Monday, October 22, 2007

AND HE DOESN'T FLOSS

Members of the radical right continue to remove the motes from Barack Obama's eyes, while ignoring the boulders in their own vision.

A few weeks ago, it was Obama's failure to wear a flag lapel pin that upset some conservatives. Now it's Obama's -- gasp! -- failure to put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem that has some people up in arms.

The website NewsBusters picks the nit with the senator from Illinois:
Does he perhaps believe that, like wearing the flag pin, the hand on the heart isn't "true patriotism"?
Does anyone believe that putting a hand over the heart proves "true patriotism"?

14 comments:

Busplunge said...

Does anyone believe that putting a hand over the heart proves "true patriotism"?

Actually yes, the same people who believe if you don't appropriate money for an illegal war you are not supporting the troops; the same people who believe we have to bomb Iran; the same people who believe Bush is a great president.

Noticed a paucity of post lately RonD, the new job keepin' you busy?
Nice work, btw, on the news.

Anonymous said...

This is not just a "right wing" issue. You may recall that about a year ago a group of concerned citizens in Christian County threw a huge fit when Republican Representative Jay Wasson was "caught" not putting his hand over his heart at a July 4th event in ... Clever, I believe. They also said he lacked patriotism.

Ralph Thayer said...

"Does anyone believe that putting a hand over the heart proves 'true patriotism'?"

Of course not. The question, however, is not whether offering a salute during the National Anthem proves one's patriotism, but whether withholding it proves one's lack of patriotic respect.

And the answer to that is unequivocal. "Yes."

Anonymous said...

Maybe Obama's next step would be to set fire to a copy of the Constitution.

Then again, that's basically already been done, by other politicians from both sides of the aisle, so he needn't bother...

Anonymous said...

Blind zealots to any cause will blow little things out of proportion to turn the attention back on themselves. This is no exception.

Anonymous said...

Putting your hand over your heart during the National Anthem does not prove true patriotism. Just like opening the door for a woman does not prove true chivalry. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. You are running for the highest office in the country. You should show respect during the National Anthem. It's hard to believe that half of Dodger Stadium has more respect for than Obama. However, this should not disqualify him from being POTUS... his idiocy in foreign policy should do that.

Ralph Thayer said...

As Anonymous said...

"Putting your hand over your heart during the National Anthem does not prove true patriotism. Just like opening the door for a woman does not prove true chivalry."

This raises an interesting question. Given Mr. Obama's way of showing sincerity in patriotism (by not saluting, and by announcing why he won't wear a flag pin), one could wonder how far he would get by demonstrating "true" love in marriage by NOT holding the door for Mrs. O., and by announcing why he shall no longer wear a wedding ring.

-30-

Anonymous said...

What pretense! True patriotism, True Americans, True Christians, True believers...

Although personally there have been a few times when singers massacred The National Anthem at ball games that I demanded they be taken out and shot.

Anonymous said...

Muslims Against Sharia call on Senator Obama to distance himself from al-Qaeda supporters

With the black Islamic flag of war draped behind him, an individual on You Tube that goes by the name Abdul Hakim Khatab has called for people to support Barack Obama for U.S. President in 2008. The video is titled 'Barack Obama 2008 spokenword.' Muslims Against Sharia call on Barack Obama to distance himself from his extremist supporters and to denounce this You Tube video for promoting violence in the name of the Obama for President campaign.

Anonymous said...

Bush without hand on heart: http://www.saynotocrack.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/george_bush_heart.jpg
Obama with hand on heart:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050127095418/obama.senate.gov/img/pic_pledge.jpg
http://www.live-pr.com/en/obama-says-congress-lacks-the-votes-r1048145537.htm

Anonymous said...

Obama's campaign is based around the idea that despite his lack of experience he has the best judgement.

One of the nasty but real attacks on him is the whole Manchurian Candidate Osama/Obama. It's bullshit, but it is there and it may hurt him.

First refusing to wear the flag then not saluting it plays into that negative narrative.

That shows bad judgement.

Obama is toast.

Anonymous said...

...trying to remember the last time I saw a soldier with his/her hand over his/her heart during the National Anthem. Parade rest is the appropriate stance, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Well, at least he's a true liberal.

Anonymous said...

A true patriot goes out to buy the beer and hot dawgs during the National Anthem.