On Barack Obama and patriotism
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
A. Vic Poillucci
Published: July 10, 2008
Much has been written, in the columns of this paper, regarding how one displays patriotism, especially those who wear a lapel pin — or in the case of the presidential candidate, Mr. Obama, the lack of
one. This entire thing is nonsense.
As a two-time Vietnam Veteran, I can forgive Mr. Obama for not wearing a lapel pin. I do however; question his character and his patriotism for different reasons. His character comes into question by his
involvement with the Right Reverend Jeremiah Wright. It is true that Mr. Obama attended the church where Reverend Wright was pastor and in which he was married and his children baptized.
After twenty years, he denounced his association with the reverend after first defending him. Does not that matter in determining ones character, or is someone going to accuse me of being a racist?
Equally troubling to me is Mr. Obama’s lack of patriotism for this GREAT country of ours — not by the lack of a flag lapel pin — but his explanation of why he doesn’t follow protocol when the National
Anthem is played. According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 171 —During the rendition of the National Anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are
expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Something most Americans have known for years, we teach our kids and accept as part of our American heritage.
Mr. Obama’s response — “As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides.
There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American Flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be
swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.’ If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.”
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
A. VIC POILLUCCI
Woodbridge
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( raywilliams ) on July 11, 2008 at 6:33 am
How can Vic be a two-time veteran when there was only one Vietnam War? Does Vic mean he served two tours of duty? Frankly, I’m more concerned about John McCain clinging tight to advisor Phil Graham’s belief we’re in a “mental recession”. I need only to see the $120 of fuel going into my truck, the $200,000 decline in my home’s value and the rapidly rising cost of groceries to know this recession is not “mental”. If John’s not convinced we’re in recession, perhaps a look at the Bear Market on Wall Street would open his eyes. But, Vic feels it would be wrong for John to cut & run on his buddy Phil, so we can take whatever Phil says as words directly from John’s mouth.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Sammy B ) on July 11, 2008 at 12:05 am
How many people automatically agree with 100% of what their clergy say? Has anyone stopped to consider the possibility that the Obama family worshiped with Rev. Wright because of his scriptural learning and ability to minister to members of his community through life’s ups and downs but disagreed with his political commentary? Not that it matters really, since McCain had his own little entanglement with Catholic-basher John Hagee. I would say that the candidates cancel each other out on the controversial preacher front.
Report Inappropriate Comment