What are your thoughts on Barack Obama refusing to wearing an American flag lapel pin?
by 
Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today
ANSWERS: 56
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Is it compulsory, or is America still the land of the free?
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I don't believe it should be as much as an issue as people make it out to be. He should have the right to do what ever he wants. However, I do wonder why it's such an issue for him? Why would he not want to wear the symbol of the country he's wanting to lead?
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I have no thoughts on this topic. Is that wrong?
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Was he supposed to wear one so anyone that watched it knew it had to do with an American election, and some people wouldn't believe it otherwise because a black man is running for president?
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Why should he? Is he not proving himself as a patriotic person by serving in the government?
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I say good for him! Dont let anyone force you into wearing anything you dont want to wear! When I was in CA for July 4th in 2002 the people I was with wanted me to stand with my hand over my chest for the national anthem, I refused! I stood as a mark of respect to the country I was in but I had no need or desire to place my hand on my chest. In the end they accept that and we had a great time.
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I think he has a point about his support and patriotism for our troops being inside him, but you can see a pin to presume what he thinks but you can't see inside a man to know for sure....He got bad advice on that one....
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I think it is silly that someone in the press decided he wasn't wearing one and he should be... and it is the most newsworthy thing to discuss about this candidate... Having said that, I'm afraid it /might/ be the most newsworthy thing to report about him...
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Maybe because of his disappointment with America's state?
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who is he/she?
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I think a lot of people do things simply for show..like wearing a lapel pin for example. They wear the flag (some of them) to flaunt their "patriotism". Symbols mean very little, as does self-aggrandizement or self-serving actions..we are surrounded by them..we are drowning in them. If he chooses not to wear it, so what? Talk is cheap, symbols are cheap, pointing fingers at others and making accusations is easy..none of it means anything. It's who you are and what you do that means something.
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As stated this is a non-issue. It ranks up there with people stealing yellow ribbons off of someones car and putting them on their car and saying "how patriotic they are." Obama can wear a pentagram for all I care.
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I could were a giant dildo lapel pin if it would make those knucleheads feel better.
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It doesn't matter to me at all. We have the freedom to choose; he's simply making a choice.
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I think its disgusting for a anyone who is in the run-in to lead and represent your nation to refuse to wear your national flag. I am in full support of his freedom of expression, he has and should have every right to refuse to wear the flag - however I think this act is appalling none the less.
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We, as a free country do not require our civilians to wear or not wear a symbol of alliance, as a private citizen he is entitled to wear, or not wear the flag as he chooses. If he cares enough about the country's future to sacrifice this much of his life to try to do what he sees as making it better, I think he is doing more to support his country than those who have put flags on their cars, shirts, and not gotten involved in the process of changing their world. As a democratic nation, we should be involved. ARE you?
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You have got to be kidding me? We're at war and the most note worthy news story is about Obama not wearing a silly pin? I'm way more worried about his possitions on the issues then on his choice of jewlery. This ranks right up there with the fit people threw over him not wanting to take his oath on the Bible.
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I want to know why he is making it an issue. Also there are a great many people out there who will read something in to it which is why the media is having a field day with it. What silliness will they be picking on next?
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I'd wear a bleeding rose if Obama was elected president.
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If this is true, it's another disgusting example of right-wingers smearing Democrats for political gain. This kind of crap (along with ignoring the environment, being in the hip pocket of big business at the expense of the majority of citizens, and know-nothing foreign policy), is the main reason that in every presidential election since 1982, my first, I've voted AGAINST the Republican, and never FOR anybody. (Hillary will sorely test this trend.) . Maybe, just maybe, he doesn't wear one because he doesn't believe in an America of loyalty oaths and tests and groupthink, but rather believes that the strengths of America lie in its constitution and the free spread and debate of various ideas. Is it so far beyond the yahoos of the right (not even the FAR right, any more) that they can't believe that their opponents are patriots and honorable people too? I believe in many cases it is, while in others they are knowingly smearing honorable people for political gain, which is utterly despicable.
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It his choice and it is not required for any government official to wear one. So I really give it no thought.
