When did Obama stop wearing a flag pin?

Slow news day?

This is stupid.

Our hourly Obama posting by his friends at the Swamp.

How long until someone from the looney right claims that this is a sign that Obama hates America?

you cant be serious - concens that he isnt wearing a flag pin? Sunds like something Bush would say to deem him an "un-patriot."

Obama is clearly anti America.

Why? Here are the answers from our favorite wingnuts:

Johnny D: Because he is a Loony Lefty

Jerry White: Because Dick Durbin told him to stop wearing it.

Military Spouse - Because he hates our troops in Iraq, like all the Dems.

You're right nisleib - slow news day.

Oh my God! A story about Osama Obama with a negative slant in the Trib'? I thought the Cubs would win the World Series first. Now if they would only run it in that other paper. The one for the Southsiders.

I agree with nisleib...it is kind of stupid! Are we going to ask politicians 50 years from now where their pin is? Of course I'm not against patriotism or the pin, but it's kind of ridiculous that if someone doesn't have the pin on it becomes a big question. God forbid it becomes a question of Barack's patriotism--he's running for President!

Ahh, the maniacal rantings from the Loony Left.
First of all, John E., er "fake bruce," and Bobin, I could care less whether Obama wears a flag pin or not. If he wants to wear one, fine. If not, that is fine too.
What I do care about is where Obama stands on the issues, and on that score I disagree with him probably 90 percent of the time.

I'm sorry, why is he running for president again? He has not been that much of a senator for Illinois, I can not even imagine him running 49 other states as well. As far as the pin goes, it does show his lack of patriotism

I'm all for the media in general, but have to say from the responses to this article, doesn't it seem as though we could fill up the hours with more meaningful news? There most be something, somewhere, somehow. I realize it's a business, but......
This just gives us nothing but partison fodder. I'm not sure that helps. Do you?

Why should Barack wear a flag pin? The left wing crowd to which he is trying to appeal has never had any use for the flag....except to burn it at anti-war demonstrations.

Anonymous

So if I don't wear my flag pin I'm not patriotic?

Don't be a moron.

Congrats, McCormick. I didn't think you could possibly come up with a post that is more downright stupid than "Barak's Hot Date", but you proved me wrong!

If bush who has basically added 1/4 of thhe amount to the national debt and will be responsible for more government spending than the last 2 president's combined. I would think anyone would be better than him. Most don't agree with what he says but his voting record for his current state shows him sticking to his guns. I'd rather Edwards personally to be in the whitehouse. But I'd settle if I had to.

Barack Obama doesn't wear a flag pin. Was John McCormick hitting the donuts and coffee so hard this morning that he didn't have time to write a real story? This is ridiculous and inane.

Since he bagan wearing his rainbow flag and Iran flag pins.

Mark, you're wrong. The left wing are the true patriots, and as Obama said, we have no need for a symbol.

Given the size of his moveon.org and media matters pins, there's not enough room on his lapel for the American flag pin anyway...

Just in case you all missed this earlier; Here's at least one post where I nailed it:

Barak Obama is sinking like a stone in the national polling, so we can expect an upsurge of Obama "coverage" in The Swamp along the lines of that hard hitting piece this morning about Barak's Hot Date.

Sniff, sniff... is that a Pulitzer I smell?

Eew, no! It's the upcomming tsunami of stable sweepings from McCormick, James et al.

Brace yourselves, dear readers.

Posted by: Anonymous | October 3, 2007 7:04 PM

When did wearing a flag pin become THE mark of patriotism.

Those who are loyal to the Constitution and Bill of Rights are the true patriots, whatever they wear, or do not wear

If Obama really loved this country he would wear a lapel pin of the flag on his suit created of flags over top his underwear made of flags. I cant believe that this is a real article and that people actually would judge a mans patriotism because of a missing pin. Grow up people.

Why should Barack wear a flag pin? The left wing crowd to which he is trying to appeal has never had any use for the flag....except to burn it at anti-war demonstrations.

Posted by: mark | October 4, 2007 3:42 PM

I rest my case from the earlier post.

