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