Barack Obama and redefining patriotism

Regardless of Obama's views on Patriotism no matter how you word it like his " less traditional" views he will never succeed at changing most American's minds. We are very aware of what our notion believes and feels constitutes PATRIOTISM...Some countries believe that blowing ones self up to destroy others is patriotism...Not us...This is a touchy subject and he should not even go there...His past actions do not give any credence to his views....

BO's definition: work hard and give over half to gov't so they can provide you with sub-standard services.

The Republican defintion of Partriotism is a Chinese made flag pin, a "Support the troops" sticker on their Hummer H2, and passing along trillions of debt onto the next generation so that the rich can save a few dollars on taxes to pay for their private jets, French champagne, and their to stash away in offshore accounts.

Would the Liberal Media bury this story? Methinks if the medial had a Liberal bias it would be splashed all over on the front pages:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lisold0706,0,814136,print.story

When Obama goes after McCain for his service he insults every man and women who has served our country. The only thing Obama has to run on is his few short years in the Senate so let's take a strong look at that, take a look at the Chicago District that Obama has made so much "change".

Don't you think we should rethink the definition, if we already haven't, given our present President and Vice-President. I, for one, don't find the fact that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney didn't serve in our actual Armed Forces too disturbing, at the the time, they were needed. As most of use know, as Veterans, the ROTCs and National Guards were escape routes for avoiding, going to Vietnam. So, in actuality, neither of our Executives, President and Vice-President, actually serve in our Armed Forces, but, I don't have a great deal of difficulty with that thought. After all, in my humble opinion, former President Clinton was a very good President for all of America and I didn't support him on several important issues, but he did the job and he didn't serve, either !! Are non-military citizens any less valuable to the life of our nation, than military citizens? I don't think so, as a matter of fact, I believe they are more important, in our pursuit of a real democratic nation. We, non-military citizens, are the guardians of our freedoms, here at home and that does mean, against the very military citizens that we support and sustain. I am a Veteran, USAF/ Aircraft Mechanic, and I thank God every day for our military personnel. They perform an invaluable service and America can not exist without a viable and sufficiently equipped Armed Forces, for any contingencies. No, it is not an imperative that our Chief Executives be Veterans, that is the beauty of America, any citizen should be recognized as capable, based on his or her love for this great nation of ours.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

The fact that Republicans are so willing to disavow people's patriotism because they haven't served is despicable.
I love this country and still tear up every time I hear the national anthem. While I haven't served in the armed forces I would go if called. In fact with the reduced size of the military over the last 35 years since Vietnam (with the exception of the last 7 years) most Americans haven't served the military. That in no way diminshes ones patriotism or love of country. Nor does it wash away the patriotism of new immigrants. Lest you forget, this nation was built on and still is based on immigration, whether the Republicans like it or not.
patrotism is not a club to be wielded. It is a byproduct of the greatness of this nation and it should never be used as a weapon to dimiish another citizen.

Terry's definition: The needs of other american citizens are unimportant, the rest of the country can rot, and never, ever, sacrifice in any way for the good of the nation.

Come on, Dwyer probably had mental problems BEFORE he went into the service. Getting hit one time isn't going to put him over the edge. Stop trying to make it seem like the Iraq war is the bogeyman.

Like religion, we all have our own powers of reason and our own definition of patriotism. That this is even an issue proves even more how insecure and unfocused the American public can be. Does one have to prove their patriotism by wearing a flag pin? I dont think so. does one have to prove their patriotism by hanging a flag on their portch? Again, i dont think so. Simply by living in the United States, paying taxes, and voting proves a certain patriotism towards our country. Not everyone needs to prove themselves to others. This whole patriotism issue stinks of McCarthyism. Do we move forward into the future or back to the past of uncertanties and insecurities about our own neighbors lack of flag waving pandering? The right and their own fears are the continuing decline of the United States as a Democratic republic for which it stands!

Translator - I'll put it in words you understand "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

What is patriotism?

Flags. Lots and lots of flags. Always set up you photo-ops with at least 3 or 4 of them in the background.

