Lapel pins? Options

[pebkac]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299578,00.html

Democratic frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton told FOXNews.com Thursday night that she sometimes wears a pin to show her patriotism. “Wearing a flag pin, flying the flag, pledging allegiance to the flag, talking about the values that are important to America, teaching your children about what a great nation you have, standing up for those values, speaking out … there’s just so many ways that one can demonstrate patriotism,” Clinton said at a Chicago fundraiser.

A spokesman for Joe Biden told FOXNews.com that the Delaware senator "always wears a flag pin." It wasn't clear whether Dennis Kucinich wears a pin, but a spokeswoman told FOXNews.com that the Ohio congressman does "does carry a mini copy of the Constitution in his pocket."

John Edwards, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson didn't return calls for comment.

Republican hopeful John McCain said he doesn’t wear a flag pin on a daily basis. Brooke Buchanan, a spokeswoman for the Arizona senator, said “his record of service to his country shows his dedication.”

Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo said he wears a flag pin to show he’s proud to be an American and dismissed Obama’s decision. A representative for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said he always sported the pin when he was governor.

A spokesman for Sam Brownback said he wasn't sure how often the Kansas senator wears a flag pin. "It might be on some of his jackets — just there," ready for the wearing, said John Rankin. He said he didn't know if the Brownback had a set policy on wearing Old Glory as an accessory.

Brownback apparently doesn't wear one all the time. On the cover of his 2007 book, "From Power to Purpose," displayed on his campaign Web site, his lapel does not show a flag.

California Rep. Duncan Hunter "is proud to wear an American flag pin as much as possible and on any occasion," said spokesman Gary Becks.

Other Republican contenders Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul didn't respond to calls.

Wearing an American flag lapel pin is seen as a tradition on the campaign trail. Obama said Thursday that he stopped wearing one shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, telling reporters at a campaign stop in Iowa that “I probably haven’t worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while, I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic....

"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart," Obama said. "You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That's what we have to lead with, is our values and our ideals."

Clinton wouldn’t comment on Obama’s decision not to wear the pin.

“You’ll have to ask him,” she said.

Hunter wouldn't comment on Obama's decision and said he will let the senator speak for himself, his spokesman said in an e-mail. "Though there are several different ways to demonstrate your patriotism and love for our country, the flag has always represented the very best of America and it continues to serve as a great tribute to, and reminder of, the men and women who are fighting for our nation."

Really... can't the presidential candidates find something better to disagree about?

[Hartmann]

My comment is about Obama in particular (who's interview sparked this whole thing):

Oh man, he's so "against the establishment", I better vote for him. Who cares.

It's a pin. Whether he wears one or not doesn't "speak volumes" to what he believes, it's simply a way to reach out and try to grab the attention of those to whom it matters.

[cmac]

sure it does.
after 9/11 everyone was one the whole america kick. "yay america. we rule. look at how patriotic we are. i can put a ribon on my car and a lapel on my chest."
it's over. we don't need another president of 9/11.
at least that's how i see it.

[cupcake]

it's far from "over"...

that kind of thinking is what irks me about america. I think this whole fucking country is ADD sometimes...

[Hartmann]

sure it does.
after 9/11 everyone was one the whole america kick. "yay america. we rule. look at how patriotic we are. i can put a ribon on my car and a lapel on my chest."
it's over. we don't need another president of 9/11.
at least that's how i see it.

"whole America kick"? Everyone did this? No, people who were wanting to prove that they somehow had more patriotism than they're neighbor did this. Kind of like Senators who wanted to prove they were more committed to fighting terrorism did the same thing. In the end, the pin doesn't symbolize it, their actions do.

[impala454]

it's a f'n pin. who cares. the damn pin was prob made in china anyways.

[cmac]

6 years qualifies as over.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/opinion/30friedman.html

it's a f'n pin. who cares. the damn pin was prob made in china anyways.

with lead paintz!!!!!!!!

[cmac]

"whole America kick"? Everyone did this? No, people who were wanting to prove that they somehow had more patriotism than they're neighbor did this. Kind of like Senators who wanted to prove they were more committed to fighting terrorism did the same thing. In the end, the pin doesn't symbolize it, their actions do.

yeah, but it was EVERYWHERE after 9/11. i agree that having a pin doesn't make you more patriotic nor does having a magnet on your car. it's just an ego boost. but tons of people see it as you're more patriotic.

[Hartmann]

yeah, but it was EVERYWHERE after 9/11. i agree that having a pin doesn't make you more patriotic nor does having a magnet on your car. it's just an ego boost. but tons of people see it as you're more patriotic.

That's exactly my point. By removing the pin the only thing Obama has proven is that he is "going against the establishment" which only appeals to those who disagree with the political "message" of the pin.

He (Obama) hasn't been wearing the pin for a while but this media attempt to point it out just proves my point.

[cupcake]

6 years qualifies as over.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/opinion/30friedman.html


with lead paintz!!!!!!!!

holy hell that guy is an imbecile...

you go ahead and take his lead...while I go over and ask al qaeda if they think "it's over".

we don't need to go back to being open. on the converse, we need to batten the motherfuckin hatches and quit pussyfooting around with all this PC bullshit...

we continue this open arms course, and another 9/11 will happen. it's simply a matter of time.

[Psykopath]

I agree with cmac on certain points.

