What's My Logo: Madeleine Albright Talks Signature Brooches And Barack Obama's Missing Lapel Pin (VIDEO)

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is one of the nation's foremost diplomats, but she has also become famous for her signature brooches. The woman who famously said, "If someone wants to know what kind of mood I'm in, read my pins!" sits down with GMA Now to discuss politics, brooches and what to make of Senator Obama's refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin (in a nutshell: "Nothing"). Have a look:

Find out what advice Secretary Albright has for the next President.

Or visit GMA Now's website for more.

"What's My Logo?," a weekly Q&A on ABC's GMA Now and the Huffington Post's Living section, addresses the professional importance of personal style with prominent businesspeople, leaders and personalities.

Comments

[StephenCardinale]

...and writing about her brooches is important because? Gawd, what a waste of time. Please tell us you have something more substantial to write about in future blogs! Thank you.

[mystic]

In 1996, she made highly controversial remarks in an interview with Lesley Stahl on CBS's 60 Minutes. When asked by Stahl anout the effect of sanctions against Iraq: "We have heard that half a million children have died. I mean, that's more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?" Albright said: "I think this is a very hard choice, but the price — we think the price is worth it"

She is supposed to have been a diplomat, and that is the most heartless undiplomatic cruel outrageous statements she has ever made and she lost all my respect for it. She retracted it when criticised, but the damage was done. Her pro-Israeli stance and outrageous lack of concern for the Palestinians and the barbaric way they are treated in the genocidal acts by Israel is also a legacy this stupid woman has left.

[mikekev58]

Genocidal acts by Israel?

I'm no Zionist and I agree that the occupation is illegal, immoral and just plain stupid.

But genocide?

The reality of genocide is far too unique to have the term used wily-nilly.

Brutal, yes. Genocidal, no.

[conservativeoriginalist]

When the hell did a shallow exhibition be a prerequisite for being patriotic? When did actions stop being the defining factor and made-in-China-by-child-slave-labor dollar store pins become the criterion for patriotism?

I refuse to wear lapel pins, or partake in most other inane "patriotic" gestures, and I've served this country more in the past decade than most will do in their entire lifetimes. I don't like most of Obama's policies, but I will defend him against all the idiots that say he hates America because he doesn't wear a fingernail-sized piece of painted brass.

What a shallow and materialistic country we live in. I've taken to calling the drooling masses "the dumbocracy".

[bennofs]

"the dumbocracy" ... A wonderful term. May I use it?

[mikekev58]

Sure use it...and ignore the history of how the Republicans have successfully exploited Democrats' disdain for things that middle America holds dear.

The dumbocracy...now that's unifying!

[ObserverinVancouver]

I just post my comment when I noticed the blurb for Google ads below. LOL. Talk about cognitive dissonance.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Everyone should check out Sen. Obama's web site for his position on caring for veterans (barackobama/com/issues/veterans). Anyone who can read that and still have questions about his patriotism is willfully blind. Also, think about that great patriot, hero of his country, John McCain and his opposition to the new GI bill that provides veterans with substantial help for education expenses. I don't know how he can live with himself, except that $l00+ million, provides a lot of coccooning.

[mikekev58]

It's consistent with McCain's fiscal conservatism. It actually shows the same integrity that Obama supporters would claim in Barry's opposition to the gas tax holiday.

I doubt that any case can be made that McCain is anti-military or anti-soldier. Republicans handily win the military vote in every election.

I guess they're part of that "dumbocracy" that conservativeoriginalist, someone who has served this country (he/she doesn't say how) more than most, sees as the American public, or in his/her words, "the drooling masses".

[oldrwsr]

This is the biggest non story of the year. If you don't wear a flag pin you aren't patriotic. If you hate America, but wear a flag pin anyway, does that make you a patriot?

I guess most of us are unpatriotic, because I rarely see anyone wearing it, even the talking heads on tv that keep talking about.

[Soundofthunder]

If Obama wants to impress me with his choice of jewelry, he should wear a Constitution pin. Y'know. That "meaningless" piece of paper that the flag symbolizes.

SOT

[bennofs]

Well, you know red, white and blue are just not the most fashionable colors when used together; especially when trying to coordinate with some of the more subtle and vibrant shades from nature used in todays styles.
If only the flag were a combination of some really nice earth tones, maybe a muted sea green with some flora and fauna, emblems. Maybe even a few feathers and bows!
Now that would be a flag you could wear to town.

[shelobo]

WHERE is Hillarys Flag pin in this pic? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/04/clinton-camp-considering_n_100051.html

[zelda1010]

she never wears one--and she's never asked about it. McSame hardly ever wears one either and he's never asked about it either.

what's that tell ya?

[mikekev58]

It tells us that there are different standards. That's just the way things are.

Barry's association with the Rev. Wright brought into question his patriotism and what was a rumor on the Internet became fair game. And by his own admission, Barry used to wear the flag pin but took it off because he didn't want to be identified with the dumbocracy.

And really...who will question John McCain's patriotism because he doesn't wear the flag pin? He's got cred from Vietnam. It's foolish to even mention the flag pin in his regard, when his body bears the wounds of his service to the US.

