Patriotism: Obama V. McCain

Time:

How the candidates define their love of country may help determine the election's outcome. Time asked each for his view of the meaning of patriotism. Here's how they responded:

A Cause Greater Than Self
by John McCain

Patriotism means more than holding your hand over your heart during the national anthem. It means more than walking into a voting booth every two or four years and pulling a lever. Patriotism is a love and a duty, a love of country expressed in good citizenship . . .

A Faith in Simple Dreams
by Barack Obama

When I was a child, I lived overseas for a time with my mother. And one of my earliest memories is of her reading to me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence, explaining how its ideas applied to every American, black and white and brown alike. She taught me that those words, and the words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the brutal injustices we witnessed other people suffer during those years abroad . . .

Read the whole story: Time

Comments

[SHOPARAZZI]

if a part of patriotism means standing behind your country's leader unequivocally, well then, ive been quite unpatriotic these past 7+ years.

[IslandGyal]

I am an Obama supporter, but I think McCain opening lines resonate with most people more, than Barack's entire essay, although, I will add, that I don't believe that McCain believe his opening lines.

[joeyp404]

And you believe Obama's? "And one of my earliest memories is of her reading to me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence"

[soapington]

I've always liked Dr. Johnson's definition of patriotism: "The last refuge of a scoundrel."

[JackND]

Remember when the media reported the news rather than trying to create it?

Those were the days...

[darthdarcy]

How Juvenile...!

[obamanation31]

Barack's mother was a very special woman. She had such an impact on him. I wish she could be alive to see him today.
Perhaps she's looking down at him and smiling.

[wayoutleft]

i'm holding off 'til i read their "what i did on my summer vacation" reports after labor day.

[PAposter]

LOL! That should be interesting, or not, LOL!

[marymansour]

I gasp in amazement each day as Obama just gets better and better. This man is a miracle and we're lucky that he is OURS!

[StephenDedalus82]

Obama's piece was all about himself. I almost felt like he was saying he's patriotic because he has the ability to run for president. Well good for him, what about the rest of us?

[AquaBoogy]

did you really read his piece? Because if you did and if you have an analytical bone in your body you would see that he spoke of his mother, different cultures, the constitution and America. So it wasn't all about him and it was actually a well written piece.
Give the man his due and stop hating just for the sake of hating.

[bygollymissmolly]

You are asking more than they can give. They are so scared right now they have to lash out at anything and everything. I really do think many of these Righties would e well served to start getting therapy to learn to deal with the anger and despair they are going to be suffering on November 3.

[achilles83]

Rovpublikins remind of the Pharacies on patriotism! Stoning people for not observing the Sabath,while allowing venders to sell in the temple of worship. Repubs are formalists!!

[chi]

MCcain"s sense of patroitism is very generic and can be applied by any citizen to any country.Obama"s is more about the idea and uniquiness of America.

[Ged2012]

Barack's appeal is that he learned to be more personal in his approach to his speeches and essays. Several months ago, he used lofty rhetoric; now he really uses the kind of language we use when speaking with our closest friends.

McCain writes in the same way that many leaders of the past had written. His essay reminds me of speeches that kids would try to memorize before attempting to understand their true meaning. His essay is okay, but it contains everything we already know about patriotism.

[DAVESEAN]

OBAMA TAKES U ON A RIDE WITH HIM......MCBUSH PATRIOTISM ARTICLE IS SO DRY...AS IF SOME REPORTER WROTE IT FOR HIM

[chitown8]

I agree McCain make you feel guilty for not joining the service. That is not the only service you can provide to be a good patriot. Obama make you understand that regardless of our differences we are all equal under the constitution. We have the same American goals of Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Obama allows us to appreciate this nation not just the service it allows us to partake in.

[bygollymissmolly]

It's highly unlikely that Mc'Cain wrote it himself. He's not that smart and he's not that literate. On the other hand I'd bet the bank that O'bama wrote his by himself.

[happypup]

Two views of patriotism- one (McCain's) a bit more traditional, but both a real solid and reflect well upon both men. The question we must all ask now is which man is the best leader for our country as we move forward. In my mind, it is Barack Obama.

[jimmy2001]

totally agree.

[mollyjackson]

How the candidates define their love of country:
McCain----i will spend five years in prison
Obama --- I will wear a flag pin

[christieZ]

Really? You read Obama's essay and that's what you have to say about it? You must be pretty dumb.

[newgeneration]

I guess that's what they teach you at fox news !!! your favorite network

[marymansour]

Are you suggesting that anyone who didn't spend time as a POW can't be patriotic? That certainly narrows the field.

[rsottong]

Did McCain volunteer to spend those years being a 'true' patriot in prison? Because, you write as if it were his personal choice.

McCain is a survivor, a hero and a patriot ... but that doesn't nullify anyone else's patriotism. It also doesn't exclusively qualify him to be president.

[chitown8]

Exactly just like Ali and Fraizer. Fraizer was drafted and Ali refused to serve due to religious reasons yet do we call him less a patriot no. Patriotism is not just based to serve for this country.

[SMP]

McCain was going to be shipped home..( the vietnamesse found out who his daddy was and wanted to send him home)..and he said NO, I call that being a martyr.........and doesnt qualify him on National Security. He is a survivor and we all do respect his service, but, that doesnt give him an entitlement.

Sorry, just getting tired of Mccain running on his VET status. We appreciate it, but it takes more than that to make you a leader.

[Bertha40869]

If McCain, a person who graduated at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy and hence totally undeserving of and unqualified for an aviator's spot (reserved for the top students), would have stayed within his intellectual limitations and served in a position requiring less mental gymnastics, he would not have crashed two planes before he went over and the plane that resulted in his imprisonment.