To the many of you who are coming across this site by searching for “barack obama refused to say pledge of allegiance” or something similar, let me be the first to tell you that it is not true.
Click here to read the details of what happened and about the photo you were probably sent. To see the video from when the photo was taken, click here or watch below.
Watch Obama Say The Pledge of Allegiance
Watch Responses to Other False Smears Spread about Obama: Muslim, Flag Pin, Patriotism, etc.
Someone Lied To You
Let’s get to the larger issue though.
Who thought you were so gullible that they would send you false, misleading information about something that could affect you and your children’s future–who our next President should be?
Somebody thought so poorly of you, your intelligence, and your well-being under the next Presidential administration that they flat out lied to you. Somebody tried to play you for a fool.
Barack Obama has respect for your intelligence. He has said:
“I have absolute confidence in the American people’s capacity to absorb the truth as long as we are forceful in that presentation.”
It’s too bad that we can’t say that whoever sent you that email has the same respect for your intellectual capacities.
About the American Flag Pin/Lapel Accusations
Regarding the related claim floating around about Obama and an American flag pin. Here is what Obama actually said:
“Somebody noticed I wasn’t wearing a flag lapel pin and I told folks, well you know what? I haven’t probably worn that pin in a very long time. I wore it right after 9/11. But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. Not voting to provide veterans with resources that they need. Not voting to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time.
“My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on your lapel than what’s in your heart. And you show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who served. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and our ideals and that’s what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals.”
Please note that our very own President also doesn’t always wear a flag pin, neither do most of the other Presidential candidates–including Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Mitt Romney and veteran John McCain.
Final Comments
They always like to start these chain emails and spread foolishness in the South, so as someone who was southern-born and bred, I get especially offended when Republicans like Mitt Romney come to the South spreading lies and misleading foolishness that they don’t say elsewhere.
If someone sends you one of those false chain emails–feel free to send a copy of this post to them in response…or just send them an email with a friendly reminder of the ninth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
UPDATE 11/7: Barack Obama responded today to this chain email that has been circulating. ABC News reports:
“My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2,” Obama said, his annoyance obvious. “During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing.”
A woman also asked Obama about the photo Tuesday night during a town hall meeting in Cedar Rapids, evoking a similar reaction.
“This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign,” Obama said.
He added that he’s often the target of anonymous criticism on the Internet.
“You’ve got e-mails saying I’m a Muslim plant trying to take over America,” Obama said. “We’ve seen this before.”
He advised the woman to tell the sender of the e-mail the real story.
“You don’t have to curse them out, just tell them they’ve got their facts wrong,” he said.
UPDATE 11/7: General Merrill “Tony” McPeak, USAF (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, USAF (Ret.), and Richard Danzig, Former Secretary of the Navy have just released a letter denouncing the chain emails regarding Senator Obama’s patriotism. You can read their letter here.
UPDATE 11/9: Also see “Barack Obama’s Real Pledge of Allegiance: Refuses to Neglect America’s Heroes“
UPDATE 11/26: Also see “Letter to the Editors on Obama’s Patriotism“
UPDATE 12/3: Also see “Obama Is A Patriot Who Loves His Flag And His Country“
November 2, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Good idea to debunk these bogus charges, but I hope it doesn’t backfire. I hadn’t heard of this charge previously but I did find the post from a site which used RSS feeds to present a list of blog items on each candidate. Unfortunately the title got truncated and most of the second line got cut.
I checked the link to see what type of new attack is being launched (and did find that out). I hope that there aren’t people who only saw this partial headline and took “Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance” as a statement of fact without checking further.
November 2, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Yeah i thought about that…i wrote a draft of this post several days ago and waited before publishing it to see if the number of people searching for ‘barack obama refused pledge allegiance’ would die down. it’s only increasing. if they’re going to search for it, hopefully they’ll read about it here rather than the other sites where it’s popping up.
November 2, 2007 at 5:57 pm
hmmm…just thought of another way to deal with this fine line.
November 3, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Thanks for helping fight the lies
November 3, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I doubt your post sir. I think he DID refuse to say the pledge. Plus he’s scum who in a statement of his own patriotism specifically refuses to wear an American flag pin. I wouldn’t care if he just didn’t wear one, but it’s his intentional and publicized refusal that irks me.
November 3, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I tried posting the truth about this on my site but people just kept spouting what the email said over and over. There’s no reasoning with them.
I don’t know how anyone can doubt that Barack Obama loves this country. He made the courageous decision to run for President, knowing it would be a sacrifice for his family, for his girls. Knowing people would attack his background and his race. Knowing that there would be threats serious enough to warrant Secret Service protection.
He’s not doing this on a whim, he’s not running a symbolic race. He’s running because he cares about this country and the people in it. He’s running because he’s tired of politics as usual just as much as we are. He’s running because he believes he can make a difference.
In my book, that’s about as patriotic as you can get.
November 3, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Roger, I updated the post to address your related claim about the flag pin.
Regarding the pledge—”I think he DID refuse to say the pledge” doesn’t make it so. It’s especially troubling that you don’t even have proof for your claim and yet you “think he DID”? The Washington Post link in the post shows why he indeed DID NOT.
November 3, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Terry, thanks. I’ll check that out. The people who just want to smear for smearing’s sake are going to say it no matter what. My hope is that we can just catch the people with good intentions who simply have been misinformed.
November 3, 2007 at 11:57 pm
This is just normal political stuff. Everyone does it. The more you talk about it, the more it gets play. I HAD already forgotten about it.
His real estate dealings will be enough to do him in. Politicians and cookie jars…they can’t keep their hands out of them. He is just like the rest of them. There are better and there are worse.
November 4, 2007 at 12:56 am
Thanks for working to set the record straight on this. Unfortunately, many people will bend the truth to make it fit into how they choose to see the world.
November 4, 2007 at 9:34 am
I appreciate the post. I received the email, and immediately googled the issue and came up with this post. Thanks for trying to bring a little clarity to something I felt certain had been taken out of context.
Let me say however, as an undecided voter, it is a concern to me that he doesn’t consistently demonstrate his patriotism, even if it’s just a hand over the heart during the National Anthem. To me that can suggest a flexability in standards. His response to this issue was that “sometimes he does, and sometimes he doesn’t”. I don’t think that signals the kind of person I want making decisions for my country. Is that a higher standard than I would hold my neighbor to?… why yes it is. Should I expect a little more from a presidential candidate? I believe so.
November 4, 2007 at 9:48 am
Too bad Obama is of such questionable character that you even had to put this site up to put your spin on things!
November 4, 2007 at 9:58 am
Thanks undecidedinSC.
For everyone who wants to see the video of this moment please go here to watch:
http://www.c-span.org/search/basic.asp?ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&BasicQueryText=harkin++steak&image1.x=0&image1.y=0&image1=Submit
Click on “Sen. Tom Harkin’s 30th Annual Steak Fry” 9/16/2007 2 hr. 24 min.
Go to 39:20 and it starts there.
November 4, 2007 at 12:24 pm
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp
November 4, 2007 at 12:40 pm
well you could have put it a little more nicer. who knows what some people of power will do. look at the people who sent this back to me.
November 4, 2007 at 3:18 pm
P.S. It’s ironic that uniformed military servicepersons gave Obama more money in the second quarter than any other candidate–Republican or Democrat.
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/military-give-more-money-to-barack-obama-than-any-other-candidate-democrat-or-republican/
Also, here’s a video of Obama talking about patriots, patriotism, and the Iraq War back in 2002. All the “Made in China” American flag lapels in the world aren’t worth the lives and money that could have been saved had the country listened to this man.
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/05/01/video-barack-obama-on-iraq-in-2002/
November 4, 2007 at 3:47 pm
sagereader-You are talking about $7,750K more than Ron Paul. You statement is misleading. Obama has received less than 10% of all military contributions from Jan-Sep 07. These facts are from your linked story.
November 4, 2007 at 4:06 pm
huh? what’s misleading?
let me just put the exact quotes from the source article regarding Obama and Ron Paul’s second quarter military donations so people can read for themselves.
Re Obama: “Obama, who has never served in the military, has brought in more contributions from uniformed service members—about $27,000—than any other presidential hopeful, Democrat or Republican.”
Re Ron Paul: “Among GOP candidates, Ron Paul, the only Republican who opposes the war, has brought in the biggest haul from the military since the start of the 2008 election cycle in January—at least $19,250.”
Hope that clarifies whatever is confusing. No doubt that Ron Paul has also done well. I’ve covered his military donation quarter wins on this blog as well. For the third quarter he and Obama flipped places in military donations. I’m not sure what was wrong with the statement I made though because I tried to be as precise as possible.
November 4, 2007 at 4:39 pm
What about the third quarter? Isn’t that the most recent info? Using your own reasoning, money is directly related to support. Tell us about the current data and not data from the spring of 2007?
The information about Ron Paul being second is two clicks away from your blog. It is only using part of the information that was presented. Maybe you should have linked the actual article instead of a link to another blog, which then had another link to the actual article that was referenced.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5223477.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3601542
This is how you do it…these are articles from about two weeks ago that shows Ron Paul with $10K more than Obama. Do the research yourself…it took me exactly 45 seconds.
November 4, 2007 at 5:07 pm
This blog or post is not about Ron Paul. We’re talking about *Barack Obama’s patriotism. * That’s why I focused on his military fundraising in my comment. There is nothing about the comment I made that is untrue.
And for your information, I did report about Ron Paul’s third quarter fundraising on this blog two weeks ago. All you had to do was search the archives. It took me exactly 10 seconds.
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/ron-paul-barack-obama-lead-in-donations-from-military-servicepersons/
Once people start slandering Paul for not wearing his American flag lapel pin (which he also doesn’t wear regularly) or being unpatriotic, perhaps I’ll focus on him. Until then, we’re talking about Obama here.
November 4, 2007 at 5:38 pm
“They always like to start these chain emails and spread foolishness in the South,”
Why the bigoted remark about the South?
There’s no foolishness north of the Mason-Dixon?
Or, are you implicitly stating that there is more racism?
Is that what you meant? Either intention prays on a stereotype that you find repulsive when applied to your preferential groups.
Or was it to imply that those who reside in the South don’t have enough intelligence to investigate for themselves?
Your ‘reasoned warning’ loses all credibility when you insult the people of an entire region, accusing them of either being stupid or bigoted.
Perhaps someone from ‘out West’ should warn the South about people who need to warn us for our own good. Yeah, sure. That would be a big help. About as much help as your warning.
November 4, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I received an email from my sister with the “damning” photo, a long caption about how Barack refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance and the rhetorical question: How can this man expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief?
My sister lives in Tennessee, I think she got the email from someone she met in Florida. She previously sent me another chain email from the same person about Barack (HUSSEIN!) going to school at a Madrassa, which was also debunked elsewhere.
There is no changing the minds of people who send these emails, but I am glad to find easily available sources like this one to respond and call them out.
November 4, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Hey guys im not saying that he’s a bad person or anything by any means just let me get that out right now.
all im gonna say is that it may not be a good idea for him to run as president, exsepially now w/everything in the middle east. and also why would we elect a islamic president, on a Christian based nation? when the book of our nation is supposed to be the Bible but yet the book of Islam is the quran? i’ve heard things saying that he has converted… maybe he has, MORE POWER TO HIM if he has, but what if that isnt true? is there the tinnest possablity that he is just saying this to get elected? yea there is… but will we find this out before he is elected, before its to late? probley not, its gonna be an after effect.
did you know that all the quran talks about is evil, killing people, and violence? and when a potental leader of your country places his hand on the quran to be pledged in instead of the Bible, we got some real problems!
they say it is a peaceful religion, but then they go and behead people? oo yea thats real peaceful. do we really want someone who doesnt honer our Lord Jesus running our country? i dont, and i know my fellow Christians don’t. all im saying is that we need to take percossins on who were electing to run our country. I dont know Barack Obama, and probley never will, all im saying is i dont have any thing against him, its just the tinnest chance that what he has said about converting may not be true, so think before you vote.
November 4, 2007 at 6:58 pm
You made the statement that it was ironic that uniformed servicemen contributed more to his campaign in the second quarter than any Democrat or Republican when questioned yesterday…for an issue brought up yesterday You linked this to his patriotism. You linked this to old data, not data that was relevant yesterday. You knew there was new data out there, you even reported on it. You didn’t present that to us while talking about a current topic, you referenced the old data and decided the new data wasn’t relevant to this current discussion.
I just think it is ironic that you would reference old data for a current topic. That is all. I don’t question his Patriotism, just your reasoning that he is a Patriot because of the money donated to his campaign in April-June by servicemembers.
November 4, 2007 at 7:53 pm
morethan: Nothing you have said negates the overall point I was highlighting that military servicemembers, the living embodiments of patriotism, don’t seem to find Obama to be some person who utterly lacks patriotism relative to other candidates given their contributions. That point stands whether Obama was first and Ron Paul was second as happened in the second quarter or whether Ron Paul was first and Obama was second as happened in the third quarter. It’s not like the people who were number 1 and 2 all of a sudden dropped to last place or something out of the umpteen candidates running.
Doug and everyone: Thanks for sharing.
November 4, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Anyone else have trouble getting the video to load? I would like to see the whole thing.
any suggestions?
November 4, 2007 at 8:39 pm
[...] he refused to say the pledge of allegiance. The Fact Checker at The Washington Post (Hat tip to Think on These Things) debunks this one: The photograph was taken on September 16, 2007, at Senator Tom Harkin’s [...]
November 4, 2007 at 8:50 pm
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/obama_nabbed_by_the_patriotic.html
According to this website they were standing for the National Anthem NOT reciting the pledge. but in my opinion should n’t any presidential candidate have their hand over there heart when the National Anthem is being played? That would be that patriotic thing to do.
No matter if they were at a steak fry or something more “patriotic”
November 4, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Stacy, first Obama is not a Muslim. He’s a Christian.
However even if he was, don’t you realize…
1) That anything Barack Obama wants to do as President would have to be passed by the Senate and the House first (which are almost entirely Christian)?
2) That the Secret Service (most of whom are white Christian males) know the President’s whereabouts 24-7, so they’d know his every move and communication?
3) That the CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies are going through his background with a fine-toothed comb and they will continue to track him as he becomes President? If the FBI secretly tracked Lucille Ball, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, and Martin Luther King, then you know they are going to track our future President!
4) That most of the people in “Washington” are white, Christian men? If Obama were not a Christian, he’d be outnumbered.
5) That if Obama were to give a speech from the Quran, he’d have speechwriters who would be able to catch it and to make sure he quotes from the Bible too? And if he were to give a speech and start saying something threatening, that there would be TV cameras and an audience surrounding him to give him a WTF? YBGOOHWTBS look as soon as he started?
6) That Obama is not superman? We have millions of Americans who are Christians and only one man serving as President. One man couldn’t take out all of us in any fell swoop. Plus, he’s skinny! A lot of people could take him down quickly.
Now the people we really should be worried about are folks like Rudy Giuliani who wanted to appoint someone tied to convicted felons to be our Secretary of Homeland Security or the many Republican candidates like Romney who want to keep us mired in Iraq, while Osama Bin Laden (a very real threat that we know IS true) is in Pakistan training al Qaeda and running loose.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of a *sound mind.* I agree with you that we should all think before we vote.
November 4, 2007 at 11:55 pm
It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Pledge of Allegiance or the playing of the National Anthem, he isn’t standing at attention nor saluting (hand over heart for civilians), he still is disrespecting this country and all the people who died for it.
November 5, 2007 at 12:31 am
http://www.saynotocrack.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/george_bush_heart.jpg
November 5, 2007 at 1:05 am
Here are the choices:
Would you rather have a candidate who puts their hand over their heart during the national anthem, yet sends 3,000+ American men and women to die in Iraq, when Osama and the people who attacked us on 9/11 are in Pakistan/Afghanistan
OR
Would you rather have a candidate who would have spared those lives and trillion dollars in American taxpayer money and focused on capturing Bin Laden and Pakistan and strengthening our national security, yet listened intensely to the National Anthem but did not put their hand over their heart one time?
OR
Would you rather have Gravel, Kucinich, or Ron Paul, who may have both but don’t wear an American flag pin on a regular basis?
None of the candidates are perfect. The question is, which imperfect candidate would you rather have?
November 5, 2007 at 9:25 am
Sage-It looks like this is a tough one to brush under the rug. I am sure if he would have been standing in the back of that group he would have seen what the others were doing and would have done the same. He either made a decision not to salute or place his hand over his heart or he just forgot. Neither shines him in a good light.
When you start down the path of “…at least he isn’t as bad as “, then you start to sound like the very establishment you are trying so hard to distance yourself from.
November 5, 2007 at 10:45 am
From urbanlegend.com
“The photo, taken by Danny Frazier Wilcox for Time magazine, is authentic. A video attributed to ABC News appears to confirm that the picture was snapped during a rendition of the national anthem, but the claim that Obama “refused to say the Pledge” is a lie.
The implication, obviously, is that failing to display the proper hand-over-heart etiquette constitutes evidence that Barack Obama is unpatriotic and therefore unfit to hold the office of president. Some even speculated that it was an intentional gesture of dissent on the candidate’s part, to which an Obama spokesperson replied on Inside Edition, “Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t [put his hand on his heart]. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous.”
Not that it will make a difference to some, but Obama’s campaign was quick to supply photos of Obama properly saluting the flag on other occasions which can be viewed at MediaMatters.org.”
The fact is, he stood apart from everyone else, whether the others pictured having their hands on their hearts is a “campaign” move or genuine is questionable as well, but the fact is, showing signs of Patriotism isn’t soething to be wishy washy about. You can be casual with ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes, or even with holding a door for someone, but when you’re supposed to be on your best foot trying to win over the American voters, just put your damn hand on your heart. It is a gesture that a stand up kind of person would always do.
November 5, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Looks true to me!
November 5, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Frankly I did not care for the insults toward the South. It is type-casting or profiling all Southerners and that is as stupid as type-casting all Northerners or Westerners in the same catagory. If you think all women are bare-footed and pregnant and all men are cavemen with clubs or whips and plowing a mule or running around in a beat-up truck with tobacco and beer you are gravely mistaken. We are professional people. By the way many people come south of the Mason-Dixon line to earn a living or to retire in a nice atmosphere and to pay less real estate taxes. Are you lumping them all together with “Southerners”? I think a good old-fashioned apology is needed here. My husband and I are highly educated.
I searched all the resources on the internet and got the correct answer on Obama but
I wonder, did you? Or did you just assume that it originated in the South? Well, there is a problem with ASSume.
November 5, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I would rather have a president who cares enough about our country to stick with what he believes is right and not flip flop everytime the polls do not lead his way!!
November 5, 2007 at 3:23 pm
http://wittybanter.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/fire-it-up-barack-obamas-gospel-tour-hits-columbus-ohio/
We attended a recent Obama rally and left with many questions. Maybe you can provide some feedback?
Witty Banter
November 5, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Amazing the number of people who think taking a public loyalty oath makes one a patriot.
Bush, our psychopathic president, has no problem putting one hand over his heart while with his other hand he shreds the Constitution and guts America’s laws and honor with the help of his Republican enablers and traitors in Congress and his oligarchic and theocratic neo-crazy friends.
My hat’s off to anyone who refuses to take the pledge of allegiance until the Republicans have been crushed into a footnote of history and their foul stench removed from the political life of this once-great country. They like to think they are the great repository of American values, that they are America. In truth they are the repository of war, destruction, lies, deceit, greed, corruption, and hypocrisy. They piss on our war dead while taking payoffs from their corporate donors who are nothing more than war profiteers.
And this is what the Democrats are afraid of challenging, of fighting tooth and claw? The floors of the Senate and the House should be red with blood. Instead we get mewling tactics and warmed over bombast and sound bites ginned up by the likes of third rate minds like Tim Russert.
The pledge to the flag is false patriotism for public display. It’s meant to put a stop to critical thinking, it’s meant to blind the citizenry to the hypocrisies of their leaders, it’s meant to stop you from seeing the slaughter gate up ahead.
And it appears to be working.
November 5, 2007 at 8:15 pm
so why is this about republicans ric?
and please oh please explain how our President has shredded the Constitution??
I haven’t heard that one before this should be pretty interesting.
And good luck crushing the republicans “into the footnotes of history” sorry darling but i think you need to check your history. Since President Lincoln (R) only 1/3 of our Presidents have been Democrat and 2/3 Republican….. So i hate to tell you and crush your insane ideas but republicans are here to stay and there isn’t anything your psychotic rambling is going to do about it.
November 5, 2007 at 8:17 pm
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/presidents-day/political-parties.html
Meant to post in other
just in case you want to check for yourself Ric.
November 5, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I was a democrat for 25 years but always voted for the person. Now I would rather be islamic than a democrat! I am a working person’s, person and if you are too, you will vote republican.
November 5, 2007 at 11:14 pm
You know what? Some of y’all make a really good point about my language about the South. I shouldn’t assume that all southerners would be offended that Romney holds “Osama, Obama” signs in the South but not in Massachusetts or Republicans start John McCain smears about having a black baby in the South and not in New Hampshire and oh so many other ridiculous things they say when they come to the South but don’t say elsewhere.
So I’m going to edit the post and talk about MY offense as someone who was born and bred in the South when they do these things. If y’all aren’t offended by them doing these things then that’s your right. More power to you. My bad for trying to stick up for all southerners. I’ll just stick up for myself.
November 6, 2007 at 11:27 am
Are you going to believe us our your lying eyes?
November 6, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I found this site by googling obahama and pledge and anthem. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t made up. I’ve gotten several takes on it. You say it’s all a lie. Well apparently the picture IS NOT A LIE. Him not saying the pledge, however, from what I’ve read is a lie. That’s not cool. Growing up and learning patriotism, and flag etiquette. Holding your hand over your heart during the anthem is appropriate etiquette and is a symbol of showing patriotism. Yes it is wrong to “show patriotism” by placing your hand over your heart, when in all reality there is no patriotism in your heart. Obahma was trying to make this a statement, but by not placing his hand over his heart during the anthem just made a statement to me about his heart. He could have done it in a much more tactful way with boldness as well. It was a risk, he took, I think it was an unwise risk. I am open to both parties, I am creating a list of all their stances and statements and will choose the one that fits my criteria best, this will be under the candidate’s heart statement….
November 6, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Tim, I’m glad you’re checking different sources. That is a good thing.
You misread my post though. I said that the *claim that the picture was an instance of him refusing to say the pledge of allegiance is a lie* and it is.
To sum it up in a nutshell–the chain email with the photo is saying that Obama “refused” to hold his hand over his heart while saying the pledge of allegiance. That is a flat out lie.
If you look at the Washington Post link you see that it was during the national anthem, not the pledge of allegiance that he did not have his hand over his heart. No one is disputing that.
The debate then becomes about the protocol differences between the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem for whether one puts their hand over their heart. Some have problems with a candidate who doesn’t always put their hand over their heart for the national anthem, while others believe the pledge and the anthem are different or that such superficial behaviors don’t say anything about a candidate’s real commitment to the well-being of the nation.
In no way though did he “refuse” to wear a flag pin, “refuse” to hold a hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, or “refuse” to hold a hand over heart during the national anthem as these chain emails are suggesting. He wasn’t trying to make some kind of statement, he was just listening to the lady sing.
November 6, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I got this email today–and thought it was a little fishy. While I wouldn’t trust any of those people on the stage to run the country, I had a hard time believing that Obama would intentionally screw himself like that with a great portion of the electorate. Even Hillary has her hand over her heart, and I don’t think she believes a word of the pledge, or the National Anthem, for that matter.
Here’s where the problem lies–a person who wants to be President and Commander in Chief should not be thinking about whether to put his hand over his heart or not–he should–and it should come naturally, out of lifelong habit.
I am a retired combat pilot, DESERT STORM and IRAQI FREEDOM, and I am not optimistic about the Republican’s chances next year, although they will still get my vote–in spite of screwing up left and right for the last 4 years. One of the reasons is that the other side seems detached from America, and the fringe of the other side seems downright AntiAmerican. This picture tells me that while Obama might be a good guy and all the rest, he isn’t a part of what I think of as mainstream America. I know that’s not a surprise, given my background, but there it is–and I’m sure I’m not alone. I lived through 8 years of Clinton during my career, and Obama will be my President if he wins–but I don’t think he’s looking at the same definition of America that I am. If that heartens people on the left, OK–but one day we’re going to need each other, and this isn’t the way to get there.
November 7, 2007 at 1:07 am
How many of you who think that Obama’s failure to place his hand over his heart during the anthem is a sign of lack of patriotism or love for this country, also believe that hanging nooses from a tree is a “harmless prank?” Just curious.
November 7, 2007 at 8:11 am
I did not google ” obama “pledge of allegiance”" to verify the story. More likely, I thought that I would find one of the urban legend sites telling me what was wrong with the photo. I usually turn it around and send the link back to the people who emailed it to me. In this case, I’m not so worried about it. If anyone who lets an emailed photo influence their voting decision shouldn’t even bother going to the voting booth.
November 7, 2007 at 10:18 am
The fact that he CHOOSE not to put his hand over his heart is enough for me. Add to that, his own people stated when asked if Obama normally puts his hand over his heart while listening to the national anthem; Obama spokesman Bill Burton replied by e-mail: “Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn’t”. Burton went on to say Obama was not making any sort of statement by not putting his hand over his heart on all those occasions. I disagree, he is showing that to him it’s not something important. His complete lack of respect in not bothering to put his hand over his heart shows how little he cares for this country, the flag and the people who put their life on the line to defend it.
November 7, 2007 at 10:39 am
This is pretty simple, and well said by a few here. The title is misleading BUT the picture is not. He didn’t put his hand over his heart, the ONLY 1 who chose this personal display. Not particularly bright for a Presidential candidate if you ask me.
Politics is often dirty biz and 3 second sounds bites…….he should know better than to offer any hint of being less patriotic than others! Another example of his inexperience. And poor decision making as well, especially since there are pics elsewhere showing his hand on heart. Sorry, but I think a candidate for CEO of the U.S. ought be consistent with something as simple, but meaningful as this.
Pictures tell a story, this is no different. Bad decision Barack. As for the opening comments on this blog…..you word it as though people are gullible and stupid. No doubt some are but you might want to re think your own ‘blanket thinking.’
Finally, I’d ask BO: If, as CIC you were standing at a State dinner or, more importantly, an overseas dinner with other leaders and our anthem came on………..are you going to keep you hands at your side? Or show your pride and belief in our NATIONAL ANTHEM? Others are watching.
November 7, 2007 at 10:51 am
I appreciate all the comments from across the spectrum.
To linksrat: My claim is that the person who wrote this email tried to play a lot of people as being gullible. I don’t see how you can dispute that. I’m not the one who wrote a chain email to send to millions of people to try to mislead them.
November 7, 2007 at 11:17 am
Sage — At first I thought it was a stupid ’scam’, not real. It wasn’t until I Googled it (yes, some of us do want to know the truth) that I came to this blog. Where I then read it was a flat out lie. Also misleading.
Off to Snopes I went and voila……the pic is true, the wording isn’t. Just what I said.
You’re correct about the electorate being gullible. Across the board. But tell me just how (many) Dems listening to their union leader mantras makes them any more intelligent? Or the kiddies and their narrow issue web campaigns.
Sadly, but perhaps to our benefit, not many people even bother voting! I’d like to see BO win, but not because I want to see him as CIC.