I think Obama not wearing the "Flag" is an insult to the American Serviceman now and during WW II. Try watching Public TV!!!

The flag pin is simply a rememberance of 9/11. Not synthetic patriotism. If someone wants to wear a pin, then they should. If they don't care to wear a pin, then they shouldn't. This "issue" is just another waste of time. I'll bet, somehow, Rush Limbaugh and MoveOn.org are responsible for this. :-) Yawn...

OMG! Wait 'till Hannity hears about this! We'll be hearing about how unpatriotic Obama is ad nauseum.

No flag pin, huh. Didn't Obama attend a Madrasha in his younger years? Wouldn't it be interesting if we elected a Muslim to the office of President of the United States.

Obama hates America. that is pure and simple.

Let's get back to more important stuff. What did Britney and Paris do today?

Oh, and as Sinclair Lewis said, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." Wearing a flag pin doesn't make Bush, or any presidential candidate, a patriot. It just means that they want to LOOK like a patriot.

The National Endowment for the Arts uses a promotion that says, "A Great National Deserves Great Art," and everytime I hear it, I say to myself, "A Great Nation Deserves a Great President." Whoever our next pres is, I don't give a darn if he wears a flag on his lapel. I just want a leader who will make me want to fly my flag again.

This is news to you????

Perhaps the people who are troubled by Obama not wearing their silly patriotic symbol would feel more comfortable living in North Korea.

George W Bush is an illiterate douche bag.

This "news" is not so surprising in a world that gives us this on the same day:

"Jive is enormously excited about Britney's new album. We're confident that it will secure her reputation as one of the great recording artists of her time."

I am scared for the future of this country.

This is supposed to be gripping, hard-hitting journalism? I give kudos to the fact you picked a subject the 29%ers will jump on.

Hey, maybe fox will pick this story up!

TRUE patriots have the US flag tatooed on their foreheads.

Obama is clearly a traitor.

I am a Republican, I don't plan to vote for Obama, and even I don't care. It doesn't matter a whit whether he wears a pin. He is absolutely correct in that.

And the fact that he is not wearing it is not in the slightest newsworthy. Your editor needs to find some useful work for you to do.

This is really about the Corporation. If you don't wear the pin, you must not truly support the Corporation.
I bet George has a staff person whose job it is to make sure Our Leader has a pin on each lapel.
I think all leaders of all nations must wear their respective pins in order to be legit. We could have the Pin Olympics, where these great leaders arrive to flaunt their pins first and their nationalism second. There would probably be a scandal amongst the judges, jostling for position, "Wait, clearly, Iceland's pin is far superior!". But, Diebold would find a way to make the results right.
My point is I am impressed with Barack for being a thinking American. If to be legit to the masses he must have a $3 pin that's likely made in China anyhow, then that is what we've sunk to, and God bless us all, pinless or otherwise.

OMG! Wait 'till Hannity hears about this! We'll be hearing about how unpatriotic Obama is ad nauseum.

I had no idea the flag pin was a measure of my patriotism. I've never worn one. I'm a bad man...

If he were a true patriot he would get a job at a factory that produces American flags.

So card-carrying-nationalism has morphed into pin-wearing-patriotism...

I've seen communist North Koreans wear a pin with pictures of their dictator and I've seen the same type of pattern (flags, pictures of their leader)among other repressive regimes. I see nothing wrong with loving your own country;but, accusing someone being anti-American for not wearing a pin is disturbing. Is this North Korea or Cuba?? Not wearing a pin being subversive?? Give me a break.

Party members in Germany were given pins to wear in the 1930's and 1940's. We best not being going in that direction.

this is so odd-

on one hand this appears to be a meaningless detail- He could have easily just said- oh hadn't noticed that, out of pins, Im a busy guy, blah blah blah

I would understand not starting to wear one.

I do not understand making a conscience/strategic(?) decision to STOP wearing it when I already was?

Why would you do that- ?

Was Larry Craig wearing his American flag pin when he was in the men's room? Seriously, was he?

I thought I had seen stupid articles before, but I think this takes the cake... Young men and women dying daily in Iraq and this schmuck writes an article about a piece of ornamental jewelry.

