While you wade into these murky waters as part of the homework due Monday/Tuesday, consider this recent development in the presidential campaign:Obama Stops Wearing Flag Pin
By MIKE GLOVER
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he doesn't wear an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Asked about it Wednesday in an interview with KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Illinois senator said he stopped wearing the pin shortly after the attacks and instead hoped to show his patriotism by explaining his ideas to citizens.
"The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin," Obama said. "Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.
"I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest," he said in the interview. "Instead, I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testament to my patriotism."
On Thursday, his campaign issued a statement: "We all revere the flag, but Senator Obama believes that being a patriot is about more than a symbol. It's about fighting for our veterans when they get home and speaking honestly with the American people about this disastrous war."
You can link to the full article here: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkfaEohqv6mY_K46tJ4waCivh0kAD8S2K3UO0
UPDATE (Sat, 10/6, 9:00am): Now the NYT Opinionator Blog has weighed in about Obama's "Patriotism Fashion Statement" and the comments from readers are fascinating too. Check it all out here: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/fashion-statement/index.html?ex=1349323200&en=acd9108ea586209d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
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