November 7, 2007 at 11:50 am
Linksrat–Thanks for your comments. Since you’re not the first to think I was trying to be harsher than I intended on the gullibility issue, I edited the post a bit. Perhaps some of my dialectal language may have been sending a different message than I intended. Hopefully now it’s clearer.
I don’t think people are incapable of seeing the truth. I think there are people, like the person who started this email, who try to take advantage of people who may not have time or who may not think to go check things out, which is really troubling. It’s time we put a spotlight on these people and call out their actions as being unacceptable and something we won’t tolerate.
We won’t all agree on who we end up supporting, but I think every American CAN agree that we should at least have accurate information about our candidates and that deliberately spreading misinformation goes against our democratic values.
November 7, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Cool by me Sage. I agree with the honesty factor, but politics has always been lees than. Couple the spinmeisters of each party with the simple folk pushing their own agenda (regardless of the issue) and you’ll always have biased, untrue info.
Which is why being informed on the issues is so very important. Hopefully before walking into the booth and checking off the candidate you were told ‘is our guy, or gal.’.
Take care.
And go Rudy Huckabee!!!!
November 7, 2007 at 3:54 pm
November 7, 2007 at 7:50 pm
i have to say, thank you for posting the truth. but don’t call those of us who decided to check the facts stupid or ignorant… we’re the smart ones. yes, i googled “obama refuses to say pledge” because i wanted to know if it was true. i do this with everything i get (either that, or i immediately check out snopes.com because i don’t want to go around believing everything i read or disbelieving everything i read). this doesn’t make me stupid… and frankly, i’m offended that you are accusing people who look into it further of being stupid.
it’s the people who just go with it or who just disregard it without checking facts that are stupid.
i think you’ve completely unvalidated yourself by calling people who look into the accusation further “stupid”
yeah, you posted the truth, but you also insulted anyone searching for the truth. sorry, but THAT’S stupid.
November 7, 2007 at 8:32 pm
martha, please provide a quote for your claim.
November 7, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Sage, I appreciate your attempt to correct a misconception here. I myself am an Obama supporter (though sometimes torn between Obama and Edwards).
But I see a problem here: while it’s false that he refused to say the pledge of allegiance, it’s true that he failed to put his hand over his heart during the national anthem, as required by the flag code. Ok, maybe not “required”, but “recommended.”
In my opinion, this is like the man who, standing accused of selling meth, says “It wasn’t meth, it was just cocaine.” The details may be wrong, but the heart of the charge is true. He should have had his hand over his heart, whether it was for the pledge or the anthem. Both omissions are failures of patriotism, for those who care about those things.
November 7, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Allsburg, thanks for your comment. I responded to a similar sentiment a few comments back in my comment that starts “Tim, I’m glad you’re checking different sources…”
November 7, 2007 at 9:57 pm
UPDATE: ABC News has a better video of this moment out.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3759803
November 7, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Thought it was bogus, but still would never vote forhim, hes not ready!
November 7, 2007 at 10:42 pm
We are a nation that has soldiers mired down in Iraq. This year, the fifth year of the war, has been the deadliest. This man predicted exactly what has happened, unlike any of the other leading Presidential candidates in either party had the discernment to do. If he’s not ready, none of them are.
November 8, 2007 at 1:21 am
A new letter has been released by three military experts on this issue. Here it is:
http://obama.3cdn.net/bd741716c892f7b788_eum6iycah.PDF
To Whom It May Concern:
As you might have seen, vicious smears are being circulated in anonymous emails attacking Senator Obama’s patriotism. These accusations are outrageous. As retired generals in the U.S. military and civilians who have served at the highest levels in the Department of Defense, we know something about patriotism, and Senator Obama is one of the most deeply patriotic Americans we know.
What makes Senator Obama patriotic?
We admire his long record of public service. Over the last two decades, he has served the American people as a community organizer, a civil rights lawyer, constitutional law professor, a state senator, and a U.S. senator.
We also admire his strong support for our troops and veterans. As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, he has fought to improve care for wounded troops, slash red tape, and reform the disability review process. He also passed legislation to combat homelessness among veterans. As President, he will expand housing vouchers, and launch a new supportive services housing program for at-risk veterans and their families. In addition, he will improve mental health screening and
treatment at all levels: from enlistment, to deployment, to reentry into civilian life.
Above all, we admire Senator Obama’s courage in putting his convictions ahead of his political prospects by opposing the war in Iraq from the start. In 2002, Obama said the Iraq War could lead to an occupation of “undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences.”
Today, he’s showing the same good judgment by fighting to responsibly end the Iraq War and by standing up to the rush to war with Iran, including opposing the Kyl-Lieberman amendment that would provide cover for an attack on Iran.
Senator Obama’s personal history represents the best of the American Dream. His grandfather fought in Patton’s army and went to school on the GI Bill. His grandmother worked on a bomber assembly line during World War II. His father crossed an ocean in search of the promise of America. And his mother taught him that America has a place for everyone’s dreams.
Senator Obama’s attackers are peddling lies and smears because they disagree with his strong opposition to the war in Iraq and the rush to war in Iran. They know that as President, Barack Obama will end the ugly, divisive, slash-and-burn style of politics that they have mastered. To all those trying desperately to discredit Senator Obama’s patriotism, take it from us: we have served this nation for decades, and we know a true patriot when we see one. Barack Obama is a patriot. America needs him now.
Sincerely,
Gen. Merrill “Tony” McPeak, USAF (Ret)
Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, USAF (Ret)
Richard Danzig, Secretary of the Navy (1998-2001)
November 8, 2007 at 4:37 am
Thank you for all of the information. I received this e-mail from my dad today and didn’t know what to think of it. I’m not into politics as much as many people who read and post on this site, but, as a big fan of Barack Obama, I was curious about this.
As a side note…After seeing the video of this incident, I can’t say I would have had my hand over my heart during that rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” either. That was the most unpatriotic travesty I have ever heard in my life! Our National Anthem was butchered beyond recognition, therefore I do not consider it unpatriotic that he did not put his hand over his heart, because I would have either!
November 8, 2007 at 8:30 am
As a Certified Meeting Professional I know that the standard is to salute toward the flag OR the music during the national anthem. I guess I am about as liberal as you can get, however I do have to ask how a senator or a presidential candidate did not know this? Which is worst, Obama’s lack of knowledge or John Edwards’ lack of cross-cultural sensitivity by wearing a coat and tie when every one else in that 3rd world meeting was open collar. Both are now off my radar.
November 8, 2007 at 9:25 am
Lee, if you find a better candidate on foreign policy wisdom and legislative work to help troops returning from Iraq, please let us know.
November 8, 2007 at 12:10 pm
I check the shadows in the picture and i know a friend that was there and it is true nice try in this rebuttle sight but he is out for me, I love politics he is done with me out out out out.
November 8, 2007 at 1:09 pm
huh?
November 8, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Hey, the video “proof” is fine. It shows Obana not giving the civilian salute to the flag during the playing of our national anthem. Refused pledge, ok no. Refused to honor the national anthem and what it stands for, oh yah! I don’t want to read false stories for political purposes. But what I see in your clip is equally disgusting and further evidence of Obama’s questionable patriotism. You cannot paint it any other way.
November 8, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Jay, were you also disgusted by the fact that Obama was intensely singing along with the words of the song at the end and many of the other candidates were not? Is their patriotism also now questionable?
November 8, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Sage on November 4, 2007- “Were talking about Barack Obama’s patriotism…”, but you keep bringing up “many of the other candidates yourself.
If you want Obama to stand on his own, then let him do so…What has Obama himself said about this “hand over the heart” issue.
Has he addressed it or ignored it?
Did he forget or did he make a decision to just stand there?
His words on this SPECIFIC ISSUE would go a long way to clearing the air on this.
November 9, 2007 at 12:47 am
morethan, i updated the post with obama’s response and some more info yesterday that addresses your question. please see above.
November 9, 2007 at 7:01 am
This is his response…
“This is the classic dirty trick of the campaign,” Obama said.
This is addressing the “email” not his actions. The email may indeed be a dirty, but he didn’t talk about his actions from the photo.
November 10, 2007 at 6:12 pm
“My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2,” Obama said, his annoyance obvious. “During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing.”
That is such a blatant outrageous lie. When Hussein was 2 years old his grandfather was a MUSLIM not even living in this country. Why would a MUSLIM (and one with a violent history at that) teach him the Pledge of Allegiance when he was raised to hate Christians. Jews and Americans in general???
November 10, 2007 at 6:27 pm
I saw the picture of him on the stage. All other candidates had hands over their heart and Obama stood without attempting to put his hand ove his heart. I dont think we are ready for him to be President of the United States of AMERICA.
November 10, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Johnathan, you should read the book Dreams From My Father to educate yourself. Barack Obama’s grandfather on his mother’s side was a World War II veteran who did serve as an important teacher for him during his childhood.
Please stop trying to discredit people who have put their lives on the line for this country.
November 11, 2007 at 3:41 pm
If you want the facts, Barak Hussein Obama, did not put his hand over his heart while the National Anthem was played at a Harkin steak fundraiser in Iowa in September, 2007. All others on stage, including even Hillary, had their right hand over their hearts during the National Anthem. I think most Americans, if they are remotely patriotic, and know what is proper protocol, would place hand over heart during the National Anthem. In fact, it should be automatic, especially for someone running for president. I don’t care what books Obama has written or what he’s said. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. Don’t belive me; check out http://www.snopes.com for a clip of the ABC News video of the event. There is also a photo, but check out the video and judge for youself.
November 12, 2007 at 12:28 am
Just, please see my comment above for November 6, 1:05pm. Also, I believe actions speak louder than words too, so please see the accompanying post “Barack Obama’s Real Pledge of Allegiance: Refuses to Neglect America’s Heroes.”
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/barack-obamas-real-pledge-of-allegiance-refuses-to-neglect-americas-heroes/
November 12, 2007 at 1:22 pm
If I had to listen to that woman BUTCHER the song like she did I’d stand there too! He looked as if he were in shock & if you go down the row on that video he was NOT the only one standing that way. There was one other. People like to pick the pepper out of the fly poop. WHO EVER that was singing that song needs her LIPS sewn together! And to Lee Brown. The word is WORSE not WORST! You used it incorrectly.
November 12, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Not believing his responses ::you need to watch the video again. There is another man that doesn’t have his hand up either, he is turned side ways. They all looked like they wished that who ever that was singing would GET IT OVER WITH!
God people BUTCHER that song. It needs to be sung like it’s supposed to be.
November 12, 2007 at 2:27 pm
You’re joking right? First, thanks for posting the clip – and for letting me know that you think others think I am gullible. So is anyone who buys your message that it is okay because it was just the National Anthem.
I can’t control what others send me, and rarely read them, but if they interest me I do go on the net and find out if there is any truth to them before I forward them or take interest in them.
As to your point…what a JOKE! Sorry…where I am from in the U.S. you salute to the Pledge and the National Anthem. Note: If you are in the military and in uniform you formally salute…if you are not in uniform or you are a civilian you place your right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.
This is truly what is wrong with this country. No one seems to remember their civic lessons from when they were a child (and they aren’t even taught in school anymore). Citizens have decided that if they fly 100 flags it makes them more patriotic. Never mind that they let the flags become tattered and torn, leave them out in the rain, don’t light them at night and the worst of all…let them touch the ground. Now thanks to you, some people actually have the impression that it is okay to not show proper respect to the National Anthem.
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
November 12, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Mel, I respect your concern that Obama should have had his hand over his heart for the national anthem.
1: I assume we agree though that it is wrong and unpatriotic for anyone to misrepresent this and misinform voters about what happened and to say he “refused to say the pledge of allegiance” or “refused to put his hand over his heart for the national anthem” since those are not true.
2: I assume we agree that there are more important litmus tests for someone’s patriotism and commitment to this country’s well-being such as…
–whether someone funds health care, mental health outreach, and support for our returning soldiers
–whether someone sends our troops to war without a clear mission and exit plan
–whether someone promotes division rather than unity in the American people
3: I assume we agree that none of our candidates are perfect and that imperfect candidates who pass the three aforementioned litmus tests carry greater weight than imperfect candidates who only pass putting their hand over their heart
November 12, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Yes…without a doubt it bothers me that e-mails are constantly sent around with false information! I don’t forward anything without finding out if it is true first.
However, what bothers me most is that this page/article was set up to defend the fact that he did not cross his heart, because it was just the National Anthem. What kind of defense is that? All it does is aide in the general population’s ignorance…therefore making it no better than the the initial e-mail I received. For Pete’s sake if you are going to run for political office please bone up on your flag/civic/patriotic etiquette. Sorry…I don’t see this page as a help to Obama on this issue – I see it as just more false representation! I see it as perpetuation of an additional falsehood, based upon a technicality. I guess now I am supposed to be in favor of it because it makes who ever started the rumor bad, and Obama good? – Sorry sounds like the same rhetoric we get from most of the other politicians out there!
I agree that no candidate, or human, is perfect (especially me)!! But, I am not ready for another president that continually makes us look like an idiot to the world and nation. I am going to consider the little things too. In the end, I can do no more than anyone else and hope that I have made the best choice, or at least one I can live with (whether they win or lose).
Additionally, let us not forget that it is easy for Obama to say he was against the war since the beginning, but he didn’t have a vote, and the sentiment of the country at the time was not anti-war (far from it)! So, I guess I just don’t buy the I wouldn’t have entered the war, and especially without an exit strategy, spin from him.
I wish Obama all the luck in the world, and three years ago he had my vote. My first thought of him was that he could be the road to change, and that he is a dynamic speaker. However, there have been a lot of awful men throughout history who where dynamic, or persuasive, speakers, so I must remind myself of this when ever I hear anyone give a speech. My problem is the more information I put on pro/con sheet the more con’s I am getting the last few months. It may end up being a bad thing for all of these candidates that this pre-campaign has gone on for almost a year now.
November 12, 2007 at 10:46 pm
This page was set up to set the record straight and to put things in perspective. I’ve said throughout that if people have issues with a hand over heart during the national anthem, I respect that as long as we 1) Have the facts straight about exactly what happened and 2) Put the incident into perspective.
Regarding “easy for Obama to say…”
While you’re right that being in the Senate and having to vote can influence whether someone publicly opposes the war or not, being in the Senate and having to vote does not mean much for whether they have the judgment and prescience to envision the precise consequences of taking military action.
His public support or opposition aside, Obama still *predicted exactly what would happen if we entered, down to which ethnic groups would be fighting.* The visions and predictions laid out by the other candidates of what would happen were off the mark. It is still difficult then to argue against esteeming Obama’s judgment in 2002.
November 12, 2007 at 11:18 pm
P.S. While people have focused on the pledge of allegiance vs. national anthem issue the most problematic word in the smear email is REFUSED. He didn’t refuse to do anything. He was singing along to the song with his hands in front of him.
Therefore, the slippage in people’s language and thinking that I’m defending anything about the national anthem as opposed to him “refusing to pledge allegiance,” which are the words throughout my post, shows all the more need for this page to exist.
November 14, 2007 at 12:19 pm
You all are quick to come out in droves to fight his unpatriotism with b.s. blogs
November 14, 2007 at 12:49 pm
so you think people can spread emails saying “obama refused to say the pledge of allegiance” and we’re just going to sit back, not set the record straight, and sing kumbaya?
you can’t be serious.
November 17, 2007 at 6:56 pm
the real crime here is that ridiculous attack on our National Anthem by the woman singing it
November 18, 2007 at 6:21 pm
first who ever elected to have that person butcher our national anthem should be
charged for murder. second our judment should stand till osamas next opportunity
to pledge or not. soooo if he does he cross his heart hes a lier if he dont hes a musim
that has no busness running for our president . are we not paying allegiance to the
office he is trying to obtaine. what makes him better than an american.
November 18, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I was born in the north and live in the south, and I don’t see the geographic relevance of where Mit Romney discusses this issue. I’m from North Carolina which has the best public University system in the country, not to mention the twenty or so private instituitions that are amoung the counties finest. Most people who attend these colleges are taught to think for themselves. In this instance seeing is believing. The video is very subjective. I do not need anyone to explain to me what I’m looking at. Neither Osama nor John Edwards (whom is from the state I live in) participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Just because you know the words and say a couple of them does not mean that you participated in the Pledge. Anyone who can justify Osama’s lack of Patriotism in this instance, clearly has less than he does.
November 18, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Correction…I stated above that Osama was not participating in the Pledge of Allegiance I was actually refering to the National Anthem. I do not, however, feel I made a mistake in the spelling of Barack’s last name.
November 19, 2007 at 6:42 am
*A Gift for Billie and R.J.*
Since I know that even YOU TOO will have a better life and future for your children under an Obama Administration, I’m going to work my darndest over the next year to get it for you.
Given your mindsets and parochial knowledge of naming conventions outside the confines of the United States, I think I’ll savor the gifts of an Obama Administration for you and your kin more than I will savor the gifts for myself.
November 19, 2007 at 10:11 am
Sagereader, Since when did Socialism (at best) become better for my kin and myself? My “parochial knowledge” is more relevant to the confines of the United States, historically speaking, than that of Socialism, Communism, or just defiance of a United States document that you must not be not familiar with…The United States Constitution. We rarely use our Constitution now, why should we advocate a politician/s who would like to see The Constitution abolished? Then again, by supporting political candidates as such, you probably agree with the abolition of The Constitution. **MY GIFT to you is the introduction of an important document known as The United States Constitution. It can found at any public library, school, or courthouse. While you are there please feel free to read The Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence as I know a true comprehension of these documents should clarify any confusion you must have regarding US Policy, US History and US Civic Responsibility.
Please continue your campaign efforts though, they solidify logical thought, knowledge and actions of the other candidates.
November 19, 2007 at 10:24 am
Barack Obama taught U.S. Constitutional law at the University of Chicago, one of the top law schools in the country.
November 19, 2007 at 10:52 am
Were you in his class? Just because I teach Robotics doesn’t mean I know anything about Mechanical engineering, just as Barack teaching Constitutional law does not mean that his class (or he for that matter) knows anything about politics. I truly do not mean to condescend, I respect your viewpoints whether I agree with them or not, but my other point was addressed earlier. We rarely use our Constitution. Would it be an unfair assessment to infer that Barack teaching Constitutional Law contributes to this unfortunate crisis? Maybe it goes back to parochial knowledge…or the lack thereof.
November 19, 2007 at 11:30 am
If you think Obama taught constitutional law at one of the top law schools in this country, reviewed law articles as the President of the Harvard Law Review, and served in public office for almost two decades, yet does not know anything about politics or the constitution…
then bruh, we just gotta agree to disagree on that one.
I strongly support your right to go speak in support of another candidate and not mine.
November 19, 2007 at 1:10 pm
In order to complete this circle of discussion I must make one last point. If Obama has so much political experience, then why did he not cover his heart with his right hand during The National Anthem? As potentially the next President of the United States I think he knows what to do, and what’s worse, he knew there would be cameras on him. I think this was an act of Civil Disobedience in protest of something he initially voted for. Maybe not. Maybe he did just take for granted that no one would care or notice during The National Anthem. In doing so it looks as though he lost some ground politically…But hey…anyone but Hitlery!
November 19, 2007 at 1:14 pm
How could it be civil disobedience if he was singing along? You’re going to have to explain that one a little bit more.
November 19, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Co’mon I give you more credit than that. We watched the same video. Sure he sang along (momentarily) but have you ever seen, prior to now, anyone not put their hand over their heart while singing or not singing (that’s irrelevant) The National Anthem. Unfortunately, I’ve been to some VERY liberal events in my lifetime and never seen that before (in the United States). There should be no explanation needed for this on my part, you should be asking Barack Obama for an explanation. For someone to tell us (Barack) that “you’ve got your facts wrong…” is saying I’m blind! I don’t buy that! Maybe he knows some of the words to The National Anthem, but there’s more to it than that…I don’t think you need an explanation for that.
November 19, 2007 at 5:51 pm
As I said, I strongly support your right to publicly support another candidate and not mine.
November 20, 2007 at 1:38 am
I think obama should watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfz2XDXaeqc and watch all the other pledge of allegiance videos on youtube and rethink his actions of what he did on that day
im not sure if that youtube link will turn into a clickable link, im not gonna hotlink it, if thats not a link just copy and paste it into your browser
November 20, 2007 at 7:21 am
If only we could get 100+ comments and all this outrage directed toward the politicians in Washington who are allowing returning Iraq vets to now be living on the streets and are not providing them with mental health care.
If the American people had their priorities in place, maybe our leaders would too!
November 20, 2007 at 10:59 am
Bottom line. He did not sing along with the national anthem and he did not have his hand over his heart! Any true american would know the protocol when the national anthem is played.
Why is it that everyone else on stage and probably in the audience showed respect the the flag and it’s country where as Obama did not. Come on people take your heads out of your A**!
November 20, 2007 at 11:03 am
please see comment above.
November 20, 2007 at 1:02 pm
US CODE TITLE 36 CHAPTER 10, SECTIONS 170-172 Sagereader, google this or something and quit making excuses for this guy! I don’t know 1 Iraqi veteran not getting Mental or Medical health care right now (who actually served in our military and didn’t get kicked out of boot camp!) There has to be a line drawn where you stop supporting someone only because you hate Republicans! If Fred Thompson or Ron Paul did this you’d be appalled and so would I!…So should every American! This whole thing is becoming ridiculous!
November 20, 2007 at 6:34 pm
O.k., well……..if he isn’t patriotic, or maybe he is, or wait…maybe?? Who knows…My question would be, has he answered the question yet of WHY he isn’t standing with his hand over his heart, saying the pledge??? Just curious….
Proud to be a Native American
November 20, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Tsali, your question is addressed above.
R.J., please elaborate on your comment.
November 20, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Tsali, it’s true. The question is answered above. If you watched the video, then you know the answer. Forget the rhetoric, see for yourself! Too many other people are overwhelmed with the fact that some of these “leaders” are as unpatriotic as (some of the less than liberal) media has suggested for some time now! Condescension is becoming rampant, these over the line liberals think that if you question Obama or Hillary on their ideas or their lack of leadership skills, then you can’t think for yourself! This is a great example. Video does not lie! Here are the codes of conduct expected while in the presence of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Though this is not law, it should be adhered to by every United States citizen, especially Local, State, and Federal leaders.
§170. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner
The composition consisting of the words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.
§171. Conduct during playing
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
§172. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ‘I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
November 20, 2007 at 10:28 pm
R.J., please describe the implications of your comments for America.
November 20, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I’m going to briefly share some things that I’ve heard and seen on the 4 major, U.S. television networks. The following statements are not based upon any personal conversation which I’ve had with Mr. Obama, but they are based upon newspaper accounts which quote him, and television coverage, which I watched as Mr. Obama detailed his positions regarding these few matters.
Mr. Obama is a member of, and occasionally attends services at, a church which includes among it’s primary doctrines, the belief that any person whose dark-skinned ancestors came from Africa, owes their primary allegiance in all things, to their brothers and sisters of African decent. The church preaches, and Mr. Obama has publically defended these specific teachings, that all black Americans are compelled to promote and defend all issues and laws which may advance the common good of black people around the world, before they consider issues with regard to nationalism.
As a candidate for the Democratic Presidential nomination, Mr. Obama has won the support of a very large number of citizens. And yet, he has publically refused the small gesture of wearing a U.S. Flag pin, he will not pledge his allegiance to our flag, which is merely, but clearly, a physical representation of the United States, and, he is an active member of a church which requires him to put the common good of people of African decent, before the common good of the people of the United States.
This strong willed person is giving fair warning to all, that if he is elected president, his allegiance is not to the United States as it is defined to include all citizens, or it’s Constitution. The presidential oath includes a pledge to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The Democratic Party is a sad lot, with such an outspoken, anti-American bigot, among it’s national leaders.
November 20, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Larry, thanks for sharing.
November 21, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Sagereader, I’m not sure what I need to clarify. Is about Iraqi veterans receiving health care? The only people (Iraqi “soldiers”) that are not receiving Federal Champus insurance are those who made a mockery out of the Military and were “booted” out of boot camp. I have several friends that are home now from Iraq, though most have chosen to re-enlist for a second or third tour, and they all have more than adequate health insurance. I would have sided with you during the Vietnam War, however, regardless of my stance on the Iraq war, I cannot agree there is not appropriate health care for Iraqi veterans. I’m not sure how to answer this, as I don’t know where the confusion is.
November 21, 2007 at 12:50 pm
So are you implying that the veterans organizations that are addressing homeless veterans and are fighting for veterans to get their full disability and health benefits are not telling the truth?
November 21, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I don’t necessarily believe any lobby organization! I am going by the 20 or so friends I have that have absolutely no problems with their health care. What other people consciously decide to do is not my concern, but I know the benefits are there. Consider how many people “don’t have health coverage” that just don’t take advantage of what is being offered to them. You can/should not force anyone to take something they do not want…there’s that socialist/communist way of thinking again!
November 21, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Oh okay, everythings cleared up now! Except the fact that he refused to honor our national anthem as the other candidates did. Oh wait, back at square one. I’m glad you invested so many resources, constructed such a well thought out statement, probably did some research, to PRODUCE ABSOLUTELY NO RESULTS..the same as what the democratic party does daily. Lets all clap our hands in appreciation.
November 21, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Preach on brother-man!
November 22, 2007 at 12:42 am
Note to Nathan (and R.J.):
Square One was the e-mail claim that “Barack Obama refused to say the pledge of allegiance.”
November 22, 2007 at 4:59 am
I thought square one was where he didn’t comply with the National Anthem protocol!
November 22, 2007 at 7:10 am
With all due respect to those who’ve served, the only place I hear the pledge or anthem anymore (other than political campaign events) is at sports arenas. I’m a baseball-person. During that 7th inning stretch, pledge, and anthem, people are standing at attention at best. Others are bustling to restrooms and food lines, fussing w/kids, talking on cell phones.
People stating they care more about style than substance trouble me.
Seven veterans of this illegal immoral Iraq Occupation are committing suicide every day. Seven veterans. Every day. Yet Obama, the Christian patriotic American candidate who has done the most to stop this savage carnage by establishing PTSD as a standard injury to look out for and take care of, by establishing with Durbin quality of care standards for VA hospitals and disqualifying all doctors with malpractice histories from working there, is being diss-missed over where his hand was. Please. That is too insincere for me. There’s no logic nor substance to those arguments, imo.
I see a man who cares about the troops and the veterans. I read Obama’s policies that will not leave any veteran homeless. I challenge anyone near any major city who sees the streets filled with homeless veterans on any given night to tell me that where Obama has his hand during a horrible rendition of our anthem disqualifies the best friend to veterans among the candidates. Just admit you weren’t going to vote for him anyway and move on; don’t lie. The cold is coming. The homeless vets’ll be found under the snow soon. Again. New, young ones alongside the Old Timers from the Viet Nam war, the first Gulf War, the Somalia fiasco. Dads and moms who were “just reservists”, shattered, their families helpless to help them and unsupported, hell, living on food stamps, good jobs, small businesses, gone. I’m sick of the disrespect and callousness towards vets while the anthem gets pumped at the highest volume possible and more young ones are recruited to be abandoned the moment their service is over. That’s what this administration’s done; what will Hillary or Edwards do for the military and the veterans?
