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.
'Blame America first crowd'
"The reason it hasn't been an issue so far is that we're still in the microcosm of the Democratic primary," said Republican consultant Roger Stone. "Many Americans will find the three things offensive. Barack Obama is out of the McGovern wing of the party, and he is part of the blame America first crowd."
Opponents of Sen. John Kerry proved in the 2004 election that voters are sensitive to suggestions that a candidate is not sufficiently patriotic. The Democratic presidential nominee's campaign was torpedoed by critics of his Vietnam War record called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, even though he won multiple military honors and was lauded by his superiors.
The Swift Boat campaign started as a relatively small television ad buy that exploded into an issue that dogged Kerry for months. The Massachusetts senator has conceded since losing to President Bush that the campaign and his lackluster response to unsubstantiated allegations he considered unworthy of a reaction likely cost him the election. And the term even became part of the campaign lexicon -- swift boating.
Obama already is the subject of a shadowy smear campaign based on the Internet that falsely suggests he's a Muslim intent on destroying the United States. Obama is a Christian and has been fighting the e-mail hoax, which also claims he doesn't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, and he's been trying to correct the misinformation.
"Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America," Obama frequently tells voters.
"I've been going to the same church for 20 years, praising Jesus," he adds.
Retired Major General Scott Gration, an Obama military adviser, said he expects the attacks will only increase if Obama wins the Democratic nomination.
"People are projecting things and taking things out of context," Gration said. "There's absolutely no question in my mind that Michelle and Barack are extremely patriotic, appreciate our freedoms and our values and everything else that the flag represents."
Officials with the McCain campaign and the Republican Party say they won't be suggesting Obama is less than patriotic, and instead plan to focus their criticisms on his record and inexperience if he wins the nomination. Well-funded outside groups, however, consider anything fair game.
Conservative Republican consultant Keith Appell, who worked with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, said Obama's opposition to the war will create a "striking contrast between McCain the war hero and Obama the poster child for the anti-war movement."
"If you are McCain, you want to play up the decorated war hero, loves his country, served his country," Appell said. "You want to play those themes up as much as possible, especially in comparison to Obama and his role in the anti-war movement."
Questions around Michelle
On Monday, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."
Cindy McCain, McCain's wife, days later responded by saying, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country." Barack Obama has expressed frustration that his wife's remarks had been taken out of context and turned into political fodder -- both the Obamas say she was talking about politics in the United States, not the country itself.
Last summer, Obama was photographed by Time magazine at an event in Iowa standing with his hands folded during the national anthem. His primary rivals Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson appear beside him, with their hands on their hearts.
It has been repeatedly reported that the moment came during the Pledge of Allegiance, but that's not the case.
In October, Obama told Iowa television station KCRG that he decided to stop wearing a U.S. flag lapel pin during the run-up to the Iraq war because it had become "a substitute for, I think, true patriotism."
"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. 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 testimony to my patriotism," Obama said.
Obama's comments led conservatives and media commentators to question his patriotism.
Questioning his patriotism
"First he kicked his American flag pin to the curb. Now Barack Obama has a new round of patriotism problems. Wait until you hear what the White House hopeful didn't do during the singing of the national anthem," said Steve Doocy, co-host of "Fox and Friends" on the Fox News Channel.
"He felt it OK to come out of the closet as the domestic insurgent he is," former radio host Mark Williams said on Fox.
Gration said he had a copy of the national anthem photo e-mailed to him by a friend who didn't know the facts and questioned how a military man could support someone who doesn't honor the Pledge of Allegiance.
"I go to baseball games and football games and there's just a minority of us who put our hands over our heart. It's not an indication of patriotism," Gration said. Gration said he personally wears a flag pin, but "if I meet someone who doesn't have a lapel pin, it doesn't mean they are more or less patriotic than I am."
And, he added, "I don't think you can find Barack again not putting his hand over his heart at the national anthem."
Stories like this really irk me. I have never really understood the relationship between cheap symbols and patriotism. In my mind, patriotism is not defined by one's willingness to put a yellow ribbon or tiny American flag sticker on their car or wear a tiny flag lapel pin. If people want to do that because to them it is meaningful, well bully for them. But for many people--me included--these symbols say little about a person's patriotism and dedication to the values of their country. In fact, I always feel a little nervous when everyone slaps a flag sticker on their car and waves about symbols of the motherland. It all seems a little nationalist to me. But people are free to express their patriotism however they choose. Now, what I really don't get is how a person refusing to wear flag pin, put a sticker on their car, or put their hand on their heart during the pledge or national anthem suggests that they are not patriotic. That attitude that everyone step in line and use the same symbols, show support in the same way is where I think patriotism begins to take the dark turn toward nationalism and it unsettles me greatly. People express their patriotism in lots of way, many of which in my mind require much more dedication than picking up a flag sticker while shopping at Wal-mart or standing during the anthem at a baseball game--say, voting, for example, or participating in a protest, or volunteering for some public good. Anyone who is criticizing Obama's patriotism because he didn't want to wear a flag lapel pin should be ashamed of themselves. That's crap.
