Obama talks patriotism in Independence

Groups Of Pathetic (GOP) party still trowing darts to see what sticks because they cant run a race based on the issues at hand. Very sad when a political party has to resort to this type of propaganda to try and win the big one.

Ways for Obama to avoid being labeled unpatriotic:

Be the first to stand up and salute when Lee Greenwood sings "I'm proud to be an American." Not to do so would be the kiss of death.

Acknowledge that country and western artists have a monopoly on patriotic music.

Wear a headwrap or do rag made out of the flag.

Don't fly the flag on his house after dark, even though patriotic Americans do.

These few things will guarantee acceptance of patriotism.

Words matter in most instances, but in the area of patriotism, actions are what count. Senator Obama has demonstrated by actions very little in support of his nation, or should I say that the nation that we are. He may very well demonstrate actions in the nation he wishes us to be - a more European culture nation with lax borders, where talk with the bad guys of the world is the norm and eventually giving up things that matter to the bad guys to appeal to their inner fairness is the continued norm.

Because if I were to question their patriotism, they might actually call me out on the lack of mine. By doing this, I can act like I am taking the higher ground when someone eventually focuses on my lack of adding any value to (1) the country, (2) the state of Illinois, or (3) the city of Chicago.

If Obama really believed his speech, he would be a Republican.

But as with most liberals, actions do not match words.

Then he has the temerity to say, "Rather than work together to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and thereby lessen our vulnerability to a volatile region, our energy policy remained unchanged, and our oil dependence only grew."

Libeals like Obama have done everything possible to destroy any effort to make America energy independent:

Obama opposes drilling in known reserves in the US.

Obama opposes the use of nuclear power.

Obama opposes the construction of any new refineries.

Obama opposes any windmill farms that bother Kennedys.

Obama wasted tons of gas, jet fuel and diesel on a publicity stunt last Friday, and not a peep for his fawning reporters.

Obama is a George Orwell patriot.

I'll give Obama credit. He has great speech writers..I hear nothing new or convincing..Seems like what we are really viewing is just a make-over of the Obamas that maybe will be more convincing to the public voters..Time will tell..{ and who he chooses for VP }.

The best defense is if course a great offense. Wonder why the explanation comes before the act? Why the "swift boaters" (who haven't come yet) are being explained away as angry misguided republicans? Attacking a messenger that hasn't arrived yet and may never arrive, you look more foolish thatn ever. MoveOn.org is on the scene and playing nice as usual but then we're actually noticing the 600 lb. gorilla in the room aren't we. Before they find out how weak I am, we better attack those who will call me weak! and by the way, toss everyone under the bus that knows just how weak I truly am. See how that works, great democrat tactic that impresses the sheeple. Keep drinking the kool-aid and all will be wonderful in your world.

Sorry, Obama and General Clark! A man who spent 5 1/2 years in a POW camp and practiced his patriotism everyday while in it, is more of a patriot than either of you could ever be. General Clark, you should be ashamed of what you are doing and saying.

Boy the Reublicans sure are in a panic today, aren't they? They know that Obama is goiing to win come November and they can't stand the thought of an administration based are fairness, equality, concern for working people, and accountability for corporations. They want more of the same. They want fearmongering, hate, endless wars and an economy in hock to the Chinese. They want the rich to get richer and the poor poorer. They want a country run for the benefit of a few CEOs, and against the interests of everyone else. They want a weaker, poorer America.

what a load of BS from BHO..
How much more of this muck do we have to take --so much hype so little time.

I bow to no one in love of country, I rise in support of Barack HUSSEIN Obama for president of the United States of America.

To Yackson: Posts such as yours reveal why not everybody should be allowed to vote. Clark never questioned McCain's patriotism: he questioned McCain's qualifications as commander-in-chief. No amount of time spent in a POW camp qualifies a person to run an army: unless it is an army of cowards.

