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A Flag Pin? Come on!
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Posted By:
LiberalNationalist at 07/15/2008 11:06:52 PM
Comment:
If you have it on, you can move on to other issues. If you have it off, some lady from Des Moines wonders why. We need that lady to wonder about more important things. -
Posted By:
pathways at 06/03/2008 8:46:46 AM
Comment:
Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton's Candidacies have made a monumental contribution to balancing the scales in America. This balancing begins first with the expansion of mental possibilities. All over America, parents are telling their children, with legitimacy, "you know someday, if you work hard and do good you could become President, even though you are neither white, rich or male.
Perhaps he will be elected in November, perhaps not. The nomination itself is not yet secure. We have begun the examination of Mr. Obama, unwrapping the present, so to speak. Some things I've seen are tolerable, Some are not. I did not like the way he handled the "Wright controversy". He could have answered on the basis of constitutional principle, instead he chose rhetoric and emotion. I thought the gas thing was the truth, but some relief is better than none and for the people on the bottom, no one feels their pain, they just bleed and die. His resignation from the Church is "foolish". This is a substantive act that says 'he can't stand the heat" and the center of the man is vacuous or empty. I still have no idea where "change" is going to take America. Do we change into the Democracy we have always promoted or do we continue the lie about Democracy while we operate as a Republic where soveriegn power is transferred from the people to a political party? The chickens will come home to roost. I wait for the summer of 08. -
Posted By:
elizfo38 at 05/27/2008 11:20:26 PM
Comment:
You are so right! I understand but was disappointed when Barack chose to give in to the phony patriots, most of whom are cowards! We don't want him to give in to them, we want him to stand up to them. Black people have fought and died for this country and don't have to prove anything to anybody. We don't need a pin, we have given our blood. For years, Barack worked to help working people. How much more patriotic can he be?
Elizabeth -
Posted By:
knowalot at 05/26/2008 4:00:54 PM
Comment:
You have expertly expressed my sentiments exactly.
How can we be assured that Senator Obama gets a copy of your article? Not his handlers, HIM? -
Posted By:
rdineldo at 05/25/2008 1:29:15 AM
Comment:
More than likely what happened is one of his advisors looked at the intellectual shallowness of the critcism over him not wearing the pin and told him, "B. just wear the damned pin and get them off their high horse. We got bigger fish to fry." I agree. -
Posted By:
onewhiteman at 05/24/2008 4:07:56 PM
Comment:
I just heard Bam-Bam on television and he told the Cubans in Florida that as soon as he was elected president of the U.S. he would immediately open talks with Cuba and allow flights to and from Cuba so those people could visit the U.S. and those here could go there! Well, we know that those here won't go there as they will probably be shot so that means that they will come here. Last time I checked, we had a border problem that is growing every day and not many congressmen have the back bone to do aything about it so how will this help? Obama is just trying to do whatever he can to get the Latin vote and be elected. What he should be doing is thinking about this country and our people and our jobs, "first" then he can could talk about others. We need a politician who is concerned about these United States and then other countries next. -
Posted By:
ANEWDAY at 05/23/2008 2:34:42 PM
Comment:
A FLAG PIN!! A FLAG PIN!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME .People please wake up! Mole hill to into a Mountain to the fullest extent remember, we have the freedom of exspression presidential candidate or not. I agree that if you started something you should finish it. If his stance was not to wear it don't! that's your right, (motive reasonable) and to give it up to please the cynics and nonconstiteunts puts him (MORE) on the defense of the proof game. Where as a stong stance in his position, now is the best offense.HUNG on the cross because of a flag pen UMPH that's scary America .When do the hurddles stop for black people.I don' think the flag pin is all we are afraid of ,trust ,chance and support. -
Posted By:
reuben970 at 05/23/2008 10:35:16 AM
Comment:
I agree with the premise of this piece. Perhaps what Obama realizes is that this is indeed a country in which drinking the Kool Aid (in this case, overt symbols) is proof positive of one's ginuwine-ness... And, of course, black people have to REALLY prove their loyalty. He may well be a suck-up. He is, however, a better man than I. I would have told all these racist-greedy, war and/or oil-mongering Amuricans to....... -
Posted By:
Roots2U at 05/23/2008 1:51:06 AM
Comment:
I agree that Obama has been licking up a whole lot lately. He'sd licking up, try'n to be the worst f##k up that the White House has ever seen! Ha ha ha . Only a fool would beleive him now about anything. Obama wouldn't know the truth if it were to slap him in the mouth. And he is also a "bad liar" all thumbs down for Barack....... -
Posted By:
Roots2U at 05/23/2008 1:41:56 AM
Comment:
I agree that Obama is sucking up alot lately. That's who he really is! A suck
up, who wants to be the worse Fu##k up that the White House has ever see! -
Posted By:
kdeke at 05/22/2008 4:00:48 PM
Comment:
So beautifully written and so well said. I hope someone has a very close "in" to the Obama campaign and can get a copy of this into his hands for some bedtime reading. Ms. Valburn has hit every point on this subject and he needs to hear her thoughts. Thank you for speaking on behalf of many, many of us. -
Posted By:
sayitloud at 05/22/2008 3:43:06 PM
Comment:
I remember something a wise preacher once said: sometimes the engine has to back up in order to "hook up" with the rest of the train to get it going. Barack had to do a "back up" in order to get some folk on the train. Sometimes someone running for a position such as president has to do things that are mre symbolic than substantive. Barack will be all right. -
Posted By:
ksilvers at 05/22/2008 1:50:14 PM
Comment:
This whole flag thing is people perceptions. If Obama were it he a good American if he dose not well he is not. I'm a Vet and this is a bunch of bull. I also voted for Hillary. I'm tired of people claming to be patriots on stupid childest things. You want to be a patriot then volinteer do something for this nation not just for yourself. -
Posted By:
ksilvers at 05/22/2008 1:45:11 PM
Comment:
It is sad that people believe that you are a patriot if you where a pin made in China. It is just dumb. On the other hand Hagee said" God used Hitler as his hunter to hut down the Jews." -
Posted By:
baseball_oracle at 05/22/2008 12:44:39 PM
Comment:
amen -
Posted By:
LaDonnarenee at 05/21/2008 8:25:59 PM
Comment:
Well written Marjorie Valbrun!!! I agree with everything that you detailed. If only we could communicate this to him directly. -
Posted By:
tstsjs at 05/20/2008 8:23:33 PM
Comment:
Obama's wearing of the flag is just more manipulation of the masses. Obama cn seem to do no wrong. Has anyone heard of the Teflon Don? This man is quite luke warm an as non-substantive as can be.