If you care about veterans, vote for Obama. If you want the troops home and never sent to another illegal immoral war for profit for oily friends, vote for Obama. If you don’t care about these issues, the Obama family is not dieing to live in the White House. It’s not an ego trip for them. They have a nice home in Chicago, family there, good schools, their church and community, Michelle has a great job there. Obama could even leave politics. He’s fully qualified to be a judge on the Supreme Court, and rumored to be on the short list – he is an expert on constitutional law, devoted to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, despite Larry’s rhetoric about what Obama’s Christian church, which happens to have mostly black parishioners, claims. Really, he doesn’t need this draining job, or the toil it takes to overcome mindless smears. Supreme Court Justices have lots more predictable hours, no campaigning, no fundraising, no traveling all over the country, no being away from family all year.
If America’s not ready, our loss. Our immense loss. I’m still trying. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things, as Obama says.
I’m doing 20 hours of phone banking this next week after giving thanks, handing out flyers and signing up supporters at a beautiful tree-lighting parade/festival the day everyone begins their shopping frenzy. One respectful quiet pause for the lighting of the tree, a symbol of hope, a reminder of another imperfect son of God who tried to lead us to peace and goodwill.
Y’all have a good Thanksgiving, and may all you give return to you in the same spirit you gave it, ten-fold.
November 22, 2007 at 11:38 am
We are polls apart politically, and I don’t know where you got the info. about the seven suicides per day, but VCUBED I appreciate you directly addressing the issue and talking to this forum as though we are not remedial. Happy Holidays to you as well.
November 22, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Vcubed,
Everyone appreciates your dedication to “your guy”. But your statement that “…Obama’s policies that will not leave ANY veteran homeless” is insane.
1. Explain how he can accomplish this?
2. Where is he going to put them?
3. What if they don’t want his help?
4. What about the rest of the homeless people?
5. Are homeless autoworkers any less deserving?
You can’t throw out those words without qualifing them with some substance. Please explain yourself with answers not fluff and promises.
If you answer that, then we can talk about whose “short list” he is on for a Supreme Court Justice. I am finding nothing.
November 22, 2007 at 12:24 pm
An apparent problem with Obama sitting on The Supreme Court is…well so much for The National Anthem, Pledge of allegiance or any other US tradition! I think this speaks for itself.
November 27, 2007 at 4:17 pm
A picture is worth a thousand words and he was not saying the Pledge of Alligence and did not have his had over his heart. This is the real Osama/Obama. I see more flag lapel pins than not in the crowds with true Americans. AS for Hillery not ever wearing a lapel American Flag Pin, I think it shames her due to her truning her back on the US service men and women. Make all the excuses you want and the liberial media such as media matters and all the other groups find a way to sugar coat. Hillery just as another former Clinton can get away with murder. THey find convient ways to lie and skirt the truth and I am asshamed that the US public could be duped into another Clinton in any positioin. The onll position she needs is on her hands and Knees scrubbing prison toilets.
November 28, 2007 at 10:15 am
I never saw the email stated as you say. “That he refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance”. I saw the email, and it referenced the National Anthem at Harkin’s steak fry last summer. I checked Snopes and it said in fact that it was a good picture and that it MAY or MAY NOT have been taken during the Anthem. You will note the other people in the picture have their mouths open Obama does not. The others have their hands on their heart, Obama does not.
I say, regarding the aboive, let intelligent people make their own decision.
On the flag pin issue, none of this would have come to the forefront IF Obama answered the reporters question a bit differently. He went down the wrong path as he does frequently when he reall does not know what to say. I wear a flag pin ion my coat collar and my jacket collar and believe me I am NOT a false patriot.
In closing, if there was not something here that bothers you, why are you defending Obama on these two issues. Seems to me they would be better off, for a politician anyway, if they were just left to die a quick death.
RWD
November 28, 2007 at 10:19 am
dude, just watch the video. it ain’t that complicated.
November 28, 2007 at 12:09 pm
What does it matter if it was the Pledge of Alligence, it was the Star Spangle Banner. I stand and cover my heart with my right hand when any American Anthem is played. If you noticed all the others on stage were covering their hearts even Hillery was covering something, we know it was not a heart. Maybe money, or official documents the public do not have access to.
All Proud Americans should stand, cover their hearts no matter where the pledge is being spoke or the American Anthem is being sang-Yes even at a baseball or any other sports event. And Guys, take your hats off, it wont hurt to show that bald spot just for a minute.
November 28, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Sorry, I may have forgotten one instance where it could be proper to not cover your heart with your right hand. In this case it would have been totally acceptable to have covered both your ears with each hand, that lady just could not sing.
With that said, I do not mean to down the woman singing because she at least was participating and doing her best. I could have made it through the entire song with hand over heart.
Love ya Sweetie, Keep on singing for America and God.
November 29, 2007 at 6:00 am
Mr. Barack’s omission was wrong. The singer’s rendition of our national anthem was wrong. IF you look at the video you will notice that people on the stage-right side of the podium are all facing the audience or an unseen flag (Mrs. Clinton’s attention seems to be diverted toward the crowd more than the others) while the people on the stage-left side are all facing away from the crowd toward the flag visible in the video. To single out Mr. Barack as being unpatriotic seems to ignore the fact that several other wrongs were happening at the same event. It is wrong for us to make decisions without examining the evidence.
November 29, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Accordng to your web site, thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com, in Obama’s own words, “My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2,” Obama said, his annoyance obvious. “During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing.” In the Utube video he is clearly not singing. What’s your defense for him now, is he a ventriloquist?
November 29, 2007 at 2:12 pm
maybe you should use the “zoom” feature on your computer so you can see a little better.
December 2, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I don’t sing much of the National Anthem myself. It’s usually sung way out of my range, for one thing, and why on earth anyone decided to put the words to music that appears to sound like an old German drinking song is beyond me. I’m one of the proponents for changing our National Anthem to “America the Beautiful” which is both original American, and singable by nearly everyone. Wearing a lapel pin doesn’t make you a patriot, people, any more than singing the un-singable does. You could hurt your larynx singing that tune! Come with me and let’s make it “America the Beautiful!” And oh, by the way, Daylight Savings Time is the dumbest damn idea in the world. Let’s make the Congressional lunatics eliminate it. If you want to open earlier, open earlier! Duh.
December 3, 2007 at 10:57 am
Wow..if some competing candidate tries to use this in a negative ad…im going to vomit.
December 3, 2007 at 12:11 pm
It seems to me that we want to put the terrorists in office then we wont have to leave america to fight them they will come to us.
December 5, 2007 at 10:54 am
Thanks for this post. I’m passing it along.
Some of the comments here are disheartening.
I had no idea there were so many rightwing loonies out there who will refuse to believe the truth – even when you have a video posted showing that the emails were a hoax!
Unbelievable! I have to laugh – Neo Cons are nut jobs.
December 5, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Interesting footnote – Apparently Obama was born into a Muslim family, and raised Muslim for a period of time (who knows the actual length of time?). And then he “renounced Islam” and became a Christian…
From what I understand, if you renounce Islam, the penalty is death (according to the Quran). If he were to become President, wouldn’t that put an even bigger target on the front of his shirt (and his family)? The Secret Service would be awfully busy then, wouldn’t they…!
December 5, 2007 at 3:15 pm
interesting in more ways than you realize. is there more you’d like to share, chazb?
December 5, 2007 at 3:26 pm
ummm…. nope!
but pleaz continue with your thought – what are the other interesting aspects to this?
December 8, 2007 at 7:10 pm
If you think this is scary, you should see what’s going on over at my blog… http://iainmackinnon.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/is-barack-obama-the-antichrist/
Seriously, some of the views people have been expressing are scaring me a lot more than any hardline fundamentalist muslim ever has, and I’m a reformed evangelical christian. *sigh*
Heaven help America, whoever gets in. It’s some of the voters who scare me a lot more than the guys they’ll be voting for…
December 10, 2007 at 11:05 pm
The future of this nation is heading in the wrong direction no matter who gets into office. As a American citizen with equal rights and freedom of speech (for now anyway), I KNOW
December 12, 2007 at 1:28 pm
He should know US CODE
TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301Prev | Next § 301. National anthem
How Current is This? (a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
December 12, 2007 at 7:55 pm
given your comment, all of them broke US Code because they all stood with their backs away from the flag, not facing it.
December 15, 2007 at 7:01 pm
how do you know there was not another flag in front of them. Sounds like you are just looking for excuses.
December 15, 2007 at 8:23 pm
As a combat veteran of the Army Infantry I have wonder if any of you actually think any of these candidates are truely patriotic or just money hungry for the office and saying and doing what WE want as they have been. Who cares if he did not sing along, yes he should have put his hand on his heart. Do any of you honestly think that any of them get their a** up off the couch during the football game anthem and show respect. Wait a minute, do you? I know that my freinds think it kind of funny that I do, they think it to be over the edge. We do not have the option of voting for a patriot, unfortunately, we have to decide on the lesser of the evils instead. As far as our nation heading in the wrong direction, nice way to give up, I am sure your fore fathers would be proud “patriot”.
December 15, 2007 at 8:49 pm
sage as far as veterans benefits go you are obviously not a veteran. Older veterans had a hard time and yes there are some homeless veterans. There are homeless of every occupation I would imagine. Veterans benefits do need improvement, however if you would do any research you would see that they are better now than they have ever been, EVER. You have made some valid points but maybe you should not post opinion as fact. The largest problem we face as a nation dealing with combat veterans is trying to de-program them from a combat mindset which is neccessary for the military to install in order to have a functionall fighting force. A neccessary evil. As far as the war goes whether you agree with it or not our brave soldiers are doing a great service. I served in Bosnia, the forgotten war. Here in comfortable U.S. it is easy to point at people and voice your opinion, thank you fallen heroes! When you go to a country where 7 year olds are expected to take up arms and join the fight and you go and stop that some people will be mad and people will still get hurt. The children that get to go to school for the first time or play in their front yard without fear of being shot and they thank you for that. Forget all the politics, that is what life is all about for a soldier, putting yourself in harms way to make the world a better place!!! Argue with that I dare you!!
December 15, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Now don’t get me wrong sage I truely appreciate anyone who pushes for better veterans benefits. I am a member of the V.F.W. post #4409 in Harrisonville, Mo.. I spend a lot of time at the V.A. hostpital as a disabled veteran and things do not always go that smoothly. However returning Iraqi veterans receive 2 years completely free health benefits, including mental health. I have been receiving help from the mental health department for almost two years now after refusing it for over ten years. What I would suggest if you are really that worried about it and that patriotic, GO SPEND A DAY OR TWO VOLUNTEERING AT YOUR LOCAL V.A. HOSPITAL AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE VETERANS THAT YOU LIKE TO SAY SO MUCH ABOUT!!!!!!
December 16, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I refuse to “argue” or debate the position that we should be providing more support to our troops and veterans.
December 17, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I saw the abc video from the steak fry. Are we not supposed to notice that Edwards didn’t salute either (or with the wrong hand, which is worse) . Or the fact that Barack was the only candidate WHO WAS MOUTHING THE WORDS?
Oh yeah, that’s real Muslim-plant, hating-America behavior, for sure.
December 19, 2007 at 6:10 am
I don’t believe it was the right that started the slander about Senator Obama. I believe it was the Clinton’s. There is no reason at this point for the Right to be concerned about him. Clinton is the one who is threatened by his success. He is a man with integrity. Knows how to negociate, listen to both sides, reason with people. He would make a better President than Clinton. Of course I don’t want either one of them to win, I’m from the “Right.” But if the United States is forced into having a democrat for a President Senator Obama dresses up nicely and carries himself well. In the International Arena he would be good for America. As for domestic issues God help us.
December 19, 2007 at 9:39 am
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
December 19, 2007 at 11:33 am
During rendition of deciding to send our troops to war, all politicians present must not lie, fail to read NIE report, and otherwise fail to attend to good judgment before putting our troops in harm’s way. Elected leaders not in uniform must provide a clear mission with their right hand and an exit strategy with their left hand. With their hand over their heart, they must feel the pain of losing 4500+ soldiers and 120 veteran suicides per week. –United States Code, Title Common Sense, Chapter Good Judgment, Sec. Vote Every Last One Of Them Out Of Office.
December 23, 2007 at 7:24 pm
12-23-07
Dear Madame, Sir,
FYI!!!!!During the national anthem, it is appropriate to salute the flag from the opening note until the end of the closing note. Citizens not in uniform are to place their right hand over their heart, and stand at attention.
If there are any questions, please feel free to “google” national anthem saluting.
Respectfully,
Fred Mincher
December 23, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Mr. Mincher, please see comments above.
December 24, 2007 at 1:43 am
What a bastard… he’s a total bastard
December 24, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I don’t doubt that people will try to spin this against Hussein Obama, (interesting name don’t you think?), but in the times we currently live in patriotism IS a concern. If Mr. Obama is not patriotic enough to wear the flag or place his hand on his heart during the national anthem, I have some serious reservations about him making decisions for this country.
Not to mention his teaming with Oprah. It became obvious what that was about when Oprah said how Mr. Kings dream was coming to life.
Between Mr. Kings dream & his consistent lack of patriotism, I see his priorities are not where they should be to lead this country.
December 24, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Smear trolling and spreading misinformation on Christmas Eve? Priorities?
December 31, 2007 at 5:33 pm
NO more Clinton dynasty, McCain’s Politics of Fear, Edward’s Phony tactics and corrupted Health Industry.
ITS SICKENING.
Also its time to end 20 years of Clinton/Bush political
dynasty.
!!! ITS TIME FOR CHANGE !!!
Hillary Clinton Voted for War on Iraq.
Barack Obama opposed this and he was right.
Hillary Clinton recently labelled Iran as a terrorist country.
Barack Obama opposed this and he was right.
Hillary Clinton supported Bush on aid to Pakistan for wrong reasons.
Barack Obama opposed this and he was right.
BARACK OBAMA’s JUDGEMENT TRIUMPHS OVER HILLARY’s WRONG EXPERIENCE.
!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!
January 1, 2008 at 5:49 am
Showing that he could not come to attention during the national anthem is a display that he can not adhere to traditional standards of America. For somebody to vote for this man would be a true disillusion that he has America in mind. He has clearly made it a point that he wanted to change politics but hasn’t explained whether he wants a dictatorship or a tyranny. It appears that he is very concede and does not care about the majority of people who live in America and he shows great sympathy to those minorities that he associates himself with. Obama did not have a chance to vote on Iraq so what he said he would have done should not be an issue. Is Iran truly a terrorist country? I believe that the country does not want to fight fundamental Islamic groups who want to destroy America and supply those who are willing to fight America with arms that create casualties in Iraq. The support of arms to a terrorist community or anyone who wants to destroy democracy is truly a terrorist country. Pakistan is a great allie of the U.S. and support for the country should come without any question. They have supported the U.S. through this whole mess in Iraq and it is sad on what happened to Bhutto so this should show that support was a need in Pakistan.
With the second video his physical stature even appears that he is disgusted with the Pledge of Allegiance.
January 4, 2008 at 11:26 am
The idea that patriotism is somehow enhanced or diminished by the dressage of ones lapel or ability to follow old codes is at best humorous and at worst contemptable. It is this type of idiotic pulp that distracts us from real issues. Our country was formed on the idea that a free man in a free country would act in the best interest of that country because their interests were in line – the protection of those freedoms. Does nobody see the irony that those who are judged the most patriotic are the ones most constrained by rules and traditions. America needs to be a living, breathing entity – not one entangled in pomp and self engrandizing, bloated with false patriotic enthusiasm and resentment over real or fancied wrongs.
If you honestly have reservations about him because he doesn’t wear a flag pin, I question your patriotism… no stomach for dissent? Our country was built on it. Is your “America” so weak that it cant tolerate different forms of display? As for not singing the national anthem, this happens all the time. I never was taught the rule about holding my hand over my heart while the anthem played, nor do I feel the need now. Thousands of sporting events daily around this country feature athletes who barely stand at attention, much less sing or hold their hand over their heart.
As a former Republican brought up in a very conservative family, I am sick of the brainless neo-con movement where patriotism is used like a club… its demeaning and a quite frankly, it borders on fascist propoganda.
I will judge a man by his actions, not the size of his flag, or his ability or willingness to sing our national anthem.
“Honest people, mistakenly believing in the justice of their cause, are led to support injustice.”
“Any human institution that fails to meet a human need will cease to exist.”
— Elihu Root, Former Secretary of War
Our forefathers wouldn’t have hesitated at tearing the govt. apart and builiding it anew if it strayed so far from its intended path…. why do we?
January 7, 2008 at 7:50 am
This is a real issue and not a time to make a statement about race!! I am concerned for my children and grandchildren. This country did need to stand up for itself and the war on Iraq was what it took people can say whatever (they said it about the V war) people aren’t satisfied with Pres. Bush or anyother one before him. Thats a hard job and until you are in it, you cant really say if hes doing it wrong!!! Obama is not the answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 7, 2008 at 8:08 am
I am sure Obama is as patriotic as the next person but the real issue here is whether or not Obama got it wrong or not. Most people don’t even know there is a code of ethic for the flag let alone what that code says. When I see the flag hanging in conflict with the code, I assume people just don’t know and inform them of the proper way. I know they are being disrespectful without knowing it or meaing it and most will correct it when told. The mistake I see most often is hanging the flag against a building with the stars in the uipper right. The code says they always go in the upper left. With regards to the National Anthem and the Pledge, here is what the code says:
171 Conduct during playing
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
§172. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ‘I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’, should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
The idea here is to be consistent and to show unity as a country. This is a simple way to do it. We know that most people don’t mean disrespect. They simply don’t know, so educate instead of berate.
January 7, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I say, put obama and hillary in uniform and send them to iraq
January 7, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I’d rather see Obama NOT place his hand over his heart during the Anthem, than to see all of Congress on the steps of the Capital singing, “God Bless America” with hands over their hearts. These are the pharisees (sanctimonious, self-righteous, or hypocritical)!!
I added the defintion so no one would think I was insulting the Jewish tradition.
January 8, 2008 at 11:05 am
Wouldn’t vote for him no matter what is being said about him. Anyone can sing or place their hand over their heart and it doesn’t mean spit masks are worn by all kinds.He hasn’t made one statement on what his agenda would be if president. He is full of hot air and it boggles the mind that people are taking the hook. All candidates, like a boyfriend promise the moon if she will give up her self respect. Well welcome to the real world of B S -ing politicians. All I hear from the Dems is it’s time for change, well that is what they will give you if they reach the whitehouse, raise taxes give out more welfare to keep people down and accomplish ZIP.. Oh and another bit of knowledge, when you hear them say they are going to lower gas prices don’t believe it, they have no control over the worlds oil and they can’t give gas away or refineries will belly up and we will be picking up after our horses. Of course you die hard Alan Colmes fans will believe anything. Sheep & more sheep are led by the Judas goat. See you in the bread line.
January 8, 2008 at 12:06 pm
A new year’s gift for Renee who said, “He hasn’t made one statement on what his agenda would be if president. ”
Barack Obama’s 64-Page “Blueprint for America: Plan for Change”
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf
January 8, 2008 at 1:35 pm
FYI.. not sure if this is still protocol, and I am not against Obama.. I just find this very interesting. It may very well be a misunderstanding. If I remember correctly, when I was in elementary school in Chicago, we put our hand over our heart for both the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/36/301.html
January 8, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’m pretty sure that someone from the hillary campaign put these false emails out. It’s pretty sad that the Hillary campaign is so desperate that they have to smear obama on the internet. The inevitable canidate(hillary) isn’t so inevitable anymore. They will probably start to play the race card sooner or later.
January 8, 2008 at 6:13 pm
So it wasn’t the Pledge, it was the Star-Spangled Banner! Aren’t we pretty much expected to show our support for the flag by covering our hearts when the song is played? At least, someone running for office should. You don’t have to sing along, and we sure don’t want to hear Hillary anymore. But someone could’ve tried to at least drown out that AWFUL singer. Roseanne did a better job.
Anyway, you really should’ve avoided this subject altogether, because the truth in video doesn’t help him at all. So, thanks! First Hillary, then Obama, then the White House will be ours again for another 8 years. We may have our poorest group in memory, but the Democrats continue to field nothing but charlatans.
And yes, Hillary will play the race card, in that she (or a Republican) will destroy your candydate by bringing the facts to the forefront about his black separatist (racist/extremist) pastor. Not to mention his muslim name. Geez, if you can change TO a muslim name, why wouldn’t you change it away from a muslim name if you claimed not to be a muslim anymore? That stupidity alone is reason not to vote for this guy.
January 9, 2008 at 1:13 am
why did he not put his hand over his heart? isnt that the pledge part? the part that shows his allegence and not just reciiting?
January 9, 2008 at 8:51 am
I keep hearing that “everybody” knows that you are supposed to put your hand over your heart during the Anthem. Go to any sports event and the majority DO NOT. Many can’t even be bothered to stop walking to and from the beer stand. If proper hand position, a lapel pin, and a “support our troops” magnet on your car are all it takes to be a patriot, then patriotism has become way too cheap.
January 9, 2008 at 9:54 am
No matter if it is the pledge or national athem he should have placed his hand over his heart. It is to show honor to your country and those who are and who have faught for this country. He will not get my vote for president. He says change is coming but it won’t be for the good.
January 10, 2008 at 12:29 am
Come on people. Whether or not Obama or any other candidate saluted or placed their hand over their heart is unimportant.
The 2 important facts are:
1) ALL candidates are liars, ie: they make promises they KNOW they can’t keep to get elected. All candidates posture as though they can accommadate all groups, when they KNOW they can not…etc.
2) Refer to number 1.
January 10, 2008 at 8:15 am
Obama refuses to wear a flag pin after 9-1-1, nice timing! Does not show respect for our National Anthem by placing his hand over his heart, what next; if he wins and is sworn in as president, will he refuse to place his hand on the Holy Bible, or will he ask it to be replaced with the Quran! Beginning to question his “true patriotism!”
January 10, 2008 at 12:56 pm
We as a people have a right to our own opinion, but when we spread lies about another it is not right. i am not on the blue side but i have been part of the wrong side in spreading lies that are not true but thought true. I pray GOD will forgive me, as well as Obama, & his family. If you all have read all the facts on You Tube you will note that this all came about to smear Obama good name so that another canidate would look good, may GOD forgive them. In my opinion they just lost the presidency. Obama Barack deserves the same chance as any other American. GOD sees the heart of man, not only mine but your’s as well, Think about that……………
January 10, 2008 at 1:20 pm
To the above who asked if he would replace the bible with the Quran: So what if he does? Would you deny a Jew the presidency if he wanted to remove the New Testament from the presidential oath? That’s all the torah really is.
Patriotism is love for a country not a fricken book! Who cares if Obama is Muslim (which he’s not!) I’m so sick and tired of these conservative “christians” who think it’s their way or the highway. I got news for you. Muslims are beginning to out-reproduce christians on a grand scale. If you don’t start showing some respect, how do you expect them to show you any when they truly do take over.
January 10, 2008 at 2:16 pm
If this is all you people are worried about when choosing a candidate then I am truly worried about our country. The fact that a non-issue such as the placement of a body part might affect the future of the nation is atrocious and shameful. We’re more worried about how someone appears than who he/she is. Let the man be.
January 10, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’m so glad this is here. The Truth is so very important to me. I’m tired of these awful emails that I receive ….negativity and lies. Thank you to the person(s) responsible for this site.
January 10, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Oh, and as long as our country is progressing, out of this darned war, and my kid has a decent future, I don’t care if he puts his hand over his ear.
January 10, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I am a former Girl Scout, band member who played in many a Memorial Day Parade and attended the ceremonies afterward, and attend a Fourth of July ceremony every year. I WAS NOT TAUGHT TO PUT MY HAND OVER MY HEART DURING THE ANTHEM, only the pledge. Most of my friends’ dads were in WWII or the Korean War. My generation fought in Viet Nam. I did not learn to do this, and have only noticed people doing it recently. I do not live in an area where there are a lot of people living who have been in the military recently. My conclusion is that this is a regional or recent phenomenon, and not all people have been trained to do it that way. If you look at the flag code, the part about hand over your heart in the copy I have is dated 1998. Perhaps someone has an earlier copy, parts of the one I’ve seen evidently go back to 1931, but the part about the anthem is recent.
I was in elementary school when “under God” was added to the Pledge. One year we didn’t say it, the next year we did. Things change.
As I recall from my Girl Scout training at the time, one was not supposed to use the flag as wearing apparel. At that time [1950s]I think wearing a flag pin would have been considered bad etiquette.
Personally, I think the idea that one does or does not salute the flag has nothing do with how Patirotic one is. It’s what’s in your heart that counts.
Please reread Hanz post on Jan. 4. He makes a lot of sense.
January 10, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I had heard about the video of Obama not “Pledging Aligence to the Flag” but hadn’t seen it until tonight. I was very upset to see that someone whom wants to run our wonderful country would not raise his hand to his heart during the National Anthem. I don’t care if it is a song or not. You still raise your hand out of respect for all American’s. Especially those who are fighting in the war. It is what is expected of you and something you do freely just as we are free!
January 11, 2008 at 8:58 pm
The flag should not be used as “wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery”,[1] or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general (exception for coffins).
That statement is from the Flag Code and, to me, means that even the lapel pins that became the rage after 9/11 are more than a bit shambolic (not symbolic.)
For all those claiming Mr. Obama to not be patriotic for not wearing a pin or believe this foolhardy e-mail stunt, remember, it’s not a pin or a gesture that are the measure of a man. It is his heart, his mind and his acts. Mr. Obama has not sullied any of these lately, but rather shown them to be steadfast and true.
January 12, 2008 at 8:31 am
I donot place my hand over my chest I do stand up out of respect I have my hands behind my back and I dont pledge the … either I am white So WHAT is the big deal doesnt this country stands for freedom of speech and freedom of religion?? Are we going back to the dark ages???? This country still has a lot to learn Critisizing other countries and look in your own backyard nothing but poverty and racism. Why dont you all admit you DONT WANT A BLACK president because the white power will have to take a step back. Why dont we all get along regardless of race??? Because your parents taught you differently?? So what makes you better than Obama
January 12, 2008 at 8:47 am
I am from a bi racial marrige and I know first hand how Americans treat me. Dont you all stare at a mixed couple and dont you all talk behind our backs??? It is not any different what you are doing with Obama I expected this kind of trash. Look what trouble your WHITE president stowed upon this country. He had an ax to grine and what did it get us disrespect from most of the world. CHANGE IS COMING get ready AMERICA
January 12, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Please tell Obama to set it straight with the American public where he stands on saying the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and also putting his hand on the Christian Bible. America is a Judah/Christian country. This is bothering a lot of people!
January 12, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Why wouldn’t you expect Obama – an excellant orator – to defend anything that is said against him – true or false? If everyone on that stage had their hand on their heart out of respect, whether it be the pledge or the anthem, why couldn’t he? Does he think he is above respect for America and all we stand for? Of course, he loves his country and wants to change it, but what country does he love most? He talked around all of the things that were said against him (and some of the facts were right on) in order to confince the intellectual that he is great – doesn’t he know that some of us are smart enough to see through his smooth talk? And we really couldn’t see him saying the “pledge” in the poor example of the video or even where he had his hand. He also said he stands for Christian “tradition.” Even Satan understands Christian “tradition” but true Christians know Obama is only saying the right things and is falsely deceiving the American public! Wise up American and use the brain your heavenly Father gave you – don’t be deceived by a smooth talker. Read Revelation!
