Whose Flag Is This, Anyway?
Starting about the time of early Ronald Reagan, the Republican Right played capture-the-flag with Old Glory. If you were a true patriot, you gave all your speeches before massed American flags and wore the symbol of one in your lapel. And, of course, to be a true patriot meant also that you were a member of the Republican Right. No other Americans admitted to the brotherhood and sisterhood of patriotism.
Predictably, this would come to an accusation -- what substitutes for serious debate these days -- that Senator Barack Obama was not wearing a flag pin and therefore, ipso facto, was no patriot.
So, here's a modest proposal. All of us who support Barack Obama for president should now wear flag pins. This will signal that we are all just as patriotic as anyone on the right. And it will signal that we are all for Obama. If we all do this, then when we see a flag pin we will know we are seeing another Obama supporter.
Go right out now and buy a pocketful of flag pins. Give them to all your friends. Show your support for America and for Obama. I've got mine on. It's our flag too!
But, you might ask, what about those flag wavers on the right? That's their problem.
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
What do your recommend for American Indians from different nations--yes real nations as only nations can make and keep treaties? American Indians were summarily declared to be American citizens in 1924 (in order not to be similarly charged with genocide as the U.S. was planning to charge the Germans and Turks for WW I atrocities on the theory that national minorities are not covered or protected under international law whereas nations are)
How about wearing flag pins upside down to indicate a nation--empire in decay and extreme distress? How about challenging those worried about who is or is not wearing a flag pin to get a life plus an IQ boost? I wonder if there is any other nation on this earth with as large a percentage of the total population who are smug and arrogant idiots as we have here?
Finally, here is a suggestion that I routinely do. When someone tries some of that cheap jingoism and faux patriotism as embodied in where is your flag pin? I just turn it back and ask questions about the U.s. Constitution (How many here have read it thoroughly?) I can get a chimp to wave a flag or wear a flag pin on a vest; no chimp can read, understand and live the U.S. Constitution,
The flag pin is not a sign of patriotism; it is a sign of mindless jingoism. Right now it serves as a convenient means of identifying politicians hiding a scandal, and the kind of yahoo you wouldn't want your daughter to marry. As such it serves a useful purpose. Don't confuse matters by having others wear it.
Incidentally, I think it was Nixon who initiated the "capture-the-flag" stratagem.
The new Patriotic Diet
In honor of our patriotism I propose a new diet. We should all eat hot dogs & apple pie every day until the election! And drink beer.
This makes about as much sense as wearing a flag pin. I understand Mr. Hart's position, I really do. I am sick of being subject to the anti-patriotism crede for not wearing a flag pin. Hmm, maybe it does have merit - it would sure confuse the heck out of the right wingnuts! They wouldn't know who to talk to.
Can I drink Corona?
I do not wear a flag pin, nor do I expect others to do so.
Do I support my country? Well, when younger I volunteered and served 4 years in the military during the Korean 'police action'.
Curiously, I find that the talk show hosts, who seem to spend lots of time wrapping themselves in the flag, seem not to have taken time out from their egotistical lives to serve. I've looked in vain through their bios to find one who was willing to put his/her life aside for a few years and stand in harm's way.
A veteran.
Rando Rhodes on the left is the only radio polarizer I know of who served in the military.
And what did she do again?
When used as a cudgel in order to defame political opponents, this flag pin nonsense couldn't be more offensive. And in such a context, adopting it now, especially after its conspicuous absence, would be pandering in the extreme.
At the same time, I think there are those who adopted the pin after 9/11 much in the same spirit as those who adopted the AIDS ribbon did in the early days of that crisis. I believe there were many who found the ribbons forced, which necessarily undercut the sincerity of the gesture, but who nevertheless found it difficult to swim against the trend. I noticed Julie Christie wore one at the last Oscar ceremony, but she was in a small minority. The current flag mania might wane, but it's difficult for the nominee to make a prominent change now without opening himself up to cynical accusations.
On the other hand, it may send the signal that once again; we allow the right wing to define the rules. Let them show the world that their grasp of patriotism is limited to wearing a lapel pin while they continue to support the most openly criminal administration this nation has ever had to endure.