I am an African American male and a Hillary Clinton supporter. I will ABSTAIN from voting in the general election for a candidate that I cannot believe in.
Barack is no more than a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor 13:1) "Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels, and not have charity, I am become as sounding brass or clanging cymbals". All of his eloquent non-substantive speeches have been no more than un-orchestrated noise. Anything resembling a plan have been Hillary Clinton???s plans and programs re-mixed.
He speaks crafty, lying words. Millions who will hang on his persuasive rhetoric will hear his speeches. The content as well as the form of his speech will attract. Like most false prophets, he will even be sincere and passionate. But he is a liar. He adds dashes of truth to the mix, so that his lie tastes like truth. He will use all the right catchwords, using the language of the church, even throwing in a Bible text or two. But he is the ultimate Liar, and will deceive many. He will use every tool available: school teachers, politicians, news broadcasters, artists, musicians, scientists and doctors, lawyers and businessmen. All will be pressed into the service of Antichrist to deceive men. But especially he will use those whose calling it is to persuade and to teach -- men who claim to be preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Does the latter sound like anyone that we know? It is one description of the ANTICHRIST.
I cannot, in clear conscience give my stamp of approval to someone, who has come from out of nowhere, saying absolutely nothing and possessing such power of persuasion.
I have heard Obama described as being annointed. Annointed by what or whom? Have we forgotten that Satan also annoints?
I respectfully ABSTAIN.
-
Posted By:
tstsjs at 05/20/2008 8:23:18 PM
Comment:
Obama's wearing of the flag is just more manipulation of the masses. Obama cn seem to do no wrong. Has anyone heard of the Teflon Don? This man is quite luke warm an as non-substantive as can be.
I am an African American male and a Hillary Clinton supporter. I will ABSTAIN from voting in the general election for a candidate that I cannot believe in.
Barack is no more than a clanging cymbal. (1 Cor 13:1) "Though I speak with tongues of men and of angels, and not have charity, I am become as sounding brass or clanging cymbals". All of his eloquent non-substantive speeches have been no more than un-orchestrated noise. Anything resembling a plan have been Hillary Clinton???s plans and programs re-mixed.
He speaks crafty, lying words. Millions who will hang on his persuasive rhetoric will hear his speeches. The content as well as the form of his speech will attract. Like most false prophets, he will even be sincere and passionate. But he is a liar. He adds dashes of truth to the mix, so that his lie tastes like truth. He will use all the right catchwords, using the language of the church, even throwing in a Bible text or two. But he is the ultimate Liar, and will deceive many. He will use every tool available: school teachers, politicians, news broadcasters, artists, musicians, scientists and doctors, lawyers and businessmen. All will be pressed into the service of Antichrist to deceive men. But especially he will use those whose calling it is to persuade and to teach -- men who claim to be preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Does the latter sound like anyone that we know? It is one description of the ANTICHRIST.
I cannot, in clear conscience give my stamp of approval to someone, who has come from out of nowhere, saying absolutely nothing and possessing such power of persuasion.
I have heard Obama described as being annointed. Annointed by what or whom? Have we forgotten that Satan also annoints?
I respectfully ABSTAIN.
