Real Name: Tom Webster Gender: male Member Since: August 14, 2006 Last Signed In: July 04, 2008 Profile Views: 10969 Blog Views: 12165 Not Yet Drinking Liberally Drinking Liberally? Bush Announces The End of the Surge McCain Breaks His Own Laws McCain's Idea of Love Unofficial "Bloggers' Brunch" at Dagny's Saturday Republican State Parties in Disarray Publican's Political Genius I did not have sexual relations with that woman! Amazing Obama Video August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 
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I'm Wearing Two Flag Pins
The recent flap over Obama's decision to stop wearing an American Flag lapel pin has got me thinking: If the true measure of a person's patriotism is not their concern for their country or their willingness to sacrifice for their country but is instead measured by adornment and jewelry, I'll pin two American flags to my coat.
We see all the time the idea that flying a flag, flying a bigger flag or flying a multitude of flags is seen as a symbol of patriotism. Giant flags are becoming the norm at RV and car lots. Banners with flags have been in use for a while. The "arms race" of flags turns some people off, but if it wasn't working, certainly the companies would stop doing it. There are of course some cases where organizations have gone overboard. Anyone remember the American flag trash bags? Clearly, we weren't ready to rename our trash "Freedom Flotsam". People put American flags everywhere, on shirts, hats and jackets and on their cars. Some people even use them as their avatars in online forums. But does it make people patriotic if they have them? Does it make people unpatriotic not to? Imagine if a metal American flag emblem became a standard feature on new cars. If there were no cost difference, would you choose to have one? How would you feel about people who decided not to have one? Obama is taking a big risk here, but one I think may pay off for him. We've gotten tired of the American flag being used as a bludgeon against the people and people feeling like they can't oppose an idea simply because someone has wrapped it in a flag. This is not a new phenomenon, but it has been amplified since 9/11. It's time that we restored the flag to its proper place as the symbol of our country and not a crass marketing symbol for shoddy ideas. Patriotism isn't about symbolic gestures and a person's patriotism shouldn't be measured through their compliance with a song and dance routine. It's about your allegiance to American ideals. If we prove to be a nation that can't see the cake for the frosting, the substance past the style, we'll end up with campaigns as Potemkin villages and no metric by which to discern who really stands for what, if they stand for anything at all. 16 comments from 9 users
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posted by
tchudilowsky
on Oct 5, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Maybe I will be offended he is not wearing a breast cancer awareness pin!
(jk) posted by
blognroll
on Oct 5, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Good point about cancer awareness. Obviously we need symbols for multiple reasons. They are important to our way of life. Yes, symbols can become cliches, and they can be abused by political opportunists. But why let the political opportunists ruin it for the rest of us? If somebody generally feels proud of his/her country and if wearing the flag is that person's way of expressing their pride, then they should display their sentiments in any way that is not offensive. posted by
TomW
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I think the problem, BLT, is that the lapel pin has become an empty gesture. We certainly need to have a national conversation about our symbols and what they mean. We also need to stop using them as weapons.
posted by
TomW
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Good one, Tina. It would be funny if the candidates ended up having to cover their jackets with "flair" to avoid offending any group.
posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:02 PM
We need to stop *FOCUSING* on the symbols instead of the reality behind them. . If no one is allowed not to wear a flag pin, then the symbol is worthless. posted by
TomW
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:06 PM
RF, the problem is that the flag pin doesn't really represent patriotism anymore. It represents submission to the status quo. I think that is the real reason why Obama has decided to stop wearing it.
posted by
sfinboston52
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:08 PM
but why random....it so more important to see the symbol rather than the reality behind them <EG> Our condo building discuss if we would fly the American flag from our building. While we all like the idea realized that it may signal political view we all dont agree and decided not to allow any time of flag to be flown from the building nor for any political advert to be place on the property such as vote for TBD. I do have to say it really irks me to see people flying tattered dirty flags on their cars or from there homes. I believe out of respect for the flag if you going to fly it then fly it right. posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Because it's become mandatory. I don't applaud Obama for no longer wearing it--if in fact he has. I condemn those who think it's a big deal that he's done so. If in fact he has.
posted by
TomW
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:14 PM
I agree SF. About a year after 9/11, I went around and took pictures of all the tattered flags that were hanging. The one that made me the most upset was the one hanging off the SF Chronicle Building. I took pictures of it and emailed it to them for a story idea.They replaced their own flag the next day and a week later ran a story on all the tattered flags. posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:17 PM
I remember a comment made shortly after 9/11 that the flags being ripped to shreds by flying on car antennas and subsequently landing in the gutters were intended only for short-term use during parades...jut like the empty, easy patriotism which put them there.
posted by
sfinboston52
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:18 PM
I have never worn my love of country pin to my shirt or flying from my car or home, nor did I wear a Red ribbion, Pink ribbion for the 2 causes which I support. I try to show through my daily actions my pride or views. Also, just love that fact about the SF Chron. of course they did that, what else did you expect them to do :p. TO bad you could have publish their own flag from the week prior. posted by
mattloch
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:20 PM
At least buying wristbands gives money directly to the cause they represent....  Who gets the money from lapel flags? An American middle-man (maybe), and the Chinese company that made them? posted by
sagefever
on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:28 PM
If just looking at something~be it a picture of a plane flying into a building,a flag lapel pin or a nicely dressed person~ could tell you about that thing..we all be in happy marriages,have no fear of terrorists and know what lurks in the heart of any human.
posted by
Lingtaowoo
on Oct 5, 2007 at 01:37 PM
I'll continue to wear mine..have been for YEARS before 9/11---thats just the kind of guy that I am..I also wear the 3rd Mar.Div.--1st Mar.Div.--3rd Mar.Airwing pins also--thats my "Bling-Bling"
posted by
ChicoEsquela
on Oct 5, 2007 at 01:43 PM
I don't wear a suit much, but when I used to I had a flag on one side and another small "minitiarized military ribbon" on the other. I've got more LA wristbands than I care to mention but I don't like wearing them. Of all people I know I should. Wear your bling with pride Ling. You earned it! Obama's problem with his "bling" BTW was starting out to wear it then choosing not to. The press makes "hay" out of everything nowdays. posted by
blognroll
on Oct 5, 2007 at 01:48 PM
It should be up to the individual. What's a meaningless cliche to one person may be very meaningful to another. Once again, are you going to let those who abuse the symbol, cheapen it, or get all politically opportunistic about it alter your behavior one way or another?
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