Patriotism does not start and end with what you do, or which political party you identify with. You are not patriotic just by pointing out the differences in others. patriotism is a love for your country that raises above and beyond the boundaries of race, gender, politics and all the things that this political process has attempted to use as a diversion from the real needs of this great country. have we forgotten that the government works for the people? not the other way around !!!
its time to wake up the people of this once great nation and have the people make this country the great nation that we know it can and should be. they used to say if you don't like America then leave! freedom allows for those who don't like America, not to be labelled "unpatriotic" but to be able to have their views, but they are not allowed to force their views on to others. the current republican administration has crossed the line by merging church and state, using fear to control the nation for their gain, labeling "unpatriotic" anyone who does not share their exact views, and on it goes. no party whether democrat or republican should be allowed to manipulate this country for their personal agenda. now is the time that all americans need to demand that our government live up to it being" of the people , for the people and by the people" those in government that are unwilling to work for the people's best interest must be replaced with those who will. let there be no sacred cows in the united states government!!!!

If the reporter did less fawning and more reporting, he'd discover that Mark Twain NEVER said the words Obama attributes to Twain.

The quote seems to originate in an anti-Iraq war documentary made by the left-wing filmmaker Robert Greenwald, in which a former CIA officer says, "Mark Twain’s definition of patriotism is — patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it." It's the kind of error that, if done by a Republican, would cause the media to foam at the mouth, but when done by their man Obama will hardly raise a media yawn.

Phony quote. Phony candidate.

Boy Americans sure need to grow up!!!
The right says this the left says that. bla bla bla!!!. its unfortunate that America is a 2 party split down the middle with no grey in between. Just a bunch of whiners and complainers and do nothings! Sure lets stay the course and lose our heritage or god forbid we should move forward into the 21st century and change our ways just a tad to further the people and this country into a brighter future. it is apparent to me and pretty much the rest of the world that Americans are sophmores at best and will continue to stagnate into oblivion. You people are your own worst enemies! God forbid someone should come along with new ideas and a new direction for America into the future. For most of you right leaning folks, well all I have to say is i feel sorry for your stagnate stubborn ways because of you America will never rise again!

Gotta hand it to this guy. Must rile the repugs to no end that he actually hits their issues head on ... he did w/ HRC as well ... Wright and race, he nails it. Patriotism, he nails it. HRC "asks" him to come down off his speech pedestal and talk turkey, and he beats her in debates. McOld complains Obama hasn't gone to Iraq (and wasting taxpayer money before he was the nominee of course, way to flush more money old man) and Obama announces he is going. It has to grind them bad that he hits every issue head on, honestly and treats Americans like they have a few brain cells.

Bruce, you're wrong again.

The original quote from Twain is as follows:

"To put it in rude, plain, unpalatable words — true patriotism, real patriotism: loyalty not to a Family and a Fiction, but a loyalty to the Nation itself!
..."Remember this, take this to heart, live by it, die for it if necessary: that our patriotism is medieval, outworn, obsolete; that the modern patriotism, the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation ALL the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it."

It's from a piece he wrote called "The Czar's Soliloqy" written in 1905 in response to the crushing of the 1905 revolution in Russia.

Nice try.

Oh he is, is he?

THEN WHY DID HE FAIL TO VOTE FOR A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION CONDEMING THE AD?

Change? I see nothing but the same old tired politics.

Way to go JT! You nailed Bruce to the wall! As usual poor litle Brucie has been proven wrong again!

Bruce, that is indeed a Mark Twain quote. Try using the internet, it's a wonderful tool.

Next he will have a huge press conference touting "I will not question anyone's lack of any discernible accomplishments."

Why does it seem that all Obama does is respond to what he calls "distractions" instead of focusing on his beliefs and what he will do if voted into office.

Half of these "distractions" seem to originate from his own campaign. Its kind of like a pre-emptive barage of nonsense.

McCain could put an end to this crap, if he was man enough. He has seen Obama lead the pledge in the Senate. All he has to do is tell this. This would show that he is really a maverick. Imagine , a Republican that doesn't allude to a Democrat's patriotism.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

The McCain crowd keeps on attacking Obama's patriotism in hopes that no one notices that the many of the highest aides in the campaign campaign have lobbied for repressive regimes around the world. They aren't patriots. They are traitors for hire, willing to sell out to anyone for the right amount of money. A campaign that hired Charlie Black, Doug Goodyear and Thomas Loeffler has no place questioning anyone's patriotism or loyalty.