I stopped wearing my rainbow gay flag pin 2 years ago. And I am no longer gay? Very slow news day somewhere.

I'm glad he's not wearing it. I hasn't earned the right to wear the flag. Name one thing the worthless piece of garbage has done to improve America.
Let all the liberals show their true colors by not wearing our honored flag.

Pathetic!

How's that working out for you Marko?

Somebody give him a pin that relates to Islam... He'd probably wear that one.

How's that working out for you Marko?

Give him an Iranian flag pin.

I think we need to know who's wearing the biggest flag pin.

I see Mr. Obama's point. I'm not very popular at the gun shows when I wear my World Government Now pin.

Marko says

If he were a true patriot he would get a job at a factory that produces American flags.

Where, in China? Where do you think those pins are made?

Somebody give him a pin that relates to Islam... He'd probably wear that one.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 4, 2007 4:53 PM

Just the kind of person who wears the American flag on his sleeve, but doesn't understand for what it stands.

You are all commies!!!!

It really disappoints me how many people on here throw around the words "left" and "right" and "liberal" and "conservative" as if they are bad words. We have become so divided as a country and all we do anymore is label things instead of actually hearing and understanding one another.

Let's get rid of the labels and the symbols and the pins and all the other nonsense and just look at the humanity.

Here is a man who has dedicated his life to community service. When every other candidate was rolling in the dough from high paying attorney jobs, Obama was working with the poor on the Southside of Chicago. How is that liberal? How is that hating America? That is just being a good human being.

Reading the comments regarding Obama's choice not to wear a flag lapel pin I was amused to see that the most rabid comments were signed "Anonymous." This is no surprise as right wingers are gutless, yellow- bellies and don't have the "stones" to sign their names to their comments. It just confirms what I always knew about right wingers, they are "little kitties."

It's because he did not want to affend anyu muslims.

This is a sad day. Symbolism is running rampant in todays society. Nooses, pins, and 4 L shaped buildings, have become the #1 topic of the news organizations. When did our nation become so self absorbed and ignorant to the death and suffering occuring on all of our streets in our neighborhoods. I pray that one day soon we as a people and a society will wake up and wipe the dust from our eyes and see the true evil that puts us all against each other instead of evil itself.

In the interests of full disclosure, will the contributors to "the Swamp" (Bruce, John D, et al.) reveal their political biases by disclosing who they voted for in 2000 and 2004 (and other years) for president? How can the readers fully or accurately assess their postings, the "take" they have on current events, or even what they consider "newsworthy", without this information?

Look familiar?

To paraphrase John Prine, "Your flag pin won't get you into heaven anymore."

Are we really that insecure as a nation that wearing a flag pin is now required by politicians least they be deemed unpatriotic? Have we really become that ridiculous?

Merciful Lord. Is this serious? Are we discussing if he is wearing a pin or not? So, to be really truthful to his real allegiance, Dubya should wear a TEXACO pin... They have all the oil that was traded by my brother's blood in Iraq... I am not an Obamian, but this is getting a little bit out of proportion. Worse for me is to Veto healthcare for small poor children like the Hero of our Country's downfall did yesterday... Even Canadians have a stronger economy than we have, and we are here discussing lapel pins? I think we deserve the disgrace that has befallen us since 2000 election fraud...

What's next? Boxers or Briefs?

this is kinda a non story. Except, perhaps, for the possible influence of the Move-on minions. This could be a coded attempt to get into their good graces. Good luck with that, since they want to destroy democracy and take control themselves.

I don't think very highly of Mr. Obama, but I have some sympathy for him after this story. What a dumb story.

Just when I'm about to give up on the Trib you guys come out with a serious article like the one regarding the USS Liberty, but then blow it with an article like this. Small town type reporters in a big city paper is all I can come up with as an explanation.

"Sitting at the table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate. Being here in America doesn't make you an American. Being born here in America doesn't make you an American. " (I really did not say that)

nisleib,

I was being extremely sarcastic.

Oh, please. I'm not even a Democrat and I think it's ridiculous that he's being criticized for this. I agree with others who said it must be a slow news day.

