By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
Patriotism is the flavor-of-the-week issue in the presidential campaign during the run-up to July 4th. At least Barack Obama said one thing of substance about the subject on Monday in Independence, Harry Truman's hometown.
"I will not question the patriotism of others in this campaign," Obama told cheering supporters.
He then made a few gracious comments about opponent John McCain's military service to America.
However, Obama's speech didn't really go to the heart of some criticisms against him.
He's never fully explained his reasons for flipping on the wearing of a flag lapel (first he thought it was unnecessary; now it's supposedly expected so he does it).
And Obama's comment Monday that "we can arrive at a definition of patriotism that, however rough and imperfect, captures the best of America's common spirit," wasn't followed by any such good definition.
Obama apparently knows patriotism when he sees it.
Sure, this whole debate about who's the bigger patriot -- McCain or Obama -- is ridiculous. Neither one wants America to fail, militarily or economically.
Don't worry. We just have a few more days to endure this sideshow over patriotism.
Delicious
Digg
on to the next side show
I think the side show of patriotism is just that, A show. You are correct in saying neither party wants us to fail as a nation. Patriotism isn't measured in years of service in the military. And it's going to take alot more then an eliquent speaker to prove to me he's patriotic. It's like having two bowls of poop and trying to figure out which one stinks the least. Let's face it all they are going to do is tell us what we want to hear and once elected go a completely different direction. It's a lose, lose situation. And we wonder why the worlds laughing at us?
Obama Two Muslim Women
Check out this hilarious parody of Obama's volunteers denying two Muslim women seats behind the podium at a rally.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOgrdrjWKdk