A Picture Worth A Thousand Emails

Well, by now who hasnt heard of this famous picture of Barack Obama without his hand on his heart supposedly during the pledge of allegiance?  Emails abound accusing Senator Obama of being unpatriotic.  Accusations have also flown about Senator Obama not wearing an American Flag lapel pin when he is in a suit.  First of all, according to Time magazine who first printed this picture, this is not taken during the pledge of allegiance, it is during the Star Spangled Banner.  According to Mr. Obama, his grandfather taught him to put his hand on his heart during the pledge but to sing during the National Anthem.  Of course, many of us were taught different, to put our hand on our heart during the Anthem.  But, who are we to judge how Senator Obama was brought up?  In response to the accusation about the lapel pin, Obama said that he chooses to not wear a pin which has become a political symbol instead of a personal symbol.  Instead, he chooses to follow what is in his heart which is, indeed, true patriotism.  Mr. Obama has made it clear that he loves his country. 

Well, here’s my two cents worth.  Lets suppose for a moment that Barack Obama really did refuse to put his hand on his heart during the pledge of allegiance.  I ask you, so what?  Is this a socialist state where we have to swear our lives to the motherland?  No, this is the United States of America, which is supposedly the land of the free.  Placing one’s hand and reciting the pledge are acts of patriotism in my humble opinion.  If you force one to do this, you are in effect forcing one to be patriotic.  Compulsory patriotism is not true patriotism.  A true patriot, one who really loves one’s country will do these acts not because he is told to, but because he has a desire to.  Those who are close to me know that I am very patriotic.  I love our system of government; I love our constitution; indeed, I love my country.  I am the first one to remove my hat and place my hand over my heart whenever I hear the National Anthem.  I am the first to stand and recite the pledge.  I do this not because it is expected, but because I wish to express my patriotism.  To those who would criticize Senator Obama, I say, mind your own fucking business.  Let the man express his patriotism in his own way and you express yours in your way.