-
Posted By:
thevegasstyleguy at 05/19/2008 4:36:37 PM
Comment:
I JUST CAME BACK FROM OUR STATE CONVENTION AND I WILL TELL YOU I WAS CALLED ACTUAL NAMES BY OBAMA SUPPORTERS BECAUSE I AM A BLACK MAN AND A HILLARY SUPPORTER. IT WAS CHILDISH AND REALLY UPSET ME AND THE WHITE HILLARY PEOPLE AROUND ME. IT ACTUALLY HELPED ME GET ELECTED AS A DELEGATE TO OUR NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DENVER. THEY MADE ME PROMISE I WOULD NOT COMPROMISE WITH THE OBAMA FOLKS BECAUSE ALL WEEKEND LONG WE WERE TAUNTED AND CALLED NAMES BY BLACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS. IT WAS SHAMEFUL. NOT ONE PERSON GAVE ME A REASON OTHER THAN RACE TO VOTE FOR OBAMA. NO WHITE OBAMA SUPPORTER SAID A SINGLE NEGATIVE THING TO MYSELF R ANY OF OUR GROUP.
I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING, I LISTENED FOR TWO DAYS TO WHAT HILLARYS SUPPROTERS HAD TO SAY. THE WRIGHT THING IS IMPORTANT. THE MICHELLE COMMENTS REALLY CHEESED THEM OFF. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE HIS WHITE FAMILY IS. THE NOT WEARING THEN WEARING THE FLAG PIN MAKES THEM REALLY GO OVER THE EDGE. HE'S GOT PROBLEMS IN NOVEMBER. IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS SUPPORTERS TO TONE IT DOWN THEY HILLAY PEOPLE MADE IT CLEAR THEY SEE NO REASON TO SUPPORT HIM BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE THEYVE BEEN INSULTED. BTW. ALOT OF WHITE PEOPLE SHOP AT WALMART AND REALLY GET MAD AT HIS SLAMS ON HILLARY FOR BEING ON THE WAL MART BOARD. THEY DN'T THINK HE'S EVER HAD TO SAVE ON TOILET PAPER.
THESE THINGS MAY SEEM TRIVIAL BUT I WAS INSIDE THE WHITE WORLD FOR AWHILE AND THEY FELT FREE TO TALK IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THEY HONESTLY ARE NOT RACIST. THEY HAVE CONCERNS THAT OBAMA MOCKS THEM FOR. I PERSONALLY FEEL HE BETTER START RESPECTING THESE PEOPLE OR HE'S GOING TO BE SITTING NEXT TO JOHN KERRY ON THE LOSER STAND. -
Posted By:
coolrepublica at 05/19/2008 3:29:15 AM
Comment:
Ok As a black person I found that part of the piece which mentioned how to connect with people who don't support him by talking about their fear of a black man offensive . This idea that only racists could possibly not LOVE Obama is ridiculous and getting more so by each utterance. Why is it that anyone who votes for HIllary or McCain are not voting for them because they like their policies better, but only because they are too stupid or too racist not see how wonderful Obama is.
Similar things have been said about the black population who have voted for Obama 9 to 1. Now if that is not suspicious I don't know what is? I'm to believe that 9 out of every 10 blacks heard Obama and thought that his plan was the best for America? And White have voted for Hillary in a more proportionate manner. But everyone want to keep insisting that whites are the racist and blacks who vote for Obama because he's black are not.
That is how elections are lost. And I got a feeling that this kind of attitude is not going to win Obama this one either. -
Posted By:
coolrepublica at 05/19/2008 3:18:39 AM
Comment:
Ok As a black person I found that part of the piece which mentioned how to connect with people who don't support him by talking about their fear of a black man offensive . This idea that only racists could possibly not LOVE Obama is ridiculous and getting more so by each utterance. Why is it that anyone who votes for HIllary or McCain are not voting for them because they like their policies better, but only because they are too stupid or too racist not see how wonderful Obama is.
That is how elections are lost. And I got a feeling that this kind of attitude is not going to win Obama this one either. -
Posted By:
Blue Stater at 05/18/2008 9:46:33 PM
Comment:
Yeah, I was unhappy when I saw Barack wearing the pin. But I think he has to reach out to the fearful and ignorant people -- and our country has a great many of these after 40 years of starving our educational system -- who think wearing a flag pin is a mark of patriotism. So I reluctantly applaud him for doing so. I think he has legitimized change in himself as well as in the country -- he won't be, I think, a politician who never changes any position because to do so would be to admit weakness. The ability to rise above that is one of Obama's great strengths, and I think that on the flag pin business his supporters have to let him invoke that strength. -
Posted By:
SimiMiller at 05/18/2008 4:22:57 PM
Comment:
If Obama farted and it didn't smell "right," you fools would still find something else (of insignificance) to disagree about him on. But hey, what is to be expected from "patriotic Americans" like YOU. America is great, though! This sentiment is evidenced everyday in each our right and "capability" of expressing over preferences for flag pins, presidents, and, uuuuuh, different skin colors.
