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And that's the way you handle situations like this: you go along with it so it doesn't escalate. Good job Senator Obama and at least the photographer was true to his word, the pledge was said and he didn't interrupt again.
NOW let's see how long it takes for the other side to pounce on this as AMERICA HATIN' OBAMA!!!
Just to get it out there, does McCain always have the pledge at the beginning of Town Hall meetings? Gotta play tit for tat these days… Even Steven… Fair Francis… And Balanced Ben…
I don't hate Obama. I just see him as a crotch-covering, flag-pin dissing, hopey-changey ineffectual. As much as we don't hate that man right now, gotta love that empty suit! = )
Half-
Keep in mind most of those flag pins are worn by empty hat patriots taking money from China and Saudi Oil kings in Dubai in one hand and shaking their finger of Human Rights Authority with the other.
Patriotism is in the heart, and the soul, not in a piece of 1.99 metal.
Why wasn't this an issue in 92, 96, or 00?
Were we less patriotic then? Did we love our country any less?
I don't think so.
Next bogus talking point!
Is the pledge supposed to start off a town hall meeting? I don't understand why this guy is so indignant. It's great that his dad fought in WWII, but I don't think that “a pledge before every speech” was one of the terms of victory there.
Anyway, my ancestors fought in the revolutionary war. The rest of you Johnny-come-latelys have nothing on me
Obama showed open disdain for wearing the flag pin, and he made it a point to not cover his heart during the national anthem, even though it's not illegal. It's his approach to not demonstrating his patriotism that exemplifies his arrogance, as I am not a “heart” reader. If you really think my opinion of the way a candidate presents himself is bogus, all you are demonstrating is your right to free speech with not much reasoning behind it.
Half_Past_Midnight,
Wearing a flag pin isn't a stand-in for REAL patriotism. That's the point Obama was making and it's a point you should keep in mind.
Chris,
The point of real patriotism has never been lost. My point is I have yet to see real patriotism in Obama, with or without the emphasis on the flag pin.
H_P_M: What do you define as “real patriotism”? What does it look like? What does Obama need to do to show it, in your book?
Both McCain and Obama have devoted their lives to public service eschewing careers that would have been less stressful and more lucrative. That's pretty damned patriotic.
See, that's why I couldn't be a politician. I would have gotten angry at some guy screaming at me and ordering me what to do, but Obama kept his cool and moved on. I wish I was that together.