Marco

I know. But seriously, where do you think those flag pins are made? Where do you think most American flags are made?

All these symbols of patriotism are just symbols. Any fool can where them.

True patriotism is being willing to fight for your country. If you're not capable of fighting you should at least be willing to help finance those that do fight.

The GOP is made up of truly unpatriotic people. They want to start wars, but they don't want anyone they know to fight in them and they certainly don't want to pay for them.

To hide this lack of patriotism the GOP wears flag pins and has photo ops in front of huge American flags. They claim the mantel of the patriotic while performing the actions of the traitor.

My friends say I am too negative, but how can you be positive when a bunch of idiots are in the front?
The news media idiots keep garbarage going and and the other idiots feed into it.
But I believe this is a more sinister plot. By micro destroying Obama's character, you appeal to the idiots who cannot think for themselves and just follow what ever the newspapers say.
This is truly sorry and some of the comments are also.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't our constitution have rules written in it for proper display of our United States of America Flag? I'm quite certain that no where in the constitution does it say that a small metal lapel pin is the proper way of displaying our nation's flag. So the question is not about Obama being a patriot for not wearing a flag pin, but why do all the other politicians desecrate the flag by wearing it as a small piece of jewelry? Not a slow news day, but surely a stupid news day. Get a life everybody and focus on what matters.

It really disappoints me how many people on here throw around the words "left" and "right" and "liberal" and "conservative" as if they are bad words. We have become so divided as a country and all we do anymore is label things instead of actually hearing and understanding one another.
Let's get rid of the labels and the symbols and the pins and all the other nonsense and just look at the humanity.
Here is a man who has dedicated his life to community service. When every other candidate was rolling in the dough from high paying attorney jobs, Obama was working with the poor on the Southside of Chicago. How is that liberal? How is that hating America? That is just being a good human being.Posted by: Amanda | October 4, 2007 5:08 PM
*******
Working with the poor could mean that he is a person who might not be effected by GREED and POWER. Do you honestly think the investors and corporate friends of America could let some one
who is not weak for GREED and POWER run the country?

To fuss about the significance of a lapel pin in an era when the significance of real medals (remember swiftboatees) has been down graded to flea market items is about as assinine as you can get.

This story is a poster child for what has become of our supposed 'Fourth Estate'. Is it any wonder the rest of the world sees us as ill-informed morons when the media is crammed with Brittany Spears and this ridiculous trash.

Doesn't the flag stand for the right to NOT wear a flag pin? Just askin'...

Just in case you all missed this earlier; Here's at least one post where I nailed it:

Barak Obama is sinking like a stone in the national polling, so we can expect an upsurge of Obama "coverage" in The Swamp along the lines of that hard hitting piece this morning about Barak's Hot Date.

Sniff, sniff... is that a Pulitzer I smell?

Eew, no! It's the upcomming tsunami of stable sweepings from McCormick, James et al.

Brace yourselves, dear readers.

Posted by: Anonymous | October 3, 2007 7:04 PM

Posted by: Anonymous | October 4, 2007 3:52 PM
.

Please fill us in on that secret candidate of yours that you support who is doing so well, will ya?.... you can't do it because he/she doesn't exist.

I think that Senator Webb wearing his son's army boots means more than a politician wearing a piece of jewelery.
We have a flag pole and used to put a US flag out each day for 15 years. We took it down shortly after 9/11 and have not put it up since.

"Military Spouse - Because he hates our troops in Iraq, like all the Dems."

Posted by: BobinATL | October 4, 2007 3:22 PM

I don't wear a flag pin. And I don’t assume people who don’t are unpatriotic.

Wearing the flag means nothing if your words and actions don't back it up.

Go back to idolizing MacBeth and the other phony soldiers you and the left think are so brave, and tell me again Gen. Petraeus is a traitor.

Maybe this time you'll have the guts to respond unlike last time.

I quit wearing my flag pin on my lapel when Bush's flag pin got four sizes bigger. I don't need to broadcast my patriotism by wearing a pin. Good for you Obama... I admire your honesty.