I guess this is where the campaign begins to turn uglier. Beck suggested as such earlier. Maybe we can look forward to hearing all about Obama being the leader of an Al-Qaeda sleeper cell and how John McCain liked to step on babies and kick puppies in Vietnam. Ugh. The next few months will not be pretty.
11 comments:
"Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind." - Albert Einstein
I am with Reed 100 % on this one... not much more to say than that.
"Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first." - Charles de Gaulle
Be careful what you label "patriotism" and "nationalism". There's nothing wrong what-so-ever with a reasonable sense of national pride, loving your country & community, etc. Symbols are important to people, whether it's a flag, a gesture, a statue, a tattoo, whatever. Symbology is a crucial part of everyone's collective unconconscious, and there's nothing wrong with that.
But when that national pride is used to denigrate others or as a tool for hate, that's a different animal... and THAT is what we should be fearful of, not the American flag pins and bumper stickers. Don't let yourself be any more frightened by that than you would by someone who puts a Mexican, Canadian, or Puerto Rican flag on their car.
Personally, I chalk this "story" up with the New York Times "story" of McCain might or might not having had a potentially, but not quite sure, romantic relationship with a female lobbyist, who has also had McCain's support (and opposition) to pet issues in the past... Wha?
This and the Obama's patriotism grabage (which is an even bigger stretch, as far as I'm concerned) are all non-stories being circulated by people long on agenda and short on scruples, who are trying desperately to find something of relavance to smack the other team with.
Fortunately, I think the only people biting are the hard core, unreasonably Right/Left crowd who would buy ANYTHING negative about the opposition, vetted or not, reasonable or not.
Fortunately, I've heard a lot of outcry and grumbling in response to both issues from Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike, which is refreshing. I'm glad that people aren't afraid to call "horse shit" when they see it.
Never sad that there was anything wrong with loving one's country. Everybody in the country can slap a tacky sticker in their car for all I care, it won't bother me at all. What bothers me is when the people that do treat the people that don't as less "patriotic". And yes, symbols are important to people. But people should recognize that they are just symbols and that symbols are used to provoke certain responses. In many ways, symbols are intended to diminish rationale thought and promote gut-level sentiment. That is useful and effective, but it too often in my opinion is used for ill.
I am also not totally comfortable with the de Gaulle quote. I don't see a reason to love one's own people before others. That in my mind is kind of problematic. While it may be a basic instinct to preference your tribe before others, it leads quickly to conflict when you believe that your tribe is better, more deserving, etc. Then I don't see the difference between that and nationalism. But I do understand feeling pride in you country and loving its ideals. Sure. And so loving one's own country more than any other, ok. But it is still a little slippery and it bothers me when that sentiment is manipulated. I am also uncomfortable with how quickly that sentiment turns in to the belief anyone who doesn't step in line is not patriotic. That then begs a question: When your country is involved in some conflict, is it more patriotic to step in line and rally behind the home team to show your loyalty and support, or is it more patriotic to remain a voice of critique and dissent in order to ensure that the government doesn't manipulate patriotism for its own ends and to attempt to try to prevent patriotism from turning to nationalism?
1. I agree with Beck on the fact the story we are discussing is garbage.
2. I think that symbols are very important to history and people, but they have all too often been used to commit horrible acts too.
3. I am uncomfortable with de Gaulle quote also. It would seem easy in that frame of reference for his Patriotism to give birth to his Nationalism. The love of mankind should be first, not the love of your kind.
4. It has only been those people with the stickers and pins who have called me "un-American" or "unpatriotic". Personally, I have found their intolerance to be bordering insanity when some one has a different opinion. But keep in mind I am not accusing everyone with a pin or bumper sticker of being crazy, just that the crazies usually do have the pins and stickers.
5. A step off topic, and not. I have always had a problem with pledging allegiance to a flag. It seemed a frightening aspect when I was a kid, it seems a frightening aspect now. I suppose this is one reason the idea of symbolism scares me.
What I fear and think about patriotism has been demonstrated during the Bush administration and is best illustrated by yet another quote:
"You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it."
-Malcolm X
Reed said: "I don't see a reason to love one's own people before others."
Community. Short and simple. In others that we find likeness, we find comfort. Does this mean that I do not love people who are different? No, of course not. But I would favor a fellow American as I would a member of my family over a perfect stranger.
Reed also asks: "That then begs a question: When your country is involved in some conflict, is it more patriotic to step in line and rally behind the home team to show your loyalty and support, or is it more patriotic to remain a voice of critique and dissent in order to ensure that the government doesn't manipulate patriotism for its own ends and to attempt to try to prevent patriotism from turning to nationalism?"
In my own honest opinion, if your intent is to correct what you see as an injustice or a wrongful course of action because you want your country and its people to live up to its own ideals, then absolutely that is being a patriot, no more or less than anyone else. And I would contend that anyone who would wave the flag and call those people "traitors" or "unpatriotic" are being simple minded and foolish.