Keep it up people. Yours is the exact reason why we need better and more advanced education in our country. NOT because you may disagree about Obama or others, but simply that the reasons "logically concluded" upon by the likes of like-minded persons like you can even deduce to such conclusions based on your "brand" of "logic." -
Posted By:
satalight2 at 05/18/2008 3:54:25 PM
Comment:
Interested Party 05/18
I echo your sentiments Marjorie--no amount of wearing a flag pin will make bigots vote for Obama. He should continue to be what he is and not be dictated or be reshaped by what "journalist"--Lord knows it goes against the grain to call them that--say. I think that journalists should lead by saying something of substance rather than the inane panderings they now do. -
Posted By:
wanakee at 05/18/2008 3:49:56 PM
Comment:
Obama isn't pandering. He wears flag pins from time to time, always. Veterans have asked him to wear it, and even gave it to him to wear, why not! Obmaa is the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. He is the candidate of change. He listens to his supporters. A group of people who fought for this country asked their candidate to wear this pin, and he complied. I think it's absolutely wonderful! God bless America! I'm buying a flag pole as soon as he's elected! -
Posted By:
bigbill at 05/18/2008 3:34:51 PM
Comment:
"Voluntary American"? You mean "immigrant"? Honey, with the free housing,free medical and free education you want Obama to give you "voluntary Americans" I can assure you that there are 5 billion other "voluntary Americans" all over hte world who want to "work hard" (and drive down wages) just to get their hands on all that loot.
I would advise all you "voluntary Amerians" to go back to being "voluntary Haitians" and "voluntary Mexicans" and "voluntary Chinese" instead of turning gutless, abandoning your race, your tribe, your nation, abandoning your native land and running off to America to live with the white folks where the livin' is easy. Show some courage and commitment to your own people and your own land, instead of coming up here and harvesting affirmative action.
If you want to "volunteer", why don't you volunteer for your own people rather than turning tail and running up here. Was it because black folks in America are ten times as rich, perhaps? Was it because black folks in America don't abuse, exploit and kill their neighbors the way Haitians do to each other? Was it to get away from "restavek" -- black-on-black Haitian slavery -- that you came up here?
Honey, Haiti needs smart folks. Rather than run off to live the good life off of American white folks' affirmative action, you need to go home to your own people and make Haiti better.-
Posted By:
thevegasstyleguy at 05/19/2008 4:40:58 PM
Comment:
OMG! I WAS JUST SAYING TO A FRIEND WHO HIRES ILLEGALS AT HIS RESTAURANT THAT THEY ARE COWARDS AND TRAITORS FOR LEAVING THEIR COUNTRY INSTEAD OF STAYING AND FIGHTING FOR CHANGE. AS BAD AS THINGS WERE YOU NEVER SAW ANY LARGE NUMBERS OF BLACK PEOPLE LEAVE THIS COUNTRY. WE STAYED AND FOUGHT.
-
-
Posted By:
Vic at 05/18/2008 2:15:14 PM
Comment:
He's wearing it because a PA veteran gave it to him.
From Time, quoting Obama: ""After a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. Not voting to provide veterans with resources that they need. Not voting to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time," he told a crowd 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." ..."Obama went pin-less for the better part of six months until April 15, when a veteran in a town hall meeting outside of Pittsburgh handed him a pin and asked him to wear it, which Obama did for the rest of that day." -
Posted By:
cminmd at 05/18/2008 9:45:47 AM
Comment:
Marjorie- another self rightous , self congratulating triviality obsessed pundit!
Journalists have spent the last 3 months slamming Obama for not wearing a pin on his lapel (never once pointing out that McCain doesn't wear one!) and turning this piddly little subject into a national referundum on his patriotism. Hey Marjorie- when was the last time YOU wore a lapel pin? Are you a pinko!
Now you are criticising him for trying to close the issue by putting one on? Maybe he thinks that the one brain celled ameobas in the press core cant think of anything other than not seeing the shiny pin so in order to change the subject to something important like the failing dollar, mortgage crisis, rising food and gas prices, health care, debacle in Iraq or 4,000 American deaths he should put on the pin so we can get back to dealing with the nations business! -
Posted By:
SilenceISGolden at 05/18/2008 6:39:45 AM
Comment:
Tired subject. Have you listened to any of Obama's speeches about red and blue states since the Dem. conv? He's been a patriot since the beginning
Who cares about this subject anyway.... besides journalist and WV. Looks like you are still trying to stay on the good side of the Clintons with Tavis and the former prez of the NAACP.
Ron Paul\Clinton '08 -
Posted By:
insomniakv at 05/18/2008 6:36:28 AM
Comment:
"obama will sound the death knell for our people"
You are off your rocker.
As an Obama volunteer, and admitted kool-aid drinker, I'm glad he's wearing the pin. I've made dozens of phone calls to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and now Kentucky. And unfortunately of the roughly 75% of the people who don't support Obama but are still willing to talk to me, at least half bring up the flag pin. I gently explain Obama's stated position, that he wore the pin after 9/11 but found that often the people wearing it were at the same time doing rather unpatriotic things and passing unpatriotic legislation. To him the flag pin had become an empty symbol. He decided to display his patriotism in his own way, by passing good laws, celebrating the triumphs of America, and by making this country a better place. Often the response to my explanation was "Well if he loves America, why doesn't he wear the pin?"