Jim, I was watching "The War" on Public TV, and what I noticed about that era was that Nazi's all wore the same armbands. They had lots of pins, too. And I'm sure you don't really mean to speak for all servicemen when you say it is insulting. If you look at the donations, the #1 recipient of donations from those employed by the army or listing a military occupation give their money to Obama. Punahou is not only the school founded by Christian missionaries (think about that for a second), it is also the school where many US military leaders of World War II enrolled their children. Obama grew up under the influence of both. You know that opening shot of Honolulu in the Ken Burns documentary? That's Obama's high school. You know that Senator from Hawaii who lost his arm near Cassino and won the Medal of Honor? That's the uncle of Obama's classmate. Please don't presume to speak for all men and women in service.

As far as I am concerned, anyone who didnt wear a "Whip Inflation Now" lapel pin was unpatriotic.

Had more of you Lefty Loonies wore it, the "War on Inflation" would have been won years ago, except for mop-up operations by a surge of Certified Public Accountants.

What a dumb article. And at the top of the Tribune's webpage, too.

I agree with most anyone else. Wearing a flag pin or having a flag on your car is not a prereq for patriotism.

My husband's step sister accused us of not being patriotic right after 9/11 due to no flags on our cars. Problem was, my husband was active duty military, and I was (am) an honorably discharged veteran with 14 years' service. But we weren't patriotic as we didn't have flags on our cars... Jeez.

What Obama wears or doesn't wear on his lapel is not of concern to me. His stand on the issues important to me is.

Folks are dieing in Iraq every day and they want to talk about a flag lapel pin. It's just unbelievable. I understand fully why our country and government is in the shape it's in. We no longer can rely on the media to flesh out the real issues of the day.

I can't stand liberals. If forced to choose between Hilary and Obama, I'd shoot myself.

Given that, this is the dumbest thing in history. For anyone who thinks it's a big deal, do me a favor right now. Look down to your shirt or lapel....do you see a flag pin? No? Then shutup.

You have got to be kidding that a flag pin being worn somehow shows love of country, by a politician? There are many that perhaps do wear a flag pin, but in truth it is there only for others to see. How about them walking the walk and talking the talk... what a farce for the media to pick up on something like this to show patriotism or the lack thereof? Where is the substance reports of where the candidates stand on issues of great importance, their records should be eveidence enough when it gets down and dirty. Let their voting speak for themselves.

You can say I am from the loony right. Yet I agree with the view that it is just a pin. What questions should be asked is besides being a skilled speaker and possibly having the best PR ever seen in a political contest, just what does Obama have to offer? Illinois Dems have screwed not only every tax-payer in the state, but now we have one of our own running for the right to screw everyone in the other 49 states! Yep, keep voting Democratic, Illinois.

I don't really care if Obama or any other politician ever wears an American flag pin on their lapel, what I really care about are politicians who have never wore the twin USs, the Globe & Anchor and other itentifying insignia of the United States Armed Forces. In my opinion, serving in our Armed Forces should be a mandatory requirement for all politicians, thus when voting for appropriations for equipment, pay and sanctioning a war, they can say "been there, did that"! You may have noticed that some of the finest politicians this country has ever produced were those who served in WWII!

Since when wearing a flag pin was the identifying mark of patriotism in this country? As some others making comments have stated, this is really a waste of time,and it really shows just how jacked up this country has become. The right for too long has taken our flag and what it stands for and hidden behind it and the patriotism and loyalty of brave Americans to advance their own self-centered agendas. Obama has a vision for this country and if we would stop focusing on ridiculous drivel that plays for fodder for the so called "journalists" like Matt Drudge, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, maybe we can see this country heading in the direction that it needs to go.