As for Hillary, well that's just not one of the million things the press chose to include in the Clinton persecution over the years.

[Vergadoce]

It tells you there are different standards for candidates of color, who are automatically considered by the MSM and right wing dingleberries like Rove and Limbaugh to be less patriotic by birth. Of course, Hillary will claim Obama has it easy being a black man (half at least). She's had it so hard being a white woman who grew up attending private schools her whole life, marrying a governor, being a First Lady, etc. .

[DavidF07]

This whole flag pin non-story reminds me of the scene in "Office Space":
Joanna: You know what, Stan, if you want me to wear 37 pieces of flair, like your pretty boy over there, Brian, why don't you just make the minimum 37 pieces of flair?
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Well, I thought I remembered you saying that you wanted to express yourself.
Joanna: Yeah. You know what, yeah, I do. I do want to express myself, okay. And I don't need 37 pieces of flair to do it.
[flips off Stan]

[applehead]

brilliant comparison. i've been going crazy trying to think of a way express why this pin and flag thing annoys me so much. you hit it right on the head. the flair scene from 'office space'. and that dork of a boss is how i picture all the people demanding to know why everyone isn't wearing a pin or waving a flag. i can hear sean hannity asking me now, "why do you hate america?" i don't hate america. i love america so much that i hate mccarthyism and mccarthyites.

applehead

[DUECEMOM2004]

I LOVE THE USA BUT I NEVER WEAR FLAG SHIRTS ,PINS,HAT OR ANYTHING WHO CARES ABOUT A PIN.THAT IS SO STUPID..

[klimtone]

This biblical quote, coming from an agnostic mind you, fits in perfectly when discussing flag pins:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:5-6)

[ObserverinVancouver]

Oh, yeah. It fits a whole lot of other things perfectly, too.

Regards from a fellow agnostic.

[applehead]

i am not an agnostic; i'm a Christian. and i love this quote from matthew offered by klimtone. amazing work, klimtone. it's up there with the flair comparsion in 'office space' made by davidfo7 at 4:25 pm 5-07. those hypcrites in the republican party, the hannitys and limbaughs and dennismillers, need to be exposed, need to have some kid scream at them from the crowd so that everyone can see: "THAT MAN'S NAKED!"

for every lapel pin they wear and every flag they wave, there's a thousand old widows deprived of the care a truly Christian adminstration would see they got. for every "anti abortion" argument they make there's a thousand neglected infants they couldn't care less about.. for every 'support the troops' sentiment they cram down our throats with their jutted jaws theres a thousand abandoned veterans who don't get the care they need; and there's a thousand more about to need that care cuz they're not as protected as they could be.

applehead

[vet64]

Anyone in public office is tasked with the security and wellbeing of the United States as a whole. They are not in office to benefit themselves, their campaign donors, their political party or their family members. If any legislator, or Executive Branch official passes legislation, laws or rules to be put in place benefitting themselves, their family members, campaign donors or political party, they must be removed. Conflict of Interest and Collusion is a crime.
What pisses me off is the Neo Con Parasites wrapping the American Flag around themeselves and exhorting Americans to attack countries with no ties to 9/11 while ignoring the countries from where the terrorists came from.
The deliberate incompetence of the Executive Branch reminds me of the incompetence of the Hitler regime. The Hitler regime was made up of Neo Conservative Parasites who, with the Collusion of the News Media and other Neo Con Conglomerates, was put into power. To me the Neo Cons are just the same Nazis.
The Bush dynasty was founded by Prescott Bush who got the family fortune by selling supplies and war material to Nazi Germany. The same supplies and war material used to kill over half a million Americans.
Wrapping oneself in the flag and exhorting a failed war policy doesn't make one Patriotic. It makes one appear to be a incompetent Neo Con Parasite.
During the Revolutionary War American fought King George and his Mercenary Armies because of Taxation without Representation. What's different now?

[Penny Leonard]

Thankyou

[CalGoldenBear]

As Dr. Samuel Johnson put it, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

[mikekev58]

But he did not say that there is no such thing as patriotism.

You guys better smarten up, street-wise. These things matter to the voting public. See the (unfair) tarring of Michael Dukakis in 1988 for his (correct) veto of a bill mandating the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.

Bush 41 started visiting flag factories.

Bush smothered Dukakis in the general.

It's crazy, but they work these things very well against Democrats.

[KBAR]

The Bush dynasty was founded by Prescott Bush who got the family fortune by selling supplies and war material to Nazi Germany. The same supplies and war material used to kill over half a million Americans.

What, exactly, did Prescott Bush 'sell' to the Nazi's ?

[LoloZ]

Seinfeld addressed this issue perfectly with the "you don't wear the ribbon!" episode.

[lennix]

this is so crazy how in the hell is this got to do with anything lord stop this madness why don't the
kooks in the msm and the nuts on cable news ask the same of MCcain and Clinton and they wounder why nobody with sense trust them this is getting very silly and outrages stop please the people is smarter then news nuts and the fat cats who owns them think