If him wearing the pin lets me answer that question with, "He does wear the pin, he just doesn't want it to be the only symbol of his patriotism," then I will be a happy camper. -
Posted By:
ookama343 at 05/18/2008 5:56:11 AM
Comment:
Posted By:
drman321 at 05/18/2008 12:57:37 AM
Comment:
This annoys me because the Flag Code specifically says the flag is not to be worn in any way shape or form, until now Obama was the only candidate who had respect for our flag oh well looks like its just another group of jackasses this year
FYI: this is what part j) of respect for flag reads:
"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#176
i could care less... obama is a hypocrite anyway, just pandering
i am by no means a bush supporter, but even i know that he was chiding president carter for meeting w/ hamas moreso than mr. self-absorbed
obama will sound the death knell for our people -
Posted By:
sperninx at 05/18/2008 3:18:29 AM
Comment:
Guys, it is Memorial day coming up. Did you ever think of that? This is the time of year to wear your U.S. colors. Do you mean to say that if somebody gave you a flag pin this time of year you would not wear it to work because you never wore one the rest of the year? You forget, he is still an American just like us. He can choose to wear or not wear what he wants. Flag code?! Anybody that knows a flag code is probably annoyed by a great deal of things. Go outside and get some air drman321 Give the guy a break. -
Posted By:
drman321 at 05/18/2008 12:57:37 AM
Comment:
This annoys me because the Flag Code specifically says the flag is not to be worn in any way shape or form, until now Obama was the only candidate who had respect for our flag oh well looks like its just another group of jackasses this year -
Posted By:
lilyhousser at 05/17/2008 9:58:49 PM
Comment:
Barack Obama recently said, in response to a question regarding his flag-pin wearing days: "Sometimes I wear a tie, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I wear a flag pin, sometimes I don't." I think everyone's making so very much adieu about absolutely nothing. Why is it that we just cannot accept the man at his casual word about the wearing of a damn pin? Whether he wears one or not, it's not going to affect the price of gas, it's not going to end the war, it's not going to improve the nation's schools, it's not going to improve the economy, it's not going to make out students score better on standardized tests, and it's not going to stop foreclosures on homes. Sometimes the man wears one, and sometimes he does not. If a flag pin is all that the majority of you at Root can complain about, I think you all are living a charmed life. -
Posted By:
myskylark at 05/17/2008 8:15:02 PM
Comment:
Wy are you surprised? Surely you didn't fall for that juk about "new kind of politics" by Obama the Pure.
Barack Obama is a silver-tongued, old fashioned Chicago pol who played around with any power broker and financial backer who could do him any good. He gave and got favors, but his supporters prefer to take him on faith alone - faith that he is the Anointed One.
It's not surprising that he is now wearing a lapel pin flag. He thinks it will help him win votes. If he thought it would help him win votes ne would campaign in a tutu.
That's what politicians do, and I hate to disillusion you, but Obama is just another politician.
I hope your hangover isn't too bad when you come to. On the other hand, you deserve th hangover because you and your ilk will cost this nation dearly when John McCain becomes the next president. -
Posted By:
PoliticallyAware1 at 05/17/2008 7:33:36 PM
Comment:
If you are shallow enough to have wearing a lapel pin a serious topic of discussion with the hell the breaking out around us, you need to take it back to school ... I'd suggest starting with High School and working your way up!
Bush proudly displays a pin while destroying everything that was my America. If ANYONE had scrutinize Bush the way Obama has been scrutinized, maybe we wouldn't be as screwed as we are! -
Posted By:
jian1312 at 05/17/2008 6:34:39 PM
Comment:
I have to admit that I also noticed this slight change of behavior, or, should I call it adapting? But the way I see it, he's got to be practical and picks his battles, which he did. Since there are indeed some voters out there who, instead of judging a candidate's patriotism by his position, judges that by simpler things like flag pin wearing or the mere TALKING of patriotism, I don't see the harm of doing these symbolic gestures to 'appease' them.
Let's face it, wearing a flag pin does NOT actually mean the wearer is not a true patriot, wearing flag pin but dodging military duty (as the VP did) is!!! So I think these gestures are precisely what they are, gestures; and if people of simpler mind find the gestures comforting, let them! But I don't see any reason to accuse Obama of 'giving in' or of being a hypocrite for trying to reach out to people who may not be as well-educated or sophisticated as some of us are. There are more important issues we need to focus our attention on; and whether a candidate wears flag pin is not one of them, in my humble opinion that is. -
Posted By:
psyberian at 05/17/2008 5:46:32 PM
Comment:
TriciaNC: "Byron York was..."
BYRON YORK?! BYRON YORK?! AAAAAAAaaaaahhhaahaahaahaahaahaa!!!
Sorry.-
Posted By:
myskylark at 05/17/2008 8:19:50 PM
Comment:
I didn't notice you being so understanding of Hillary Clinton when it came to doing what politicians have to do to get elected. Please don't give any lectures about racial cards, because those charges are blatantly untrue. The Obama campaign and the politicians and pundits ded a great job of falsely accusing the Clinton's of race baiting and in that respect it was they themselves who injected race into this campaign. It's one of the res=asons I am having great difficulty in believeing I should vote for Obama against McCaion.