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Obama Barack was and probably still is a choomer!
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I think it's a bad PR decision on his part but it certainly isn't an issue for me. The fact that a person does or doesn't wear a certain pin on the lapel is certainly no clear indicator of their patriotism. I can think of several public officials who prominently display said pin and concurrently disrespect the country and it's constitution.
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I feel somewhat distrustful of people who think that wearing a stupid lapel pin makes them better than someone who does not. I don't give a toss. Can we PLEASE focus on something of substance here in America? Obama's cool...he can do what he wants.God, it's a lapel pin, for f***'s sake...if I see one more Hummer or Expedition with a red white and blue ribbon on the back, I'll rear-end them!!!(and not in a good way...)
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I dont wear a flag either, but wear all kinds of cultural stuff also
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of course it's an issue. And for all those who will undoubtedly disagree, think about this...... He is not a private citizen, he is a representative of our government and seeking to run for the most elevated office in our country. For him to refuse to honor the nation that has nurtured and sustained him is disgraceful. I think it shows a lack of respect for the office he so dearly wishes to hold.
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I don't care. I actually think it might might be admirable to not worry about trivial symbolism....or maybe the whole thing is symbolism itself. Either way, I still don't care.
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yes, it is an issue with me. He is running for the highest office in this country and will not show his patriotism toward it or his support of it? I would think that would be enough to make anyone at least stop and ask some serious questions. I can't help feeling that this election will result in some very hard times ahead..no matter what the outcome. For the first time in my life, I look forward to an election with dread..got a BAD feeling about this one.
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You'd really like this article http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/opinion/25kristol.html I know, it's from the New York Times, something most people think is the liberal version of Fox News, but they actually have some very conservative op-ed pieces. This one is by Bill Kristol. I'm going to assume the turban comment is a bit tongue-in-cheek, because while I don't see eye to eye with you on most political issues I know you're not an idiot. For those who don't know, the turban he was wearing was part of traditional Somali clothing. He wore it out of respect while visiting Kenya. So no, it is a non issue for me.
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No -- one is just jingoism; the other, showing respect for another culture's customs...
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Yes it is.
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It's an issue for me ....only that he won't wear the American flag pin. That has been a thorn in my side from the day he made the choice to not wear it. I want my president to wear that pin proudly.
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It doesn't matter to me as long as they put it on. I would love to see a canditate where a suit made of the american flag like uncle sam to a debate or outing. That would be great.
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It is an issue! For someone who says he will not wear a flag pin, but will put flags around him in almost every photo opportunity I have to wonder why he would be conficted about putting the pin on his person.
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Can we let this 'Obama is a Muslim' thing rest? He's not. He showed respect while visiting another culture in Africa, the same as many before him have done and not been questioned. As for the flag lapel pin, perhaps he thinks it's become a trite and overused way to show one's patriotism, like I do. I don't think any public figure should be pressured into wearing any pin just because it's the current thing to do. Nobody would have taken offense to this on September 10, 2001. Believe me, if Obama wanted to get into office to enact his secret agenda to become a great Muslim leader, he'd be the most patriotic man you've ever seen hit the campaign trail.
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what does it matter if he refuses ever thought he may find it to be disrespectful to wear one and screligous to swear on a bible it doesnt make him anyless patriotic towards his country its like saying if you dont fly your flags outside your home for support of troops over seas then youre unamerican but reminds me of a saying of what an elderly women once said for the reason why she didnt fly her one time "why do i need to fly my flag for im not going to listen to what someone else is going to tell me what to do ill pray for the troops but flying the flag does no good for the troops its just a way to show off for anyone passing by flying the flag is not going to save any lives or bring them home anysooner"quoted elderly lady ill leave nameless the elderly lady is patriotic but had a good point about flying the flag outside your homes for show of support that i think is relivent towards the topic this question is directed thanks the iron man
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let's change fashion styles and drop lapels, collars, cuffed trousers(as they did in WWII to conserve material and that's why womens dresses became skirts) why wearing x-tra cloth equals success and sure anyone reading this is wearing a plain t-shirt as me with no pinned flag on it because it would not stand well on a loose garment. i have always thought of lapel pins as sissy-as stupid as a bumper stickers on cars. our nations colors are meant to fly on a pole and not on personal attire. there is a proper way to burn a flag when it's worn out but does anyone question if bush or many just pitch them because of too many greasy fingerprints after days of dry cleaning suits and just pitched out in some trash can
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I think people who base their patriotism on weather you wear an American flag is shallow. My commitment to my country has nothing to do with waiving an American flag in my yard or on my lapel. Last time I checked, as a citizen of this great country you had a choice in how you honored your patriotism. Obama has shown his commitment to this country thru his citizenship as an American and his service as a United States Senator.