January 14, 2008 at 12:43 pm
You know I have read all these post and I think thats its so sad. We are all of the same blood line yet we all fight about whats right and whats wrong. Im not for Obama no more than Im for Hillary. But if everyone would just read the bible some of your views and values might change. We are all under one nation under God what part are we not getting its time for the Christians to stand up and speak out. Its not about Patriotism its about God and doing what is right from our heart. Why does everything come down to race do you not know that your blood is the same as my blood we all came from the same mother and father each and everyone of us. We can no more change wars and rumors of wars than our for fathers could change Jesus going to the cross. If everyone would just take the time to read Revelations you would understand a few things. I ask for forgivness from all that I might offend but im just so sick of all the race and the hate and who’s right and who’s wrong. DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT TALKING ILL TO EACH OTHER WILL NOT CHANGE WHAT IS TO BE. But from the time I could read I was taught that we are one NATION UNDER GOD WHAT PART OF GOD DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND and by not honoring that you are saying that you do not believe in GOD nor do you have respect for the office your running for. I hate no one and I wish Obama all the best but just be honest with what and who you are. He stood for what he believes in and there for he did not place his hand over his heart so that spoke louder than words to me. ALL MEN NEED TO STAND FOR SOMETHING OR THEY WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING. GOD SAYS A HOUSE DIVIDED WILL FALL. I just ask everyone to please check there hearts and not go with there heads let love lead you not hate.
January 14, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thats very sad. That you think like that calling some such a name just shows your Ignorance. Do you even know what that word means. And for your information he mother is white. Thats really sad. And if your wondering Im white. And I was taught to respect everyone You was probley taught manners but just never follow them. I will pray for you.
January 14, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I feel if someone running for president can’t put his hand over his heart or even know the words to the pledge of allegiance SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED to represent the United States of America. Go Hilary all the way.
January 15, 2008 at 1:47 am
[...] Obama’s patriotism. These are same neoconservatives that spread the rumor that he spent several years in a madrasah. This also is not true. These are the same groups of people that stress his middle name is [...]
January 15, 2008 at 3:25 am
What are you talking about Peggy K!?? I must a have been watching a differant video than the one you were watching. In fact Obama WAS singing the words to the National Anthem, which seemed to get the audience singing as well, while Hillary stood there stiff, without moving her mouth once… seems SHE didn’t know the words to the National Anthem… Did you not watch the video where Obama led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance? Take off your blinders, open your eyes, and expand your mind. It’s ok to be for Hillary, but get your facts straight, because you are making yourself AND your political decision sound very unintelligent.
January 15, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thank you for posting this site. I have gotten about 3 of those terrible emails that have been circulating on Sen. Obama.
Because I found this site, I emailed this site to each of the folks that sent me the rumors. Hopefully, they will take the time to read the truth.
I have not made up my mind whether I am voting for Sen. Obama just yet. I do like him. These rumors had made me think about things until I found out they were not true.
In any case, I am glad to find out they were just rumors. I thought so otherwise why would he run for president. Everyone knows all the dirt comes out during elections and I don’t think they can find any without making some up…….
Good Luck to Sen. Obama.
January 15, 2008 at 6:17 pm
obama is a “muslim”…see web site (about.com:urban legends)
making him president would be no different than making a japanese our president in 1940….yes he goes to a so called christian church so he can make it appear that he is not muslim….plus the leader of the church is a hater of white people…WHY DOES HE FOLLOW THAT TYPE OF MINISTER???? people open your eyes to this fraud of a man. anyone would be better than putting this obama into office. I would not have a problem with a muslim if I could ever find just one that would say what the muslisms are going is wrong….and this man seems to feel what they are doing is okay too…he does not even want english as our offical lanaguage of our country?????
January 15, 2008 at 9:59 pm
thanks for making the truth available for those of us who don’t believe everything they hear/read. I have had this conversation about obama with other people who had heard the rumor. I directed them where to find the truth. I am not sure at this point who my vote will go towards……but I appreciate being able to know the “facts” before I vote.
January 15, 2008 at 10:02 pm
oh and if your watching MSNBC right now obama just said he is a christian and does say and lead the pledge of allegiance!!!!
January 16, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Why do some people alway want to chalk any argument against a black, hispanic, white man or woman as being racial or gender bias? Do you ever stop to contemplate that race and gender may have absolutely nothing to do with issue at hand? Miss C and Enna, it is not about the color of skin for some people. I would gladly vote for a black man or woman if they showed the integrity I feel is needed in the President. Colin Powell I have always thought would make a wonderful leader of our country as would Martin Luther King Jr. if he would have lived in our time. No matter what the color of your skin or gender I look at the person and their sincerity, integrity, and how they conduct themselves before the people they are asking to lead. I have been watching the primary’s and am worried at how cold and distance Obama seems to be during his speeches. Any person who admits that sometimes they put their hand over their heart for the pledge or anthem and sometimes they do not is a waffler. I personally do not want a waffler in office again.
I supported the last two Presidents being a Democrat when I was younger and nieve and I am now a Republican and married to a retired Army NCO. I have not changed my views, rather I have been taught to read the news from both sides and all sources before I decide what I am and what I believe, I found that I typically agree with the Republican’s. Even with this said I now see how the current President has given the American people a black eye in the face of the world nations. I also know that the former President did no better in the arena of his military prowess and some policy issues, also giving us a black eye by continuing with a lie for months on end.
Obama did not do the patriotic thing by placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem and he also was more fidgety than my son with ADHD at a baseball game, rocking back and forth. He appeared to be almost board and it seemed that he just wanted the song to be over, that, in my eyes is disrespect to all who call themselves Americans of the United States.
I will not deny that I do not look forward to this next election. I feel that none of the candidates are qualified to lead our Nation in the direction it needs to move (except maybe Edwards). Unfortunately Edwards is being pushed to the background because the Dem’s seem to want to make a statement so bad (ie… Look we hired a Woman or Black Man to represent us). Face it, as American’s we vote for who the media shoves upon us and not necessarily who is actually the best person for the job, I myself have gotten caught up in the media frenzys of the past. We love controversy and to ruffle feathers, unfortunately this will one day get us into trouble and I think sooner rather than later. Let us hope and pray that whom ever takes the stand to be sworn in office on January 20th 2009 turns out to be worthy of our trust, support and devotion to our Nation!
January 16, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Although Mr. Obama’s grandfather was no doubt well meaning, he was incorrect. According to US code (SEE BELOW), when the national anthem is being played, people should face the flag with their right hand over their heart.
TITLE 36 > Subtitle I > Part A > CHAPTER 3 > § 301
(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
(B) men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(C) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
January 16, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Well I think we all saw the same video, and he was the only one standing there not placing his hand over his heart! He looks like he is from another country and is honoring them by not saying the Pledge, and his lips were not moving. For that reason he has lost myn & my family members votes.
January 17, 2008 at 1:42 am
No doubt theres a “pro Obama slant” on this one.
January 18, 2008 at 11:26 am
[...] circulating the internet and has already been fully explained and debunked as nothing but lies. HERE Read it. [...]
January 18, 2008 at 11:53 am
You can’t blame anyone for freaking out over this kind of thing..a guy with the name Hussein running for president? This whole country is being taken over from the inside out..small towns to big businesses. Obama scares me as much as Hillary does.
January 18, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Ok I am confused here… how can someone say that Obama didn’t refuse to sing the national anthem if THERE IS A VIDEO TO PROVE IT?!?!?! The whole time it was being sung, he stood there with his hands folded, NOT with his right hand over his heart. That man is a joke and any TRUE AMERICAn wouldn’t vote for someone like that.
January 19, 2008 at 12:28 am
GO HILLARY!
January 19, 2008 at 12:29 am
i agree with shelly
January 19, 2008 at 8:58 am
To all the Hillary supporters, I want to say welcome and thanks for making yourselves known as Hillary supporters. It helps put a lot of the comments into perspective!
January 20, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I work on the Obama campaign and in no way is this true. He is a great man who is truthful and he should be our nations next president. He is human like the rest of us and makes mistakes,but he does say the pledge would he be running for presidetn if he didnt support our nation?
January 20, 2008 at 10:51 pm
No Hillary…She lies, she has been caught up in these lies and if she wins our nation will stand where it is now. ITs been Bush. Clinton. Bush, why add another clinton its obviousally not working out for us. Get somebody fresh with new ideas. Hillary helped Bill they already had there chance. If we let them have another shot at it we are making a mistake.
January 21, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I know that he is youg but, Barak should learn to place his boney little hand over his heart, That would put him in compliance with protocal for a non-uniformed person listening to our country’s national anthem.
January 22, 2008 at 7:14 am
The law saying the hand should be placed over the heart while singing the Star Spangled Banner was only passed in 1998. Before that some did and some didn’t.
I grew up in the South, and was in Scouts and a marching band which played at sports games. We never put our hand over our hearts. We were never taught to. Tell you the truth, it’s really uncomfortable if you are really going to sing.
For those of you who think the SHOW of patriotism is more important than the actual actions in getting important measures passed — particularly in supporting the veterans needs — grow up. You will be used by those who make a big show as a cover for whatever they want to do to you.
VCubed, your comment impressed me. I am pledging
to work 20 hours a week from now to Feb. 5th — and maybe to November!
January 22, 2008 at 9:59 am
Remind me NOT to have you represent me if any false accusations are ever brought against me. Viewing this website only made me believe the emails even more. You sound just like the politicians running for office. Hmmm…maybe you are a politician.
Not once did you explain the video or why his hands were down. Not once did he explain his actions. Even the quote you attached of him defending himself wasn’t clear. Instead you decided to distract us with the complaints of false accusations against Obama.
The reason I found this site was because I was looking for something to prove this picture or video isn’t true. But after checking out this site I believe Obama is wrong even more. The reason why I believe it is because ABC caught it on video too. Thanks to you the evidence is there.
I’m not focused on his bills to save the economy, or his agenda on gay rights, or the poor if he’s not first committed to America. I want an American President. I did like Obama until I realized recently that he doesn’t ever clear up any “false” information. Instead, he looks more guilty because (like you) he changes the subject to something else. You, and Obama went as far to vent about a flag pin. Was that the topic? No. His lack of allegiance is the topic.
If this isn’t true…prove it. Don’t tell me about his plans, bills, and parents. I wanna know why he didn’t place his hand over his heart. I don’t plan on voting for a man who can’t pledge his allegiance to America. America is not a religion…it’s a country. So (if) his religious rights prevents him from pledging his allegiance to America he doesn’t deserve to be president of my America.
January 22, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I tried to get him to explain the same thing in Novemebr when this string started…I’ve been waiting longer…get in line!
January 23, 2008 at 10:40 pm
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January 24, 2008 at 9:57 pm
The fact is that he did not put his right hand on his motherfucking chest. And you all are stupid.
January 28, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Grandpa was wrong in his teaching of etiquette for the National Anthem. It is never to late to learn. All Americans need to be familiar with US Code Title 36 Chapter 3. I have copied it below.
United States Code Title 36 Chapter 3 — National Anthem, Motto, Floral Emblem, and March
§301. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner
The composition consisting of the words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.
Conduct during playing — During rendition of the national anthem—
when the flag is displayed —
all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
§302. National motto
“In God we trust” is the national motto.
§303. National floral emblem
The flower commonly known as the rose is the national floral emblem.
§304. National march
The composition by John Philip Sousa entitled “The Stars and Stripes Forever” is the national march.
January 29, 2008 at 11:48 am
I watched and read about this incident on Snopes.com If your going to be running for president, you better show how patriotic you can be. He not putting his hand over his heart, or not saying the pledge is an insult to america, and the presidential office.
Your trying to sugar coat a video that clearly shows his true feelings about america.
What irks me is that black people will vote for obama, just because he is black. They could care less what he stands for. He has middle east heritage, middle name is Hussein, his father and grand father were Muslim Extremists.
No way I would want this guy to be preident. I think he would be making all kinds of hidden deals with middle east terrorists.
He does not need running for any thing.
January 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm
All the people who say Obama won’t say the pledge of allegiance, or that he’s a Muslim, or that he turns his back on the flag, or other crap like that, have either been fooled by the propaganda of others, are complete idiots, are complete racists, or a combination of any or all of these things.
When I surf the Internet and see all the many comments on different websites about these distorted and untrue claims it makes me realize that there are a lot of stupid people in this country – who probably shouldn’t be allowed to vote… though they absolutely have the right.
These extreme anti-Obama people actually make me embarrassed to be an American… and that is saying a lot, as I am a strong supporter free speech. Put another way: free speech is great, but dumb speech is embarrassing.
There are a lot of freaks and weirdos out there, I realize, whether it is stuff like this, or the crazy conspiracy theorists about 9/11, and many, many other issues and outlandish claims.
It would all be amusing IF we could be sure that we can save democracy from the clutches of idiots, a**holes and crackpots – and an inattentive public. I’m not so sure anymore.
January 30, 2008 at 2:12 am
I was in the Army for the 1st Gulf War & Bosnia. I love my country and would fight again in a heart beat for it. With that being said; I’ve been to a countless football games and not everyone puts there hand over there heart for the national anthem. And I live in Alabama…you can’t get any more True blooded American people than here. The sad thing is that what makes this country great is also what tears it apart (freedom) how can we be a country of religious freedom if we can’t accept someone other than Christian to lead it, it’s hypocritical. People have the freedom of speech; even if what they say makes your blood boil it’s still there right because of freedom to say it. It’s the same freedom I and the thousands of other solders fought for. I don’t always put my hand over my heart at the national anthem, but that doesn’t mean I’m not American. It makes me American because I have the freedom not to if I so choose.
January 30, 2008 at 1:01 pm
So Whats up with the whole “Obama can’t face Clinton while he shakes her hand”??? And the whold furrowing his eyebrows??? The Bible also says, LOVE THY ENEMY AS THY NEIGHBOR!!! Not make faces at them!
January 30, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Roger,
If I don’t wear an American Flag lapel pin, does that make me less patriotic? I don’t think so. I am a Vietnam Veteran who would fight for this country again if I was called. I don’t need a symbol to show I am patriotic. I fly the American flag 24/7, do you?
January 30, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Curtis LeGrote,
The law has been changed regarding the salute to the flag. Any Veteran may now render the proper hand salute to the flag. The person does not have to be in uniform to salute the flag just like they did when in uniform. I am proud to render the hand salute anytime the flag passes or the National Anthem is played. What upsets me most, is those who profess to be true Americans can’t seem to render the proper respect when the flag passes or the National Anthem is played. This also includes all the sports stars that earn thier millions in the free nation of the world,
The good old USA.
January 30, 2008 at 7:33 pm
The lapel pin thing doesn’t matter as much to me as the fact that he wouldn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. If you don’t support the country you are running for president in, what is the real reason that you’re running? And the fact that he is Muslim, (not that I have anything against Muslims), and we are having conflicts with Muslim countries sounds more than just fishy to me.
February 1, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Right on Mike! Your comment on January 29 says it all. I know sometimes it seems impossible, but keep the faith. I truly believe at least 51% of the populace will make the right decision and are smarter than the other 49%.
February 3, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Well, I admit that I was certainly deceived by the e-mail I received after watching You Tube, and yes, I’m very guilty having forwarded that e-mail to a few people. That video did clear up a few things in a way. But in the next You Tube video, I couldn’t see Obama anywhere in there saying the pledge with his hand over his heart. So I’m really left wondering–who’s really telling the truth? I guess that makes me the 49% who are really stupid and gullible enough to believe every e-mail that I receive rather than getting my facts straight. All I can say is, even if Obama didn’t have his hand over his heart during the pledge, hey, it’s his choice and besides, it’s a FREE country. There’s no law that says he has to. This sort of thing reminds me of Michael Newdow and his removal of God from the pledge. The way I see it, Michael Newdow is entitled to his opinion, and no one is really forcing him to recite God in our pledge. In fact, he has every freedom and every right NOT to recite the pledge. So whether Obama recited the pledge or not, I will still respect his right to do so or not.
February 3, 2008 at 2:58 pm
[...] about between Obama and Pledge of Allegiance… Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You Think On These Things Obama Nabbed by the Patriot Police – Fact Checker Other about between him and muslim… [...]
February 4, 2008 at 2:31 pm
ok if he’s not Muslim then what is he? I haven’ read anywhere what faith he does practice
February 4, 2008 at 7:56 pm
dear anonymous,
OBAMA IS A PRACTICING CHRISTIAN
Obama Has Been A Member Of Trinity United Church Of Christ For Twenty Years. Monroe Anderson stands up for Reverend Wright’s ministry, “For the past two decades, Barack Obama has been a faithful member of the congregation at Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ.” [Chicago Sun-Times, Monroe Anderson, 3/25/07]
Obama Was Baptized And Attends Church Once a Week When He is Able. In the Audacity of Hope, Obama wrote, “I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be baptized.” In 2004, he “attend[ed] the 11 a.m. Sunday service at Trinity in the Brainerd neighborhood every week — or at least as many weeks as he is able. His pastor, Wright, has become a close confidant.” When asked about his decision to be baptized, Obama said “Kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt I heard God’s spirit beckoning me,” he said of his walk down the aisle of the Trinity United Church of Christ. “I submitted myself to his will and dedicated myself to discovering his truth.” [Audacity of Hope, p.208, Chicago Sun Times, 4/5/04; AP 6/28/06]
Obama Reads The Bible, Finds Time to Pray On Campaign Trail. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “Obama says he reads the Bible, though not as regularly as he’d like, now that he’s on the campaign trail. But he does find time to pray. ‘It’s not formal, me getting on my knees,’ he says. ‘I think I have an ongoing conversation with God… I’m constantly asking myself questions about what I’m doing, why I am doing it.’” [Chicago Sun Times, 4/5/04]
Obama Held His Personal Bible When He Was Sworn-In As A U.S. Senator. “…Even before the makeshift office was up and running in the basement of a Senate building, even before he raised his hand Tuesday to take the oath of office as the junior senator from Illinois, Barack Obama was already a political rock star and a celebrated new face in Congress. He arrived Tuesday, his first official day in the Capitol…. In the circles he runs in now, celebrity status is checked at the cloakroom door…When it was finally time to take the oath, he held his personal Bible, as family from as far away as Kenya watched from the visitors’ gallery above. His daughters, Malia, 6, and Sasha, 3, in velvet dresses and patent leather shoes, bounced in their chairs when he looked up and waved.” [Los Angeles Times, 1/5/05]
February 5, 2008 at 7:33 pm
i am a union worker who recently changesd my opinion about our next presedent Mr Obama once i started supporting him the pledge issue was first thing out of republican associates mouth Thank You for setting record straight
February 5, 2008 at 8:35 pm
All idealists supporting Barrack Obama need to know this: If he is elected, there will remain 50% of the people in this country who will feel they are not represented by the person in the White House. That is a fact. Based upon what little he has said about his position on actual issues – not his lofty rhetoric “we can do it” yeah yeah – I am quite certain he will not care about me at all. If elected he will not be my President. Take it to the bank and multipy it by about 150 million. Deal with reality people. Not pretty words that mean nothing. He will not unite this country. He will further divide it.
February 5, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Obama supports all terrorist.
He is evil in disguise. Where did he come from?
He says true things but will they actually come into fruition?
He plans to put chips in people’s head (sounds like 666)
He is another version of the AntiChrist.
If he becomes elected, we’re all doomed.
The Antichrist will appear and say spread lies about PEACE when their intention is to spread CHAOS.
He will send the Middle-Easterns to kill innocents who
do not agree with Muslim teachings. If you don’t agree with reading the “Qu’ran”, then consider yourself through!
Also, what Christian in their rightful minds will allow Abortion?
It is against God’s ways, it is murder!
Obama is not Christian but he claims to be to get on America’s comfort side.
February 5, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Nicole, Barak was born in Hawaii. His mother from Kansas, his father from Kenya. He lived in Indonesia, but he is Christian. And in certain situations I believe that abortion is acceptable. Of course, it is not always ok. And adoption is a better option. Please have an open mind and try not to be so snobby. You sound like a *****!
February 6, 2008 at 1:09 am
How was what was reported a lie? Okay, this wasn’t the pledge of allegiance – it was a brutal singing of the national athem instead (where do they get these singers?). But what I DID see in this video is every person on stage standing with their hand over their heart EXCEPT FOR OBAMA WHO HAD HIS HANDS ON HIS %%$&. Now I ask you, is that an appropriate pose for the National Anthem? Why couldn’t he put his hands to his heart if he’s as patrotic as he claims?
Sorry Obama, after 200 years of men, you’re just one more. The only real change is a woman.
February 6, 2008 at 7:16 am
WilPower,
Change does not involve voting to send our troops to Iraq, which has led to the death of thousands of troops and cost us up to two trillion dollars, lowered our standing in the world, and tied up America’s hands in dealing with domestic issues like health care and education.
Change does not involve saying “lobbyists represent real Americans.”
Change does not involve working to suppress voter participation just to win.
Change does not involve supporting NAFTA which has resulted in the loss of over a million dollars and going overseas to say “outsourcing will continue”
Change does not involve supporting No Child Left Behind and then only speaking out against it once you start running for President.
Change does not involve not helping women’s rights activists in South Dakota when they asked you to (compared to Obama who did step in to help them).
If you can only define change as the type of genitalia someone has, then I worry for the fate of our country in your hands.
February 6, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I think it’s unnecessary to attack the intelligence of people who looked at the picture
of Obama, saw him with his hand NOT on his heart during the national anthem, and
thought something of it. I wonder about that myself, because I would not fail to put
my hand on my heart.
February 6, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Obama, Clinton and McCain have all told you that they will raise your taxes.
Our money is our freedom. Without it we will be marching to the beat of someone
elses drum. Namely “Big Brother”s” drum. Is that what you want for yourself, your
children or your grandchildren?
We are already taxed to the tune of 50% of our income when you add it all up.
Do I hear 60%, 70 maybe 75?
And Nafta is not the only cause of businesses leaving the country. High taxes are
another reason. If Big Brother still doesn’t have enough money to satisfy his bloated
spending habits, rest assured, he never will.
February 6, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I agree, what good is a good ole union job if we have to give away 80% of our
earnings to BBro.?
That’s about what Canadians are paying in taxes. Liberals are often touting Canada as
a model we should be following.And they brag about how Canada’s healthcare and education is free! Well, no, it isn’t. It costs them 80% of their income! Does the healthcare and education you now have cost you that much? Do you want it to? If
you do then vote for a tax and spend liberal.
February 6, 2008 at 7:14 pm
OK, first of all… who gives a flying f*** about what religion Barack Obama is? Second of all, he is a Christan right. Third, I know that Obama said that he will raise taxes, but think of this. Ronald Regan raised taxes too and he said that the econemy would be in a slump for a while, when George Sr. was in office, the econemy was good because he left it alone, then Clinton messed it all up. So in the long run, raising taxes can be a good thing.
February 7, 2008 at 9:08 am
I admit I did not read through this entire blog, it got a little redundant for me. However, I have served 14 years in the U.S. Army and gone from enlisted to officer. I Googled Obama and pledge to verify the truth. After reading this all I can say is my fellow Soldiers and I must be doing our job, just look at the freedom of speech going on here.
However, as I am a veteran of Iraq and Bosnia before that I can only say Obama did not put his hand on his heart for the anthem and Clinton had problems saluting his Marine guards. If you are going to the President of the USA, get smart on these things and do them right. I am not voting for Obama as he has not said anything to encourage me and as far as whether or not we would have been in Iraq if we had listened to him. Iraq was and is necessary what we are doing is right and if you are so concerned about Soldiers and the war sagereader, why not raise your right hand and put on a uniform. If you have worn one or are wearing one than I apologize but after reading your comments I doubt you have ever severed in the U.S. Military.
Bottom line is right to put your hand on your heart during the anthem and as someone running to be the living symbol of the USA Obama should have.
Thank you.
February 8, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Hmmm…can you really SEE him saying it? I’m not sure. Also, if you listen closely, you hear “WE pledge…” instead of “I pledge.” I’m still not sure if these accusations are true. I’m just playing the devil’s advocate.
February 9, 2008 at 9:57 am
[...] said Pledge of Allegiance! Obama said Pledge of Allegiance. Someone lied to you, if you think he [...]
February 9, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think it is time for white people to just be honest and admit they will NOT vote for Obama because he is black.
BTW, since some of you are rabid in promoting Obama’s evilness in not placing his hand over his heart during the Anthem…are you even aware that to turn one’s back to the FLAG during recitation of the Pledge or National Anthem is extremely disrespectful as well? Check that video again and see Hillary and Edwards with their backs to the flag. Now, make excuses for them…I feel it coming.
Being a female who served in the armed forces from 1990-1994 (hmmm, that would make me a veteran of Desert Storm, now wouldn’t it), a mother of one, and a southerner, I think the rest of you carping on what you think is disrespectful is sheer idiocy. Unless you personally have defended this country by wearing combat boots, you need to sit down and shut up slamming someone else on their level of patriotism because you’ve made no sacrifices yourself.
“Thou shalt not lie.” And my personal favorite, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Christians conveniently forget those two commandments when it behooves their stand.
February 9, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I love the theory…
If you don’t vote for Obama…you hate black people.
If you don’t vote for Clinton…you hate women.
This is a very interesting corner the Democratic Party has backed itself into. The Dems should have been able to waltz into the White House, due to the failed/perceived failed efforts of the current administration.
February 10, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Opposition to Obama has nothing to do with his being black. As a white woman, there are a number of blacks I would support for President: Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Ward Connerly, Michael Steele, to name a few. Any blacks who make that accusation need to admit they are voting for Obama only because he is black. Is that any better?
No, I will not vote for Obama because he is the most liberal member of the US Senate. Liberals believe government is the solution of first resort to all American’s problems. I believe government should be the solution of last resort. It’s that simple.
Obama as Commander-In-Chief? He is in no way qualified. He does not have a clue. Those who think Obama will unify this country are dreaming. He will divide it even more.
February 11, 2008 at 11:31 am
Ok, Salinemom I won’t lie, I DO NOT want a black man running this country, period!
February 11, 2008 at 9:41 pm
The picture does not lie people. That is very unpatriotic to NOT pledge the allegiance and try to run the great country of America. Do keep in mind all the people who died to form what our country is now. Obama is receiving the country on a golden platter and he obviously does not have what it takes religiously to accept that platter from the brave men and women who fought for this country. This country is founded under God, not “Change”. He will change our country for the worst.
February 12, 2008 at 11:23 am
All of this discussion over whether Barak Obama loves his country or not. This is just ridiculous, and might I add more than a little sad. But sadly, this type of behavior has come to be expected. Fortunately, most people today have seen it before, and know it for what it is.
February 14, 2008 at 7:57 pm
First, I must say is that Sen. Obama is and has been a member of a church that was under the pastoralship of Rev./Dr. Jeremiah Wright. This pastor is well known within his own right in the Christian community and abroad. You can read about him on a website for Trinity Baptist Church in Chicago, Illnois.
Secondly, Sen. Obama is a very intelligent man, and I am sure that he knows the difference between singing the National Anthem, and reciting the Pledge of Alligance, in a standing position, in front of our national flag with your right hand over your heart.
Third, if the generation of people who were born after the baby boomer generation took the time to educate their children better in the doctrine of our country, United States of American, then their should be no negative comments of such about the Senator.
Lastly, People will always resist change, it is up to the leader to influence change. Those who are against change would rather stay in a small box and continue to be comfortable while the rest of the world moves forward for the betterment of all.
February 16, 2008 at 4:29 pm
This is amazing.