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Posted By:
Hughm88 at 05/17/2008 5:39:28 PM
Comment:
Well maybe, just maybe, the media will stop with this authentic Obama nonsense. "Oh, he's so brave saying no the gas tax holiday" bla bla bla. So Obama is wearing the flag pin and talking the patriotic talk. Guess what, he's a politician! Remember, he hasn't done anything in his life, yet. No job, no business, no risks, no experience, nada! "well, he's got good judgment and...". B.S. He's a gifted pol first and foremost folks. BTW, how many economists can Obama name that back that awful Farm Bill he so fully supports? NONE! And how does he justify the Farm Bill? By taking the principled high of discussion? No, by bashing John McCain who, like all economists and the NYTimes, bravely opposes it. ???by opposing the bill, President Bush and John McCain are saying no to American farmers and ranchers, no to energy independence, no to the environment and no to millions of hungry people???. -
Posted By:
andrelee at 05/17/2008 5:33:54 PM
Comment:
I must have missed the part of this piece that actually criticises OB because if the take away is Obama's waffling and pandering on a wearing a flag pin is ok, but the gas tax holiday paid for by oil companies that would actually help poor folks, if anybody, is just a political gimmic and not taking money from lobbyists is cool, tho' not exceptional nor admirable because it is a federal crime to do so, but taking it from ex-lobbyist pooling money from their ex-firms is ok, then of course something as non-spinnable as the reality that his miserable failure,despite all of his praised words, to connect with, or just look like he can relate to non-black, regular worker folk is going to be hard to deal with. The primaries are almost over and if folks still don't know about the whole Rev. Wright deal AND know what Obama's plans are to help address the concerns of the clinging, bitter folks who he is not connecting with, it is much too late to now to recognize that it's important to get their vote. Hell, who hasn't heard on the news that 'Clinton lied about what happened in Tuzla 10 years ago' but them same folks have ALSO heard what SHE has to say about what she'll do about their concerns and worries at EVERY rally, speech, or public engagement. EVERY is not an exaggeration. She hits the local concerns by reflecting upon local stiuations and local problems, even mentioning the local people involved. You have to WANT to know that stuff to find out and know that's what connects with struggling folks -showing folks that you took that extra time to know something about their 'itty-bitty' local concerns. Either she's good at taking loads of info and faking concern in the most believable way or she actually does give a hoot. Either way, Obama ain't doin it and ain't gettin' it.He talks but dosen't speak to anybody who doesn't already support him. These folks hear 'change' and 'hope' but don't hear 'change from what to what', or especially how that and the other hopes are going to be accomplished. The details matter more than the subject line of the speech. What, he doesn't know how to fake it... he doesn't know how to show he cares in a way that matters to them and not just to himself or his already commmited supporters? The change that matters to folks who can't afford to just hope is the 'change' that'll pay their bills and support their families. Nothing else. The congnative dissonance in this article is also quite heavy. He ain't nothing but another politician, except he trying to cast himself as something other than that. Look at him, not through him. You'll see it. -
Posted By:
POLpursun at 05/17/2008 5:07:02 PM
Comment:
The thought that cames to my mind is the arrogance and ignorance of ANYONE, given the story [ not history ------ his-story] of America, questioning the patriotism of ANY A-A who, as they say, works hard and plays by the rules. This is pure BS. Oftentimes this business of loyalty has the a similar connotation. This is one of those heads you win, tails I lose situations. There is a quip which gives guidance here: Never mind the noise in the market; just mine the price of the fish.
Just yesterday, Huckabee thought he was cracking some joke!!! -
Posted By:
corncernCitizen at 05/17/2008 4:59:41 PM
Comment:
When did I ever think he was for a change? Sorry to be blunt. Since 1970s every president ran for that "Change" and American bought it. If they want change, chaneg the constitution to make "NOT winner take all", so that people voices are heard large or small scale. Get rid of two party system. That is the change we are want. Not Obama who is running with established party, who takes money from lobbiest and multi million dollars funraising and tell every one that most of the money is from every one who donated in Internet. True change come when one has shown leadership in thier human life, and in their carrer like in congress. It might be too late to turn around this time, but lot of people will be dissatistied from the empty change he is promising once he is elected president. -
Posted By:
TriciaNC at 05/17/2008 2:58:00 PM
Comment:
Byron York was on talk radio yesterday talkign about how Obama takes the flag pin off when he isn't around his potential voters.
Here's the story (with the pics to prove it) where they show that he is wearing it and then not.
Coincidentally, it's the same suit and tie in this story
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ODk4MTAxZWZhZDcxYzA5NWUyNDAxN2Y5NjA5NGQxM2I= -
Posted By:
Digizar777 at 05/17/2008 2:35:35 PM
Comment:
future victory is sure be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lords work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as if it would be if there were no resurection. -
Posted By:
Newsman22 at 05/17/2008 1:47:02 PM
Comment:
I agree entirely with Marjorie. Obama's detractors will always find something to suggest that he is not an authentic American and pandering to them with flag pin symbolism is nothing more than a doomed-to-fail politics of appeasement. Stand up for what you believe in, and even if a majority of Americans choose to reject you at the polls, they would have made a clear choice to embrace shallow symbolism over a decent voice appealing for a more humane and just America. Let them live with the consequences. They apparently have learnt nothing from the Bush / Rove era. -
Posted By:
madonna at 05/17/2008 1:11:05 PM
Comment:
this may be an example of obams well known ability to negociate... leaving ego issues aside and opening himself to compromise. -
Posted By:
madonna at 05/17/2008 1:04:11 PM
Comment:
congratulations ... this is a very smart, wise, humorousand entirely true well written message. i hope somehow it will reach obama.
