Obama: "Patriotism means faith in one another as Americans"

[spunkloaf]

As with most Americans, patriotism starts for me as a gut instinct, a loyalty and love for my country that's rooted in my earliest memories. It's not just the recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Thanksgiving pageants at school, or the fireworks on the Fourth of July, but how the American ideal wove its way throughout the lessons my family taught me.
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One of those memories is sitting on my grandfather's shoulders and watching the Apollo astronauts come ashore in Hawaii. People cheered and waved small flags, and my grandfather explained with pride and assurance how we Americans could accomplish anything we set our minds to do. I lived overseas for a time as a child, and I remember listening to my mother reading me the first lines of the Declaration of Independence and explaining how its ideas applied to every American, black and white and brown alike. She told me that those words, and the words of the United States Constitution, protected us from the brutal injustices we witnessed other people suffering during those years abroad.

And I remember my grandfather's funeral at Punchbowl National Cemetery in Hawaii. As I listened to the rifles fire in salute and the long, solemn notes of taps, as I watched the honor guard fold the flag and tenderly present it to my grandmother, I thought about the country that my grandfather was so proud to serve — a country where we have the unparalleled freedom to pursue our dreams.

That is the true genius of America. A faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles. We can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. We can say and write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. We can have an idea and start our own businesses without paying a bribe. In America, anything is possible.

For a young man of mixed race, without firm anchor in any community, without even a father's steadying hand, the essential American ideal — that our destinies are not written before we are born, that in America we can travel as far as our energy and talents will take us — has defined my life. With a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya, I know that stories like mine can happen only in the United States of America.

But each generation must understand that the blessings of freedom require our constant vigilance, and that true patriotism also means a willingness to sacrifice for our common good. For those who have fought on the battlefield under the Stars and Stripes — for the young veterans I meet at Walter Reed Army Medical Center or those like John McCain who endured physical torment while serving our nation — no further proof of such sacrifice is necessary. Those who have signed up to fight for our country in distant lands inspire me, just as I am inspired by those fighting for a better America here at home by teaching in underserved schools, caring for the sick in understaffed hospitals, or promoting more sustainable energy policies in their communities.

In the end, it may be this quality that best describes patriotism in my mind — not just a love of America in the abstract, but a very particular love for, and faith in, one another as Americans. The greatness of our country — its victories in war, its enormous wealth, its scientific and cultural achievements — have resulted from the toil, drive, struggle, restlessness, humor, and quiet heroism of the American people. That is the liberty we defend — the liberty of each of us to follow our dreams. That is the equality we seek — not an equality of results but the chance of every single one of us to make it if we try. That is the community we strive to build — one in which we recognize we share common hopes and dreams, one in which we continue to insist that there is nothing we cannot do when we put our minds to it, and one in which we see ourselves as part of a larger story, our own fates wrapped up in the fates of all who share allegiance to America's singular creed.

[they call me MR. GRUMPY god damn it!]

and so in reading this we understand that little mac has demonstrated his patriotism, but where in this tripe has bo demonstrated his??  curious, his grand dad's funeral is presented as a memorable moment in his life; rifle salute, taps, honor guard, the folding and passing of the flag and memories of how his grand dad was so proud to have served....at the same time he can't quite remember when to place his hand over his heart and can't seem to decide if wearing a flag pin upon one's lapel is empty symbolism or simply a wordless expression of love for ones country.

[spunkloaf]

and so in reading this we understand that little mac has demonstrated his patriotism, but where in this tripe has bo demonstrated his??  curious, his grand dad's funeral is presented as a memorable moment in his life; rifle salute, taps, honor guard, the folding and passing of the flag and memories of how his grand dad was so proud to have served....at the same time he can't quite remember when to place his hand over his heart and can't seem to decide if wearing a flag pin upon one's lapel is empty symbolism or simply a wordless expression of love for ones country.

Oh my LORD!  Why doesn't John McCain wear a flag lapel pin?

http://www.gather.com/viewVideo.jsp?id=11821949021865317

He hates America.  I can't in good faith vote for somebody who hates this country.  Not John McCain.  Well, if he'd have WORN ONE, maybe I would consider that he loves his country, but as you can see here, he was caught without one--so no.  He hates this country and sadly there is nothing to change that after this fact.  As a matter of fact, I think we should organize a public trial and ascertain WHY he chose not to wear one.  He could be plotting something to destroy this country, refusing to wear the pin as a symbolism to his plot, and we can't let that happen.  It MUST NOT BE IGNORED.