This guys so full of it "I don't need to ware a pin to show my patriotism" as he stands in front of as many flags as he can get behind every podium give me a break. He is just a smooth politician with his finger in the political winds embracing the perceived anti war sediment. Shame on him must people are wearing those to show there support for our troops not the war. It just like he developed a deep southern accent when he was in Mississippi wake up people.

oh my, I'm so sick of undercover racists bashing Obama for lack of experience. Why don't they bash anyone elses experience? Hmmm.
Also I'm not black, so this is not playing the race card. Just a white guy who is not scared of the truth calling it like I see it.
First off to the right wing: The last 2 presidents and 5 out of the last 6 that you have produced have sucked.
To the left wing: Hillary Clinton has the devil in her eyes just like Bush. Look very closely. The dems would be wise to nominate a team of Obama and Edwards.
P.s. To the right wing R.I.P-the dems control congress over 60% of this great country now leans left, and this will not change in the future as we only become more enlightened and diverse.

What a pointless article. It did get me thinking though - has anyone ever asked candidates who wear a pin where their pin was made? How many are made in China?

Not sinking yet...I guess they forget to post this jewel...this is why polls are worthless

By ALAN FRAM Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON Oct 3, 2007 (AP)
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Released Oct 3
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr071003-2topline.pdf&id=3668

Hillary Clinton 35
Obama 23

A new AP-Ipsos poll shows Clinton ahead of Obama 35-23 -- nowhere near the 33 point advantage shown in the ABC/Post poll. The Obama camp offers up some triumphant sarcasm. "A shockwave was sent through Washington late today as the AP released a poll showing that Obama halved Clinton's lead in national polling in just one day," the Obama camp says in a deadly serious press release (we swear this is as real as the Thompson memo above is fake) obtained exclusively by The Note.

Blacks are split down the middle over Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton in the presidential race, seeing both as on their side, a new poll says.
In the late September poll, Clinton led Obama among whites by 35 percent to 18 percent, Blacks were essentially evenly divided, 40 percent for Obama and 38 percent for Clinton. Among all Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, Clinton led by 35 percent to 23 percent. All those measurements have been steady for months in the AP-Ipsos poll.
Faced with choosing between two potential White House firsts the first black president or the first female black women split 47 percent for Clinton, 37 percent for Obama. Clinton has led decisively among all women nationally.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3685236

Released Oct 3
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=mr071003-2topline.pdf&id=3668

I really don't want to see Barack "Hussein" Obama wearing an American Flag pin...this is great news!

Oh,did you hear...? Barack now wants to get rid of our nuclear arsenal.
Yep...no wonder Hillary is up by 33%.

Paulo

This story is stupid! For those who try to make something out of this they are stupid too! Obama is right! Time to stop the character acts media! Did you ask any of the other candidates this? NO! If this story does not wake people up to see the media is trying to bring down Obama then nothing will. They can spit in his face and still somehow the media will twist it as if he did something wrong. They down Obama when they want ratings or viewers then lift up Hillary because the media wants her elected to protect their financial interest. ALL MEDIA, REPORTERS, AND PUNDITS ARE LYING, SNEEKY, GREEDY IDIOTS!

As far as I care, the left or the right can wear the U.S. Flag, it is a NATIONAL SYMBOL not a POLTICAL SYMBOL. So, grow up boys and girls, were ever you stand on the war, Obama or Bush, Left, Right or indifferent the flag id YOURS. Wear it with pride.

Are you all nuts? Don't you remember the weak journalists and anchorpersons who stopped wearing lapel pins while doing the news because they were afraid the world would see them as "biased Americans"? How shallow! Our media control our focus, so we will not hear real issues like the strange contradictory speech Byrd made today covered anywhere in mainstream media. And he's the 3rd in line for president? Scary!!
Re the flag, we are at war and it's an important gesture to honor those who are fighting and sacrificing on our behalf. Not wearing a flag is not unpatriotic, but it does make a staement that is open for interpretation, or misinterpretation...leaving it to us to decide. Thanks Obama, and thanks journalists.

Erik, you forgot to add politicians to your list of lying and sneaky...don't have the true interests of citizens at heart, just put the "evil" other party down. They have created an irrepairable rift across our land. Why are there so few reasonable politicians who are willing to listen and dialogue?? Because they are controlled by their party.

