Sen. McCain’s campaign of disdain for America’s symbol of freedom rolls on. Another day, another missing flag pin on his lapel:
I’m looking forward to Fox News devoting an entire piece of airtime to this important issue on tonight’s broadcast so the American people can finally learn the truth about how this tells us everything we need to know about what kind of President John McCain would be.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and sons Carter and Colton.
I'm the President of The Park People of Milwaukee County, President-elect of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association, an elected official of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, a union leader, community organizer and transit advocate who is working to make Milwaukee great again. I've been writing this weblog for nearly ten years ... read more...
I think he’s doing it in solidarity with Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright.
Please tell me you’re not 1) Questioning McCain, a man who fought, suffered and served our country with respect and honor and 2) comparing that same man, to senator Obama, who up until a couple of days ago, sided with a preacher who is openly hostile to the US, and a wife who, until her husband was winning in the polls, was embarassed to be an American.
I’m going to state the obvious, but when a man serves his country, in the fashion that John McCain did, I really don’t think pointing out the fact that he is or is not wearing a flag pin is germane. On the flip side, when you’re associates, wife, and probably yourself, are less than patriotic, it ends up being a VERY pertinent question.
I don’t particularly admire McCain’s politics but on this issue I give him a pass. Sean’s observations are incisive and right on point.
McCain doesn’t need any outward symbols, his wounded and crippled body is a living “flag pin”.
What does his preacher have to do with anything? You are either knowingly taking these two issues out of context, or you only look into politics as far as the nightly news tells it. Wearing a flag pin to get votes is pathetic, as is questioning one’s loyalty and patriotism based on a lapel pin. You use the term “filp side” which is perfectly fitting regarding McCain. He has flipped on every one of his fundamental “reach across the aisle” efforts. Anyone remember McCain-Feingold? Unpatriotic is leaving me and my friends to hang out to dry for another hundred years…or make it a thousand. I was there, I research it every day. Now, Sean, give me one legitimate reason why we went to war in Iraq, and why we are not more vested in Afghanistan, and why it is o.k. for a Vietnam vet, someone who you’d think would know better, is willing to keep throwing us into the bottomless fight. I’m open-minded. Can you change mine?
Ramadi ’05
I’ll start off by saying I am not a huge fan of John McCain, and agree with you on his attempts to reach across the aisle (they have been absolute flops), but when someone posts comments questioning John McCain and is supposed “disdain for America’s symbol of freedom…” to make a point, I have to comment.
As for Obama’s preacher, well I believe the company you keep somewhat reflects on you as a person. I, for example would not, regardless of my history with a person, associate myself with people like Jeremiah Wright. Why? Because I don’t believe in creating and exacerbating racial tensions more than they already are, along with associating with someone who is so unfeeling as to say we deserved 9/11. It’s mean, ignorant, and divisive. Up until a few days ago, Barak Obama not only associated with Wright, he defended him. It wasn’t until there were serious political consequences that he denounced him, and even after that I don’t believe him. Who Barak Obama has selected as his “advisors” (IE: Jeremiah Wright) should give you a good idea what type of people he values, and would consider for cabinet positions, if elected.
As I referenced in my original comment, I don’t question people’s patriotism based off of lapel pins, I question people’s patriotism by their actions, associations, and words that come out of their mouth. My point is, I don’t think questioning John McCain’s decision to not wear a flag lapel pin (insinuating a lack of patriotism, albeit sarcastically) is justified.
From what I am reading, it doesn’t sound like any reason I give you regarding our presence in Iraq will satisfy you, but I will say that I don’t believe we should pack up our tents and go. I feel that we have obligations in that country. I also believe strategically our presence in Iraq will be vital for the future. Just like our presence in Western Europe, during the Cold War, Okinawa, and South Korea. I do admit we need to focus more on Afghanistan, but I believe that is an extension of Iraq and our fight against terrorism.
I, for example would not, regardless of my history with a person, associate myself with people like Jeremiah Wright. Why? Because I don’t believe in creating and exacerbating racial tensions more than they already are, along with associating with someone who is so unfeeling as to say we deserved 9/11
But you have no problem aligning yourself with someone who said that New Orleans deserved Hurricane Katrina?
Or once again, I’m missing how it’s not a fair comparison :)
…I also heard that Sen. McCain is continuing his stand against the symbol of our patriotism yet again today…
If McCain hasn’t learned from his “wounded and crippled body” that it’s the troops who pay the price when leaders lie to get us into wars and refuse to cede their own arrogance in keeping us there to save their own reputations, he has no business being a leader.
McCain has become nothing more than a shill for the war and he, of all people, should be ashamed for his conduct — whether it’s perpetuating the war lie to further his own political grandstanding, or flip-flopping on torture to make political points with the conservatives.
His cowardly opportunism will overshadow his service to our country in the 1960s.
I think it’s telling that when confronted on ABC News last week about his blatant hypocrisy on pushing for a “health plan” that doesn’t cover people with pre-existing conditions, for instance those who suffered from melanoma in the past, he immediately pulled the POW card. Anyone who says he doesn’t try and use his service to further his political career, should check out “Free Ride” about the way McCain is treated completely differently from every other DC insider when it comes to his conduct.
ARE YOU SERIOUS? You believe Afghanistan is an extension of our war in Iraq? Based on WHAT? Please tell me one way in which they are tied together other than our presence and I will lsiten. I would love to know that I made orphans of the innocent for a reason other than the reason Mr. mccain gave yesterday, which was BIG OIL. That’s right, he finally admitted it so I at least respect his candor even though I loath his character. And if you believe in it so much why are you not there? The military has opened up their doors to nearly anyone who wants to serve.
As far as the Jeremiah Wright thing goes, are you saying that you have been so selective and careful in your life that you have NEVER associated with anyone who later let you down? You have incredible insight. And if you really want to talk about associations, Mr. mccain has associated himself with Mr. bush. You really think an asscoiation with Wright is worse than one with bush? I don’t remember Wright sending innocent men and women to die and kill innocent people. He was partially quoted for media spin.
People, I put my life on the line for 22 years so you have the right to say what you will…and so does Rev. Wright, and so does Michelle Obama. And quite frankly, given the behavior of the administration over the past five years, I am embarassed to call myself this kind of American and if we continue to treat people around the world with this much disdain and disregard then I agree as well…God damn America. And I am NOT being taken out of context as were the aforementioned two.
Please spend some time exploring the WHOLE truth and come back with some facts. PLEASE, I beg you. I WANT you to change my mind.
Shane,
First off, I want to thank you for your service, and I am truly sorry that you feel that way about the country you served for so long. Secondly, to answer your question, yes I have associated myself with people that have let me down. We’re all human, but I do two things when that happens: one, I don’t associate with people who insight hatred and bigotry and two, once those people have let me down (in the fashion that Jeremiah Wright did) I do not associate myself with them any further. The problem with Obama is he knew Wright’s feelings and kept up his relationship with him for 20 years.
As for explaining myself and trying to change your mind, I don’t believe that I can come up with enough “proof” or an explanation that would satisfy you, much less “change your mind”. When it comes to my research and/or exploration, you may want to meet me first before assuming I don’t.