Jackson Free Press

America needs an enema. Symbolic "patriotism" is blocking the very strides that we are supposed to be making as a "progressive" country. It is giving us mental constipation. Real action, real fighting and real revolution have been replaced by slogans, country songs and, of all things, lapel pins.

I was in denial when I first heard the reports last week about reactions to Obama's comments in Iowa, when he said his words and actions, not his lapel pin, demonstrated his patriotism. "This can't be right," I thought. "They can't possibly be making a big deal out of this, could they?" Then I remembered that I got suspended from a radio show for speaking my mind elsewhere about the president. I shouldn't have been surprised.

I have become frustrated by the new wave of pseudo-Americans who somehow feel they've been ordained to tell me what it means to be patriotic. Those "virtues" have become the calling card of the conservative right: "You must support the war." "You must support your president at all costs." "You must show respect for the flag." "You must support our troops."

The list can go on, but sadly enough, the Sean Hannitys, Ann Coulters and Rush Limbaughs of the world will deem you a traitor or un-American if you waiver from any of those mantras. You see, they are much more patriotic than the rest of us. They love America much more than we do. They are true patriots. And us? Well, we're just a few of the many evil communist traitors who secretly wish to see our country crumble at the feet of our enemy, because we have chosen to exercise the very American, very patriotic right to question our government and its policies. Because we justly criticize our president and his lackeys. Because we have chosen not to arbitrarily believe everything that a White House spokesperson tells us.

The mere fact that Obama's aides had to scramble to do damage control after his statement is a testament to how far we have truly fallen in this great nation. Wearing a lapel pin does not make you patriotic, any more than saying "f**k George Bush" makes you unpatriotic. In fact, the lapel pin is false patriotism, a substitute for action. It is indeed, as Obama said, your deeds toward your fellow man that defines your patriotism. It is kind of like the politicians and celebrities (like Oprah and Bill Cosby) who talk about helping the 'hood, but never really do anything. I don't remember the last time I saw anyone from Fox News holding an AK and dodging land mines in Iraq. But they damn sure find it easy to point out when someone else is being "unpatriotic." Our more well-rounded friends overseas laugh at the fuss we make over such trivial matters.

Bottom line: It's fair to say that most folks who live here love America and love being here. Because one invites a controversial foreign leader to speak at a college, or burns an American flag, or draws a mustache on a picture of George Bush, doesn't mean they hate America. We are all different. We come from different backgrounds and have different views. That is what makes us American. That's what makes us free. Symbols of freedom don't do it, and certainly not lapel pins that are made in China, anyway.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

75426

Comment

Hannity, Limpbaugh and Coulter are PIMPs - prostitutes involved with mendacious people. In other words, they're selling tail for and to dishonest people with money, power and personal objectives to the detriment of common people like us. The more you pay them the more they give it up. They're love you a long time if you pay them right. We got some brothers like this too. See Uncle Armstrong Williams, Uncle Juan Williams, Uncle Walter Williams, Uncle Thomas Sowell, Uncle Clarence Thomas, Uncle Larry Elders, uncle Shelby Steele and many more uncles.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-10T17:04:12-06:00

ID

75427

Comment

I meant "they'll".

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-10T17:05:42-06:00

ID

75428

Comment

Whenever you have pimps, you also have some people working for them i.e. doing what pimps tell them to do, no matter how stupid and dangerous the commands are. Anybody knows what they're called. I'll tell you later. These people are the ones who are jingos practicing jingoism. They are people with a tainted idea of what patriotism is. They are the nuts of the country like Tim McVey was, Cheney, Bush and many others are, who all you have to do is mention terrorism or national security and they're ready to bomb Iran, Iraq and the Democrats.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-11T08:20:58-06:00

ID

75429

Comment

Its funny. Saw Cheney's wife on the Daily Show last night and I found her to be quite charming and engaging. Its obvious she's got the personality in the family. And looks to be the only one of the two who openly(without that uncomfortable look) say that she supports their gay daughter. Almost makes me think she doesnt always agree with her robotic like spouse lol. Folks have been making a hug joke about this lapel pin fuss. Its almost like we'll highlight anything to take the focus off real issues. Sean Hannity is simply a ridiculous man!

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-10-11T08:45:11-06:00

ID

75430

Comment

Don't be fooled, Kaze! Lynne Cheney is the brains in the neo-con operation. I've long thought she might be telling Dick everything to do and say from her leadership perch at the American Enterprise Institute. Looks can be deceiving.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-10-11T08:52:19-06:00

ID

75431

Comment

Thanks to Donna I finally read the bio of the old quiet, battle-axe, Lynne Cheney. You're probably right Donna that Lynne is calling the shots in that household. To have Laura and Lynne as any kind of spokeperson for national educational policies of our children is like having Dick Cheney teaching gun safety or shooting responsibly.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-10-11T10:53:56-06:00