Mr. Obama,

Should we stop wearing flags upon our lapels as you suggest because you believe, "it has become a substitute of patriotism"?
I just do not see that there should ever be a time that we should be ashamed to display our nation's flag no matter what our personal feelings
may be.
Not when so many have sacrificed everything. Americans need to be reminded everywhere we go.
Our flag represents our values, hopes and dreams.
Being patriotic means never forgetting and not empty political rhetoric.
Let us not make habit of being critical of those who are proud of their country and want to show it.
I say let them wear a pins over their hearts to pay honor and respect to those who made us free and those who continue to keep us
free to make that decision.

I thought the Trib had more class than to devote space to such a stupid story. Why don't they use their energy exposing what crooks, liars, power-hungry and money-grabbing sociopaths the Clinton's are??

and people wonder why the new generation dosen't pay attention to the media. give us news, and we'll listen to it.

Uncannily timed to his oprah party and the jena 6 fiasco.

No surprise that Obama doesn't want to wear the pin. His heart is far from what is best for this country. He just wants to go down in history as the first black American president.
Odd how politics brings out all the idiots with an agenda and even odder that the people can't see through them.
Would someone please offer the American people a president who will not lie, not make promises they don't plan to keep and promises they know they can't keep? Need we look in a Marvel comic book to find such a person?

Obama said it right without saying Jingoism. He's a smart, eloquent guy, and I think he'll never get elected because he is an African American. I was hoping Hillary could pull off being the first woman pres. and fix the economy. But now I want to quit my day job and work for the Obama campaign. Any excuse to quit the day job, I suppose . . . .

Yiiiiikkkkeeeeesssss, I have to agree with the left - oh noooooo. Just kidding - Has to be a very very slow news week. This is the third story this week that should never had left the editor's desk. Ha TRIBUNE EDITORS please do us a very very big favor - don't print this garbage.

Oh, WHO CARES???

Oh please, why would anyone bother to note this?

One gets sick of American flags everywhere, as though we didn't know what country a person came from?

Rather than a symbol of love of country, the American flag in many uses unfortunately has become an unpleasant imperial symbol.

It serves as a symbol of intimidation, as in: love it or leave it.

And it serves as threatening war paint.

Lots of flags and drums were hallmarks of NAZI Germany, Fascist Italy, and every other state of that nature.

And look at the nasty bunch who always wear flag pins on their lapels: Bush, Cheney, DeLay. I suspect these thugs have flag pins on their pajamas and bath robes.

God, hasn't the world suffered enough from people wearing flag pins?

Three million souls extinguished in Vietnam? A million in Iraq? Countless injured innocents everywhere from Somalia to Chile, from Afghanistan to Guatemala?

God save us from the kind of patriotism that insists on wearing its flag pin.

It is not the fact that he refuses to wear a flag that disturbs me. It is the fact that he insults those who DO! HOW DARE he say that my wearing a flag pin to show pride in my country is only done to cover up my "UNPATRIOTIC" actions!!!
Wearing a flag pin does NOT automatically make one a patriot. But NOT wearing one does not automatically make you a patriot either! And wearing one DOES NOT automatically make one UNPATRIOTIC , no matter what this pompous windbag want to use as his pathetic excuse!!!
The first rule of dishonest politics is-When attacked with the TRUTH, respond by ATTACKING your attackers, instead of addressing the question. It sounds like that is JUST what he did!!!!

WHO CARES WHAT HE DOES O DOESN'T WEAR!! This is the media trying DESPERATELY to find something to criticize and if anyone really cares that he isn’t wearing a silly pin, I sincerely hope that person doesn’t vote, not if something as diminutive can sway their opinion.

It's sad to see people thinking like Bush.

Anything you do that I don't agree with = you are an anti-american.

You don't need to have your flag in every street name sign in every corner, instead of making you more patriot it is feeding you with more hate against the world and keeping you in a big bubble.

Remember, Bush is not an intelligent person, don't be a sheep following his nonsense.

I can't stand liberals. If forced to choose between Hilary and Obama, I'd shoot myself.

Given that, this is the dumbest thing in history. For anyone who thinks it's a big deal, do me a favor right now. Look down to your shirt or lapel....do you see a flag pin? No? Then shutup.
Posted by: TAK | October 4, 2007 8:11 PM

Umm, I doubt its "liberals" who are giving Obama a hard time about not literally wrapping himself in the flag.