People are still posting here claiming it was the pledge. Doesm’t anyone bother to read articles before they post?
1) Senator Obama was not “raised as a muslim” for any part of his life. His father was an atheist who left when he was two years old. In Indonesia, he attended both and indonsesia public school, which taught muslim, christian, and buhddist children together, and where the boys and girls play soccer together and wear uniforms of the sort one would see at any American Catholic school…and also attended a Catholic school.
2) He was raised largely by his grandparents, in Hawaii.
3) He took the oath of office on the bible he has owned for 20 years.
4) He joined a congregational church in 1988, and was baptised in 1991. Having been raised by an atheist mother and believing but not religously active grandparents, it took him years to find his faith.
5) He bungled the proper etiquette during the anthem. So did John Edwards. Why are there no chain-emails about John Edwards?
6) Standing respectfully for the anthem is NOT “making a statement”.
February 17, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I still don’t understand why this is not front page news. I am a history professor who took the weekend, grabbed 15 or so books, and hit the net with four students.
We are all liberals.
I say this because i want you to know I loved him and supported him because I believed in change. Any change. Anything different. That is how desperate we are. I will not name the University I teach at and drag them into this post.
We did indeed find that he was raised a Muslim until age 15, and everyone knows don’t they that a Muslim will NOT site the pledge and or the anthem. Nor will they put their hand over their heart in support. It’s impossible. Now there are images we found of Obama doing so but I suppose I would have to bend my beliefs a little too if I wanted mutual support.
I was shocked to find out that he attends a separatists church. For those that go and see his church, or even walk in, and or non-black attends you will feel the feeling I had when I attended one Sunday. I felt like it was an “all black” thing and I felt left-out. Its one of those things where you can tell its all about “lifting up blacks”. Now I have nothing against this at all, but under God isn’t everyone the same? His Pastor endorses Muslims and is also very well known in the Muslim community. He recently appointed and honored a Muslim as “man of the year”. I wont say the name, but you can search it easily.
Now as we began to dig, we discovered many things that have been removed, hidden, and even lost. While he is a good speaker, he has absolutely NO experience. The only think he has going for him is his ability to “charm” a crowd. But good grief, is this what we want in a President?
I will be voting for McCain, and I am a hardcore Democrat.
February 18, 2008 at 11:41 am
Everyone that agrees that Obama did nothing wrong needs to be a member of Al-Quida or the Taliban this is a Disgrace to say that because he did not hold his hand over his heart was because it was the National Anthem and not the Pledge of Alliegance. Well answer this Question if he is to become President because we have a bunch of Blind people in this Country do you think during his Anauguration at the part he says Under God will he actually say it or will he say Under Al-lah think about it a Muslim for President what is this Country thinking. If this is the case everyone that agrees with him just needs to go to Iraq and Afganistan Like I have, to fight for you all and see exactly how those people think. First off Women have no rights, Children are slaves or beaten among some of the women. Is this how you want it because with him in office over time it will happen and then in America there will be another Civil War and Americans are letting this happen. You the People, We the People are letting Terorists run this country if he is to make up in the White House. Think People. Use Common sense.
February 18, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I’m amazed that people can watch this video and SEE that it was NOT the Pledge, but the National Anthem and still say it was a disgrace. Ignorance saddens me and there are so many ignorant people in this Country that won’t take the time or energy to research their facts. Maybe it’s a lack of intelligence, but that scares me even more because the same ignorant people will be allowed to vote.
Oh, and btw, I watched the NASCAR race yesterday and when the National Anthem was sang, very few people had their hands over their heart, especially the drivers. So, are these NASCAR drivers and fans (who are supposed to be such good Americans) also unpatriotic? Should we stop watching the races because they don’t support the Anthem? LOL
I agree with Alan in that people should use common sense, but let’s put more emphasis on SENSE and less on the common.
February 18, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I hold a potential leader of the largest country in the free world to a higher standard than I would a race car driver. Maybe that is wrong of me, but I am funny like that.
February 18, 2008 at 9:41 pm
i like how people are walking by and too wrapped up in their photography instead of taking the time to sing the anthem themselves. They sure did catch obama without his hand over his heart but what were they doing when they took the picture.
February 19, 2008 at 12:05 am
Ok I guess everytime the National Anthem is played and All of us service members Solute to it because it is a Tradition and its an Honor to serve this counrty and Show the Respect towards it, I am going to take a step back and not salute only because I know that if he is my commander in chief that he to will not be rendering the salute with honor well comes to this: I, nor many other service members will NOT Honor his Orders due to how much disrespect he and his supporters have towards this country.
This Country Will go to Hell because there will not be many people left willing to sacrifice there life for another person. You All will see your Freedom will be Let Go.
And what the hell does a race care driver have to do with any of this. They could care less about what is being played or said. We are talking about a person that is trying to be our next leader not somene that does 500 miles around a race track. Come on think before you speak.
Muslims in the world only want one thing and that is for everyone to believe everything they believe in. Well the time is coming for all you supporters out there. Read the History, Break out the history books and read all about the Civil Wars that are going on in todays world because of beliefs its all because they want everyone to be like them and praise and believe everything they believe in. Obama is right he wants change, he wants everyone to change to his beliefs. No Freedom.
Good Luck to this Country
February 19, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I was sent an e-mail that stated Obama was not American concerned. I found, by accident, the snope.com about Obama and how he stated he was a christian and it showed him opening the senate with the pledge. I wanted to share this video clip with my co-workers to prove to them that the propaganda they were forwarding to others was incorrect. But when I went to the site and tried to play the YouTube video clip it states “Sorry this is no longer available.” I do wish you would post it again and keep it available for a longer period of time. This is not just some silly e-mail that someone is continuing to send out, but it is inflamatory and it is a deframation of Obama’s character just because of who he is. It is time we as American people wake up and start investigating rumors and try and find the truth before we forward inflamatory e-mails of that nature.
I do not know who I will vote for president yet, but I do know that when I do vote, I will have a little more knowledge of the candidates by researching, not taking someone elses word for it.
I believe that Obama will help to change things in our country; but I also believe that it is not geing to be easy for him if he is elected president.
God bless American and those who truly are proud to be Americans and love American people.
February 19, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Jeanne thanks for your note. I just put up another video of Obama saying the pledge. I hope it is helpful to you.
February 19, 2008 at 6:32 pm
You must be kidding. I served in the military. You must put your hand over your heart for the National Anthem. Any alien applying for citizenship knows that. Also, if you have studied and practiced Islam you would know that a Muslim cannot swear allegiance to other than Mohammed. Your stupid movies sold your candidate down the tubes you silly blogger. Listen to the voice of Osama who DID NOT say the entire pledge. You must be kidding. And look at his official biography. There are horribly grosse incongruencies. And if you don’t think that ALL Muslim schools teach “death to all non-Muslims” then you haven’t read a single chapter of the Koran-the most militant theocracy available. Muslim brainwashing starts at birth and is very effective-look at the suicide bombers excellent brainwashing. There are no rights for women or non-Muslims in Islam. If Osama has distanced himself from his two fathers and Islam, then he should be clear about it instead of denying it. Osama never answers any questions directly, he simply plays on sentiment and is using the race card to get elected in a campaign where anything but a Republican will win. Cheap shot Obama. Obama cannot escape his Muslim brainwashing and since he doesn’t even admit it-that itself is his own condemnation. Plus his thinking isn’t clear and his writing is an insult of plagerism. He steals every catch-phrase, gives no credit, and then doesn’t show he understands the concepts he stole from ML King, Gandhi, and others. If Obama isn’t a Muslim plant, then he needs to be honest about his brainwashing and his two militant fathers. And his “followers” should wake up and listen to what he is saying.
February 20, 2008 at 8:18 am
honorably discharged -
“Plus his thinking isn’t clear and his writing is an insult …”
Looks like you’re projecting your own failures onto the Senator. Not only are you badly misinformed on virtually every statement you made, you don’t even make sense.
Ranting is an admirable profession, but if you haven’t got the facts, which you don’t, your rant convinces no one except people as ignorant and unwilling to dig for the facts as you are.
But good luck with that. Keep it up. You’ll likely succeed in pushing a few people over to my side of the fence.
February 20, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I have a hard time believing the ‘letter from Generals’. Last night he was in Houston and several phrases were identical to what was put in the letters….think plagerism!!! ~
February 20, 2008 at 10:22 pm
The Right winged smear campaign has begun! What was the date and time of this alleged occurrence? What was the event for, where they had to say the pledge? Lastly, the man in the front does not look like Senator Barack Obama, our next President of the United States.
Fuck the Flag. Pledge to DEFEND the Constitution!
Check out for your selves idiots: they were not saying the Pledge at all, but listening to fat Mama Bush sing (massacre) the National Anthem!
I think America has become wise to the Lying, cheating, perverted,chicken hawk,deception, and hypocrisy of the Republican Party to be fooled by these antics.
February 21, 2008 at 2:33 am
I do not think that it is ignorance to say that Obama will not place his hand on his heart. There are many more issuses that are on mind. You can also say that he will not wear a U.S. flag on his lapel. I do not think that anyone at this point should be playing the “Race Card”. I don’t see this as a Black or White issue either. I believe the issue that is in the back of all our minds is, does he truly believe in GOD or alah. I don’t believe that I have heard him make reference to GOD in any of his speeches. It has been said Osama Bin Laden would attempt destoy the U.S. from the inside out. Because of his connection to the Muslim religion, I cannot take the chance on this man. Please…please…please consider this when you cast your VOTE now, or in November. The best man for the job is a WOMAN, as for me I will support experience and not take a chance on inexperience. Whatever happens, GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
February 21, 2008 at 10:36 am
Who cares!!! All three of the top candidates are ANTI-GUN and are, by their own definition, against YOUR constitutional rights! I know, here comes all the anti-gun libbys chompin’ at the bit… just remember it’s a RIGHT, whether you choose to use it or not; and if all three candidates are willing to take away one of your rights, what makes you think that they would not hesitate to take more! We as Americans don’t have a choice for the greater good…we have a choice for the lesser evil. The whole lot of them are the worst bunch of candidates since the Ford/Carter campaigns. I keep hearing about experience vs. inexperience… if that was the case then your only choice is McCain. He has the longest time in politics. In fact, I think he actually signed the declaration of independence. Really now, what the hell has Hillary ever done except spend eight years in the Whitehouse mad at her husband?!?! …and that other guy Obama??? OBAMA YO’ MAMA!!! Sure he is totally captivating when he speaks. The masses are completely in awe at his every word, kinda like the germans were with Hitler ( not saying Obama is Hitler ) it’s just freaky how he sways the common man. I just can’t see how anyone could ever trust anything a politician tells them. It’s not God bless America, it’s God HELP America and quick PLEASE!
February 21, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I have been reading this page and love to see all of the ignorance of people. I believe all of us at one time or another heard the National Anthem and did not place a hand over our heart, but should we all be bashed and thrown to the wolves? I could care less what he does during the National Anthem as long as he knows what he is doing and does a better job than the past few Presidents at handling our nations affairs.
I see a lot of comments that come from ignorant people who say Obama is a Muslim when the man has confessed the name of Jesus on his website and even spoken out against many of these small little smearings. One more reason why you should probably do research before posting crap like that. I myself proclaim Jesus as my Lord and yet it pains me to see so many of my fellow Christians ignorantly pushing different slanders. Obama confesses Christ on his website if you go look at his videos and even has a whole section devoted to Faith.
STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOU HEAR! Start doing some research instead of looking at what spam e-mail tells you. I’m sure we also believe that when the spam e-mails tell you that if you buy their product you will become “Rich in seconds!” we all jump at it. Are you really this gullible!?
Truthfully, I feel we are in a dry place when it comes to people being patriotic. People have seen so much crap from politics it has killed our idea of the United States. We have now become so divided between Republic and Democrat that even if the other guy has better ideas we are still going to vote for “our” party. Stop categorizing the candidates and actually begin to look at their views!
If you want to start making arguments against someone you better have done your research or else someone who has will come and blow you off your little pedestal. Notice how I have yet to kick any other candidates during this comment because I am guilty of not always knowing the facts of different issues, but I am sure that I am correct in saying that politics has become too focused on slandering the opposition than presenting the facts. Let’s begin ignoring these attacks and start looking at the facts and issues before judging.
February 22, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I agree completely with Tony above. I am a 10-year veteran of the USMC. I have seen my share of death in the time that I served for my country. Did I always agree with what we were doing? No, …but I believed in my country and marched on regardless.
But now it seems this country is falling apart. I am so sick of people who come to this country from third world countries that are falling apart, and then want to change everything about our country to more or less turn it into the third world country they came from. We are the most free nation in the world. We were founded on Christian principles, and everything worked out great. We don’t need to change what worked. We allowed people the freedom to come into this country to make a better life for themselves, to practice their own religion, etc. However, these very people are undermining the TRUE (American Christian) way of life. Taking these freedoms, and manipulating them to do things like taking the 10-commandments out of the schools, wanting to remove God from the pledge of allegiance, wanting to remove God from our currency, etc. etc. If you don’t like it, then go back to your third world country! Do you realize you can’t read the bible in school but you can in prison? Oh my God, help us all!
I can tell you as a veteran that Obama is NOT the person for this presidency, nor is Hillary. Everyone wants to blame Bush Jr. for everything. Well, I served under his father, and I believe in him. No one cares that Bill Clinton (a draft dodger with no military experience) spent 8-years undermining the security of this great nation. And what happened? 9/11 …thats what! And for all of you who don’t believe in this War, look at the total number of people lost in 9/11. Then look at the total number of people lost to this war so far, and compare them. Sacrifices have to be made to keep this country free. I realize that hurts for people who have lost immediate family, but it is the cold hard truth of the world we live in. If this war didn’t exist to keep these extremists at bay, it is untelling how many more lives may have been lost by now from terrorist acts.
Every presidential candidate talks about change, and Obama is just as full of shit as all of them. I don’t believe a word he says. And the long speech in the post above about all the white Christians in congress would stop Obama from ever being able to do whatever, what a load of crap. Why? Why should you even have to defend him with that kind of logic? I’ll tell you why, because as I said, he is NOT the man for the job. And Hillary will never be president, because there is no way we could stay the super power that we are with a woman in the drivers seat. And before all of you women who want to be men, lose it and want to start bashing what I am saying, it has nothing to do with a woman being able to do the job, but more to do with all the third world countries who would look at this nation as a weaker nation with a woman running it. Everyone needs to look at the BIGGER picture, and understand why we are the 911 of the WORLD. Why people have this FALSE belief that we can just sit over hear, be quiet and timid, and remain the super power that we are is so far beyond me that I absolutely cannot comprehend such a train of thought!
WAKE UP PEOPLE! DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO BE FREE?
February 22, 2008 at 2:27 pm
If Obama’s grandfather taught Obama at age 2 proper etiquette to the flag, he taught him WRONG See below
… Salutes and Respect When the flag is being carried in a parade or other kind of demonstration, it needs to be to the marchers’ right. Spectators should salute (see below) while standing and facing the flag when it goes by. A proper salute for a civilian not in uniform is to place the right hand over the heart. Hats should be removed and held to the left shoulder, with the right hand on the heart while holding the hat. Stand facing the flag with right hand over heart when saying the pledge of allegiance. When the National Anthem is being sung or played, the salute (right hand over heart) should be held from the beginning of the anthem to the very end. Face the flag while doing this. If the venue is a location that is not displaying a flag, then the salute would be toward the music.
February 23, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Thank you for this. Rep. Kingston (R) Georgia mentioned these issues on last night’s Rel Time with Bill Maher and I found your site when I searched for the “real” story.
Thank you.
February 23, 2008 at 1:59 pm
In the video people are moving around, no one is singing other than Obama. Do you feel they are Anti Americans. Get real people. I dont put my hand over my heart and most of the time I just listen when other people are saying the Pledge. How many times have you done that?
February 23, 2008 at 5:04 pm
To address Crumbie’s statement, on my 24″ screen, I do not see it the same way in the video content provided. I can say I have personally never done that, nor has anyone in my family or circle of friends. As for the second part of the post, I believe Crumbie’s statement here is a perfect example of someone that takes the freedom of this great nation for granted, which inadvertently becomes a catalyst in the undermining of this great nation.
I have traveled this entire globe, and have been fortunate to see and experience many different countries and cultures. My friend’s often ask me of my travels and experiences with such great excitement and anticipation in there eyes. And I always have the same answer. The chance to visit these other countries for the experience is quite enligtening, for a brief time that is. You do not have to be in a country outside of this great nation long to realize the freedom’s you have grown so accustom to as an American, simply do not exist there. And for that reason, there is truly no place like home for me, which is right here in the greatest nation in the world. The United States of America.
I can only imagine, an individual such as “Crumbie” has never had the opportunity to travel to any third world countries outside of this great nation. Else, this individual would realize the freedom we are afforded here is not one to be taken for granted.
This is by no means meant to be degrading to Crumbie in any way, but rather a hopefully enlightening perspective to Crumbie’s statement.
February 24, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Obama doesn’t support America….he “blames” America. In my book, he is the “Anti-Patriot” who fails to understand that Freedom is not without cost or sacrifice. 911 attacks will become commonplace on U.S. soil if Obama becomes President. He will not be the Commander-In-Chief with the will and the commitment to “protect” our nation and its sovereignty.
February 24, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I would just like to say that I concur with both Bill’s statement concerning the flag above, as well as W. Park’s statement concerning Senator Obama’s non-support for this great nation. I truly hope others who find this website will also find the truth within it.
And that truth is quite simply that Senator Obama is NOT the person for this presidency! Again, and as before, I can only ask: DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO BE FREE?
February 24, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I’m an Obama supporter and have a real concern with this misinformation about him not saying the pledge or crossing his heart during the pledge of alligence. There are a lot of people judging him and not voting for him based on the false information. I wish that this article could be part of another show or tv ad. We need to get the record straight!
February 25, 2008 at 2:28 am
Alright, Already…..so all of you Obama haters are saying that to say what? What difference does it make insofar as his placing his hand over his heart????? DUH…
Clinton had his hand over his heart whenever he pledged alligence and what difference did it make. Speaking of respect…How low can you go having sexual favors performed in the Oval Office of the White House where you live with your wife and kids..under that same roof ??? (with your hand over your heart).
Placing your hand over your heart doesn’t make you oh so patriotic, or respectful of people, the American flag or the White house or America.
Was Bill Clinton, while President, (Hillary lived there too), pledging alligence when he was in the Oval Office with the Monica chick all the while Osama and his folk were planning the attack on New York????? and where was Hillary during this time? Somewhere pledging allegence to the Flag?
If you don’t want to vote for Obama…don’t. Leave him alone, or if you Obama haters feel that you would make a better President, then why don’t some of you smart aleks run.
February 25, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I have heard that if Barack is sworn in as the president, his left hand will be on the korean holy book of islam giving his pleadge of office under allah and not the Holy Bible under GOD.
IS THIS TRUE???
February 25, 2008 at 3:01 pm
This statement is to address both the statement from “AmyOinTexas” above, as well as the statement from “VWCAL”.
The real issue at hand here is not how patriotic Obama may or may not be. The real issue at hand is if this man is the right candidate for our next President, or for those of us who are veterans, our next Commander In Chief”. And the bottom line in my opinion is quite simple. He is NOT the candidate for the job.
Most eveyeone here defending Obama, are doing so because they want to be part of the next hip thing. Being pressured into what there opinion should be from peers, and not really taking the time to consider the facts. One major fact of which, Obama does NOT even have the experience necessary for the position of the President of the United States.
Obama is good at one thing, and that is manipulation. Taking advantage of people’s dissatisfaction with President Bush (although he was voted into office twice by those same supposed dissatisfied people), and talking about how he is going to change everything.
People need to wake up and realize this is not an episode of “24″, and Obama is by no means going to be a “President David Palmer” as seen on this TV series played by actor “Dennis Haysbert”, who is now the spokes person for Allstate Insurance.
Obama has NO experience !!! Anyone and everyone that votes for Obama to be the next president of this great nation, is quite simply undermining this great nation and the very freedoms we have from it.
I keep hearing all of these Obama supporters talking about the rest of us getting our facts straight. Well, all of these Obama supporters, the one’s who are undermining our very freedom, and the stability of this great nation, need to get their facts straight. The most major of which, is that Obama does NOT have the necessary experience to lead this great nation, to keep us a great nation, to preserve our freedom and way of life, etc. etc. etc.
Out of the current candidates running for President, there is only but one who can continue to carry the torch of this great nation as it was intended since July 4th 1776, 232 years ago now. And that person is Senator John McCain.
I am by no means an activist for Senator McCain, but a realist for my country and my freedom. And out of all the current Presidential candidates, only Senator McCain truly has the experience necessary to run this country!
Yet again I say: WAKE UP PEOPLE! DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO BE FREE?
February 25, 2008 at 3:05 pm
If you look closely at the video in question (placing hand over heart) you will see AMERICAN CITIZENS in the audience walking around, taking pictures and several with their hats on? I’ve been to hundreds of sporting events and see a lot of folks failing to pay resept to the flag. This election is starting to be like two year olds fighting with one another. Stick to the issues and VOTE already.
February 25, 2008 at 3:17 pm
In response to the “Ruben H” statement above, this person clearly did not read the entire site. Only the first few paragraphs and then simply threw in two worthless cents.
I would ask this individual to at least read my statement directly above the one he just posted.
February 25, 2008 at 3:21 pm
OK….STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT! WE ARE GOING TO ENDUP WITH THIS IGNORAMOUS AS A FFN PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF DUMASSES LIKE THE ONES WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE. IF YOU PASS THIS CHAIN ACROSS….MAKE SURE YOU PASS THIS TIDBIT ALONG WITH IT…I WILL USE HIS OWN QUOTE FROM THIS ARTICLE.
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF OBAMA IS HONEST OR IF HE IS REALLY JUST ANOTHER BS LIBERAL POLITICIAN?
OBAMA QUOTE : “But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. NOT VOTING to provide veterans with resources that they need. NOT VOTING to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time.”
NOW I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS TO GO TO ON THE ISSUES.COM OR ANY OTHER SITE THAT YOU WOULD PREFER AND CHECK OUT HIS ACTUAL VOTING RECORD. BARAK OBAMA HAS MORE NV(NO VOTES) THAN ANY OTHER SENATOR IN THE PAST 2 YEARS….OH WAIT…..OBAMA HAS ONLY BEEN A SENATOR FOR 4…..YOU GUYS ARE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF MEDIA DRIVEN SHEEP!
February 25, 2008 at 3:23 pm
OK….STOP ALL THE BULLSHIT! WE ARE GOING TO ENDUP WITH THIS IGNORAMOUS AS A FFN PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF DUMASSES LIKE THE ONES WHO WROTE THIS ARTICLE. IF YOU PASS THIS CHAIN ACROSS….MAKE SURE YOU PASS THIS TIDBIT ALONG WITH IT…I WILL USE HIS OWN QUOTE FROM THIS ARTICLE.
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW IF OBAMA IS HONEST OR IF HE IS REALLY JUST ANOTHER BS LIBERAL POLITICIAN?
OBAMA QUOTE : “But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. NOT VOTING to provide veterans with resources that they need. NOT VOTING to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time.”
NOW I WOULD LIKE ALL OF YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS TO GO TO ON THE ISSUES.COM OR ANY OTHER SITE THAT YOU WOULD PREFER AND CHECK OUT HIS ACTUAL VOTING RECORD. BARAK OBAMA HAS MORE NV(NO VOTES) THAN ANY OTHER SENATOR IN THE PAST 2 YEARS….OH WAIT…..OBAMA HAS ONLY BEEN A SENATOR FOR 4…..YOU GUYS ARE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF MEDIA DRIVEN SHEEP!
February 25, 2008 at 3:24 pm
In response to “Hudson’s” statement above:
Thank you sincerely! I completely agree!
February 25, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Thank you TL….keep up the fight. I dont know if you are conservative but Honesty is supposed to be our strong suit….. We need to be honest in disputing the democrats. It will be an ironic and horrible thing when its the democratic party that is looked at as the honest party. The media is liberal ….the media is biased….They will make thier candidate look as though they are innocent…I hear you who disagree call BS on that last statement….but if you can remember not even a year ago….it was clinton getting all the headlines and clinton getting all the publicity and when the media realized who was the better electable candidate and once obama had recieved most of the large endorsements….it was then Obama who recieved the air time and praise……but you must understand that no one is innocent. Obama and the democrats are full of lies and this is not a hate statement. It is not hard to find honest research to support it. Obama speaks better than Clinton himself….oh how can we forget what the conclusion of that term ending up being. I will not tell you who to vote for but what i can say is this….. Research everywhere! Find the truth for yourself and be true to yourself…if we refuse to be honest to ourselves how then can we be honest to another. All of those who believe that Obama is the next JC….I would ask you to rethink that….He is nothing but another politician with his own selfish agenda!
February 25, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Hudson, it is not true that Obama has more NV than any other senator in the past two years.
McCain has missed the most votes of the nominees over the past two years
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/04/mccain_most_absentee_08_senato.html
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2007/05/mccain_misses_42_straight_vote.html
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccains-missed-votes-on-iraq-trigger-reid-rebuke-2007-05-17.html
Obama missed the most of any *Democratic nominee* during a two month period in 2007
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/02/obama.missed.votes/
Hillary has missed the most in 2008 between her and Obama
http://blogs.reuters.com/trail08/2008/02/13/clinton-leads-obama-in-missed-senate-votes/
February 25, 2008 at 4:39 pm
In response to “Hudson’s” statement above:
I concur completely. People MOST DESPERATELY need to RESEARCH THE TRACK RECORD of the candidates involved.
FALLING VICTIM TO PEER PRESSURE FROM THE MEDIA, IS BY NO MEANS THE ANSWER FOR CHANGE IN THIS GREAT NATION!
I am so tired of liberalists manipulating the freedoms this great nation has afforded them, and watching this country slowly crumble because of it.
February 26, 2008 at 1:10 am
Still, Why wasn’t he sworn in on the Holy Bible, yet used the Koran? If he is a Christian as some say, then Why?
February 26, 2008 at 6:22 am
Your con spin his pledge refusal anyway you want, but even your video and pictures show that He does not have his hand over his heart as his grandfather taught him.
End of story!
But wait until the homosexual and drug use allegations are finally exposed far and wide. Your candidate is a fraud, although a charismatic fraud, still a fraud none the less. Oh and by the way Hitler was very charismatic person himself and spoke of change and national unity. He brought change alright and it took 58,000,000 lives to get rid of the change he brought.
February 26, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I would not be surprised if it was the Clinton Hate Machine that started that spam email.
Democrats against Hillary Clinton:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10730606662
February 26, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Obama isn’t the one that doesn’t know how to properly conduct himself during the national anthem:
http://current.com/items/85603711_fox_news_makes_big_deal_over_obama_forgets_bush
No one can make the US look any dumber than this guys has.
February 26, 2008 at 11:48 pm
To whoever wrote the opening rant. I saw Obama first when he spoke at the DNC in 2004. He was an impressive speaker. That being said, I’m not really excited about any of the candidates.
The real deal is this:
Politics is dirty, the net is full of BS and people can be sheep. Sometimes I think we should just let Randy, Paula and Simon pick a president.
I was sympathetic to your point until your true colors came screaming out with that “republicans” comment.
