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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: Dos Equis on October 05, 2007, 03:36:10 PM
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Barack Obama Stops Wearing American Flag Lapel Pin
Thursday, October 04, 2007
WATERLOO, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Asked about it Wednesday in an interview with KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Illinois senator said he stopped wearing the pin shortly after the attacks and instead hoped to show his patriotism by explaining his ideas to citizens.
"The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin," Obama said. "Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.
"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."
On Thursday, his campaign issued a statement: "We all revere the flag, but Senator Obama believes that being a patriot is about more than a symbol. It's about fighting for our veterans when they get home and speaking honestly with the American people about this disastrous war."
Obama was campaigning in Iowa Thursday, the second day of a four-day trip to the early voting state.
At one stop, he called for new restrictions on deployment of National Guard and Reserve troops along with an expansion of benefits for them and their families.
"I will not be a president who extends tours for our Guard units overseas while Americans are stranded on rooftops right here at home," Obama said.
He said he would require "a period of rest and standard of readiness" before troops could be redeployed. He called for the head of the National Guard to be elevated to four-star rank and given a seat among the Joint Chiefs of Staff to reflect the heavy reliance on Guard soldiers and reservists during the Iraq war.
Since 2001, Obama said, more than 580,000 reservists have been activated, a level not seen since World War II.
In making his case, Obama pointed to an Iowa unit in which members learned from family and friends back home that their deployment had been extended. That unit — the 1st Battalion of the 133rd Infantry — recently returned after a 22-month deployment in Iraq.
"When we've got service members who have to find out that their tour has been extended in a phone call home, we're not keeping that trust and we're not keeping this country safe," Obama said.
He also called for increased mental health services, including screening and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. He said nearly half of the National Guard troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from psychological problems, yet little emphasis is put on treating those disorders.
"We're not providing adequate treatment, screening and benefits," said Obama. "We need more mental health professionals and more training to recognize the signs."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299439,00.html
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Candidates Have Their Say on Obama's Decision Not to Wear Flag Pin
Saturday, October 06, 2007
By Melissa Underwood
Barack Obama
Barack Obama may choose not to wear an American flag pin on his lapel, but many of the presidential contender's political rivals say they wouldn't leave home without one.
VIDEO: Barack Obama Decides Not to Continue Wearing a Flag Pin on His Lapel
Democratic frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton told FOXNews.com Thursday night that she sometimes wears a pin to show her patriotism. “Wearing a flag pin, flying the flag, pledging allegiance to the flag, talking about the values that are important to America, teaching your children about what a great nation you have, standing up for those values, speaking out … there’s just so many ways that one can demonstrate patriotism,” Clinton said at a Chicago fundraiser.
A spokesman for Joe Biden told FOXNews.com that the Delaware senator usually wears a flag pin. It wasn't clear whether Dennis Kucinich wears a pin, but a spokeswoman told FOXNews.com that the Ohio congressman does "does carry a mini copy of the Constitution in his pocket."
John Edwards, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson didn't return calls for comment.
Republican hopeful John McCain said he doesn’t wear a flag pin on a daily basis. Brooke Buchanan, a spokeswoman for the Arizona senator, said “his record of service to his country shows his dedication.”
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo said he wears a flag pin to show he’s proud to be an American and dismissed Obama’s decision. A representative for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said he always sported the pin when he was governor.
A spokesman for Sam Brownback said he wasn't sure how often the Kansas senator wears a flag pin. "It might be on some of his jackets — just there," ready for the wearing, said John Rankin. He said he didn't know if the Brownback had a set policy on wearing Old Glory as an accessory.
Brownback apparently doesn't wear one all the time. On the cover of his 2007 book, "From Power to Purpose," displayed on his campaign Web site, his lapel does not show a flag.
California Rep. Duncan Hunter "is proud to wear an American flag pin as much as possible and on any occasion," said spokesman Gary Becks.
Other Republican contenders Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul didn't respond to calls.
Wearing an American flag lapel pin is seen as a tradition on the campaign trail. Obama said Thursday that he stopped wearing one shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, telling reporters at a campaign stop in Iowa that “I probably haven’t worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while, I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic....
"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart," Obama said. "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."
Clinton wouldn’t comment on Obama’s decision not to wear the pin.
“You’ll have to ask him,” she said.
Hunter wouldn't comment on Obama's decision and said he will let the senator speak for himself, his spokesman said in an e-mail. "Though there are several different ways to demonstrate your patriotism and love for our country, the flag has always represented the very best of America and it continues to serve as a great tribute to, and reminder of, the men and women who are fighting for our nation."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299578,00.html
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In that case, I'll stop standing for the national anthem....you know it's all in the heart ::)
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I'll paraphrase what he said....
"No one's talking about me....Hillary has this thing locked up. I need to be back in the news! If a news article can mix Democrat and not wearing American flag, my name will be everywhere again"
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good for him. Like all those assclowns wearing flag pins on Fox news when there is obviously not an ounce of true patriotism in the lot of em. You're not a patriot because you stick some flag pin on or buy two plastic made in China flags to fly from your SUV. I won't even touch the gomers who weld double 5 footers from their trucks ::) Of course they must be several times the patriot of others... Obama or anyone else isn't any less patriotic for not wearing one. "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying the cross"--Sinclair Lewis That about sums up things since 9/11
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Tribalism.
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Who knew that patriotism was defined by a pin... amazing.
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Tribalism.
So you agree with him choosing not to follow some retarded wear the flag pin mandate or is that just your word of the week :D
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I don't think wearing a flag pin is any sort of test of patriotism. I've been wearing one every day since 911. I'll continue to wear it so long as we are at war. Doesn't make me any more of a patriot than the majority of people who don't wear one. It's symbolism, not some sort of test. Like the "battle bracelets" my buddy makes. It's made out of TA50 (cord used in military equipment). I wore it for about a year while one of my friends was at war. It's like the flag I keep on my desk in my office. Like the flags two of my neighbors fly outside of their houses. The "pray for our troops" ribbon symbols many of us keep on our cars.
But regarding Obama, the thing that is starting to bother me about him is his judgment. This is a dumb decision on his part. Will just alienate a lot of people. He needs all the votes he can get.
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So you agree with him choosing not to follow some retarded wear the flag pin mandate or is that just your word of the week :D
Word of a Lifetime....
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You yanks take this fucking flag thing to the extreme it's pathetic...and like George Carlin said once... I leave flags to the symbol minded
(http://www.goddudes.com/1.gif)
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You yanks take this fucking flag thing to the extreme it's pathetic...and like George Carlin said once... I leave flags to the symbol minded
(http://www.goddudes.com/1.gif)
Freiheitttttttttt und Einigkeitttttttttttttttt tttt...............laada dadadaaaaaaaaadaaaaaaaad allllllllllaaaaaaaaa....
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Barack Obama Stops Wearing American Flag Lapel Pin
Thursday, October 04, 2007
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299439,00.html
Typical Faux Noise. Nearly 4,000 dead American GI's, 50,000 severely injured and disfigured and we're talking about a LAPEL PIN ?
MORON.
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Word of a Lifetime....
It's not that good of a word. Tribal hardly seems a step up from what we're doing now.
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According to Hannity this is the sin of a lifetime.
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Typical Faux Noise. Nearly 4,000 dead American GI's, 50,000 severely injured and disfigured and we're talking about a LAPEL PIN ?
MORON.
He sure is. Look at all of the bad press and criticism from his own party members. Dumb decision.