madonna -
Posted By:
mikefromusa at 05/17/2008 12:46:28 PM
Comment:
What if all the negative things that wearing a flagpin might indicate about Bambi were true? They are! -
Posted By:
jean75 at 05/17/2008 11:49:25 AM
Comment:
Obama should wear the flag pin sometimes especially when meeting with military men and women. However, he should not be compelled to wear it because of the right wing pundits' and politicians' hypocritical symbolism. Obama is the 'real-deal'; Lord knows, it is refreshing to see/hear a candid, honest, intelligent, and thoughtful American run for the highest office in the LAND! -
Posted By:
popart at 05/17/2008 11:48:21 AM
Comment:
I like the fact the Obama chooses to wear the flag pin when he thinks it's appropriate. He's using his judgement. That's what this is all about. And, subtly, he shows a sense a style. He's shifting gears toward the battle ahead for the Presidency. All steam ahead! Go Obama '08! -
Posted By:
coderjo at 05/17/2008 10:42:51 AM
Comment:
Marjorie, you've fallen right in with all the so-called journalists and leech-like pundits who need to get out and make a real living. Obviously, Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. At first read you appear to be wanting to "help" Obama with wise advice, but in reality all you have done is what all the Greek Chorus press do: expell a lot of empty vapor when you could be doing what you criticize the others for - not chosing an important talking point. Why the flag pin thing applies to Obama, and no one else, has always been beyond me...except that, as the only truely principled politician to appear on the American horizon in perhps a generation, he is by definition held to a higher standard than the others. Obama can take it, but you need to raise your sights and engage in some real work instead of keeping these old red herrings alive. -
Posted By:
olivio at 05/17/2008 10:34:47 AM
Comment:
i think the writer is correct on this issue. i have noteed with some consternation that in attempting to manage the silly hamas and iran attack from macain and co, he is gradually painting himself into a corner. one of the things people admire about him is his uncommon preference for treating the electorate like adults rather than slow infants. he needs to be careful on the issue of pandering -
Posted By:
Tocqueville at 05/17/2008 10:03:38 AM
Comment:
Read Kathleen Parker's shameful syndicated column at http://jewishworldreview.com/kathleen/parker051408.php3. Then tell me that there aren't some people so narrow-minded that all they understand are these blunt symbols. Obama tried not wearing one, he tried explaining that it's a substitute for real patriotism...and he got news stories about 87-year-old grandmothers in Indiana begging him to wear one and asking him why he doesn't love our country. So don't let the fact that he tried and failed bother you. Focus on the fact that he tried. I've never seen another politician try that before; and I believe that when he's President, he'll be able to try and succeed at changing our definition of what our country should be. -
Posted By:
Barb at 05/17/2008 9:40:13 AM
Comment:
Ms. Valburn - Get off Obama's back. He should be able to wear a flag pin when he feels like it and not wear one when he doesn't feel like it. Write about something more important - ie: Where is Hillary's flag pin?
Only Kidding. I found your article a waste of time. -
Posted By:
strut2k at 05/17/2008 7:07:53 AM
Comment:
I so do not care about the jewelry Barack Obama decides to wear or leave in his suitcase. The important thing is, I like the man, I like his ideas, I think he's just the President the nation needs.
I trust him. If he decides to wear the jewelry and confound the hate mongers, fine by me. We need to keep our eyes on the prize, his victory in November. -
Posted By:
strut2k at 05/17/2008 7:06:45 AM
Comment:
I so do not care about the jewelry Barack Obama decides to wear or leave in his suitcase. The important thing is, I like the man, I like his ideas, I think he's just the President the nation needs.
I trust him. If he decides to wear the jewelry and confound the hate mongers, fine by me. His victory in November is the prize. -
Posted By:
kbatandure at 05/17/2008 2:55:17 AM
Comment:
Wearing or not wearing a flag pin is irrelevant to the fact that public schools need more funding, infrastructure needs more funding, and the economy is crumbling. No rational person cares whether Sen. Obama wears a flag lapel pin or why. Your article is as big a waste of time and energy as most of the media discussions about the preidential campaign. Do you know anything about public policy? If so, you would serve yourself better and the readers of The Root with a well reasoned discussion about policy issues that have a direct impact on our lives, not something that has no impact on our lives. -
Posted By:
foosayer at 05/17/2008 2:42:59 AM
Comment:
captured my sentiments exactly. keep to the high road. I first heard about the lapel pin nonsense during the ABC debate, which set a new low for TV debate moderation to my view. But the moderators didn't have the b*lls to bring it up themselves, so they set it up to be brought up by a call-in questioner.
I hope the Obama campaign can remain relatively free of jingoism and sloganeering. Yes we can is enough. I still want to believe that a high road candidacy can still win the white house. Make it about issues, people, and our future. Let your highly visible surrogates guard your back and deflect all the rubbish with which the opposition will try to trash you.-
Posted By:
thevegasstyleguy at 05/19/2008 4:46:58 PM
Comment:
READ MY POST ABOUT MY ATTENDING OUR STATE CONVENTION. THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN HAS DONE EVERYTHING BUT TAKE THE HIGH ROAD.-
Posted By:
foosayer at 05/23/2008 11:33:54 AM
Comment:
I read your post. Says nothing about the campaign or the man, only your experiences with his supporters, whom you characterize as solely motivated by race. Sounds like a bum trip, but congrats on being selected.