To Pope: I'm very sorry that the Pledge of a Allegience makes you nervous... I really, truly am. Personally, I saw it as an absolute priveledge. Especially considering that I've never been in a situation where I *had* to say it if I didn't want to. I always gave the pledge willingly and under my own volition, because in my eyes, being allowed to make that choice is precisely what that flag stands for. Is my country perfect? No... in fact, it has a very contradictory past. But I know in my heart that it wants to be better, and gets better with each generation... and I'd dare say that we've made more progress in our 220 or so years than most have in a thousand. I also know that this progress comes in large part through the hard work of those who dared to express dissent.
In anycase, symbolism shouldn't scare you. From a strictly epistemological point of view, you use it every single day, everytime you speak or post on this blog. All three of us make a concerted effort to use very specific words and phrases to convey or provoke specific emotions and thoughts in each other, as surely as any image would.
Pope said: "But keep in mind I am not accusing everyone with a pin or bumper sticker of being crazy, just that the crazies usually do have the pins and stickers."
... I wonder how many bumper stickers Reed has on his car? :P
I have multiple issues with the pledge to be honest. Let's see...
Pledging allegiance is the number one issue of course, you swear an oath both to the flag and the republic. I am extremely uncomfortable having children say it. I am glad you were never forced to say it. I was, or at least the peer pressure and authority figure pressure made me feel like I was. But as a young christian I considered it anti-christian to pledge allegiance to anything (see Matthew chapter 5: "...Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths But I say unto you. Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne Nor by the earth..."). Now, I see it as an attempt to cause the mind to adhere to logical consistence rather than rational choice. That makes me feel as if it were a subtle attempt at brain-washing (which I honestly think it is to children).
"... one nation, under God..." - um, being a proud agnostic AT BEST, saying this would be a lie. I will not pledge to such a thing.
"...with liberty and justice for all..." - we are trying on this, but it is not so.
I am glad you feel it is a privilege to say the pledge. I would never look down on you for doing so. It is your choice. But for me, since I was 15, the words have not been uttered from my lips. I do not feel comfortable with the symbolism, the wording, or the drone-like feeling I get when saying it.
Oh, and I fully realize that epistemologically all words are symbols as well as drawing and blah blah blah... let's not be reductionist here ;-)
Beck said: "Community. Short and simple. In others that we find likeness, we find comfort. Does this mean that I do not love people who are different? No, of course not. But I would favor a fellow American as I would a member of my family over a perfect stranger."
I guess if you are talking about proximity I see your point. I would see no reason what so ever to favor an American stranger over a Canadian stranger or a any other stranger of whatever nationality. I am not sure I get that. Maybe we would understand each other better, but when I travel, for example, I don't usually feel I have anymore in common with other Americans than I do with anybody else. The only difference would seem to be ease of communication. But as long as we can communicate I don't usually feel like I care more about one nationality than another. I just don't get it.
And to answer your other question: 3. One that is anti-War, one anti-bush, and one for zombiedefense.org.
1. Agreed 100% once again that this story - along with about 99.9% of the garbage generated around election time - is total hooey meant to throw people off the main issues. Unfortunately - most people take the bait.
2. Symbols. Ah - symbols. Always there, always mocking me. Essentially what I believe and what I have always believed is this - symbols whether they be words or objects or people only have power because it is bestowed upon them. Not because they are truly special or honestly meaningful to most in any way, shape or form other than those we have been constantly insisted upon to believe. I, like Brian, never pledged allegiance to the flag - except for that brief period of time where I didn't exactly think for myself but blindly did what my teacher told me I should do. Since I made that decision - and others along the same lines - I have gotten nothing but fanatical garbage from most of the people out there who consider themselves to be true patriots - and myself to be less of one, sometimes less of a human - because I choose to pledge my allegiances more cautiously - and particularly not to inanimate objects. It's a personal decision I made for my own reasons - but it's not the "status quo" and thus is never respected. I don't think everyone who chooses to practice their patriotism in that way is blind or any other negative term - that would be generalizing. However - my personal experiences with said group of people are not good and thus I tend to avoid them as regularly as possible. I pledge allegiance to no one - because when it comes down to it I am loyal to my friends, my family and myself - and that's pretty much as far as it goes.
Sorry - something went screwy there but...
3. Love one's people before others. That is probably the most problematic part of this whole discussion to me. I don't consider 90% of the world to be "my people" - Americans or non-Americans. 9 times out of 10 I would probably choose "others" - whatever they may be - above what I suppose I'm supposed to be considering "my own people". My own people don't tend to make very good decisions.. but then again, neither do the others. I am an island unto myself.
I am on-board with Zombie Defense! I fully support zombiedefense.org!
Personally, I prefer the symbolic bliss of zombo.com. Because really, anything, even the infinite and unattainable is possible there.
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