You see, unlike you, I’m offended when democrats lie too. Yes Virginia, the left takes a back seat to no one when it comes to intolorance, lies and general BS. I’m offended by lies from our politicians, the media, the mindless sheep that parrot bumper stickes; regardless of their party.
As for Obama, he may be OK or not. Time will tell so I will leave with a rough quote from an audio clip I heard last week from Susan Sarandon. “…I’m supporting Barack Obama….. I can’t wait to see what he stands for!”
I kid you not!
February 27, 2008 at 1:32 am
People MOST DESPERATELY need to RESEARCH THE TRACK RECORD of the candidates involved.
FALLING VICTIM TO PEER PRESSURE FROM THE MEDIA,
(OR FROM ACTORS/ACTRESSES), …. like “Mrit Friner” above…
IS BY NO MEANS THE ANSWER FOR CHANGE IN THIS GREAT NATION!
Yet again I say, I am so tired of liberalists manipulating the freedoms this great nation has afforded them, and watching this country slowly crumble because of it. I hope to God Obama does not become the Commander In Chief of this great nation! It shall truly be a sad day in history for us all if he does! He has no experience, and speaks of nothing, …yet people continue to be in awe of him simply because the media attempt to make him appear as the end all be all answer for this great nation.
How blind are the people who support such a candidate to lead this great nation? In my own personal opinion, everyone on this blog who supports Obama, are supporters of tearing this great nation apart at the seems, and turning it into just another third world country !!!
February 27, 2008 at 11:21 pm
TL, It seems to me that you may be under the impression that I am an Obamaniac and that I am on the same page as Ms Sarandon. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do aknowledge Mr Obama’s strengths as I see them but I’ll be voting republican thank you.
As for Mrs Tim Robbins, I was goofing on her, ( an easy thing to do) ……..you see, she says she supports Obama but apparantly has no clue what he stands for. Her words, not mine.
I hope this clears things up.
Mrit
February 28, 2008 at 4:40 am
In response to “Mrit Friner’s” statement above:
Thank you sincerely Mrit for the clarification. I had indeed misunderstood you, and I truly apologize if my response offended you in any way. I too will indeed be voting republican.
I am a veteran, and love my country. Sometimes, the passion I hold for my freedom, and for that of my family’s, could be misconstrued as somewhat aggressive. It truly pains me however as each year passes, and I see the very country I was born and raised in, the country I love, the country I fought for, slowly but surely being undermined and torn apart.
You see, as a veteran, the President’s title is “Commander in Chief”. And I have always had a hard time with anyone holding such a position that had no military experience whatsoever. It is my firm belief that some form of military service should be a requirement to even become the President of the United States of America. For I truly believe one needs to have a military background to understand why we have the freedom we do, and the price we paid for it.
To see a President like President Clinton hold office for 8-years and shut down numerous military bases, make uncalled for cutbacks in national defense, and essentially make us a weaker nation pained me to no end. And what became of it? Yes, our economy was in slightly better shape, but after spending 8-years weakening this great nation, … 9/11 occurs.
Was the slightly better economy worth that price? We have essentially been given three candidates for this Presidency. Obama, Clinton, and McCain. Out of the three, only John McCain has the political experience, and the military background to truly be a leader for this great nation.
I could go on for hours about this, and to no end. However, the bottom line in what I have to say in this response is quite simple, …”Thank You!”
February 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Regardless he is Muslim and we are at war with a Muslim nation…Are you people dumb? They said they would destroy us from the inside out…well hmph how better to do that than with a MUSLIM COMMANDER IN CHEIF! Are you crazy?
(Site owner’s note: Bug’s comment above is not true. Barack Obama is a Christian and has been a member of the United Church of Christ where he was married and his children were baptized for over 15 years.)
February 28, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I am so angry and disappointed in people who continuously give the reason that Obama doesn’t say the pledge of allegience as the sole reason not to vote for him. The fact that this website clearly disproves that false claim is enough to send me through the room and call all my closet-racist friends and show them how wrong they are. Not to make a huge race deal out of everything, but why when the black man does one wrong thing (which was false in the first place) he’s automatically not a prime candidate? Why don’t people just really say that the problem is something else than a simple action? Oh, but it’s okay that Hilary Clinton has a page long list of crimes and offenses. It’s okay that McCain has spent more than 5 years in torture and is approaching the near-death age of 77 and he can hardly get around.
Apparently, Obama is a radical Muslim, a heretic, a disavowing American, and doesn’t have enough Washington experience. Well, you know what? I say thank god, because we have to much “Washington experience” and we need a well-liked triple-threat upon that presidency. Several presidents don’t have experience, but they know enough to make it through.
Obama ‘08
February 29, 2008 at 5:22 am
In response to “Claire’s” statement above:
Please do not be offended Claire, but it is more than evident in the statement you made, that it was driven from assumptions you clearly have about why you think the public doesn’t want, as you so clearly put it; “a black man” as president.
Sure, this blog may have started from concerns of the pledge of allegiance, and the lapel flag pin, but the true meaning behind this all is Obama’s ability to effectively lead this great nation. As for that, he has said nothing in his campaign. His words are empty, and his experience is truly lacking regardless of his race. These are simply the facts.
I could only wonder where your loyalty would stand should Obama be elected President, and all your dreams of what he could do for this great nation were shown to truly be nightmares of what never came to be.
I would also wonder if:
(1) You felt strongly enough about supporting Obama to read this blog in its entirety before making your comment, and
(2) If you had, then why not address some of the more realistic and logical concerns from those of us who want to see our children grow up in a the most free nation in the world, and watch there kids then enjoy that same freedom?
I sincerely hope that my words have brought insight to the readers of this blog to allow them to make a more informed and logical decision rather than one based on anger and assumptions.
The bottom line Claire, Obama could have put this entire thing to rest very easily. He could have appeared at any of his debates or rallies and publicly pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America while wearing a flag lapel pin on national TV, but he has chosen not to. If Obama is so brilliant, then why not answer the concerns of the Americans he supposedly wants to represent, rather than allowing something like this to get blown so far out of proportion? When this first became a concern, if Obama would have simply done just that, it would have put an end to this entire thing, and though it would not have swayed my vote, I am sure it would have swayed many others to vote for him. Instead however, he chooses to look at American’s concerned with this, as being beneath him, and not worth his time or effort to address their concerns. Wow, … not worth his time or effort. hmmm, …are you telling me that sounds like a truly brilliant leader? Someone that is honestly fit to lead this great nation? I think not.
Regardless of all that, the facts remain the same. The most important of which, is that Obama simply does not have the experience necessary to lead this great nation.
February 29, 2008 at 8:35 am
ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office – he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Kuran (Their equevelancy to our Bible, but very different beliefs)
YOU DONT HAVE A CLUE WHO HE IS.YOU SHOULD GET A LIFE AND WAKE UP.
(Site Owner’s Note: The comment above by Steve is not true. Barack Obama was sworn in to the U.S. Senate on his family Bible.)
February 29, 2008 at 9:37 am
I am so sick of this election…and the majority of americans walking around in some kind of dream world…lol wake up! Just like “Bug said above” are you people stupid or what??? Do your own investigation on Obama before you vote! Does anyone else realize that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a “Holy War” against the infidels of the world??? Okay so you aren’t worried you’re not an infidel are you?? Actually their definition of infidels are : “NON-BELIEVERS”! So according to their own beliefs YOU are an infidel if you don’t believe in Allah, and follow the teachings of their prophet Mohammed. Now why are we even having to debate about this? I guess because we have fell away from what our founding fathers believed in and fought for. Our Country was founded on the basis of Christianity, not freedom of religion. If Obama allegiance is truly to America then why is it that HE was the ONLY one not covering his heart? The issue isn’t whether it was the Pledge of Allegiance or the National Anthem, the issue is exactly why is he saying one thing and doing another? I personally don’t trust anyone who claims to be Christian any yet gets sworn into office with the Qur’an. Also for all of you that are willing to overlook these things in the name of “CHANGE” do your homework. Do you realize that Obama backed Sen. McCains introduction bill to help mexico get healthcare? Unbelievable as it may seem, the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S 1033) contained a provision giving insurance companies the right to help devise a plan for extending US health care to Mexico (Sec. 1004. BINATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND HEALTH INSURANCE). Let’s not mention Hillary and her long list of offenses. I want CHANGE too, however it appears that the only choice I will have is the less of the evils. Lord Jesus this nation needs HELP.
February 29, 2008 at 9:41 am
AGAIN MY QUESTION, WILL OBAMA SWEAR IN ON THE CHRISTIAN HOLY BIBLE. AND THE CHRISTIAN BELIEF’S THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON.
UNDER GOD
March 1, 2008 at 3:27 am
My god what has happened to my fellow americans? You get an email saying Obama took oath on Koran and believe it without doubt? Obama was sworn in ON A BIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was congrassman Keith Ellison who was sworn in on a Koran (that islamofacist Pres Jeffersons copy BTW) NOT Obama. Research people, dont just take an email or even hearsay for fact! Dont you know if this were true that it would be all over TV? Also I too was taught to place your hand on your chest for the pledge of alliegance NOT the national anthem. Yes, maybe he should have but he made a mistake! DO you really think someone running for president does this kind of thing on purpose to insult the country he is running for presidnet of?? C’mon, give me a break! Relax folk, I dont think that Obama plans on giving the US over to Saudi Arabia the day after inauguration.
March 1, 2008 at 11:05 pm
As I stood in front of a crowd yesterday during a ceramony for the U.S. Army, WE AS AMERICANS, American Soldiers did SALUTE to the DAMN NATIONAL ANTHEM. That is the AMERICAN way of life. Please tell me someone, that there is not an issue if ONE of YOUR Service members disregards the National Anthem and DENIES to salute to the National Anthem. What would you Liberals think. You Liberalists would have disgrace towards us and would not respect any of us (like you all do anyway) that serve in the UNITED STATES ARMED SERVICES. Obama is trying to become my Commander In Chief so first thing he needs to do is understand the Traditions that have been carried on for many years. I will not serve for him if he is elected and there are many others in the Armed Services that feel the same way. And if any Service Members denied to salute then that person would get seen on National Television because of the issue the Media would make towards it. So if you see this happening then dont blame that service member or hate them just remember they are following the future leader of America. Come Back anyone I dare you. It Makes Perfect Sense.
March 2, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I would like for eveyone to think about this.The president we have in offices not said that the CONSTUTION was just a damn pices of paper: yet he sworn to protect it,ns he sent our young men out to die for it.Now, you tell me who is unpatriotic!
March 2, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I must say, when I received the email about Obama refusing to say the Pledge and him not putting his right hand over his heart, I was a bit saddened. But, I had already chose him as the candidate that I would vote for. I did not let that change my decision. That was over a month ago. I am so glad that someone sent me this link to clear this of for me. I want to share this link with the rest of the WORLD! I DID vote early for Obama and I will go CAUCUS for him at 7pm on March 4th in Houston!!!
March 2, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Well Alan, I guess if you refuse to serve under Obama and as you stated “many others
in the Armed Forces feel that say way”, Well I guess that the war will end sooner that either of us expected including Obama’s plan to withdrawl the troops when becomes the President of the United States of America! Or enjoy the “AWOL” life…..you choose.
March 3, 2008 at 9:51 pm
In response to “Houston08’s” statement above:
It truly saddens me to realize someone like you is old enough to vote, but not old enough to understand the real issues at hand. May God help us all if liberalists like yourself actually vote someone like Obama into office.
For as I have stated before, and I shall state yet again;
“I am so tired of liberalists like you for example (Houston08), manipulating the very freedoms this great nation has afforded you, and people like you. And watching this country slowly crumble because of it. I hope to God Obama does not become the Commander In Chief of this great nation! It shall truly be a sad day in history for us all if he does! He has no experience, and speaks of nothing, …yet people continue to be in awe of him simply because the media attempt to make him appear as the end all be all answer for this great nation.
How blind are the people who support such a candidate to lead this great nation? In my own personal opinion, everyone on this blog who supports Obama, are supporters of tearing this great nation apart at the seams, and turning it into just another third world country !!! If all of you liberalists love that third world country, dictatorship lifestyle, …then I have the answer for you. Go there and live !!!
March 3, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Everybody else looks patriotic here except for Barak Hussein Obama.
March 3, 2008 at 11:52 pm
True,
EVERYBODY else has their hand over their heart, and Barack Hussein Obama does NOT.
March 3, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Our Founding Fathers would be rolling over in their graves if they knew that Obama and Billary were “serious” candidates. Both of them act like the Constitution is a “suggestion” instead of the law of the land. Hillary has NO real experience, and neither does Obama. You would think America would find somebody that was at least a governor, or even a mayor first. I think you should try running a small town before you try “running” the country.
March 4, 2008 at 12:00 am
Democrats are the new communists. They want to take guns (and power) away from the people. Dictators have always feared an armed populace. Gun control has never made a people safer, but it has paved the way for a dictatorship to rule. Get the facts, and get informed. Click at my name for web link.
March 4, 2008 at 9:11 pm
TL on Feb. 22
Perfectly said! I wish you could say that on national television for everyone to hear!
Thank you!
March 5, 2008 at 10:24 am
No one said anything about AWOL retard, I just will not re-enlist, and I am glad that you agree and do not care if you have soldiers to protect this country, I am glad to see who I am protecting. Thanks for Your Support.
March 5, 2008 at 10:32 am
Sorry to say Houston08, but if you want to be under control of a Muslim than you need to be taking a trip to one of the many third world counrties in the middle east not just Iraq or Affganhistan all of them and lets see if you come back alive I will pay for your trip if you agree to go, they hate americans and all the other countries that have the freedom we have and believe in whatever you want to believe in. Please say you will go so you can see what your agreeing to.
March 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm
In response to both “Teacher’s” and “Alan’s” statement above:
First, thank you Teacher for the comment. I to wish I could have such an opportunity. A simple attempt to enlighten all of these media driven souls whom have become destined to believe that Obama is the second coming. Regardless of how I attempt to understand the logic of supporting such a candidate, I simply can not logically wrap my mind around it in anyway whatsoever.
And as for your statements Alan, I absolutely agree with you. I would be more than happy to purchase Houston08, or anyone like Houston08, ONE WAY ticket’s straight to the middle east. If Houston08 has been born and raised here in the greatest nation of the world, this person, and anyone like this person, are perfect examples of people who take their freedoms for granted!
They are most likely people who have never served in any branch of the armed forces, nor have they had any family members who have ever served in any branch of the armed forces. Yet, they seem to think they know what is best for this nation. Don’t get me wrong, I am not making such a statement to declare this is how it has to be to understand our freedom, and its costs. I am simply saying that people or families with military backgrounds to any degree, better understand their freedoms, and the price so many American’s before us have paid for it.
President Clinton had no military experience. As such, he spent 8-years in office dismantling the security of this great nation by closing numerous military bases, cutting active duty military personnel retirement benefits, and making huge cuts in the national defense budget of this great nation. And as I have stated before in this blog, look at the end result, …9/11 !!!
I had the opportunity to meet President Clinton back in the nineties. As I stood there in full military dress in the oval office of the white house, shaking the hand of our commander in chief, all I could think is here is a man the public thought was going to bring great change to this nation, systematically dismantling it piece by piece. After he was voted into office for a second term by our misled nation, I chose not to reenlist, and left the service of this great nation after dedicating a decade of my life to it. So Alan, I do understand your sentiment exactly, and completely agree with it.
In summary, I can not stress enough how NEITHER Obama nor Clinton, are the best choice for our next commander in chief. And again, I truly hope my posts on this blog have helped in some way to enlighten those of us out there that truly care, and have taken the time to read this blog in its entirety.
PLEASE PEOPLE, DON’T ALLOW YOURSELVES TO BE MISGUIDED BY THE MEDIA !!!
The future freedom of this great nation depends on the choices we are now faced with. As an American born and raised, and a veteran, I consider the privilege to vote a civic responsibility to this great nation. And in so believing, I ask all of you my fellow American’s,…
…PLEASE, DO NOT TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY LIGHTLY !!!
March 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Jihad
The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort, and it means much more than holy war.
Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle:
A believer’s internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible
The struggle to build a good Muslim society
Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary
Who are al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda are a group of people who work together to plan acts of terrorism.
Members are followers of Islam.
They believe they are fighting a holy war (jihad) against enemies of their religion.
Al-Qaeda hope that terrorist attacks will make Western countries treat Muslims differently in areas like the Middle East, the Balkans and Chechnya
People have joined the group from many countries including Britain. They operate internationally but are strongest in Arab countries.
In Europe there are thought to be cells in London, Hamburg, Milan and Madrid.
AND IF YOU VOTE OBAMA WE WILL HAVE ALOT OF CELLS HERE.
March 5, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Why would any of us in any country other than a third world Islamic country want to be an enemy against there religion?
We are not the enemy. We do not practice there Religion or Beliefs so they consider us the enemy, they do not have the rights we have. Our rights are against there religion and beliefs so we are the enemy.
A: Because America and all these other Modern countries believe the people should have rights to whatever. Such As:
1. A female child is unable to attend school because of there beliefs. (what if that happened to be your daughter)
2. Females are not allowed to be educated in any way. They are the slaves of the world. ( So I guess this is how you treat your wife and females of your family)
3. Females have no rights. ( They cannot vote, cannot leave there house unless there face is completely covered, they have no rights what-so-ever)
4. I can name hundreds of more that are facts.
SO VOTE OBAMA SO WE CAN CHANGE TO A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.
I BET YOU PEOPLE THAT LIKE THE MUSLIM WAYS, LIKE TO ABUSE YOUR SPOUSE BECAUSE THATS WHAT THEY DO.
Read the Facts
March 5, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Reading these comments has been an interesting experience for me. Voting for a president seems to be about finding who can benefit whatever social group you belong to. We all say we want the best for the country though we really only want the best for us. I hope my entire post gets read, especially by Alan & TL. I want to respectfully disagree and explain in such a way that should safeguard against the “typical liberalist label”
First regarding the circulation of the information stating that Barack Obama refused to say the pledge of Allegiance. The plain and simple truth is that the information was a LIE, no matter how it is spun. If you want to criticize Obama, do it truthfully and say he did not put his hand over his heart for the singing of the national anthem, not the pledge.
It does look out of place for Obama to not pose with his hand over his heart during that pledge. I will not make up excuses for him, but I will also not convict him for it. For you can likely find him with his and over his heart during formalities of the pledge & national anthem more often than not. I understand that this can be a deeply emotional subject, but also very superficial. For if putting your hand over your heart during pledges & the national anthem (without missing a single anthem) is a measure of presidential worth, then all of our presidents should have been perfect and without fault. Saddam Hussein could salute his own flag but hid in a hole when pressure was put on him. Not an excuse, just food for thought. Barack without his hand over his heart is an image. Albeit a bad one captured in time.
Next, I understand how much image means to America. We are a nation that loves to see images. We love symbolism and superstition. Right now it’s a bad time to be Muslim in America. There is no evidence that Barack Obama is a muslim, He had no say in what his name was going to be. You do not inherit your parent’s religion either but I bet alot of Christians think they’re going to heaven just because their mother prayed for them. Remember being a Muslim is a religion that requires practice and action. It is not a race. Being a Jew or Christian is not a race. They are lifestyles that require actions. You cannot feign your religion. If in public you say you are not a Christian and you really are, do you think God would be pleased. I don’t think Allah would be happy either if his practicing Muslims denied him.
Now onto the issues. I understand that TL is a passionate veteran who is concerned for the freedom of America. First understand that the President will not make all the decisions alone. President Bush may have pushed presidental powers to the limit under the reasoning of protecting us from terrorism. We seem to speak so much of war, terrorism, and national security. We like to claim the popular lie that Bill Clinton refused to accept Bin Laden from Sudan. Terrorism was not invented on 9/11 2001. Saddam Hussein & Osama Bin Laden did not just turn into terrorists over night. Though I note President Bush was not so gung ho about extreme spending for the national security department, or enacting the Patriot act before 9/11. Neither was George Bush Sr. or Bill Clinton.
Barack Obama would still be subject to checks and balances if he gets elected, if the system of government keeps more control over him than it did Bush. One thing we have no choice about is that we have to take candidates for their word on certian things. I know its not the greatest thing to have to do. But understand that neither Obama, Clinton, nor McCain have ever actually been President of the United States of America. Regardless of their past or what anyone claims, there is no guarantee for what ANY of them hold for the future. We are all taking the candidates for their words. CLEARLY none of them have conducted actions as presidents, no one can deny that.
In relation to Hillary’s experience vs. Barack’s and his ability to be president. People generally state Hillary’s 8 years in Senate as more ELECTED experience than Barack’s 4 years of Senate duty, but they exclude his 8 years in state legislature making for a grand total of 12 as a publicly ELECTED official. Excluding nongovernmental offices and county boards. Barack Obama has more experience as a publicly ELECTED official than the separate records off George W. Bush Jr. , Ronald Regan, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Abraham Lincoln respectively.
Can we cut an American a break? Has George Bush ever conducted himself in a manner that portrays America as less than Stellar? Sure. No one is innocent, but lets be fair though. McCain was involved in the Keating Five Scandal, and if Hillary wants to claim white house experience with Bill then she can take up for being involved in the Whitewater scandal. Barack has not been remotely associated with any large scandals.
Now what the problem is, is that the country is divided into too many factions who want to be represented. With all respect to TL as a veteran, think of all others who want their president invested in them.
Military Buffs want: A president who has served in the military or the country will fail.
Economy Buffs want: A president who has been a successful CEO or the country will fail.
And everyone else under the sun believes that if the President hasn’t been who they have been, that the will fail. Thats what advisors are for, thats what the cabinet is for, that’s what checks and balances are for. To reinforce the President with experience he doesn’t have. John McCain said he wasn’t too good in the economy area, does that mean he will be a great Commander in Chief defending a financially broke nation? Perhaps John McCain might not have been a POW if Lyndon Johnson had not recklessly screwed up the war that Kennedy inherited from Eisenhower.
Commander and Chief is not the only job of the president. Remember that the United States is more than an army. I would agree that the president needs Military experience if he were to fight on the battle field with the troops, or was to be the SOLE decision maker with no help from a cabinet and advisors. But I hate to play on key words though I feel “judgement” in conjunction with real time intelligence and experienced advisors would more than suffice. If you believe in the constitution, and founding father’s requirements for the President, then you should respect the eligiblility of anyone who qualifies to run for President. Whether they have the experience YOU want or not..
Now I have studied Obama’s propositions and plans, as well as the other candidates and believe me, I’m not going off of hope and “we can do it”.
Ironically, the same people who criticize Obama on the false pretenses of “hope without a plan”, they are the same ones who attack Obama on the direction of religion, his name, and many unsupported lies. But they don’t directly go to the plans that he has laid out and dissected them to explain precisely WHY the plans won’t work, and who has better plans in MORE areas than one. This information can be found easily on candidates websites. All of the Nay Sayers are just talk & personal preference. Though the fear of uncertainty may be a legit pain. For every area of government you feel Obama lacks in, you can find another candidate who lacks in another area. The Presidential position is the top spot, but don’t let George Bush’s term in office fool you into believing the President is the King, or the end all be all. And if all goes well, (this is where character comes in to play) the President will actually listen to the people rather than fight against them. The president must lead, but also must know how to follow and serve the people. They are not just leading, key word, they are serving.
One more thing I want my next president to do, whether it’s Obama or not. I want the president to be honest and forthcoming will information that affects Americans. Involve us in reasonable decision making, present us with the information we need to get involved. We should see the government transparency that Obama is calling for. And if we are to believe him, then he of all candidates at least trying to prove the kind of honesty he wants himself and the government to honor?
People PLEAE STOP SCARING YOURSELVES. Every American has the right to push for their agenda, but none should act holier than thou. Don’t pretend your favorite candidate doesn’t have his or her down falls. Show me an American without the smallest bit of fault and I will denounce my belief in Obama as a reasonable candidate for American presidency. Remember, war is not all there is. For every fact you can state in favor of your candidate of choice & against Obama, others can state one for Obama and against your candidate.
And I close with my favorite saying “Donkeys and Elephants should know that the Eagle of Liberty needs both of its two wings to fly”.
Show me a candidate who is willing to reach out to the best of both parties, show me a candidate who wants to see America prosper, not the republican party, not the democratic party, but America. I applaud Obama for putting forth the effort to reach out to both parties, and I applaud McCain for defying conservativism when needed.
March 5, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A CORRECTION TO SOMETHING I SAID IN THE PREVIOUS POST. I SAID ……….
“Barack Obama has more experience as a publicly ELECTED official than the separate records off George W. Bush Jr. , Ronald Regan, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Abraham Lincoln respectively.”
What I meant to say was EXCLUDING presidential office, as all of the presidents were once prospective candidates. But simply comparing their pre presidential recoreds. Looking at years in Senate, U.S. House, State Legislature, and Governorship. Barack Obama has more experience with is 8 years in State Legislature & 4 Years of Senate than (George W. Bush Jr. , Ronald Regan, Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Abraham Lincoln) each have had as prospective pre-presidental candidates as publicly Elected officals.
THIS IN NO WAY CHANGES THE POINT I WAS TRYING TO MAKE THAT BARACK DOES NOT LACK EXPERIENCE, AND HAS MORE EXPERIENCE AS A PUBLICLY ELECTED OFFICAL THAN SOME OF THE PAST PRESIDENTS WHEN THEY WERE JUST CANDIDATES AND ALSO HILLARY HERSELF.
March 6, 2008 at 11:17 am
I have no issues with Obama’s patriotism. What I do have a problem with is the fact that he, and every other presidential candidate, are falling for the global warming bull, when it is nothing but a bunch of media lies. Sad. Great minds can’t think for themselves anymore I guess.
March 6, 2008 at 12:22 pm
FIRST AND FOREMOST, in response to “Caity’s” statement above:
I am not sure where you are getting your information, or who is teaching you such nonsense, but I can assure you undoubtedly that global warming is real! It has been an issue for years now, only recently being brought to the attention of the civilian sector.
Now, in response to both of “Omnipolitic’s” posts above:
First, I would like Omnipolitic to know, that I have indeed read both of the following posts:
(1) March 5, 2008 at 9:03PM
(2) March 5, 2008 at 9:14PM
Second, I would like to point out that nothing Omnipolitic has stated in either post has proven to sway my perception of candidate Obama’s inability to lead this great nation in any way.
Let’s start with the second paragraph in post: (1) March 5, 2008 at 9:03PM
As I have stated in many of my posts here, this is not the real issue at hand. I to wish everyone reading this post could simply get past it.
Third, moving on to paragraph five in post: (1) March 5, 2008 at 9:03PM
I am not sure why Omnipolitic thinks I need a lesson in how our government works. This assumption is of course based on Omnipolitic’s statement in paragraph one that reads:
Quote: “I hope my entire post gets read, especially by Alan & TL.”
I served in direct support of the President and White House. Unless Omnipolitic has the same resume, I seriously doubt Omnipolitic has a better understanding than I on how issues are truly handled in Washington.
In addition, I am well aware that terrorism was not invented on 9/11. Hence my statement of the facts at hand. One of which is that President Clinton spent 8-years in office creating a weaker nation which ultimately lead to 9/11 taking place.
