Of Patriotsm and Obama

CNN wants the Democratic race to continue until August. I can't blame them. The election is a ratings gold mine for news stations. They also want a close general election. More ratings gold.

So, when it looks like Obama could start to run away with things, they run with something from the Republicans: Attack Obama's Patriotism.

I mean, he refuses to say the pledge of allegiance. Except that he does. He refuses to put his hand over his heart. Except that in the incident so often cited, putting his hand over his heart would be inappropriate (he'd be saluting the audience). He refuses to wear an American Flag pin. Except that only one candidate from wither party has worn a flag pin on a regular basis, and the good mayor got one delegate from it. Not to mention that the people attacking him for that one aren't wearing one either.

They make it sound like all you need to do is wrap yourself in the flag and you're a patriot.

But, I rather at a loss for words here. If only I could find someone who's talked about this before, and plagiarize them. Never mind. Found one. It's me, from July 4, 2005:

oday, I will be talking about patriotism. First, let's define the word. As always, from dictionary.com

pa·tri·ot·ism n. Love of and devotion to one's country.


July 4th, the day we celebrate our declaration of independance. The day we gave a big "f-you" to our government. We wanted a better way. However, this was unpatriotic, based on the above definition. So, I'll change it a little, to say "Love of one's homeland."

Patriotism is not about waving the flag, dressing in red, white, and blue, and shooting off fireworks. It's about doing things because, well, I love this country, my homeland.

That is why I became a Democrat. Because, contrary to what Sean Hannity would have you believe, Democrats give a crap about what happens to this country. Contrary to the statements of Karl Rove, I cried on September 11. I was madder than Hell, and I wasn't going to take it. I wanted Revenge.

I'm still waiting to get revenge.

Our lack of fighting real enemies, and making up imaginary foes to fight, has ruined our country. We have now taken longer since 9/11 than it took to defeat both Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbor. We are spending more money than we are bringing in, borrowing money from our children.

And yet, I am called unpatriotic because I fight against these things. However, I do it because I love my country. I want to see her grow, to succeed.