Gregory D.

Lee

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May 19, 2008

A Word to Barack Obama: Real Patriotism Speaks For Itself

Patriotism is commonly defined as one’s love and devotion of country and the willingness to make sacrifices for it.

Barack Obama gave a speech in Charleston, West Virginia, where he made an exception to his self-imposed policy of not wearing a flag lapel pin, and according to the Chicago Tribune, defended his patriotism.

According to Obama’s campaign web site, he justifies his patriotism by citing his maternal grandfather’s enlisting in the army after Pearl Harbor, and his marching across Europe with Gen. Patton. He also mentions how his grandfather taught him to say the Pledge of Allegiance and love his country. It sounds to me that the grandfather is a true patriot, but what does this have to do with Obama? Did Obama become a patriot through osmosis?

The web site goes on to mention that Obama went to Harvard Law School, and “Barack's patriotism and profound belief in the underlying principles of this country led him to teach Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago.” No, I think it’s more probable that he taught Constitutional Law because it was gainful employment and he needed the money. Many law school professors are off-the-map liberals who try to come up with ways to undermine the Constitution, so he was perfect for the job.

The web page further defines his patriotism by stating: “Barack believes that you show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans and veterans.” In his speech in Charleston, he echoed these examples of his patriotism and then immediately attacked the country’s poster child for patriotism and most famous war veteran, John McCain. The last time I checked, John McCain is an unapologetic patriot who retired as a Navy Captain after spending five years as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton while Obama was being taught the Pledge of Allegiance by his grandfather.

So far I’m not convinced of Obama’s patriotism. Here’s why.

Obama married a woman who said that America was a “mean” country and as an adult she was never proud of it until her husband ran for president.

He attended a church for 20 years where the minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, preached disdain for America and her foreign policies, asked God to damn her and accused her of spreading AIDS and crack cocaine among black communities. Would a true patriot sit there and listen to that dribble, or would he walk out and never come back?

Obama is a long-time friend and business associate of former domestic terrorist and Weatherman leader Bill Ayres, whose organization caused explosions at the Pentagon and New York City police headquarters and made serious attempts to destabilize and overthrow the U.S. government. Would a true patriot associate with such persons or tolerate anyone who did?

Obama never joined the Armed Forces to make a sacrifice for his country; nor did he ever join VISTA or the Peace Corps as an alternative to military service. Instead, he attended college at two of America’s most prestigious universities which prepared him for a career in politics.

Obama has campaigned on his decision to not support the U.S. invasion of Iraq, despite overwhelming evidence at the time the nation’s security was in jeopardy and military action was warranted. It makes me wonder under what set of circumstances a President Obama would commit U.S. forces to battle to protect this country.

Have Mr. and Mrs. Obama ever attended a Fourth of July parade? Do they swell with pride like I do when you see the B-2 stealth bomber slowly flying over the spectators at the beginning of the Rose Parade? Does Obama get goose bumps when the National Anthem is sung at a baseball game or other sporting event whether he is there in person or watching it on television? I suppose not, in light of press reports that Obama won’t place his hand over his heart during such occasions.

A true patriot does not have to justify his patriotism to anyone. He demonstrates it by his actions. A patriot never has to defend his love and respect for his country because it’s obvious. Nor does a patriot have to make the case for his patriotism on a web site, in a feeble attempt to convince others you’re something you’re not.

Gregory D. Lee is a nationally syndicated columnist for North Star Writers Group (northstarwriters.com) and can be reached through his website: www.gregorydlee.com.   

© 2008 North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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