Following 9/11, it became the whole hip thing to be "patriotic" (compete with the Jones' on how many yellow ribbon, made in China magnets can be fit on an suv, number of flags in the yard, etc.). That false patriotism has died down, thankfully. Let the real patriots wearing uniforms, or those of us at home who respected democracy and America well before and long after 9/11 stand strong MINUS those shitty 'more patriotic than thou' pins/magnets/junk.

[Hartmann]

But Psykopath, you have to be careful who you call out about having the magnets on their cars... Some folks really are yellow star families and put the yellow ribbons on their cars.

For some it's status and you know, they have to live with the fact that they are just trying to showboat. Me, I have bigger things to worry about.

[cupcake]

well my point isn't about the lapel pins or ribbons or any of that false motivation feel-good bullshit.

mine is about the "it's over" mentality.

america...hotpockets and podcasts.

I hope texas does secede so I don't have to live in this entertainment tonight country.

[Psykopath]

But Psykopath, you have to be careful who you call out about having the magnets on their cars... Some folks really are yellow star families and put the yellow ribbons on their cars.

and I'm sorry that I lumped those in with the multitude of jackholes that went to Dollar General 3 months after 9/11, bought a box of "support our troops" ribbon magnets, and covered their vehicles in them.

I just saw way too much of that shit here in Lubbock and it made me fucking sick.

[cmac]

and the us can get rid of the "holier than thou" attitude.
it's ironic to me that the ribbons say "support our troops" when the price they paid for the ribbon was $1 that went to 7 eleven. screw the ribbon and go donate your buck to he military branch. if you really do support the troops.

This post has been edited by cmac: Oct 5 2007, 01:34 PM

[Hartmann]

and the us can get rid of the "holier than though" attitude.
it's ironic to me that the ribbons say "support our troops" when the price they paid for the ribbon was $1 that went to 7 eleven. screw the ribbon and go donate your buck to he military branch. if you really do support the troops.

I agree with that but I'm not going to spend my waking hours worrying about these people. They just look stupid and that's what matters.

[pebkac]

Eh, my point still stands...

It's a fucking lapel pin. Who cares one way or the other?

[chook]

my brother was in Iraq for a year, my dad was in the first gulf war and my grandfather in Vietnam. For someone in a position of authority I like the idea of having a lapel, but what you do is much more important.

[GOB]

how hard is it to pin an american flag on yourself, though? it takes like 4 seconds? a good publicist is going to tell you to do it because people will associate it patriotism, family values, good feelings, etc...

a bad publicist will tell you to not do it because the "non-conformists" will notice and bring it up on the internet. how many of you are going to vote for obama? none? really, big surprise? he might as well grow a hitler moustache and say it's a fashion thing, that it's got nothing to do with the holocaust

[Black Bear]

I understand Obama's point though. I've had an American flag since '97, and I have always had it hanging up in my place because I truly believe this is one hell of a great country we have. After 9/11 everyone suddenly decided they needed a flag to show how patriotic they were, and it always made me mad when people would come over, see my flag, and say "Oh you got on the flag band wagon also".

I just say FUCK YOU! I didn't need a fucking terrorist attack to make me realize how great a country we have despite all of its flaws and debacles going on. And I still have my flag up while the "patriotic" people have taken theirs down.

[Testm0nkey]

my dad gets people asking him to take his US flag down that he puts up on all the federal/military holidays/memorials. its bigger than most with a gold fringe (he got it from his office when he retired from AF and for somereason all the flags have a gawdy gold fringe) but its not some 40' flag. people in the neighborhood have called it a "distraction" and against the neighborhood community/rules/zoning.
one of our neighbors has AT LEAST 5 different magnetic ribbon things on her car and she complains about a flag

you shouldnt be expected to or even have to talk about wearing a flag lapel or anything like that. discussing whos not wearing what totally takes away the idea of why you are doing it in the first place. and you get crazy people obsessed with the idea but just not getting it. its politicians being politicians im sure they actually couldnt care less

[impala454]

I understand Obama's point though.

yeah, his point was, "OMG nobody's talking about me anymore so let me do something controversial, yet powerful to the losers that might vote for me, so I can get in the news and be discussed". and he definitely succeeded.

[cmac]

i'm pretty sure he was not wearing it for a long while before foxnews brought it up and then obama blew it off.

[chook]

my dad gets people asking him to take his US flag down that he puts up on all the federal/military holidays/memorials. its bigger than most with a gold fringe (he got it from his office when he retired from AF and for somereason all the flags have a gawdy gold fringe) but its not some 40' flag. people in the neighborhood have called it a "distraction" and against the neighborhood community/rules/zoning.
one of our neighbors has AT LEAST 5 different magnetic ribbon things on her car and she complains about a flag

you shouldnt be expected to or even have to talk about wearing a flag lapel or anything like that. discussing whos not wearing what totally takes away the idea of why you are doing it in the first place. and you get crazy people obsessed with the idea but just not getting it. its politicians being politicians im sure they actually couldnt care less

That is a lot of bandwagon NIMBY people.

[jonathan83]

it's a f'n pin. who cares. the damn pin was prob made in china anyways.

very true.

and my stance is the same. who cares if they wear one or not? how many regular americans wear them? a stupid pin doesn't say anything about how patriotic you are....