The problem we have here is peoples veiw of there country. I fell the USA is a lovely caring land that has and contiues to do more for its people and the rest of the world than any other land. We are just a bunch of pamperd overpaid two car driving cable tv watching cell phone useing fools who think the goverment can solve your problems. I just hope and pray we can KEEP THE USA I know and love all my 43 years .You are living in the best country in the world at the time when people have more than ever . Open YOUR EYES . Change to larger goverment is just what we dont need.

Ken Moyes: "Senator Obama has demonstrated by actions very little in support of his nation, or should I say that the nation that we are."

Ken Moyes - When you run for office to serve the people of this country, then you can cast aspersions like this upon others. Until then, you're just an irrelevant blowhard. People like you talk a big game about "supporting our nation" and "supporting our troops" and whatnot, but at the end of the day, we all see that in reality you're long in the platitudes and VERY SHORT on actual action.

In a sense, I suppose you may be right, as far too many Americans seem to have resorted to sanctimony when it comes to how they view others, but very short on actual action when it comes to themselves. Obama, a DO-er rather than a TALK-er, may not stand for "the nation that we are." He demonstrates far too much responsibility and action on his own part to be considered an "average" American.

Um, Keith, must I remind you that the Bush administration is the largest government in the USA's history? Not to mention the largest debt, largest peopl ebelowpverty level, largest military suicide rate, largest scandal ridden administration and last but not least largest bunch of liers in American history!

Reagan democrats did the right thing and voted for the guy that was better for the country.

Honestly, I would have preferred McCain in both of the last two elections over any of the others on the ballots.

If you can read that speech and the just start slamming in your posts, then you're probably putting loyalty to party above what is good for the country - perhaps because you've bought into the "demonizing the opponent", lowest common denominator, Glorify-the-Idiot-Citizen, "you're doing a heckofa job brownie" propaganda that is served up by Bush.

How sad.

Try this: Pretend Reagan gave this speech. Then re-read it. Do you like it now? Oh, then perhaps you should open your mind.

I like Reagan and McCain and G.H.W.Bush and Obama and Clinton. Yeah, it is possible. Mostly because I look past the little circus animal logo associated with the name and think about their actions and choices.

So really: if you hate the speech above Obama gave, would you change your position on it if Reagan gave it?

If you loved the speech, would you hate it if Reagan gave it?

In both cases, you'd need to grow up.

To quote Wendy from"Peter Pan" " Never is a long time."

Bruce the quote is absolutely from Mark Twain - it's even quoted at his house here in Hartford, CT.

I certainly think that Obama is patriotic in his way. You'd have to be a fool to want to be president and not be patriotic. What a low-paying, high risk, high stress job with, at the end of the day, pretty limited power unless you are in a war.

Okay, tell us one sacrifice that Obama has made for this country that would justify any claim to patriotism he might pretend to have.

His patriotism is the least of his problems. How about his apparent lack of experience and ability. Obama-do something! Anything! The American people would like to see what your potential really is!

All this patriotism talk is pathetic. There are more pressing issues like the fact that the people behind 9/11 are still free hiding in a cave somewhere and our economy is in the toilet. But hey, this Obama guy doesn't wear a flag lapel!!

The use of the word "patriotism" to judge the suitability of a candidate is the ploy of desperate men who can't attack the opponent on any other issue. Considering the level of "patriotism" demonstrated by the Bush/Cheney administration, any one replacing them would be more patriotic just through the sheer antithesis of the current administration.

More than likely those who question the patriotism of others are the ones in need of some introspection.

They are running for President of the USA, not POW of the USA. And when they invent a drug for senility, perhaps Old Man McCain and his GOP goons will remember that. Still waiting for that first general to step forward in support of Old Man McCain.

If Obama indeed doesn't question anybody's patriotism, then he should inform his staff and supporters. Those folks don't seem to get the memo.

Bruce wrote: "Phony quote, phony candidate."

The quotation Obama used is Mark Twain, from "The Czar’s Soliloquy," 1901.

As usual, you and your republican friends taking your attack-dog tactics from the monster Rove: truth is what you say it is, the facts be damned.

I think the BO folks should keep this up....just what McCain needs. The more friends of BO like Clark talk, the more I like it. Nice job!

Obama's nonsense just keeps on falling out of his mouth. Don't like the Clintons, McCain, or Bush, but Obama is a Paternalist liberal. I don't need or want him.