Terry, sounds like I hit your definition of patriotism right on the head: pure greed and selfishness with no concern for the nation. Glad I could be of service.

obama is a sad story. he does not remember JFK SAID- ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
JOHN MCCAIN DID THAT. HE WAS READY TO GIVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THIS NATION. OBAMA IS NO MATCH EXCEPT HOLLOW SLOGANS. MCCAIN DID NOT FEEL PROUD OF AMERICA FIRST TIME IN HIS ADULT LIFE. HE WAS ALWAYS PROUD.IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT PUNDITS ARE SCARED OF BEING CALLED RACIST SO THAT STAY AWAY FROM OBAMA BUT THEY WERE FREE TO TRASH CLINTONS AND WILL DO THE SAME WITH MCCAINAND OBAMA WILL HAVE A FREE RIDE.
OBAMA IS USING THE RACE CARD VERY WELL IN HIS FAVOUR.
THERE ARE MANY DEMOCRATS. LIKE ME WHO FEEL PROUD OF THIS COUNTRY AND FEEL PROUD OF JOHN MCCAIN.
IT IS INTELECTUAL BANKRUPTCY TO COUNT MCCAIN JUST AN OTHER BUSH. HE HAD THE COURAGE TO FIGHT WITH BUSH ON ISSUES DEAR TO HIS HEART. THAT NATIONAL HERO DESERVES TO LEAD
THIS NATION IN TIME OF WAR.
bhagwan deol los angeles

In the half-doz generations of my family, Patriotism has ment putting the liberties of the people as protected by the Bill of Rights and Constitution, before the finiancial interests of the oligarchy that trys to make this 'the best govenment money can buy'. Your protect the people first, you are a Patriot. You gut the Constitution and you are something else again. Lets see who will be the best Patriot under that definition.

Patriotism to the right is being able to call every American who disagrees with their ideas....UnAmerican.

If you agree with us, you are a patriot. If you don't, you're not.

Posted by: Terry | July 7, 2008 12:27 PM

Oh, come on, Terry. Did you know the Bible endorses a socialist economic society?

Acts of The Apostles: "The community of believers is of one mind and noone holds possesions of their own, but keeps everything in common. If one acquires property, he is to sell it and distribute the proceeds according to each one's need."

Translator - If someone works hard to get ahead, do you believe the gov't should come along and take 54% of it and redistribute it to those that sit on the brains all day?

Just because the money does not run thur the gov't does not mean it will not have the down-trodded such as yourself. Even Obama like the idea of faith-based charities helping out the less fortunate, such as yourself.

I guess another famous quote from your hero is in store:

"The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property." Sounds like Obama

For one, Obama did not attack McCain for his patriotism Bessie. Clark did. My question is, should we honestly doubt the patriotism of someone who is running for the highest office in the land? Unless you are a crazy conspiracy theorist, it seems pretty clear to me that these candidates, just as all major candidates in the past that have run for this office, love their country and are pouring their money, time, and heart into every second of the campaign. McCain's military patriotism is clear, but Obama's should be just as clear as well. He graduated from one of the top law schools in the country and decided against the big law firm career path and chose to get into community and state politics instead. A decision that shows giving back to his country was more important to him than enhancing his personal wealth. These decisions are difficult and it takes a certain kind of person to choose this route. Again, I think this is another issue that is irrelevant, but that has furthered my confidence that both candidates truly want what is best for this country despite their different views on how to get us there (which is expected). By the way, 'protest is patriotism', do you not realize that comments like that are the reasons conservatives cannot stand the far left?

Terry- You don't dispute any portion of my translation of your words. You can blather on about Obama and Marx all you want, but it appears by your lack of a counter claim I have distilled YOUR views down accurately. Greed, Selfishness, Lack of concern for the rest of the nation. Oh, and I guess I forgot elitism. Sorry. I'll try to remember that in the future.

Terry,
I think you need a new accountant. There is no way you should be paying 54% in income tax using a marginal tax rate system. Kind of weakens your argument when you post lies.
PS Did you know you get huge tax breaks when you are rich and are a property owner?

David J - I guess you better first define the "community of belivers". Since the quote talks about a community of believers, then I guess I should only have to redistribute to those that share the same belief system that I do. Under your rules, I guess the liberals share in none of my bounty. You get an "A" for effort

" If this presidential election is to be determined to a considerable degree by national security matters, the issue may well turn to some extent on how successful Sen. Obama is in redefining what the much-honored notion of patriotism really means. " ~ P.A.B.

democrats ALWAYS have a need to re-define what words mean. Merriam-Webster needs to make a special pocket translator to help ya get through what it is that they are really saying.