[pittypat65]

Where did bama get that line? He doesent have a clue what patriotism is. Very good at plagiarism though.

[spunkloaf]

He has a better clue than most.

[jack_griffin1]

Where did bama get that line? He doesent have a clue what patriotism is. Very good at plagiarism though.

You’re either a disgruntled Clinton supporter or terribly confused McCain supporter.

[pittypat65]

I am in not way  confused. I do not believe leftist liberals like obama or clinton should be elected to run this country. You seem to be the one taken in by empty words and promises that change like the polls/. obama stands for one thing, doing or saying what ever it takes to be elected. He had no standards. McCain is a national war hero and a proven patriot. obama is a fraud.

[jack_griffin1]

I am in not way  confused. I do not believe leftist liberals like obama or clinton should be elected to run this country. You seem to be the one taken in by empty words and promises that change like the polls/. obama stands for one thing, doing or saying what ever it takes to be elected. He had no standards. McCain is a national war hero and a proven patriot. obama is a fraud.

Who said I was an Obama supporter?

[pittypat65]

I am in not way  confused. I do not believe leftist liberals like obama or clinton should be elected to run this country. You seem to be the one taken in by empty words and promises that change like the polls/. obama stands for one thing, doing or saying what ever it takes to be elected. He had no standards. McCain is a national war hero and a proven patriot. obama is a fraud.

Who said I was an Obama supporter?

Not me! 

[Reagan Democrat]

I admit, Obama sure knows how to give a speech. Too bad it's all bullshit.

[Mr. Dirlewanger]

I admit, Obama sure knows how to give a speech. Too bad it's all bullshit.

Welcome, young Mr. Lincoln!

[Reagan Democrat]

I admit, Obama sure knows how to give a speech. Too bad it's all bullshit.

Welcome, young Mr. Lincoln!

I would have gotten a picture of my hero, Harry S. Truman, but couldn't find one small enough. This picture is good, too. Abe was cool shit, man.

[spunkloaf]

I admit, Obama sure knows how to give a speech. Too bad it's all bullshit.

Welcome, young Mr. Lincoln!

I would have gotten a picture of my hero, Harry S. Truman, but couldn't find one small enough. This picture is good, too. Abe was cool shit, man.

Welcome.

And most politicians are bullshit.

[trex]

He has a better clue than most.

The F*#K he does. He has the same deluded one that most people who whine about patriotism have....Why do I have to be patriotic?  If you didnt talk out of both sides of your mouth and claim to know it all people would be sympathetic to your position.

The things he talks about are because of people who sacrificed...People who actually gave a damn about an idea that is the United States of America.  They have watched this country deteriorate over the years and have remained disgruntly silent.  They have watched the left give this country away bit by bit to foreigners and thier ideals, not Americas.
If Obama was truly patriotic he would quit and understand that John McCain would do a better job than he would.

BTW John McCain doent have to wear a lapel pin because HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY and spent 5 years in a POW camp...that more than Obama has accomplished with all of his degrees as far as patriotism goes.

I KNOW JOHN MCCAIN LOVES THIS COUNTRY.....He is not some opportunistic slick talking con man. 

I hope you are still around this board in November because even if Obama wins (which is highly unlikely) I will still be able to light your azz up about what a f*#ked president we have.  Either way the conservatives win.

[bladimz]

He has a better clue than most.

BTW John McCain doent have to wear a lapel pin because HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY and spent 5 years in a POW camp...that more than Obama has accomplished with all of his degrees as far as patriotism goes.

You're absolutely right. McCain doesn't HAVE to wear a lapel pin. But you'd think such a patriot would insist on wearing one. That is, unless a lapel pin is JUST A LAPEL PIN. That's pretty much all it is. Adornment for photo ops, etc. I have a "support our troops" car magnet on my pickup truck. See how patriotic i am?

No one has mentioned the words "blind patriotism" here yet. Is there really such a thing as "blind patriotism"?