US political nonsense

[Yeahduff]

You're a great American.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

A true patriot.

I know another guy that said that exact thing about the lapel. Except he was being serious.

[KWill]

I didn't, but then again, I don't get any American television.

[Yeahduff]

A true patriot.

I know another guy that said that exact thing about the lapel. Except he was being serious.

I feel like something along those lines was in that compelling email I got a month or so ago.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

Oh yeah, that was funny. Sort of.

[MixedMyth]

Oh man, I remember that. It was one of the more ridiculous stunts of the race so far. I like how people completely ignored Obama's response to it, too. People make my head hurt.

[BeefotronX]

The lapel thing is in and of itself not much of a big deal.

It's understandable to cringe at "trite displays of nationalism".
But check this out.

Someone wrote about this to Obama's campaign and got back a letter basically ridiculing the accusation, suggesting that he was out of his mind and the next thing he'd be demanding is a loyalty oath.

But guess what? The oath of office you have to take to be inaugurated as President is a loyalty oath.
I think anyone who won't take that oath can't be President. And so far Obama's not being helpful in supporting the perception that he might take that seriously.

Far from bringing any change, he's only going to bring back FDR's Old Deal with a fresh coat of green paint.

[Yeahduff]

*shrug*

In the world of actual potential scandals, turns out John McCain is into not only blondes, but lobbyists.

I'll actually be really disappointed if this is true.

[Ahaugen]

Far from bringing any change, he's only going to bring back FDR's Old Deal with a fresh coat of green paint.

Old-age pensions and public works projects?! The man must be stopped! </sarcasm>

[Laemkral]

suggesting that he was out of his mind and the next thing he'd be demanding is a loyalty oath.

But guess what? The oath of office you have to take to be inaugurated as President is a loyalty oath.
I think anyone who won't take that oath can't be President. And so far Obama's not being helpful in supporting the perception that he might take that seriously.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

That's the Oath of Inauguration for the POTUS, straight from the Constitution. At no time does the word "loyal" or any derivative appear. Also, at no time is the President swearing loyalty to a person, merely stating that (s)he will uphold the laws of the nation as codified in the supreme law of the land.

There is a very big difference between that and "I (name) do hereby swear to be loyal to the President of the United States." THAT is a loyalty oath.

[BeefotronX]

So, you wouldn't consider it a loyalty oath to the Constitution?

Anyway, I do not trust a man who seems to equate any demonstration of patriotism with "trite displays of mindless nationalism", whether minor symbols like a lapel pin or observing the established code of respect for the Flag.

I'm not saying anything to the effect of that he should be rounded up and sent to a camp or some ridiculous thing like that; I simply have trouble entrusting the next few years of my country in the hands of someone who, apparently, is absolutely ashamed of it.

[Mr.Bob]

If I knew someone who always put his hand on his heart and stared wistfully into the distance whenever he heard the national anthem play up I'd punch him.

[Laemkral]

So, you wouldn't consider it a loyalty oath to the Constitution?

Anyway, I do not trust a man who seems to equate any demonstration of patriotism with "trite displays of mindless nationalism", whether minor symbols like a lapel pin or observing the established code of respect for the Flag.

I'm not saying anything to the effect of that he should be rounded up and sent to a camp or some ridiculous thing like that; I simply have trouble entrusting the next few years of my country in the hands of someone who, apparently, is absolutely ashamed of it.

No, I consider it an oath of service very much like the oaths of enlistment taken by military personnel upon entering their duties. They aren't swearing loyalty to anyone or anything, merely stating that they will do their jobs to the utmost of their abilities and within the limits of the laws as set by the Constitution and other governing bodies. Similarly, the President is swearing publicly to do their job and not go around breaking Constitutional law. That's why if they DO start breaking those laws we get to go "Yeah, but you said you wouldn't, and now you have, so we're gonna impeach you."
A "loyalty oath" serves no purpose other than to declare your loyalty to an institution or person. The only loyalty oath that comes to my mind is the Pledge of Allegiance.

Yes, he has on occasion not put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. He also has put his hand up on other occasions. Most people in this country don't even know the Flag Code, let alone follow it. Every time you put a US Flag up outside your house, then leave it over night without any light on it? Flag Code violation. Every time you leave it outside during rain or inclement weather and it's not "all weather"? Flag Code violation. Little flag napkins for Fourth of July? Flag Code violation. Theres a debate on whether the stamps issued by the US Postal Service featuring an American flag on it are...a violation of the Flag Code. I'm willing to bet the majority of "Flag Code violations" are by the very same people who rip on Obama for what is basically an innocuous thing.

As far as the Pledge? Most people never say it again after their primary schooling. I was at Ft. Lewis in a CS (military tear gas) chamber and the instructors had many of us say the Pledge without our masks on. Several couldn't finish, not because of the gas, but because it'd been so long since they last actually said it they couldn't remember the words. These are future officers in the US Army. For the most part, saying the Pledge is pointless because it doesn't DO anything.

[BeefotronX]

On another note, I am finding it darkly amusing that John McCain is now being pwned by the very same campaign finance regulations that he himself helped to create.

[Grabmygoblin]

uh-oh, has someone been listening to Limbagh?

[BeefotronX]

Yes, I don't know what to do without having other people tell me what to think.

[Grabmygoblin]

hey, you said it, not m-*FORUM BAN*

[Col]

Seriously?

[KWill]

Most people in this country don't even know the Flag Code, let alone follow it. Every time you put a US Flag up outside your house, then leave it over night without any light on it? Flag Code violation. Every time you leave it outside during rain or inclement weather and it's not "all weather"? Flag Code violation. Little flag napkins for Fourth of July? Flag Code violation. Theres a debate on whether the stamps issued by the US Postal Service featuring an American flag on it are...a violation of the Flag Code. I'm willing to bet the majority of "Flag Code violations" are by the very same people who rip on Obama for what is basically an innocuous thing.

Ah, yeah, the stamps. Might tear the flag, so its a no-no. I must admit, I loved some of the flag violations in ought-six:

Seriously?

He's got my vote.

[Ahaugen]

I'd salute that


and would some one please rendition Ralph Nader? please?