Fourth, moving on to paragraph six in post: (1) March 5, 2008 at 9:03PM
I can agree with Omnipolitic in this paragraph where Omnipolitic states we have no choice but to take the candidates word. This is true, however only to a degree. And yet again I say, Obama’s words are the emptiest of all three candidates currently running for President of this great nation. Simply promising “Change” in what appears to be a hypnotic state of speech does not persuade me in any way whatsoever that candidate Obama can do anything positive for this great nation. He is simply riding on a media wave created from the hype generated by extremists who simply want to claim; Isn’t it time we had a black President, or isn’t it time we had a female President, with no logical reasoning or foresight behind such statements whatsoever.
I to have researched all three of the candidates, and I urge anyone and everyone to please do the same. However, when you perform your research, please do not limit it to online websites. The majority of the websites online are simply overloaded with propaganda, and carry no truth in them at all. In todays day and age, a website can be generated quite easily to look official, when it is indeed not. I am sure most everyone using their computers to read this blog are likely familiar with such terms as phishing, and propaganda. In addition, I would also urge anyone and everyone to logically evaluate each candidate and there so called words as Omnipolitic has referenced.
Fifth, I come to you not only as an American, and veteran, but also as someone who has served in direct support of the President and White House. And I am telling you without any doubt (based on my experience of course) that neither Obama nor Clinton have the ability to EFFECTIVELY lead this great nation. And simply being driven by the media to vote for either of them based on one’s ethnicity, and the others sex, is completely unacceptable for what I feel is not only a privilege but also a civic responsibility of American’s in this, the greatest nation in the world!
Could I go into explicit detail for the decision I have come to in reference to promoting one candidate over the other? Of course I could. It is indeed as Omnipolitic states in post: (1) March 5, 2008 at 9:03PM (third paragraph up from the bottom, last sentence)
Quote; “For every fact you can state in favor of your candidate of choice & against Obama, others can state one for Obama and against your candidate.”
As such, it would make no sense to carry on an unending tug-o-war from personal perceptions of the candidates abilities on this post. With that in mind, for those of you who agree with Omnipolitic, and want to believe that Obama is the best choice for President, I can only revert to a statement I made earlier in this blog in a previous post: February 29, 2008 at 5:22 am
Quote: “I could only wonder where your loyalty would stand should Obama be elected President, and all your dreams of what he could do for this great nation were shown to truly be nightmares of what never came to be.”
However, for those of you who agree with me, I can only reiterate that my decision is a highly educated one based on fact, and not fiction. In addition, I spent a decade serving this great nation, with a substantial amount of that time in direct support of the President and White House. So, do I have an educated insider’s view to what takes place in Washington beyond CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the media propaganda?
ABSOLUTELY !!!
As Omnipolitic chose to close with a favorite saying, I too would like to close with a favorite quote. And I would like to dedicate it to Omnipolitic.
“The first key to greatness is to be in reality what we appear to be.”
– Socrates
March 6, 2008 at 2:06 pm
In response to TL’s statement
COLEMAN: I appreciate everything you’re saying, but this week Al Gore had to finally say, had to acknowledge that we just had the coldest year in modern history in the world. For over 12 months the temperature worldwide dropped by an average of 1 degree. Everything it had gained over the last 100 it gave up this year.
In case you’re not aware, Coleman is John Coleman, who is the founder of the weather channel. There has been no significant increase in EIGHT YEARS. You are listening to other people and assuming they are correct because big name media is backing them, when in reality you have NO idea what you’re talking about. Learn to explore and think for yourself. Then maybe you’ll find the truth.
Think about this. If we have runaway global warming as the alarmists have told us, if CO2 has continued to build in the atmosphere through this whole time, we’re burning our fossil fuel, CO2 is burning up in the atmosphere. If it were a pollutant, which it is not, if it were the driving force of global warming, which it is not, our temperatures would be climbing and instead they’re cooling. We’re seeing steadier cooling and their case is falling apart. And we now have almost 500 scientists who have spoken out in the last year calling this global warming a scam. Which it is.
March 6, 2008 at 2:46 pm
@ TL,
When I was saying that I hope you read my entire post, I was not insisting that you don’t know how government works. I tend not to be judgmental in that kind of way. I just wanted to grab your attention.
Now I already know that I can’t sway people who have made up their minds as you have that Obama is not the candidate of your choice. That would be weak if I could change your mind so easily. But I just wanted you to understand that not all Obama supporters are blind. I concede that I cannot match your credentials, but hope you could believe that an educated american who chooses to disagree with you can have real reasons and different preference. Though I hope you do not believe that Americans who have not been where you have not been are not capable of comprehending government functions. If that were so, then the Constitution was wrong for giving people without your stature the right to vote and disagree. That would be an UnAmerican thought, don’t you think? And I am fine with the people who choose to disagree with me as long as they are disagreeing on a truthful and factual basis.
Just remember though, when you are claiming that Obama is just “words of hope”, without logic or reasoning, that is just untrue. In fact, those are words of media propaganda from the same media people claim wouldn’t dare to speak against Obama. Of all places, this website has the information of what he plans to do. Just as John McCain had to set up a political truth machine to fight the lies, please believe that Obama has a fair share of lies to fight and the ironicially retorical repetitions of naysayers that say “he is all rhetoric and not substance”. Anti Obama rhetoric can be just that…rhetoric without real reasoning other than falsely believing Obama has no plan in mind. ALL media is not riding the Obama wave. There is a fair amount of conservative media out there too. Alot of media spreads falsehoods such as Obama stole his speech from his own advisor, Obama told Canada he wasn’t serious about his NAFTA claims, Obama has no experience, Obama has never accomplished anything…etc…. People see in the media what they want to see.
When I research the candidates, I visit each of their personal offical and verified websites. With a grain of salt, I check the negative blogs, then I check the positive blogs. I listen to commetators, I listen to the candidates team. I watch the debates and compare them to the offical plans. I know what I’m doing when I do my research. All these sources are to be compared and contrased. And then compared again to check for truths and lies. I DO NOT hide from anti-Obama media, nor do I hide from pro conservative media. The game is to make you feel like you don’t know what you want. To make you think that your thinking, but don’t really know.
So, even with your background, I cannot knock it at all, for that would disrespectful and pointless, but I’ve heard that nobody knows all there is to know about anything. If Obama was truly to be a threat to this nation as President, he would have been crushed by now. Momentum doesn’t win debates, none of which Obama was ever actually destroyed in. Political commentators criticize the vagueness in debate format, but the Obama team easily reminds them of the full fleshed out plans. Momentum doesn’t earn you the support of groups of disenchanted republicans as Obama has received. This is not an illusion, it is very real.
I respect your opinions fully. Though I hate to take keywords. It’s still the politics of fear vs. the politics of hope. If democrats are boasting hope, republicans are boasting fear. And I’m not afraid. Bush was not afraid when he told the terrorists to “bring it on” and they brought it. Democrats are telling you of the good things that MIGHT happen if they get elected. Republicans are telling of the bad things that MIGHT happen if they don’t get elected. Its all theoretical still. There is no difference. If Obama’s claims of hope truly are empty, then so are McCain & the Republican’s claims to instill Fear. You cannot claim truth in something that has not happened yet, or truth in what might have been. What is the difference between people who want you to be afraid of what might happen, vs. the people who want you to look forward to what good things might happen. Both sides have valid arguments. Neither political party has a perfectly clean record. And what you have to remember is that unlike some other Democrats, Obama is willing to reach across party line. He is NOT Bill Clinton. Not all democrats are the same, nor are all republicans the same.
Do you feel my view on this is fair? Although I lean in the liberal direction, I would take McCain over Hilary. (Though we still have to learn of the VP candidates). I’m not a raging Liberal who hates all things republican. I criticize Bush reasonably, but don’t hate him. I have a good head on my shoulders. I am not affected by Obama’s race. I would vote for him even if he were white or chinese. If you took Obama’s personality and the rationality of his plans and put it into Bush, I’d vote for a third Bush term if that were possible.
And I like your Socrates quote. Very true. Though I must say, in order for anyone to “become what they appear to be in reality”. They must first be given a chance to “become”, or else the reality is that the only choice they have is to “appear to be”. And all of the candidates at this point in time are only “appearing” as they have never been president before.
March 7, 2008 at 2:04 pm
It’s obvious that Barack is just trying to stand out of the crowd by doing things differently than the other candidates. Maybe he should wait for a more appropriate time to do so. BTW Chuck, saying “One nation under God” is completely optional depending on one’s beliefs. I don’t give a shit if he swears oath on “Green Eggs and Ham” as long as he does his job in office.
March 8, 2008 at 11:40 am
Is it true that he refused to take oath with Bible and instead used the Koran? Is it true that the koran calls for all true followers to kill all infadels? That would comprise of myself…a non-muslim.. and most of the country that Obama will be sworn to protect.
Is that true?
Siteowner’s Note: It is not true that Barack Obama took the oath on the Koran. He took the oath on his family Bible.
March 8, 2008 at 11:47 am
Yep! Thats what it says alright! Obama calls himself a Christian…a convenient thing to be while running for any office in the United States. His real colors come out when He had to take an oath.
Qur’an:9:88 “The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah’s Cause.”
Qur’an:9:5 “Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.”
Qur’an:9:112 “The Believers fight in Allah’s Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed.”
Qur’an:9:29 “Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission.”
Ishaq:325 “Muslims, fight in Allah’s Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will be victorious.”
Qur’an:8:39 “Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah.”
Qur’an:8:39 “So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world).”
Ishaq:324 “He said, ‘Fight them so that there is no more rebellion, and religion, all of it, is for Allah only. Allah must have no rivals.’”
Siteowner’s Note: Contrary to this commenter’s suggestion, Barack Obama took the oath to the United States Senate on his family Bible.
March 8, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Barack Obama did NOT take the oath into Senate with the Quran ever. Barack Obama did NOT refuse to take the oath with the Bible. These are unproven falsehoods originated from an anonymous email chain letter like many falsehoods about Barack Obama. He was never a Muslim and there is no evidence to corraborate those claims of him being one.
And I am curious where people are getting their information other than false publications? Obama said he is not a Muslim, and there is no evidence otherwise. Surely people shouldn’t judge on his name which he had no control over, nor should people judge based on race.
Trust me on this one. If that were so, you would have all kinds of media with proof and WITNESSES of Barack Obama swearing in with a Quran. He denied it, why don’t the media capitalize on it if it were a lie? Because they can’t.
March 9, 2008 at 9:59 am
Obama, is not American and doesn’t stand for America! He is now saying what he thinks we want to hear. Just as all canidates do when they want to win. God help us all. Only he can help. By the way I am from the SOUTH.
March 9, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Okay Pamella. Fact check.
Obama is not American? Notwithstanding any sarcasm. LIE. He is American in the literal sense of citizenship and in ideals of wanting Americans to trust and participate in their government and for the government to be forthright and honest with its people.
Obama does not stand for America? The last I checked, he wasn’t trying to chip away any civil liberties, human rights, or destroy the constitution. Your statement is a LIE. Anyway, all of the candidates stand for American in some form as America does not have one linear definition.
Obama says what he thinks we all want to hear just as all candidates do when they want to win? And if all candidates do it, what is your point? Obama isn’t merely telling us what he thinks we want to hear, he’s telling us what he knows we need to hear. And in case you are one of the many who haven’t paid attention lately and love to say “he has no plan” he has been explaining how he plans to do things. Obama is calling for government transparency & citizen involvement. He is doing more to convince me he is going to do what he says than the other candidates are.
March 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs
Hey Everyone you need to watch this video on the great candidate Obama, what his plans are. Just what we need. A weaker military. That will definately help the Terrorists out.
March 9, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Of course he will not come out in the open and say he is going to chip away any civil liberties, human rights, or destroy the constitution, he is trying to get votes so he can win. He is a muslim that is trying to destroy this country. Wake up People. Muslims only believe in there beliefs not anybody elses. They have a set way on what they believe in that the whole world has to be the same. So unless you are a believer in Al-lah then be prepared that this is what you will be forced believe in. Watch the video and tell me that he cares about the safety of this country. America is a democracy and to keep that we need weapons to keep the Democracy not to take them away so the terrorists of the world can take over this country. Wake Up. He says it all.
March 9, 2008 at 9:30 pm
If you don’t think he is a muslim then why is 15 years of his life was raised on Muslim beliefs. If you freaking morons would read peoples biography such as Obama’s then you would see how much of his life has revolved around the muslim beliefs. Dumb ass morons always believe the news media and not the truth Omnipolitic. I will give you a deal TL and I made earlier in these discussions. We both will buy your plane ticket to any muslim country of our pick other than Afganhistan or Iraq and you and All of America will see that you will not come back or will not come back alive. And you have to make it known that you are an American. Lets see how that works out for you. I bet you will not think twice about stepping 1 foot on there territory because of what you are, an American.
March 9, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I have been to Iraq and Afganhistan and they are all discusting and screwed up in the head. Let me tell you a little sight of what they believe in. And what many Americans have witnessed. Women are only for making babies not for the pleasure so what they use for pleasure are animals of all kinds and young boys. This is 99% of them over there. How freaking sick is that. Just so you know Obama is probably the same way I am sure he will be the first to have a Michael Jackson personality up in the White House. Having sleep overs with little boys because he is a discusting Muslim that needs to be deported back to the country his religion is based off of. There is another belief that is known or if you didnt know well now you do.
March 9, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Alan, your video was quite elegant. Obama did not say he will weaking our military. Obama said he will cut wasteful spending (IE, money that isn’t proven to go towards cost effective measures). The Bush administration is not accounting for all of the money that is supposedly going towards defense. Barack Obama is commited to transparecy in government where the spending will be accounted for. I watched the video and I do believe he cares about America. I believe he wants Americans to have a government where we know where the money goes. Barack Obama is committed to end the war in a responsible fashion in order to bring out troops to safety. Barack Obama did not say he will disarm America. He said he will cut spending from unproven weapons, that does not mean he won’t allow the continuation and developement of new untested, or well working weapons. He will slow (not stop) development of future defense systems while implementing a defense priorities board to make sure spending is appropriate.
Barack Obama’s goal is a world without Nuclear weapons. He NEVER said the U.S. would give up their weapons while other countries still have theirs. And finally the rest of the arsenal cuts will be the product of negotiations IF they go through. Your comprehension of that video was terribly poor. Even Bill O Riley knows better than this. If it were true that Barack will disarm America (meaning COMPLETELY take away our country’s defense) than Hillary Clinton or John McCain would have eaten up the details. But you like many others misinterpret such things, probably purposefully.
You just posted an example of Barack Obama’s substance. It makes sense. “just hope ful words”, yeah right. Here he is explaining himself and fools like you want to spin it to your own twisted agenda.
You need to wake up from your lies. Barack Obama is not a muslim, and there is no feasable evidence. Your repetition of that lie further erodes your credibility. Barack Obama will not weaken our arsenal to the point of terrorists being stronger than us, that is the lie malicious minds wish you to believe.. America is a democracy. And it is NOT okay to have excessive spending for war that is not being accounted for while other areas such as education, transportation, and healthcare are being pushed aside.
Enough being a fearmonger. You talk about helping the terrorists out. The word terrorist in itself is far abused. While our own domestic issues have be slowly worsening, domestic terrorists have been gaining a hand up from within, and they’re not necessarily middle eastern.
March 9, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Well Alan good thing for you that America protects the rights to judgemental prejudice based on false pretenses.
How do you know 99% of people in Iraq and Afgahnistan are a certian way? Have you talked to that many of them? By using that specific number, you are again lying.
Many of our honorable U.S. troops come back with stories about kind Iraqi citizens and innocent Afgahns. Remember we are supposed to be saving them from the criminal citizens in their society. They are not all criminals. And American doesn’t have too much of a moral basis to criticize others on. America allows plenty of immoral ideas, and has the courtesy to protect them with the constitution.
Well let me ask you this Alan. If 99% of Afgahn’s and Iraqis are so sick in the head as your imply. Why should the U.S. have been concerned with liberating them from anything?
Or are you even capable of normal thought patterns based on TRUE information? Or can you only argue with LIES?
March 9, 2008 at 10:09 pm
You dont make any sense. Keep believing the news, why dont you go out and see for yourself.
March 9, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I guess you never got an education because it sounds like you cannot read I can point you in the right direction on how he is a muslim. I am done speaking to people like you because you have one concern and that is destroying this country.
March 9, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I’ve made sense. You just don’t want to consider it. No do you wish to discuss point by point.
You lie, and you make assumptions. You say I keep believing the news. I believe the news if it’s true, if it supports and matches the truth. I do not believe the news if it is a lie, just as with any source of information. It can neither be accepted or rejected without confirmation. And the most credible sources must be taken even with a grain of salt. I could just as easily assume you believe the news as well. Now the real matter is wether or not it was the true news of the false news. And did you get the FULL story. You can’t tell me what I have and have not been, or what I have seen. That is arrogant and ignorant. Just as I don’t know much about you I won’t attack whatever credentials you say you have. And my courtesy is the very essence of an Obama supporter.
You even resort to saying I “I never got an education” again making and assumption that amounts to a lie. Keep on lying. And you accuse me of believing the news (all of it I suppose) yet you expect me to take you for your word on pointing me in the right direction of how Barack is a Muslim. You have no authority, proof, or credibility on Barack’s background to do such a thing. You are done speaking to”people like me” because you can’t handle the heat. You spew your hate and then when someone disagrees with you, you attack them from a personal standpoint. I am being reasonable and am open to discussing truths.
And I don’t accept lies such as the you saying I “Have one concern and that is destroying this country.” You are shameful. You would destroy the country with lies before anything else if this keeps up. God bless America, and protect it from your ignorance.
March 10, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Obama may not have had his hand on his heart or said the pledge, or wore a flag lapel, or worn traditional African attire. What is the big deal. People forget things sometimes and there is certainly nothing damning about ethnic garments.
—
While Obama may not be Muslim, he certainly has Farrakhan heaping accolades and praise upon him. It was a shame it took Hillary’s all but pinning him to the wall to “denounce and reject” Farrakhan’s endorsement. The fact that Obama’s home church, the one that has nourished him spiritually for years does not see anything wrong with awarding Farrakhan their equivalent of “Man of the Year” should speak volumes to the kind of moral and spiritual foundations that underlay Obama. Also of important moral consequence is the fact that his only real regret was attempting to save Terri Schiavo’s life. Along the same line was his killing of Illinois Born Alive, which would have protected born infants that even NARAL and NOW would consider born, and thus human.
—
Majoring on the minors allows the more important questions, like those above. It also ignores the question of how Obama wants to fund a federal green energy sector, universal health care, a foreclosure prevention fund, a war in Afghanistan, a trillion dollars to the UN supposedly for ending world hunger, free/reduced college, and a whole slew of social spending programs? Watch the net income on your paycheck get smaller and smaller. (Not to mention rising costs due to closing “loopholes” on corporations and gasoline)
March 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Another outright smear on Obama. The Clinton machine at work.
March 13, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hello Everyone!
I have been out for the past week now traveling up and down the West coast. However, it appears the blog is still alive, especially with Alan and Omnipolitic. Please give me some time to review all things stated, and I of course would love to add my own thoughts to it.
I can tell you until then that I still stand firm on my belief that neither Obama nor Hilary have the necessary experience to effectively (<– key word here) lead this great nation.
I would also like to breifly address “Caity’s” statement toward me posted on: March 6, 2008 at 2:06 pm
One word here, … Wow! How this young (<– key word here) lady can dispell all of the extreme weather the nation was faced with over the last year, in addition to the constant receding of our glaciers, and then take the word of a mere retired TV news weatherman as the gospel so to speak, simply amazes me. I mean, if it were the words of respected global scientists, or the words of those that are part of the presidential advisors group, then I could understand.
In any regard, maybe it is just how passionately Caity wishes it was all not true that she chooses to make such bold claims. Whatever the reason, I too am sad Caity. I wish it were not true, but unfortunately it is. Good luck with college.
March 13, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I recieved an email regarding the refusal of Senator Barrack to do the pledge and the flag pin from a very respected member of my family, and thought I would check it out for myself. I have been a registered republican for most of my voting life, but as a christian the truth is even more important. Thank you for straighting me out on Senator Barracks beliefs.
March 13, 2008 at 9:16 pm
TL,
Good luck with college? And I’m young? That’s cute how you act like you know me. But guess what? You don’t! Go figure. In case you missed something, you’re the one who is just blindly agreeing with the majority here. Way to jump on the band wagon. Good job on that one. One retired newsman? Way to read. 500 scientists just had a convention in NY. 500. Scientists. Not one retired newsman. Respected scientists, who know that it is just a load of garbage. But no. You choose to follow mainstream media. Surprise surprise.
March 15, 2008 at 8:11 pm
The fact remains that obama did not plac ehis hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance. IT’s a pledge. Anyone who is going to be representing me in the white house had better perform the pledge as every president past has done. Hand over heart.
So he applauded at the end..big deal…maybe he was applauding the singer only. If he gave two shits about America at all, he’d have performed the pledge, hand over heart, like every other American president has.
This, to me, shows a lack of respect for The pledge and what it stands for.
March 15, 2008 at 8:18 pm
lemme fix that…He refused to place his hand over hs heart durig the NATIONAL ANTHEM.. The NATIONAL ANTHEM, people. OUR NATIONS Song, Written by a man who’d seen the error of his ways and learned to loathe Slavery.
And Barrack had the audacity and disrespect for that Anthem to not place his hand over his heart.
I don’t care what his nationality or ethnicity is. If he’s an American citizena nd he’s supposed to be representing the peopel int he election, he did a piss-poor job of it that day.
March 16, 2008 at 3:26 pm
[...] it was the Muslim smears, then it was the flag pin, then the “refusal” to say the Pledge of Allegiance, then the parsing of Michelle Obama. And now it’s Obama’s crazy, America-hating [...]
March 17, 2008 at 12:45 pm
You people amaze me. Of all the utter crap coming out of the candidate’s mouths and even our own current presidents, THIS is what you choose to focus on? Does singing the freaking words not count as “patriotic”? Do you know how our current president forgets to do the SAME THING? Did you not read about Obama’s book and how he was raised? (NO PART OF HIM IS MUSLIM, GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULL).
THE MAN IS ON THE ON THE SENATE COMMITTEE FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS! HE IMPROVED THEIR WELL BEING!
Whens the last time YOU did anything for the veterans? Oh, that’s right, you got a day off work and went to grill hamburgers and drink beer.
This man clearly does speak with actions, its too bad you have to focus on the grating singing throwing him off in surprise at how badly the song was butchered.
I disagree with the sweeping generalization of the South being dumb but it definitely applies to some people and even some in the North. Do yourself a favor and READ about your candidates instead of blindly following what the media and a chain email tells you.
Oh, also, in the spirit of chain mails, if you pass this on to 5 people you will get married and have a wonderful life and be happy but if you don’t you’ll die in your sleep at some point in the future.
Maybe the select few that believe these emails will believe this letter too.
March 21, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Regardless, your man is a racist of the first order.
March 25, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I said from the time President Bush took office the first time, Democrates should have one, and I am saying it now, I am voting Democrate regardless of whos on the bill, weather it be Obama, are Hillary, are who ever, so I laugh at these things. BTW, looks like Obama is gonna take the bill, and I am sure that he will be our Next President.
March 26, 2008 at 10:53 am
PERHAPS SENATOR OBAMAS COULD RAISE HIS ARM TO PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG LIEE THE OTHER SEVEN CANDIDATES BECAUSE HIS ARM HURT OR BECAUSE HIS PASTOR REV WRIGHT CONVINCED OBAMA NO TO DO SO.
March 26, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Seems to me that everytime someone points out a problem with him he trys to cover it up making video proof of something or joinging a church, don’t know what’s next but can’t wait. Some people are so naive.
March 27, 2008 at 1:50 pm
OH MY GOSH… i don’t blame him for not putting his hand on his heart for the nat’l anthum on the first vid that singing was TERRIBLE!
March 28, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I guess what bothers me most is for all his eloquence (and Obama is an extremely charismatic man, but as mentioned previously, so was Hitler), when he speaks, I have an extremely hard time grasping what is actually being said. When asked a specific question, he answers in generalities, no specifics. For example, as originally posted:
“He added that he’s often the target of anonymous criticism on the Internet.
“You’ve got e-mails saying I’m a Muslim plant trying to take over America,” Obama said. “We’ve seen this before.””
So, what was the answer? It alludes with this statement…Also:
Barack Obama has respect for your intelligence. He has said:
“I have absolute confidence in the American people’s capacity to absorb the truth as long as we are forceful in that presentation.”
Just how forceful does he want to get, and to what “truth” is he referring.
As for his claim of “being a Christian”, well anyone can “claim” to be a Christian, but without firmly believing that Jesus Christ is the true son of God, who gave his life on the Cross so we could have life everlasting, then he’s only attending a church (and from what I heard last week, that church doesn’t sound very “Christian” beliefs!). and making that claim. Has he ever said outright that he believes Jesus Christ was the son of God? I don’t know, I can’t seem to find that statement…
I admit, I’d rather watch Jimmy Neutron than this political quagmire we’ve made, but his rhetoric does have me concerned. Not that I think Hillary would do any better, we all know she’s made numerous “mistakes” in her portrayal as a qualified political candidate.
So that, for me, leaves Sen. John McCain, who had proudly served in our Armed Forces, was willing to give his life, so all of us could complain when Starbucks closed for a few hours one afternoon, or can still go to a Christian (or rock, country, classical, ect) concert, theme park, freely visit our nation’s Capitol, in relative safety – except for mainly our own self made criminals who refuse to take responsibility for their actions (they were all brought up in a bad home-bull). Granted, we are all a little more skeptical when we see someone of Middle Eastern descent, but still feel safe…and all because of those brave men and women who put their life on the line for…US (get it, United States?).
March 28, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hey thanks a lot for this article! It will make a great item to forward to my friends and family that don’t believe that Obama is a Christian, etc.
Gracias!
-Patrick K Bowen
March 30, 2008 at 7:47 pm
It’s fine for you to tell the truth about a situation, but you’re just as bad as those who believed the first bit of misinformation when you bash republicans/other candidates. Has anyone taken a good look in the mirror lately?
March 31, 2008 at 4:50 pm
[...] flag be patriotic? Someone’s been drinking the kool aid and is trying to share it with you. Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You Think On These Things __________________ “We will be known by the tracks we leave behind” Dakota [...]
April 1, 2008 at 10:36 am
I dont get all of your hateful remarks towards O’bama! As a fellow athelte…. I DONT PUT MY HAND OVER MY HEART, during our national anthem. Does this make me “unamerican”?
April 2, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Debunk rumors…whatever…but don’t include shit like “someone thought so poorly of you that they sent you this false information” or whatever that nonsense was. Give me a break!
April 3, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I do not believe Obama is what this silly site portrays him to be. Fact: he is more liberal in his voting than Hillary, and I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIM STAYING IN THAT RACIST CHURCH. If any pastor said those comments in church I would have walked out, and he should have to. And I am tired of hearing how Obama is black, he is not black, he is 1/2 black. He is a sham, a great speaker, but sorry we need more than rhetoric, we need him to vote and not PASS when it’s an important issue. McCain will win, as the democrats have ruined themselves with all their talk about first black or first woman…why is that even mentioned? I thought we were past race and gender bias, apparently not in the democrat party. By far, McCain has been more professional, as an Independent, he will get my vote, and my family’s votes.
April 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I see a man in theses videos that appears to be neglegent as in matters of respect for the ceremonys that we perform as citizens of the U.S.A, How long has he been a Senator, ? how long has he been in the workings of our goverment ?and he does not seem to abide by the the standards of every american taught the correct way of respect for the National Anthem and Pledge.
