[Rhodes22-list] Political - National Anthem -

[Herb Parsons]

You  know Slim, believe it or not, I agree with you on this one.

OK, well, not completely, but at least half-way.

I told my wife, that the whole picture of no hand over his heart thing 
was much ado about nothing. I'm pretty patriotic on things like that, 
and I suspect if I had camermen following me around as much as they are 
him, they'd likely catch me in a similar pose a time or two. He's stated 
publicly several times that he DOESN'T "refuse" to put his hand over his 
hear durng the national anthem; it's just that he wasn't THAT time (OK, 
that time, and a few others here and there).

I can accept that.

Except.

When asked about the flag pin (that he DID refuse to wear) he said this:

"You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. 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 decided 
I won't wear that pin on my chest."

Now keep in mind, we're talking about a US FLAG pin!  Keep that in mind 
as I connect a few dots.

I'll grant him, a flag pin is a symbol. It's even a pretty small one, 
but it IS a symbol of something important.

That got my eyebrows up a little.

Then, there was that pesky picture of him wearing Somali tribal 
clothoes. I understand completely, the nonsense about that indicating he 
had some sort of Muslim beliefs was just that - nonsens.

He put those clothes on as a symbol, that's right a SYMBOL of respect 
for the people he was visiting. And that's a good thing. I'd probably do 
exactly the same thing were I in that situation.

That was an awful lot of clothing. He must have really wanted to show 
them that he respected their customs and beliefs. He, no doubt, counted 
on the intelligence and wisdom of folks to understand that wearing those 
clothes was a gesture of respect, and did NOT mean he believed as they, 
or even followed their customs.

Of course, wearing a flag pin is too much to ask.  He was concerned that 
those seeing him wear the flag might mistake it as a symbol of 
supporting the war.

Our flag.

Huh?

Personally, I think he's a slick politician, and knew that the middle of 
the road folks would let it slide, and the lefties would love it.

So, he took that symbol that he pretended had come to represent some 
sort of false patriotism, and used it in a negative way to win votes.

Sorry Slim, I don't think I want that guy leading my country.


Steven Alm wrote:
> Brad,
>
> I watched/listened to it several times because it's so good and I
> enthusiastically passed it along to others  This is what happens when you
> combine great talent and hard work with great instruction.  Yes, we must
> also take our hats off to their teacher!  If those were my students, I'd be
> mighty proud of them and quietly proud of myself as well.  Maybe Cora will
> have such a chance some day.  Has she started those piano lessons yet?
>
> I never heard how/if Obama responded to that but I'm pretty sure he was
> thinking, "I hate this country and I hate this song.  If I'm elected I'm
> going to secretly let thousands of Muslim terrorists into the country so
> they can blow up these damned infidels and my hand not-on-heart will send a
> secret message to my brothers alerting them of my master plan."  Seriously,
> I agree it was a gaff--and he has not by any means cornered the market on
> gaffs--but in all fairness have you never seen baseball players lined up
> during the SSB and not really paying attention?  Have you never seen some
> one in church not folding their hands or bowing their head during a prayer?
> That means...what?
>
> Here's a little anecdote of my own:  There was one time in my band directing
> years when I had to hold a conversation with somebody concerning an
> emergency WHILE I was conducting the SSB in front of a thousand people.  I
> finished the number but I did speed it up a little toward the end.  I
> couldn't have cared less about the music at that moment.  I needed to get it
> over with so I could deal with the problem.  Does that make me somehow less
> patriotic?
>
> You ask who's voting for him?  Um...Brad, I know you follow the news so you
> already know the answer to that.  I know he wasn't a distracted band leader
> or baseball player or in church but please tell me this is not where you're
> hanging your hat.
>
> Slim
>
> On Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 4:48 PM, Brad Haslett <flybrad at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> Ed,
>>
>> That brought tears to my eyes.  I'd love to be at a medal presentation in
>> Beijing while the Stars and Stripes are being honored, and sing the
>> National
>> Anthem with Cora at the top of our lungs.  Too much hassle - we're going
>> in
>> May.  Who's voting for the candidate who can't be bothered with putting
>> his
>> hand over his heart?
>>
>> Brad
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 8:36 AM, Tootle <ekroposki at charter.net> wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> Now on UTube:
>>>
>>> http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=QKCVS57j284
>>>
>>> Big Al, I hope you have high speed access.
>>>
>>> Ed K
>>> Greenville, SC, USA
>>> --
>>> View this message in context:
>>>
>>>       
>> http://www.nabble.com/Political---National-Anthem---tp15850736p15850736.html
>>     
>>> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>>>
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>   

-- 
Herb Parsons
S/V O'Jure - O'Day 25
S/V Reve de Pappa - Coronado 35