In regards to Obama not wearing the flag lapel pin to register his unhappiness of the country's foreign policy, Obama's naivete will be clobbered by a Republican nominee and machine. So, somebody please remove this naive child from the stage. He has shown time and again that he doesn't belong in this race.

Connie, Burbank

"In regards to Obama not wearing the flag lapel pin to register his unhappiness of the country's foreign policy,"
Posted by: Connie | October 5, 2007 11:33 AM

Please reread, you are completely misquoting the Senator.

"You know, the truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest, instead I’m gonna’ try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.”

Anyway, what you and your ilk call "naivete" is actually simply challenging conventional wisdom. I applaud this, though accept your cynicism that the country isn't ready for it. Obama has been 100% correct on each and every "gaffe" the media has trumpeted.

Prime example: Obama was lambasted for his "naivete" in saying he would go after Bin Laden in Pakistan if there was actionable intelligence and the Pakistanis wouldn't make the move. "Obama would betray an ally, Obama not ready for primetime" the headlines blared.

Was President Bush "not ready for prime-time" when he made this statement in September of 2006:

"President Bush said Wednesday he would order U.S. forces to go after Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan if he received good intelligence on the fugitive al Qaeda leader's location.

"Absolutely," Bush said.

The president made the comments Wednesday in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. (Watch Bush state his position on Iran and the war on terror -- 18:06)

Although Pakistan has said it won't allow U.S. troops to operate within its territory, "we would take the action necessary to bring him to justice."
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/20/bush.intv/index.html

The status quo is not working, as 70% of the country thinks we are on the wrong track. http://www.pollingreport.com/right.htm

Ron Paul is the only sane Republican in the field, Giuliani is even worse than Bush, Hillary is essentially a neocon, and I'll be backing Obama until he actually slips up, as opposed to the incessant silliness he's being called out on.

America might not be ready for Barrack Obama, but that is more of a knock against us than it is against him.

Obama's pon? http://www.earnedmedia.org/obamas_pin.htm

My other post didn't maybe this one will. Just saw a video of John Edwards, there was absolutely no flag pin on his lapel or anywhere else that I could see. Why is this a nonstop story about Obama and nothing like this has been printed about the other candidates who wear no flag pins? Like I mentioned before, Usama Bin Laden wore an American flag pin before 9-11 and he still wears an American flag pin. Is he caught yet? I think we have our priorities all screwed up!!! Lay off this good guy, Obama, and go after the bad ones!!!!

I can tell you this we have a president that wears an american flag pin. While he is on tv tell lies to the american ppl about how he is not wire tapping them reading their email, authorizing totureing ppl, and over looking the us constuition. Bush is not a patriot. Obama well be a great president much better than the one we have now

I can tell you this we have a president that wears an american flag pin. While he is on tv tell lies to the american ppl about how he is not wire tapping them reading their email, authorizing totureing ppl, and over looking the us constuition. Bush is not a patriot. Obama well be a great president much better than the one we have now

Barack Obama and whether he should wear a flag lapel pin or not, is tom-foolery, he should be judged as to whether he is able to effectuate good for the USA, domistically and internationally. The answer so far is not yet, come back again in 2012, Barack.

i personally think that if you want to be the president of the united states of america you better be willing to paint the united states of america flag onto your face! i want my president to be THE most patriotic sob on the planet.

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It appears that nobody has really pegged what this flap was all about in the first place. It wasn't the absence of the pin, it was his explanation. He used the opportunity to cast aspersions on Americans who are overtly patriotic and proud to wear or display the symbol.

Whether or not someone else wears one every day, or any day, or ever is not the issue. It's the refusal to do it and apparent disdain for those who do.

Of course, he's changed his tune since then after it became clear how much damage looking down his nose at half of America can do.

Thanks for the useful information

Thanks
fall flags

I think that flag pins ought to be required for most politicians because they show their enthusiasm and belief in our country. By wearing flag pins, they identify themselves with our cause. You cannot just say the flag does not matter--it is a symbol for what we stand for and what people have died defending.