Thanks for the correction. For those interested, here’s a good story on the pledge vs. national anthem question:

http://www.buffalonews.com/nationalworld/national/story/202025.html

You have articulated a core aspect of the issue better than I, and for that matter Sullivan.

I am a student of the year 1968 and it was a turning point in so many extraordinary ways. I plan to blog about that at some length on the 30th anniversary of that year next year. But you’re right. It’s time to move.

Or http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/13532/guest-voice-obamas-and-americas-generation-problem/

To the extent you are accurate about the MSM problem, I think you miss a point. Their viewpoints are either those of Boomers (esp. the Suits) or are greatly influenced by Boomer thought (such as it is). That, I think, could be a problem, for Barack.

Interesting that you reference 1968. Fitting really, though not in the way you might have anticipated. What Obama, Sullivan, and I would argue is that we need to, FINALLY, move beyond 1968. In truth, our politics has been stuck in that period since that yr. itself. That’s no way to govern in 2007-08.

BTW: Republicrat, I want to correct something. Obama has said he DOES say the pledge. The issue was proper HAND PLACEMENT for the Anthem

PS: I wrote about this here:

Obama supports or is against the following.

1) Is for allowing Violent Illegal Alien Felons to become citizens.
Voted – No
To – S Amdt 1184 to S Amdt 1150 to S 1348: To establish a permanent bar for gang members, terrorists, and other criminals.
“Vote to pass an amendment that would prohibit undocumented immigrants convicted of aggravated felonies, domestic violence, stalking, violation of protection orders, crimes against children, or crimes relating to the illegal purchase or sale of firearms, from gaining legal status. ”

2) Is for allowing any organization to prevent parents from exercising their rights when it comes to their children and abortion.
Voted – No
To – S 403: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking minors across State lines in circumvention of laws requiring the involvement of parents in abortion decisions.

3) This protecting the US Flag from Desecration in the US Constitution is wrong.
Voted – No
To – S J Res 12: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.

4) And has missed by 20+ votes in the senate this year because he would rather run for POTUS than fulfill his obligations to the people of Illinois.

I do not think McCarty would have missed so many votes in 2007 (1 – year before the 2008 races even start) and voted like the votes listed above. It appears to me he has deliberately missed several controversial votes.

Except Ron Paul,lol. He’s this election’s Pat Buchanan.

And aren’t all the Republicans trying to be Humphrey?

I mean, his name rhymes with Osama.

Now that’s ironic.

I don’t think Obama “owes” anyone an explanation about his not wearing an American flag on his lapel. He has said why that is so and I have no problem with his reasoning. In fact, the lapel “issue” is far and away the most bogus of the campaign to date.

I just came in from putting out my American flag for Veterans Day weekend. No other houses in my neighborhood are displaying American flags. Does this make my neighbors unpatriotic?

We need to focus on real issues.

Senator Obama has unquestionably done more that any other Democrat to reach out to evangelicals who care about issues like global warming and AIDS. A good example of this effort is his meetings with Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback church in California and author of the wildly popular The Purpose Driven Life.

The same evangelicals, however, who are drawn by his recent gestures scratch their heads when they see him refuse to say the pledge of allegiance or wear an American flag on his lapel. (If every commentator on NFL broadcasts can wear one, why can’t Senator Obama?) Some evangelicals – like Dr. Gregory Boyd – have criticized the U.S. conservative Christian tendency to juxtapose flag and cross, but most see no conflict.

Has Mr. Obama given a good explanation of his refusal to do these things? It does seem like an error on par with Governor Dukakis’ refusal to say the pledge of allegiance in the ‘88 campaign, and we all know what President Bush – 41 did with that. What a gift!

Any insights?