Those of us that can allow ourselves to expect more of Senator Obama than you do accept all the support we can get, even if it is purely the celebratory kind of purely emotional enthusiasm that comes after hundreds of years of oppression.
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Posted By:
polyrose at 05/17/2008 1:22:47 AM
Comment:
Just like I didn't care when he had no pin displayed...I don't care that he does. So what? -
Posted By:
caliguy55 at 05/16/2008 10:24:44 PM
Comment:
The GOP is obviously getting very nervous about the November elections, when they want to talk about such trivial issues as wearing a flag pin as opposed to the very real and important issues threatening the destruction of this country. But, of course, since George Bush and his idiotic policies are responsible for the creation of most of these issues, the GOP wants to avoid them like the plague. -
Posted By:
Darryl Cox at 05/16/2008 8:27:54 PM
Comment:
Senator Obama decision to wear a flag pin on the lapel of his suits is a good move because it took this ridiculous issue off of the table as an item of discussion. The move will not win over people who are opposed to his candidacy because they doubt his patriotism. They will find another issue to grumble about but the lapel pin controversy is over and dead. -
Posted By:
misterunionguy at 05/16/2008 7:07:30 PM
Comment:
It doesn't matter to me, one way or the other. If you wear the pin and believe that racisim and torture by our government are acceptable (or worse, that they are right), then you are not my kind of American anyway.
If you don't wear a pin and you are opposed to racism and toture and other evils, then you are my kind of American... no matter what your country of national origin is!!! -
Posted By:
lisalisa at 05/16/2008 3:42:32 PM
Comment:
Digging in his heels about something so trivial makes no more sense than the whole idea of a pin representing patriotism in the first place. Well-reasoned article, but, girl, I say, let the man wear the stupid pin. We got bigger fish to fry. -
Posted By:
setare at 05/16/2008 2:41:41 PM
Comment:
Obama has also severed his ties to Robert Malley, a relatively progressive Middle East expert who acted as an informal adviser to his campaign. All these gestures are adding up to something not very promising. -
Posted By:
setare at 05/16/2008 2:39:53 PM
Comment:
He has also severed his ties to Robert Malley, a relatively progressive Middle East expert who acted as an informal adviser to his campaign. All these gestures are adding up to something not very promising. -
Posted By:
spiker at 05/16/2008 2:31:50 PM
Comment:
The only reason he has to wear a pin is because of Wright and the "no adult pride" of country his wife expressed. Fair or unfair those are the facts.
Let the man wear a flag pin or they'll define patriotism for him. -
Posted By:
dsquared at 05/16/2008 12:28:07 PM
Comment:
Though I disagree with this flag/patriotism nonsense (It really means nothing to Obama detractors. Most of that bunch are looking for ANY reason to discredit him, be it a flag pin, Rev. Wright, being a gifted orator, etc. It doesn't matter; any reason will do.), if "compromise," as Blessinggirl states, really is the art of politics, then I grudgingly say: Go on an wear the damned thing!
It pisses me off! But it's a small price to pay for what I believe President Obama will do for this country, the world. ...As Sam Cooke sang, "A Change Is Gon' Come." Oh yes it is! -
Posted By:
blessinggirl at 05/16/2008 9:14:37 AM
Comment:
The flag pin is as necessary as a tie in Washington. Remember, politics is the art of compromise. Compromising in this instance is exactly what I want from President Obama. -
Posted By:
bgilmore62 at 05/16/2008 8:00:19 AM
Comment:
It is a non=issue. So wear it. If people are that narrow that a flag pin will win them over, wear one. Yet, most of all, it isn't an argument he can win. There are Americans out there who are that dense. I watch some of the pundits on TV who called him on this one, and they don't wear flag pins. Hillary Clinton rarely wears a flag pin. It is stupid. However, he wanted to roll in the mud with these dogs, so this is the kind of emptiness you have to engage in if you want to make history. -
Posted By:
dahled at 05/15/2008 11:42:16 PM
Comment:
You're kidding me right? You realize that he's been wearing it (very) occasionally from the beginning. The whole debate over it is a moot point - it's a red herring - a non-issue. Next thing you're going to be talking about what color socks he's wearing.
Most of the pictures now being circulated with him wearing the pin (again) are from a single event where he was addressing military vets by the way - that's why he was wearing it at that time. To appropriately show his respect to our fighting men. -
Posted By:
cejenkins55 at 05/15/2008 11:09:40 PM
Comment:
I am in Obama's corner 100%, but I too was disappointed when I say the flag pin. Why should an American of African descent, as we all truly are, have to prove his allegience to our country by a flag pin. None of the other candidates have been pressed in this direction. Is it because being an American of European descent automatically make one patriotic without a doubt? I beg Senator Obama to return to his pride original stance....It's got him so far!
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