oh, say can you see

by Sandra Kinne

Published: May 26, 2008

Barack Obama has conceded the never-ending battle. He has apparently had enough of the repeated assaults on his patriotism, the incessant questioning and the tiresome – yet truthful – explanations. Instead of continuing to fight a fight in which he cannot be victorious, Obama has caved.

He has put a pin-sized star-spangled banner on his lapel. By his own admission, Obama has worn a flag pin off-and-on for years, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11 when everyone had flags on their lapels, cars and Porches. As though decorating your car’s bumper was the same thing as becoming a decorated war veteran.

However, in recent years, as widely reported, Obama has seldom worn them, preferring to show his patriotism by serving in Congress, the forum in which our independence, freedom and democracy is founded, ensured and maintained. He’d put a flag pin on every now-and-then, especially when given one by a veteran or armed service member. But, in general, Obama argued patriotism was better expressed in people’s actions and deeds, in their commitment to fellow Americans and veterans.

Recently, though, instead of relying on his own actions and deeds, he’s back to wearing the flag pin regularly. And thank goodness for that. How else would we know a senator running for president is committed to this country and preserving its basic existence? I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to prove his Christianity by renewing his Congressional Oath of Affirmation on the Gutenberg Bible and being baptized at a campaign rally in Alabama.

I kid, of course. The flag pin question stems from ignorance, lack of world view, and reluctance by certain people to admit their real reasons for not supporting him. Neither Senator Hillary Clinton nor Senator John McCain wears a flag pin regularly. Their patriotism is not questioned. One can argue a flag pin hardly defines one’s patriotism and dedication to his country as much as 5 ½ years as a prisoner of war, but what of Hillary’s naked lapel?

Many people hide behind the flag pin as an excuse for not saying why they won’t really vote for him. (Psst, he’s black in case you’re blind, deaf or oblivious to the last 18 months of news coverage.) With him wearing the flag pin more regularly, they’ll just go on to some other lame excuse not to vote for him. He’s Muslim (he’s not); he’s too young (as opposed to McCain who’s the antithesis of young); his wife’s too outspoken (why is this a bad thing? They said the same thing about Bill Clinton’s wife circa 1992. Wonder what happened to those two.).

Lest we forget, this mentality in which “patriotism equals flag pin” exists in a country with Congressional representatives who decided “Freedom Fries” would really stick it to the French when they wouldn’t support an unjustified war in Iraq. Never mind fries are really from Belgium. (Representatives Bob Ney of Ohio and Walter Jones of North Carolina, I’m looking at you.)

Besides trying to move the focus to real, substantial issues such as a renewed GI Bill, bringing our troops home or ensuring health care for every American, I suspect Obama’s wearing the flag pins regularly to prove a point. If he’s wearing one today, he’s no more patriotic than the day before, when he wasn’t wearing one. If he doesn’t wear one tomorrow, he’s no less committed to the ideals, values and virtues he spoke about and fought for the day before. I suspect he’s trying to prove he’s right; the flag pin makes no difference in one’s actions, values or commitment to one’s country.

Perhaps he – or his decision-making staffers – have the same “Quotes of the Day” setting on their iGoogle homepage and had this pop up a few weeks ago: “It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.” This gem of a quote is attributed to William G. McAdoo, a former Secretary of Treasury, a 1930s US Senator, and son-in-law to President Woodrow Wilson.

I doubt flag pins on senators’ lapels were a big issue back in McAdoo’s day, but the essence of his words is still true. Obama can’t prove his patriotism any more than he is already doing in his own actions, in his own measures. He can’t convince the people of West Virginia, Kentucky or Ohio he’s not unpatriotic. He can’t win an argument with closed-minded, uncultured, ignorant people who hide their racism in the flag.

Instead, Obama has decided to wear the flag pin more regularly. He has given in, not to give proof of his patriotism to others, but because this battle is so insignificant in the larger, perilous fight of the general election. He has conceded this battle, but he will still win the war.

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