I was disappointed this week to hear one of my friends criticizing Obama for lack of patriotism - not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem, not wearing a flag on his suit, and being sworn in using the Koran rather than the bible. So I looked it up on the web and found that it came from a debunked, mostly false story that was nevertheless still circulating. The Koran part was just untrue. The other parts are things I do myself though I love my country and am very grateful to have been born here. Obama said his grandfather taught him that you salute for the Pledge of Allegiance, but for the National Anthem you sing. That was what I have always done too - maybe it is a mid-west thing. Also I never had a flag pin to wear and nobody I know wears one either. Anyway it got me thinking about symbols and whether they were important. Jesus always stressed that it was what was in your heart that was important, as demonstrated by your love and treatment of your fellow beings. I was thinking that maybe Obama demonstrated his patriotism better by giving up a promising legal career to work with the inner city churches in Chicago to help the poor. God is said to be very upset when his people only go through the motions of piety while their hearts are far from Him. To paraphrase the Bible, our "burnt offerings" are no more than a stench to God unless we follow His commandments to love our fellow creatures. The book of Micah says "What does God require of you, oh man, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?". As a Nation under God, that is what God requires also of us - whether or not we wear a flag pin and regardless of how we honor the Anthem (personally I think singing it is better - lets all learn the words).

Comments:

some people are just too shallow (forgive me for being harsh), i mean, patriotism is NOT about gestures or accessories.. it's way beyond that. it's about what you DO, and as a presidential hopeful, Obama is certainly a patriotic man, i am sure of that! and about that 'koran' or 'preacher' or whatever thing, gosh, when will people try to leave it alone?! if you want stupid gossip we have paris hilton or britney spears for that. cool post

comment by raragoe on May 25, 2008 2:58 PM ()

Hi Rara, Welcome back on the Blog. Well, Obama seems to be a lot more interesting too - I will be sorry when the politics are over we are again continually subjected to the bimbos

reply by baseeker on May 25, 2008 4:14 PM ()

We never discuss the war, unemployment, poverty, Constitutional rights, bank fraud, homelessness and so forth. This is true for Big Brother's country as well. Fact telling is a risky business unpopular too.

comment by bumpedoff on May 25, 2008 7:19 AM ()

My biggest post in weeks is from RFK,Jr. He lists the stories the main stream media ignored.

reply by bumpedoff on May 25, 2008 10:28 AM ()

even Eky seems to be not keeping track nowI don't blame him, but here on Memorial Day, reverently and with gratitude for their service, I copy the latest
Casualties in Iraq
The Human Cost of Occupation
Edited by Margaret Griffis :: Contact American Military Casualties in Iraq
American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 4080
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list) 3941
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3619
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3221
Since Election (1/31/05): 2643
American Wounded Official Estimated
Total Wounded: 30329 23000 - 100000
Latest Fatality May 18, 2008
Page last updated 05/23/08 9:12 pm EDT

reply by baseeker on May 25, 2008 8:57 AM ()

True. It is pretty much Business as Usual in the US except for the persistent flow of money up to the top. Mostly we see Fake reality shows, Entertainment Tonight or some old crime revisited on TV. I have to go to Eky's site to see how many poor kids got it in Iraq today unannounced. Anything can be CHANGED though. Thanks for your comment

reply by baseeker on May 25, 2008 8:43 AM ()