The other day, I heard that somebody had questioned Obama about his wearing of the American flag pin in the Pennsylvania debates. I thought this was pretty interesting, because we were talking about the American flag and patriotism a couple of weeks ago. I remember reading in Hayakawa (way back in the summer) that the first George Bush had visited a flag factory to show his patriotism. Here's part of the transcript of the debate:
NASH MCCABE (Latrobe, Pennsylvania): (From videotape.) Senator Obama, I have a question, and I want to know if you believe in the American flag. I am not questioning your patriotism, but all our servicemen, policemen and EMS wear the
flag. I want to know why you don't.
MR. GIBSON: Just to add to that, I noticed you put one on yesterday. But -- you've talked about this before, but it comes up again and again when we talk to voters. And as you may know, it is all over the Internet. And it's something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain's advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you're the candidate in November. How do you convince Democrats that this would not be a vulnerability?
SENATOR OBAMA: Well, look, I revere the American flag, and I would not be running for president if I did not revere this country. This is -- I would not be standing here if it wasn't for this country. And I've said this -- again, there's no other country in which my story is even possible; somebody who was born to a teenage mom, raised by a single mother and grandparents from small towns in Kansas, you know, who was able to get an education and rise to the point where I can run for the highest office in the land. I could not help but love this country for all that it's given me....And let me just make one last point on this issue of the flag pin. As you noted, I wore one yesterday when a veteran handed it to me, who himself was disabled and works on behalf of disabled veterans. I have never said that I don't wear flag pins or refuse to wear flag pins.
Obviously, just because someone doesn't wear a flag pin does not mean that she/he is unpatriotic. The reverse is also true - wearing a flag pin or a flag T-shirt does not automatically make you patriotic. I just thought this little tidbit was interesting - it's funny that voters are getting hung up on little details instead of focusing on the real issues. Also, reading through this part of the debate, I noticed that Obama referenced the American Dream. He talked about how he was born to a teenage mom and raised in small towns, yet he is now running for the "highest office in the land." I think part of the reason he said this was to show that he is patriotic and grateful to live in America, and also to appeal to middle/lower-class Americans who want to believe in hope and change.
I don't know why some people are making such a big deal about wearing the American pin. Somehow I doubt that they wear flag pins themselves. Lastly, looking back to the first statement, the person who asked Obama the question said, "I want to know if you believe in the American flag." How can you "believe" in a material object like the flag? What do you guys think?
2 comments:
Hmmm...this is definitely an interesting question. I don't think that there is, or will be, any argument on this topic since we discussed it at length and we all seemed to come to the conclusion that the flag is not an indicator of an individual's patriotism. Donna brought up the argument that there is no inherent difference between American-flag undergarments (...for lack of a better word) or beach towels and the "real thing" that we would see in a classroom. For this reason, I would not personally wear an American flag pin to show my love for America. However, seeing as how much of the American population seems to be tied up in the belief that the American flag represents all things good, just, and yadda yadda yadda, it is definitely a poor choice for Obama to NOT wear it.
On another note, I don't think that he came close, or had any intention of, actually answering the question asked.
I saw this on television too and thought the same thing. It's such a small thing to get wrapped up in. It doesn't make any sense. I don't think I've ever noticed any politician wearing an American flag pin. It's just another example of how people mistake the symbol for what it represents. Just because Barack Obama, or any other person, does not wear an American flag pin all the time does not mean he does not love or respect his country.
You can't believe in the American flag, it is a piece of cloth. You can only believe in the idea it represents.
And, Ian, politicians never answer the questions they are asked.
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