This weekend I was exposed to a variety of commentaries about the ABC "debate" criticisms regarding the lapel flag pin "issue." I just can't seem to get past the fact that no where does anyone mention this all started with a FAUXNews meme during the 2000/2002/2004/2006 elections. Just thought I'd mention this before I got to my main point.
I did have an epiphany of sorts Sunday when I was watching HBO's brilliant series "John Adams." As the right hysteria over wearing your patiotism on you sleeve (or in this case lapel) reached new heights it took on a surreal quality as I watched Sunday's rerun of all the "John Adams" episodes on HBO leading up to their final episode Sunday evening. Having sporatically caught snippets here and there I was able to see it in it's entirely with this weekend reprise.
Taking into consideration the last debate hosted by Charlie Gibson and George Stephenopolis (sp?) it dawned on my that if I took their assertions as questioners to their logical conclusions then the founding fathers were simply not really true American patriots. You see, not one founding father depicted in the series had a flag pin on thier lapel. Not one. I realize that in their primordial environment of liberty and nation building for the United States several variations of flags were paraded about. Still, not one flag pin adorned a lapel. Not even a "Join or Die" slogan was worn auspiciously for everyone to see and nod in acknowledgment that, yes, indeed sir, you have passed the patiotism test.
Now here I am Monday morning torn thinking that Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and et al were not even true patriots according to the right wings test for social acknowledgement as true blood American's in today's world.
Wow. True patiotism began with Ronald Reagan and his flag pin. Who knew?
TrumanDem
Truman's Conscience
"The Buck Stopped Here"