreading it. n/t

[Forkboy]

50. The concern is making me tear up.

:cry:

[ruggerson]

19. Did you object when the rightwing crap was anti Hillary?

:hi:

[Forkboy]

49. Did you object to the post by ElsewheresDaughter?

Maybe I'm missing it. Gotta be consistent dude..it's the bed you've made. :shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

37. You can cut and paste the whole fucking article against DU rules.......

but you couldn't include the link and keep the article at three or four paragraphs.

Thanks for breaking rules.....as this piece of crap was evidently so much worth it to you! :eyes:

[Scurrilous]

8. Nice try!

:hi:

[sabbat hunter]

10. simple

There are plenty of pictures taken before the one in question where he DOES have his hand over his heart during the pledge or national anthem. get those out there.

[FrenchieCat]

36. The pic is a frame from a video..........and in it, Obama is singing the National Anthem

Which is what folks do during the National Anthem...

About time to have the Flag Pin argument as well. I'm not sure how jewelry says anything other than I can buy that and pin it to my clothes!

[jmg257]

11. Question: when did it become expected to place your hand on your heart during the Anthem?

I thought that was only for the pledge?

[tishaLA]

41. I've always thought that too

and Sen Obama said, "My grandfather taught me to put my hand over my hear during the pledge and to sing during the national anthem."

I guess I was brought up to be unpatriotic.

[Qutzupalotl]

53. Clinton and Richardson were having heart attacks

at Obama's steep ascendancy.

[whatchamacallit]

12. Whatever, we've all seen how traitorous allegiance pledging, lapel pin wearing, "patriots" can be

If Obama doesn't get distracted by their ploy, and stays on message about lifting this country out of the shit-pit, people will see him as a patriot.

[cooolandrew]

16. The last thing the Republican party are is patriotic. We need to drum home the assaults on the ..

.. constitution. The document which is America. If folks are smart enough with you tube they can build up a vidoe dossier of how the GOP party is against America. then burn to cds and hand to right wingers under the guise of a free movie. It's one thing to swear alligence but another to shred that which is the concept of america.

[tularetom]

17. It's O-tay to shred the constitution into little bitty pieces

as long as you wear a chinese made flag lapel pin while you do it.

[TwilightGardener]

18. Once again, they take Michelle's quote out of the POLITICAL context she was speaking in, but

I fully expect they'll keep trying to turn Obama and Michelle into godless radical commies or Moose-limbs--with Hillbots' help. That's the way it goes. So far, no one's buying this bullshit.

[ruggerson]

25. And it didn't work with Kerry or Gore

oh, I'm sorry I forgot. We're now one country united.

[TwilightGardener]

27. Well, Hillary will be a godless commie too. Why worry about it?

[samdogmom]

20. I love my country and wouldn't choose to live anywhere else, but:

1. I, too, refuse to wear a flag pin, or display a flag on my house, OR EVEN buy "Flag" stamps from the post office! (To me, display of the flag has become synonymous with just another Republican empty gesture--kind of like the "support the troops" ribbons on the back of cars. Empty rhetoric!);
2. Refuse to put my hand over my heart when the national anthem is played (too regimented and not the least-bit heart-felt. It's a required reaction--not a genuine response!);
3. And, finally not at all REALLY proud of my country during the past decade (at a minimum). Come on--what has the Dubya cabal done that has made you proud?

So, I guess I'm not a patriot either.

[OzarkDem]

21. Hopefully before the Dem nominee is chosen

Obama hasn't really been vetted yet, has he?

[whatchamacallit]

22. Vetted for what, good fascism?

:eyes:

[OzarkDem]

26. Vetted for whatever the GOP will bring up

Unless you want McCain in the WH.

[whatchamacallit]

31. How is Hillary immune to this tact? Is she a de facto super patriot?

You need to stop doing the republicans work for them.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

32. The GOP!

:scared:

[earthlover]

47. So we let the Repukes choose our candidate? Not bloody likely....

[Orsino]

23. Sweet Jesus! The Right may question the Democratic candidate's patriotism!

It'd be awful if that happened. :eyes:

[Adelante]

29. It would be come as SUCH a surprise

:wow:

[michaz]

24. I am suppose to care about Obama's not putting his hand over his heart

during the Anthem? Oh please, and that makes him unpatriotic? And he doesn't wear a pin of the flag on his lapel? OMG! And Michelle is unpatriotic for making remarks and having them taken out of context? OMG! I really could care less about any one of the 3 of these things, because anyone with a brain and a little common sense knows that not one of these things determines a persons being patriotic or not. Give me a break!

[Eric J in MN]

28. "refusal to wear an American flag lapel" - what bunk

Obama wore one for a while, then stopped.

Does Nedra Pickler wear an American flag lapel? If not, then:

She's unpatriotic!!! Contact the House Unamerican Activities Committee.

(sarcasm)

[TwilightGardener]

35. Read the whole article--it's actually fair to Obama.

[earthlover]

48. Just for perspective...did HILLARY wear a flag pin in the last debate?

[beachmom]

30. As will ANY Democrat running. This is standard right wing fare, and, you know,

people need to stop being afraid about it, and start fighting back. This amounts to "the ways of Washington". Don't talk about the issues -- just call people traitors. I think a lot of people are SICK of this.

[dansolo]

33. Wearing the flag is a violation of the flag code

American flag lapel pins are a violation of the flag code. If someone attacks him for it, he should refer to the flag code, and point out that he is being respectful by NOT wearing the pin.

[gravity]

39. They have nothing against Obama

These attacks might work against Kerry or Gore, but Obama has the ability to turn the attacks around to his opponents like no one else in the democratic party.

[JimGinPA]

40. I Smell Desperation

:eyes:

[Emit]

42. Uh-Oh. Wonder if the DLC will try to come to Obama's rescue?

They may have to back track a bit: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4692970&mesg_id=4692970

Frankly, I find this patriotism argument all hogwash, and am disgusted that both the Repukes and DLC use this in their arsenal

[otohara]

43. Flag Pins - Is This A New Unwritten Law

that all men serving in public service must wear one of those pins made in China? Women don't wear them, are they all unpatriotic?

[backscatter712]

45. Time for the black belt in verbal judo to show how it's done.

I think that's one of Obama's big strengths - he knows exactly how to deal with the Republican and the Clinton shit-slinging machines and come out smelling like a rose.

[gristy]

46. Bring 'em on. Let the RW machine go ahead and just try to pick that fight

I have full confidence that Obama will win that one.

[cottonseed]

51. They'll try it. But will it work?

Our Americans are learning. I think these types of things will be easily cast aside.

[DemGa]

52. Oh my, these attacks could make Barack Obama "polarizing"

You know, there would just be this "history there."

What a shame. :rofl:

[Mooney]

54. They're going to do this anyway

no matter who the nominee is.

[NastyRiffraff]

56. He's patriotic enough :)

BTW, I couldn't give a shit less whether he wears a flag lapel pin or puts his hand over his heart. Those flag pins are getting to be like wearing a logo.

[jackson_dem]

57. It worked for them in 1988 against Dukakis (son of Greek immigrants)

They will definitely try it against Obama and it ties into the whole Muslim meme they are circulating. Speaking of Dukakis, Obama has his own Willie Horton who was an unpatriotic terrorist. Karl Rove couldn't even script William Ayrers!