If being shot down qualifies a person to hold elective office than why did John McCain come to DuPage County not once, but twice, to endorse and raise money to get another rich, white, republican lawyer elected to Congress, over Maj. Tammy Duckworth, a war hero whose helicopter was shot down in Iraq? Where was the hue and cry when Republican mouthpiece Ann Coulter was disparaging Sen. Max Cleland's service in Viet Nam. Republicans are great for dishing it out but can't take it in return.

Okay, tell us one sacrifice that Obama has made for this country that would justify any claim to patriotism he might pretend to have.

Posted by: Daryl | June 30, 2008 4:19 PM

That's a red herring. You can go down the list of past presidents and find many (e.g., George W. Bush; Richard M. Nixon) for whom the exact same thing may be said.

You knuckledraggers have picked this red herring out because, as we all know, there ain't much that positively distinguishes McCain over Obama, on a personal level. They each have different philosophies on the role of government, of course, but in terms of horseflesh Obama's got Mac beat.

To get around this, then, you folks prop up a completely irrelevant "qualification" that only Mac possesses, and pretend like it's the most important thing going.

Guess what? It's not so hard to turn that around.

Can you name a single law constitutional law course that McCain has taught? No?

What about law review articles? How many has McSleepy written? None? Shocking. How can that imposter possibly deign to run for President when he has not written a single law review article. What an outrage!

Of COURSE Obama won't be questioning any else's patriotism.

It is his that is open to question.

As to standing idly by, that is what he does best.

Hey Ken,

Wouldn't working for cheap or nothing despite an Ivy league education be a remarkably patriotic service to his country?

Paul K
Evanston, IL

Honest to goodness!!
the partisan bickering will never end. Lets focus on this....Patriotism is important when you are running to be commander in chief. How we view that is another point. Mcsleepy at least served (voluntary not drafted). You can not question his. Obama has not so it is a legitimate question. Lets not focus on the flag pin or any of that other crap but lets ask the question instead of trying to brush it over. Obama is a great speaker, he is lets face it, the question comes to what does he have to back it up. If it is another speech then the words are hollow.

We know much a person knowing of the best friends you have. Patriotism is the same.
Obama has best friends Rezk, Rev. Wrigth, etc..
He doesn't like to use symbols of the Fatherland, which said it was out of fashion, because he is liberal ... love is manifested by someone with details, and symbols are made to give a signal.
Obama shows that not only isn't patriotic, and he doesn't seem American to 100%, his way of looking at politics is actually "out of fashion."
Patriotism is not born by obligation, it's naturally for one person because love his country.

Obama is a smug, smirking con man. Nothing more. Obama, Soros, Wright, Ayers and the rest of Obama's hard-left coalition of hate will be defeated by intelligent, decent and genuinely patriotic Americans everywhere.

Pat: say what you like...Clark is highly respected and people will put credence in what he says!!!

"JT" et al, you prove beyond a doubt that Obama DIDN'T quote Twain's "Czar's Soliloquy". He instead quoted a filmmaker's paraphrase of what Twain said.

Phony quote. Phony candidate.

Thanks for proving Obama wrong, guys!

Bruce, that's really just completely pathetic on your part. You're looking sillier than normal. You need a vacation. Does the RNC give you paid time off?

Another Obama howler, from the same speech:

"I remember, when living for four years in Indonesia as a child, I listened to my mother reading me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they're endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

I would have thought that pretty much everyone--certainly every Presidential speechwriter, and every Harvard Law School graduate!--knows that these are not the "first lines" of the Declaration of Independence, which begins, "When in the course of human events...."

What, exactly, accounts for the fact that Obama is not already a laughingstock?

Posted by: Bruce | July 1, 2008 12:07 AM

That's nitpicking to the extreme, Bruce. I think we all know he was just relating a story. But if a comma is in the wrong place, it is the mistake of the millenium for all you sheeple republicans.

Posted by: Derrick | June 30, 2008 7:06 PM

Huh? Bush practically has taken out a patent on being smug and smirking for the past 8 years. Not to mention how he "conned" congress into authorizing an immoral war.

You wont post my comments suporting president Bush and the facts about the Iraq war but you let comments like Bush is a lair or he conned congress into an immoral war stand comments that are just left wing driven foolishness. If Bush is so stupid I find it funny how he tricked Congress and the UN into thinking Iraq was a danger to world stabilty .