I have NO doubts about the partiotism of Harry Truman, of JFK, of LBJ, of even George McGovern, but that's when the road forked all the way over to the left. It is NOT anything that Karl Rove told me. It is the democrats themselves that keep those serious doubts on that forefront burner.

At the democrat convention in Denver, everyone that has anything to say will have a back-drop engulfed in red, white, and blue, almost as much red, white, and blue, as there are Pretty Latinas in Tx.
I'm fine with the color scheme. Love the choice of fabric. The interior designers are all first rate. Just need to mix in a dash of credibility, if possible, every once in a while. Don't look like me, feigning interest in World Championship Soccer.

"Redefining Patriotism"?

Huh, what is he talking about?

The Republicans have always told me that being a patriot is all about wearing a small made in China flag pin and putting a yellow "support the troops" bumper sticker on my gas guzzling SUV....

All of us Republicans are patriotic and here's why you should always vote Republican:
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU
-

If you agree with the current administration, you are patriotic. If you don't you aren't...Boy, how unpatriotic would our founding fathers be by that definition.

I served, but I do not believe that military service is a fundamental requirement for the position of president.

I also do not subscribe to the notion of a need for vast amounts of experience. Considering the mess this country is in right now, the "experienced" people running the country have not proven to be worth much.

I respect Mr. McCain. I have no doubt that he loves country this country. BUT I have no faith in the current policies foreign or domestic. They have done nothing but worsen every issue we currently face. Mr. McCain has given me absolutely no reason to believe that his administration will be nothing more than 4 more years of the same.

Mr. Obama, represents a different voice. A different way of approaching the problems we face. Are his ideas the way we should go? I hope so.
To me, its kinda like this.

You're driving down a mountain road. You can see that further down the same road that a bridge is in the process of collapsing. One person, says stay the course, listen to me because I am experienced, I drove this road 35 years ago and a guy I used to argue with all the time says its the way to go. Another guy says, look I've never been on this road before, but I can see the bridge is not going to hold. There is a turn off up ahead. I think it would be a good idea to change roads because I know we are headed for disaster if we keep going this way.
Question: you going with the experienced guy or are you gonna hang a right?
Basically thats what you get to decide this November

Come on, Dwyer probably had mental problems BEFORE he went into the service. Getting hit one time isn't going to put him over the edge. Stop trying to make it seem like the Iraq war is the bogeyman.
Posted by: Sheila | July 7, 2008 12:01 PM

I can't believe that you would belittle what this soldier went through. His mother stated that he wasn't the same person when he came home. It seems that Republicans bleat about the grandeur of military service only when it serves their means. McCain cracks up 5 planes and he's a hero. This soldier sees it all on the ground and Sheila wants to impose an imaginary pre-existing condition on him. She must work for an insurance company.

Look at Obama's history. He has belonged to and led nothing but far left, blame America-first political and legal groups throughout his career. He's never served his country in any of the military, volunteer or public service missions he calls on today's young people to take up.
He never, ever says ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country, as Kennedy did. On the contrary, he's always ready to tell you how government can solve your problems. If you think that's patriotic then you deserve what you get from him, I guess.

Steve - the 54% rate is Obama's proposed rate. Current rate is 38% - Incvome tax rate at 35% and Medicare Rate - 3% and no FICA since it stops at $102K.

Obama Rate - 39% tax rate, Medicare still at 2.9% and FICA at 12.4% for income over $250K. Adds up to 54%.

If you see this three times, its because the SWAMP is slow posting or won't post.

Translator - you need to re-read. Just because the gov't doesn't provide charity for the downtrodded, doesn't mean it does exist. Just want the help to the downtrodded to get the best help - and the gov't doesn't provide that.

Someone on the staff is, er, not too swift.

First the "seal".

Now the gold fringe. A substantial number of the public were trained that the gold fringe is a military ensign. Hence McCain can appropriate it more easily than Barack because of the former's military background.
Note the flag planted on the moon did NOT have a fringe, consistent with the official version of the space program that it was peaceful, not a military grab.
It had to wait for Ronnie to come out and refer openly to Star WARS.
Flag fringe is a small point, but some might feel it is a misappropriation of a military ensign.
Was the person responsible for the "seal" also in charge of the flags??