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Me, I alluz vote for the candidate that wraps themsef in the flag in the most fashionable and blatant manner. Makes no diff what they actually say or how they show true patriotism by their actions. I'm all for hollow flag waving and Jingoism.
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I disagree with 90% of the answers on this question! Thats my right by freedom of speech! Yes I know it is his right as well, But, He is running for the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA....which is represented by our beautiful RED WHITE & BLUE! Put the damn pin on....You don't have to dig for dirt on this guy, he's that much of a moran that he thinks people won't care about this shit? I care that he refuses to swear on the bible, & not to wear the Flag on his lapel! Let's not forget about the his 20+year relationship with the racist Rev. Wright, & how about being friends with a terrorist! You might not think these are issues but they show his character
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If it's true, I'd say his campaign advisers don't like the idea of a black president.
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Does he refuse to wear an American bullet proof vest?
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he should be judged by his character, not by a pin. It's all good then, that since Bush wears his pin, it absolves him of the mess he's gotten the country into? You can't hide behind a flag.
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Well yesterday here in Oregon he said something about how he's already been to 57 of the states, just not Alaska or Hawaii yet. Huh?!?! So maybe he's not prepared to wear a flag pin till he figures out how many states there really are...
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You see celebrities wear this or that ribbon (for feeling deeply enough about something to show their support) or a team you LOVE so much that you are willing to wear the jersey or put the sticker on your car or paint your room those colors to let everyone know you LOVE that team! Look at the USMC, or those who have served in the military and been shot at and put their lives on the line...these people feel so deeply about our country to do what they do. I want my President to LOVE THIS COUNTRY with the same PASSION, feel as deeply as I do! Not some Boy Wonder who is out do CHANGE...Change what? How? If you LOVE this country, you aren't ashamed to wear the dang pin...in fact, YOU WANT TO WEAR THE DANG PIN! What is he proving, really?
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Why should anyone care? What, is there a pseudo-patriot fashion police in this country now?
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Here’s something to admire Obama for. Let him keep it up and divest Republican faux patriots of their showy flags, which are symbols intended as substitutes for evading military service or more likely being afraid to fight. This is necessary, overdue and reveals a good tough side to Obama.
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He wears a logo comprising a black fist! What does that tell you?
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he does at times and doesn't at other times. he doesn't wear it thoughtlessly, like other politicians do.
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Live in the philippines and our new dog's name is Obama, now he would be proud to wear an American flag pin, But I know he isn't capable of being President and neither is Barack Obama. Guess, One could get to like them both.
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The respect he does not give to this country by not wearing it shows the Marxist mentality that he has. He does not respect the commanders or the soldiers. This guy is a socialist and will destroy the private sector. The very best sector which will bring the Econimy to its feet. He also does it in the name of more government
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http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/03/04/flag_pins/
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I don't think that wearing a flag lapel pin, or even completely wrapping oneself around with a much bigger flag, would make one to be more than what one actually is--whatever that may be. There are crooks wearing police uniform.
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Terrorist
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I'm pretty sure he didn't refuse to wear the pin. This morning when I woke up, I didn't REFUSE to wear my flip-flops, I just chose not to wear them. Am I against flip-flops? No. Am I going to blow any buildings up? I doubt it. If I do, it won't have anything to do with flip-flops.
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It worries me. It seems like he should do everything to show his patriotism for the country he is going to be leading.
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