Noting the TV interview, he told the campaign crowd, "I said, you know what, I probably haven't worn a flag pin in a very long time. After a while I noticed people wearing a lapel pin and not acting very patriotic."
"My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart. You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who serve. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and ideals. That's what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals."
He had been asked about the pin Wednesday in an interview with KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids.
"The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin," Obama said. "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 agree with Obama completely on this issue. Right after 9-11 I think we all wanted to show our patriotism and unity. But then our government started using our desire to support our country and using it against us to take away our rights, and to change our country in frightening ways.
I think to wear the pin now is to say that we place our trust in our country no matter who is running it. That is not patriotism, patriotism is standing up for what makes this country unique and beautiful.
the college guys in my neighborhood wear the pins- but upside down...somehow that seems about right...since everything is upside down...
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