This is a validation of the hateful idea that somehow one's patriotism or love of the *ideals* this country purports to stand for are somehow linked to wardrobe.
We are not all good little Party members wearing our lapel pins, and there is hardly anything *less* American than suggesting that we should.
Indeed.
Republicans use the U.S. Flag as their TOOL FOR CHEAP PROPAGANDA.
They are COWARDS who betray all Americans FOR THE SAKE OF GREED.
I have a problem with flag pins. I only own one. Sometimes I forget and leave it on my pajama lapel!
this is an EXCELLENT idea. you'll be wearing your flag pin every time you come across some repub who is not wearing one. and i'll tell you that I NEVER see people wearing flag pins while I'm out and about during the day. take advantage if they want to make it such an issue.
oy. why don't we let this dumb flag pin thing die. How bout if every Obama supporter instead goes out and reads a book? Or maybe gives a book to someone else?
One of the most intelligent suggestions I've read so far...
I understand the point and agree with the premise that wearing a pin doesn't really mean anything. On the other hand Senator Hart is completely correct that the far right has kidnapped the word patriot. They have distorted the word to mean unquestioning belief in whatever the President wants to do. I didn't support everything Clinton did, and have been sickened by the unconstitutional, UnAmerican actions of the present occupants of the executive branch. I will support and defend the Constitution and I will take back the word patriot from the pirates holding it hostage.
I will fight by your side.
The thing to do is get an Obama button and wear it next to the flag pin. Otherwise, the arrogant unAmerican American flag wearers will mistake you for somebody who supports them.
I remember a few years ago when Bush and his band of crooks were all wearing flag pins, and Bush was shown on tv with his birthday cake that was made in the approximate size of a flag and frosted to look exactly like a flag. Apparently, it is quite ok with them to EAT a flag and pass it through one's ...errrr..
I say Flag Pin on one side; Constitution Pin on the other! Show the republicans what they left in the drawer while they were wrapping themselves in the flag!
HEAR HEAR!!!
As a Canadian I am normally suspicious of those who wear flag pins.
However - for those of you who are fed up - or even "bitter" and are not going to put up with any more crap - here's a suggestion from your proud heritage.
Why not make up flag pins based on the Gadsden flags of the American revolution - remember the brown rattlesnake on a yellow field with the words "Don't tread on me!"
Real or pseudo intellectuals - or elitist wannabes can even have the pin enscribed with "nemo ne me impune lacesset" - to confused the unwashed. The slogan means "no one will provoke me with impunity" - and was used in Georgia in 1778.
Remember Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) at the end of "In the Valley of Elah"? Maybe we should wear our flag pins upside down.
I think we should all start wearing kaffiyas, too, in solidarity with Rachael Ray. (Only half kidding.) The symbol is only effective when we let it be effective. During WWII, Dutch citizens wore yellow stars of David to help disguise the Jews who were compelled to wear them.
"Let's leave symbols to the symbol-minded," as George Carlin once said, patriotic comedian that he is. Republicans simultaneously calling themselves patriots by requiring we all wave the flag & wear flag lapel pins, while calling themselves "God-fearing Christians" who believe in the 10 Commandments (sometimes advocating their public display in courtrooms), are hypocrites of the 1st order. If you wave a flag to symbolize the freedoms for which millions of people died over the past 2 centuries, you idol-worship in distinct violation of the Commandment not to bow down before any idol: "Thou shalt not accept any idols before the Lord your God." The flag in and of itself is merely a *symbol* of our freedoms. When we treat flags like sacrosanct demigods, we insult the monotheistic tradition of worshipping a single God. I personally have no issue with polytheists, wiccans, agnostics (of which I'm one) or atheists, but if you argue that wearing/waving a flag is the only way to prove your patriotism, you can't honestly claim to believe in a single Supreme Deity. Moral and political consistency is of the essence for anyone holding either view to maintain some level of credibility and integrity. I respectfully conclude that Gary Hart is merely naive here with the best intentions. If Barack feels inclined to wear a flag lapel pin, that's his prerogative. But I'll never hold the lack of one against any candidate who doesn't criticize another for not taking up the same habit.
I love the idea.
Sounds like Monkey Business to me.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