I am not impressed with him, it also makes me sick to think he has voted for partial birth abortions, letting our young girls have abortions with out knowledge of parents.
this is a man that sat under a preacher teaching hate for 20 years and then says he never really took any of it in?. Also his wife, who showed her side when she made remarked about Clinton not “taking care of her house”. Hmmmm It amazes me how all that is suddenly “hush, Hush”. True alot of garbage happens at election time. But i still dont’ know what B.H Obama change is other than being worse than what we got.
April 6, 2008 at 11:26 am
First, DRAGONLADY hit the nail on the head so to speak! Obama side steps everything!
Second, HIGHLYANNOYED I am a USMC veteran, and Obama has done nothing for veterans!
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, OBAMA CLIMBS BACK ON HIS ANTI-GUN HORSE:
With the Democratic Presidential nomination process turning into what would have been an unthinkably close race only a few months ago, we continue to see the political contenders pulling out all of the rhetorical stops to distinguish themselves as the “candidate of choice” for their constituency. We also continue to see the candidates test the limits of credibility in the process.
Last month, we reported on the hypocrisy of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. We detailed his advocacy of a law to forbid federally licensed gun dealers from legally selling constitutionally-protected products (firearms) in huge geographical areas, without holding purveyors of pornography to the same standard. Apparently, Obama is in the habit of saying and doing whatever he feels is politically expedient at the time, and for his particular audience. Well, he’s at it again, and changing horses in the middle of the campaign stream.
While on the campaign trail earlier this year, Obama tried to reassure pro-gun voters by telling them, “I have no intention of taking away folks’ guns.” But an April 3 article in Townhall.com reports that Obama in now embracing his well-documented anti-gun leanings. “I am not in favor of concealed weapons,” he told the Pittsburgh Tribune. “I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could [get shot during] altercations.” Obama went on to discuss, “…cracking down on the various loopholes that exist in terms of background checks…,” and, “…reasonable, thoughtful gun control measure[s]….”
It obviously comes as no surprise that Obama is anti-gun. In fact, as with Hillary, we are so well aware of Obama’s hostility toward the Second Amendment that in the 2004 elections, NRA’s Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) issued Obama a well-deserved “F” grade. What’s surprising is that he thinks he can slowly change his message and we won’t notice. Incidentally, in taking his latest position, Obama is opposing the law in 48 of our 50 states, which afford law-abiding citizens a means to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection.
In truth, both candidates’ records are well documented and show, unquestionably, that they’re both anti-gun. (Neither joined more than 300 of their congressional colleagues in signing a brief in the Heller case in support of the Second Amendment.) For either to now try to convince us otherwise is ridiculous.
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=3779
April 7, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I am going to puke. There are so many issues with this email, where do I begin?
“god save us”. Yes, when the politicians in power today are done fucking the entire world up and leaving it in ruins, I’m sure GOD will come save us.
“never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world.” Americans are so egotistical. Why makes us think we have the right to invade another country to impose our way of life and beliefs on them? It would be one thing if they asked for help, like in Vietnam, but it’s quite another to just invade a country for no reason. Soldiers fighting today are not fighting for building the nation or for my freedom. They are fighting to “promote freedom around the world”. Well, I don’t really believe this either, but even still, what gives us the right? I really HATE when people try to justify fighting a war and killing people in the name of “freedom”. It’s just a cover up and it’s really sick.
“if you have family serving in the military, make sure you send it along.” – yeah, that’s right, if you have a loved one in Iraq, make sure you vote for the one guy who’s going to keep them there until they are dead. Really smart. This is the one I seriously don’t get. I would think that people who have family in Iraq would want to vote as fast as they could for the president most likely to bring them home as fast as possible. Isn’t this common sense? Do they not want them home? Especially now since we know the war is a crock of shit and for no purpose and 5 years and counting. Don’t they want them to come home already? I don’t get it.
“Barack Hussein Obama’s photo (that’s his real name)….”. – yes, it’s African you idiot, his father was from Africa. It’s not an Islamic or Arabic name. How stupid are you? I cannot believe people are still trying to make him Arabic. That’s just crazy. The guy is from Hawaii for goodness sakes!
The pledge of allegiance is just another way for the government to control us. Yes, be proud in your country no matter what it does, don’t ask questions, criticize or question authority. Just do what you are told and recite the damn thing with articulation DAMMIT! I swear, these people who believe this way don’t even understand the basic principles upon which our nation was founded. This nation was founded on the basis of limited government. Power of the people. The people’s ability to self-govern and have freedom from all sorts of civil, political and religious persecutions. The ability to elect our government that we choose into power, and then question their actions at all levels. Barack Obama has stated over and over again, he wants American people to take back their rights and help create a new nation and new government. He understands that it takes the entire country to make change, not just one person. We all have to get involved and do our part. Putting a President back in office that “rules” the country and stands behind required pledges of allegiance and whatnot is headed down the exact same path as the current President, and our country will become even worse.
Last but not least, I have this final thought. Why do people like this vote based on insignificant information? You’re telling me you’re going to vote for McCain because he says the pledge of allegiance? And that’s it? come on, does this person even know what Obama stands for? Do they even know what he wants to do for this country? He wants to bring troops home, bring tax cuts to low and middle America, bring healthcare to those in need, and refocus the government’s agenda on saving and improving America, you know, the place where we actually live? Who doesn’t want this? I just seriously don’t get it. Why would anyone not want the things Obama is saying he will lead us to get? This is what makes me sick to my stomach and ready to puke. Why would people vote for McCain? I know why people vote for McCain. Because they vote for symbols instead of actions. They don’t vote for the person who has ACTED in the best way, they vote for the person who has been SYMBOLIZED in a way to match their beliefs. And then they just ignore the consequences. Sick, just really really sick.
Again, I’ll say, I just hope America smartens up by November. We can’t live with another “symbolic” president who’s actual actions are corrupt and evil and don’t even support the symbol they stand for. As a Christian or Republican or just a normal Joe Schmoe, you really think President Bush has ACTED in the way that matches your beliefs? And you really think McCain will too? Really? Then you are beyond stupid……..open your eyes and see the world around you. It’s not good, and us Americans are to blame for it. We need to take responsibility and get someone to lead us into a new world.
April 7, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Definitely worth the read and did certainly have some valid thoughts and considerations, but I always shy away from debating patriotism as it is very similar to religion and means many things to many people. I am not entitled to question another person’s patriotism because my patriotism is very different and personal. There is no gauge or right or wrong in patriotism and for me to question another person’s patriotism is to take away their freedoms and impose my views in act of self righteous power. In addition one person’s symbol could be another person’s reminder of something very bad or unjust. This is a personal story that I think is important to John McCain and should maybe have remained as a personal story to share with close friends and family and should not be used as a tool in a political ploy or grasp for political power. I am sure their were a lot of Vietnamese people that were stitching flags and have these stories as well. I just think this is something that may be important to me personally about John McCain, but is this going to do anything for the current state of affairs or the future of this country for everyone of every religion, color, economic status, or the like.
I would like to know more about Mike Christian. Why did he have to join the military, it is stated he came from a small town and I am sure his only choice was to join the military as their was no progressive companies inventing new jobs and opportunities for others besides themselves and get rich Americans and screw the rest. Did he agree with fighting in a war that many would question it’s validity, in fighting a war isn’t the flag the one thing that can remind people of home, therefore even I would want to do the same. I would stitch a flag to remember I am more so there fighting for my family and maybe someone that is worse off then me that the thought of freedom is their only hope.
He states he did not wear shoes until he was 13 years old. I wonder if John McCain would have helped provide that child a pair of shoes? Maybe he would have, but my unfortunate opinion and recent views are the he would absolutely not and screw the kid!
I remember in school their was a Jehovah Witness girl in my class that did not stand or say the pledge of allegiance with the class. She was made fun of and almost in tears many times. I discussed this with my parents as I sincerely cared and did not like to see other students do this to someone who had every right to not stand for the pledge, and by the students making fun of her were in fact taking her freedoms away and also joining the continued ignorance of what it truly means to live without prejudice and negative opinions and actions. My parents told me the girl had every right to do that and in fact encouraged me to learn why she does not stand and possibly add my support to what is important to her and her religion. I am thankful my parents taught me this as I was able to support someone in something that was very different then me in her decisions and freedoms in life. Her religion and beliefs were not for me to debate or use against her because she was different then me.
In a sense at this very early age in life these kids that were making fun of her had already started on a path in life of complete self entitlement and worrying about others and not themselves or their unacceptable behaviors.
I will never forget the freedoms and those people who had to act in violence to further an idea of freedom here in America, but what I will continue to do is question those in power and decisions that are made to act in violence because a common ground can not be met because of ignorance, religion, money, out dated technologies, and bigotry.
If I was making political decisions on something as small as the fact Obama did not put his hand on his heart, then I would be resorting to the same small minded thinking that leads to unnecessary wars, prejudice and bigotry.
April 9, 2008 at 5:57 pm
In Response to Dumb! says:
You chose a perfect name for yourself in your post to represent your own stupidity with your statements. It’s liberal fascists like yourself who have been afforded the opportunity to live under the umbrella of freedom this great nation affords you, and then try to rip it apart from the inside out.
I also hope everyone smartens up by November as well, and gets off of the media driven facade that a Muslim like Barack Hussein Obama could ever be the best choice for this great nation!
April 10, 2008 at 8:14 am
I cannot verify the validity of what Obama thinks, or how he intends to make “change” happen n America. I can say that although he has not impressed me with his speeches that have no direction, provide no insight into what his platform really is besides “change”. Some of you must be hearing something I am not, to make you want to support him. Or must you just hate America so much, that you buy into the nothingness he spews… Why? I don’t get it!
I believe he is not the man for the job & for the first time in my life I will vote a straight Republican ticket, because of him!!! I’m not a McCain supporter by any means, but I gotta say, in order to keep a Democrat from becoming President, the rest of America can’t be split by casting their votes for any other candidates than McCain to have any real shot at keeping Obaba out of the Presidency. That is if the Delegates sway towards the popular vote.
I think Obama has spent way to much time with a Hate Monger for a Mentor, who has spread many lies about the white race & that Obama himself has plenty of hate stored up, has exposed his children to the same Hate Monger as their Pastor – did you catch that part – Pastor???
I don’t know about you, but as a Christian, my God is a loving God. However, the Muslims preach hate, they even have it in their religion to kill anyone that does not share their faith. I’m not sure if that’s what Obama’s preacher is preaching or not because I have never been, but CNN & FOX News have shown me & America a lot recently about Obama’s Church & it doesn’t sound very Christian like to me!
All I can add is that I hope & Pray to God that Americans will not accept being deceived & before you vote in November, to listen carefully, watch with both eyes open, and Pray to God for guidance… Follow God’s lead & keep America in your Prayers!!!
April 12, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Why do we believe he’s a muslim again??
And on that note…why do we hate muslims again? I’m a Christian, but I didn’t know that was a criteria for the presidency especially since we have so many diversities including religious beliefs in this country. Why is “muslim” a dirty word? Is there a real seperation between church and state if this is a criteria for office? Let’s not forget where the power of the Evangelical vote got us…better yet WHO? I’m just sayin’.
April 12, 2008 at 6:11 pm
meL-Obama’s “Christian” church of 20 years has direct ties to Louis Farrakhan and even presented him, a Muslim, a lifetime acheivement award.
This pastor, who also accompanied Louis Farrakhan to meet Libyan strongman Muammar Ghaddafi, has taught him, his wife and his children for 20 years.
But, this could all just be some kind of weird coincidence…forgive people for being a little hesitant to embrace this candidate who has these suspect associations.
April 12, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I just don’t believe that his pastor defines him. I don’t believe that his pastor’s words nor any other associations define him. Why can’t he define himself, why can’t his actions, his words define him. Just as we all have some shady associations…they don’t define us. Seriously, how many people should be held accountable for what someone else has done…no one but Jesus fits that bill.
April 12, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Since he has voted “Present” so many times instead of actually making stands on issues, we do not have many instances of his actual record.
This is a direct reflection of his decision making and the people he associates with.
This is a real issue and some may choose to look past it, but you cannot blame those who chose not to turn a blind’s eye to these issues.
April 12, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Just trying to dialogue with you man. Your points are all valid minus the splash of nasty. I’m researching all 3 candidates records and not just what was thrown out in the debates and media blitz’s to determine either of their records. Obama has a great record, as does Clinton, as does McCain. They all have their blemishes, some more than others I must say. At any rate, we can’t let what the media determines to loop over and over on Fox News and CNN be our basis for the next president. Personally, I’m more interested in the way the war is going to be handled going forward and this health care debate. I’m still a little iffy on the idea of government health care, but I prefer Obama’s plan of a “plan for all” with out forcing it. The war is a whole ‘nother monster…I honestly don’t see us coming out of there soon although I want that. Then GAS! I shiver everytime I go to the pump, I’m afraid the solutions they have won’t be felt anytime soon. I haven’t turned a blind eye nor am I asking you to. I was merely asking why we regard muslims with disgust and pointing out that his associations shouldn’t define the man especially when he does have a record that can do it better.
April 12, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Now you got me checkin’ out your page morethananelectrician…gettin’ in my head!!!
April 14, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Don’t have the time to read all the responses today (still doing taxes), but felt compelled to put a comment. Hope it has not already been said. First, thank you for clearing this up. My husband and I were just talking about this morning. I told him that I felt that the photo was taken out of context. Thank you again for showing the whole video and giving the patriotic protocol explanation. Now my problem… The version of our National Anthem sung during this particular event was one of the worst I have heard. And I have heard many bad ones. I am sick and tired of singers trying to put their own spin on the melody, and, as in this case, adding words/phrases. Not everyong can really do justice to this difficult song (including myself), but the person singing it publically should just sing it as written, and the person deciding who sings it should make sure the singer will do it justice.
April 14, 2008 at 9:58 pm
many of you seem to be confused.
Barack Obama is not a muslim, nor does he support the islamic nation.
If u spent time to educated yourselves rather than using heresay as fact, you might learn a few things.
In addition. It is proper etiquette to put your hand upon your heart while saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. However during the singing of the National Anthem, it is not necessary. Many people confuse the two. Barack Obama makes this point in his books and also in an interview regarding his “lack of Patriotism”.
And let me ask you all who doubt his patriotism.
Do you wear a flag lapel all the time?
I’m going to answer that and say that most of you do not.
But does anybody have the right to call you an unamerican?
No.
Many people forget that the presidential candidates are also human beings.
True they are future leaders, but they are not robots, and if they act as such (McCain>Billary)
then they are not fit to run our country. America is inhabited by human beings. Not robots. Therefore we should be governed by Human beings. Human beings that make mistakes, human beings that are not perfect, and human beings that will always be judged no matter what they do.
So do not be so quick to judge Obama.
He is a person you know.
April 15, 2008 at 12:05 am
i made a mistake.
educated should be educate
April 16, 2008 at 9:06 am
I’m glad to know that he wasn’t dissing the pledge, but he still should have put his hand over his heart. And WHAT THE HECK? Who let that lady sing?????
April 16, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Wh y is he even winning whe he didn’t even salute?! He’s not gonna be a good president if he didn’t do that. AND his middle name is Heissane!! Like as in Sadam Heissane! I don’t know how to spell that, but it is! That video is proof that he’s not gonna be a good leader!! If the Iraqians (?) can’t take us from the outside, they will get us from the inside. Like someone being president over here. Then we will have to obey him. ANYTHING he has us do. I am just trying to make my point.
April 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I am glad I came across your blog. It is sad that people refuse to think or research for themselves so many times and just repeat things without even bother to question the truthfulness of it all. Glad to know there is a place that I can just politely send a link.
April 17, 2008 at 3:16 pm
ok so what this proves that he said the pledge and the national anthum but still why didnt he out his hand over his heart? As a president thats something u should do if u want to represent someones country dont u think it would be a good idea to show your apretiation or what ever u wanna call it to the people thats not very smart what an idiot who ever votes for him is stupied he is goin to ruin this country more than bush has!!!
April 17, 2008 at 5:34 pm
So he didn’t sing the National Anthum instead of the
pledge. He didn’t put his hand over his heart. That is not cool. In the video of the pledge analysis shows that he skipped the words, “under God”. For a guy who’s best friend, two years ago, was tony resko, his spiritual advisor is rev wright, ha ha, his wife doesn’t respect America, his political mentor is Emil Jones, he endorsed Illinois Gov. Blago, he endorse Todd Stroeger of CROOK COUNTY fame, who was an empty suit when speaking until recently, and when pressed for details instead of just empty word he misspeaks every other day, this guy has fooled a lot of people.
Hillary is not qualified to be president, let alone a senator. B Obama is even less qualifed and possibly danagerous to our country’s well-being.
April 17, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The, excuse the expression, who was singing is Mrs. BO
April 18, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hello Everyone,
I have quite a few posts on hear now in an attempt to get people to recognize the media driven facade behind Obama Hussein Barack. The media is attempting to make everyone believe that this person is the best candidate for the leader of the most free nation in the world. Yet again, I tell you he is not. I also wanted to share with everyone a video that was put together which demonstrates the effect media has on the public.
I did not personally make the video, but it is produced with factual information and is most definitely an eye opener for everyone. Please see for yourself at:
April 19, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I think its great that someone cared enough to clarify the fact that Obama can say the Pledge Of Allegiance, however, I fought for this country and it sickens me deeply that the man can not find the energy to cover his heart for our National Anthem. He just lost my vote.
April 20, 2008 at 1:19 am
TO TELL THE TRUTH I WATCHED OBAMA. LISTENED TO EVERY WORD HE SAID. THEN HIS PAST HISTORY WAS MADE PUBLIC. THHEN STATEMENTS WERE MADE THAT COULD ONLY MEAN THERES A PROBLEM. I REALLY DISLIKE HILLERY BUT THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY “RED FLAGS” TO VOTE FOR OBAMA.
April 20, 2008 at 12:17 pm
The bottom lione people is he IS running for the office of the The President of the United States of America. Key word America!!! How can anyone justifiy his actions where it’s the Pledge of Allegience or the National Anthem. Are Democrats so blind that they can not see what is happening in front of their faces? I can undrstand their hate for Bush, but for Go’ds sake, think for yourselves, use a little common sense. This man is a rank liberal and has no business representing the United States of America if he doesn’t believe in the core tenets that made up this great nation.
April 20, 2008 at 12:29 pm
One more point and then I am done….
It amazes me that since the election process started, Obama Hussien Barak has been handled with kid gloves by the press. Not until the last few weeks have they even attempted to reveal any dirt on Obama Hussien Barak.
Can anyone stand back and say why? Doesn’t it bother you that the media’s coverage is so edited that it borders on conspiracy? To hear people talk of him you’d think he is the second coming. HE’S A POLICITIAN, which makes him a professional liar and a con artist.
Please wake up, this man is NOT good for America…
Democrat’s for Hillary!!!!
April 20, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Okay, I wondered about that pledge of alliegance thing and I believe that Obama is innocent. But he is NOT innocent about Writght and Ayers. Obama is far too comfortable associating with America haters. I believe him to be a far-left, one world government socialist. I believe that he should be leading the UN and not the US.
April 21, 2008 at 11:00 am
In Response to each of the statements above by “Jerry” and “Bruce”:
Jerry, you hit the nail on the head with your statement:
“Doesn’t it bother you that the media’s coverage is so edited that it borders on conspiracy?”
…referring to what I like to call the media drive facade behind Barack Hussein Obama. Have you seen the following video I referenced in my post above: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo It’s a perfect example of how the media is used to hypnotize the general public into believing almost anything.
And Bruce, you also hit the nail on the head with your statement:
“Obama is far too comfortable associating with America haters.”
Now I just wish everyone could wake up from this media driven Obama hypnotic state, and finally see the truth
!
April 22, 2008 at 12:54 am
I am amazed that I am leaving a reply, but here goes: What a childish psychological tactic this author uses. Attacking the person who forwarded an email as “somebody thought so poorly of you, your intelligence, and your well-being under the next Presidential administration that they flat out lied to you. Somebody tried to play you for a fool.”
Many of us try to look at all the information, find the truth and make a decision based on that. If we don’t know the issues out there, how can we vote intelligently? How dare you judge the person sending information to us to verify? And how cleverly you worked your way to the top of the google chain. Before you tell me that a friend lied to me, ask yourself where and how you got YOUR information. The pledge he said was with a group of kids. Got one with adults? Tell us how you verified your “facts”.
Molly
April 22, 2008 at 5:33 pm
You people need to wake up and smell the roses. No matter who wins this election this country is in BIG trouble. Non of the candidates are worth voting for. This country needs true leaders NOT these candidates who will say anything to get a vote. I say we elect Jesse Ventura for President, if we can get him to come back from Mexico. Or better yet, Lee Iacocca. Hes at least a proven leader. Shame on America for having these choices.
April 22, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I was confronted by this urban myth while watching Obama’s Pennsylvania primary “concession speech” from Evansville tonight. Someone in the hotel lounge I was staying in in Portland let the rest of us know that Obama was “unAmerican.”
I’ve become less willing to just let these types of statements made about anybody go unchallenged, lately, and asked him how he came to that conclusion. He told me all about the video. Not having heard or seen any of this, I just advised him that not having seen this on mainstream news should have been reason enough to doubt such a provocative claim. He would not be dissuaded.
The fact that it took me 15 seconds to find a slew of websites demonstrating that the claim was baseless, is a reminder to me that there are just too many fellow Americans who (1) are too willing to accept any bit of information in print, (2) are too willing to buy into most any claim, no matter how absurd, that reinforces any of their pre-conceived notions, and (3) believe in these judgements that they are being absolutely objective.
Regardless of who we support in this election, we owe it to our country, our fellow countrymen and women, ourselves and our children when we are confronted by this nonsense, to challenge it as laziness in a true pursuit of truth, or as worse, as outright lying.
Rather than look for false indicators of things that set ua apart, we need to become more willing, and demanding of ourselves to acknowledge the 99% of commonality we share.
April 24, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I never take any e’mails or internet gossip at face value without checking facts. May be true that Obama didn’t put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and that it was during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem, however, anyone running for political office in our country should be up to date on our rules, regulations, laws and customs. Here is what it specifically states in Wikipedia under the Star Spangled Banner :
“Custom : United States Code, 36 USC Sec. 301 says that during the playing of The Star Spangled Banner (United States National Anthem) when the flag is displayed, everyone except those in uniform should stand at attention while facing the flag and have their right hand over their heart. Individuals in attendance that aren’t in uniform should remove anything they are wearing on their head with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, with their hand held over their heart. Individuals in uniform should show the military salute during the first note of the anthem and stay in this position until the last note. If the flag is not displayed, people in attendance should face the music and respond as if the flag were present.[9][10]”
Whether it was during the Pledge of Allegiance or the Star Spangled Banner it is still customary to put your right hand over your heart and someone running for President should be familiar with this.
April 27, 2008 at 11:51 am
A well educated friend asked me last week why Barack Obama refuses to say the Pledge of Allegience. I think it is amazing that despite the smear emails and the unending Clinton attack, he continues to hold the majority of support. He is an amazing leader and I think that these scurrilous attacks stand as a perfect example of why we need Obama’s leadership to bring us together in an uplifting manner.
April 28, 2008 at 2:21 pm
In Response to the statements above by Charlie and Peggy:
How sad it is to see “supposedly educated” Americans as yourselves completely hypnotized by the media driven facade of Barack Hussein Obama. And it shall truly be a sad day in American history if all of you liberal fascists manage to get this sleeper elected into office.
For anyone else that reads this particular post of mine; Should you actually be educated and compassionate torward this great nation, then search this web page for “TL” to review all of my posts before jumping to conclusions about this short input.
WAKE UP AMERICA!
April 28, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I wonder how many people would vote for Jesus, (for those that beleive in him), would vote for him. No I don’t think Barack is Jesus, just a thought. Jesus was different, he didn’t do or act like what was considered christian, so he was hung on a cross. Barack isn’t wearing a flag pin, he didn’t place his hand on his heart during the national anthem, so he is unpatriotic. I don’t know that I can recall a election where so much was being done to smear one mans name and reputation, many based on lies, even to the point he is put down because of his very name, which his naming he had nothing to do with.
April 28, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Hmmm, while your arugment seems almost convincing why don’t you take a look at this:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
Now wouldn’t you think that someone running for the President Of The United States ought to know this????
April 29, 2008 at 12:03 am
TL – I have gone and read most all of your posts. It seems to me that the overwhelming theme is that “If Obama is elected President, the country will be destroyed and we will lose all of our freedoms.” I know that you are boasting experience and credentials to make this prediction, but so what? Chenney and Rumsfeld where highly qualified to predict what would happen when we attacked and occupied Iraq and they were dead wrong! They are definitely more qualified than you and they were either lying to carry out a hidden agenda, or they were so wrong that they should have been fired and banishe – never be heard from again.
Also, why are you trying to make a connection between Obama and the North American Union with the video link? I agree that this secret plan to break down the sovereignty of Nations by the Super Ellite to create an new world order. But what does that have to do with your overwhelming theme?
April 30, 2008 at 9:55 am
In Response to BigBrotherSays:
Of course I welcome any kind of legitimate and well educated constructive criticism. However, it is so truly apparent that you have no military background whatsoever.
Have you stopped to wonder why most of the people that support Barack Hussein Obama, are not from, or tied to the military in any way? Should all the liberal fascists out there actually manage to get Barack Hussein Obama elected as our next Commander in Chief, I expect what happened on September 11th, 2001 to be completely forgotten. Why you may ask? Well, it’s actually rather simple. After Barack Hussein Obama spear heads shrinking our nations defense to a size even smaller than it is now, terrorists will most likely take opportunity of such a weakness if this great nation, and proceed with an attack far worse than that of Septemeber 11th, 2001.
Former President Clinton tore this nation’s defense apart for 8-years while in office. And September 11th, 2001 is a DIRECT result of that. And now the country stands to suffer yet a similar fate, when the media driven facade behind Barack Hussein Obama successfully brain washes enough of you liberal fascists to actually get him voted into office.
And finally, had you paid ATTENTION to the detail in my posts above. It CLEARLY states that the purpose of the North American Union video is to be used as an EXAMPLE of how the media manages to brain wash people. An EXAMPLE of how the media has currently brain washed so many people into believing that Barack Hussein Obama is there best choice for the next Commander in Chief.
And in closing, I would like to address the following quote from the first paragraph of your post:
“They are definitely more qualified than you and they were either lying to carry out a hidden agenda, or they were so wrong that they should have been fired and banishe – never be heard from again.”
You have no idea who I am, nor do you have any idea of the weight of my credentials other than what little I have shared in my posts. To be so outright presumptuous clearly shows your true level of intellect, and lack thereof.
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May 1, 2008 at 12:41 am
In Response to TL:
I apologize for being “outright presumptuous” in my earlier post. I meant to say that even the best get it wrong. Like most people, I respect those who serve in the military, and I appreciate living in a country that has the most awesome organization the world has ever known, the US military, to protect and serve it. I am not in the military. I do not believe I need to be in the military to offer some “legitimate and well educated constructive criticism”. So, I hope you do accept it and we can exchange information and ideas.
I believe that there are many areas in which we agree, and I know there are some that we disagree. First of all, I would like to know your opinion regarding the content of the video you posted. How much of that do you believe to be true? Also, what did you mean when you called Barack a Sleeper?
I would like to challenge some of the information in your previous post. I agree with you that the Media is being manipulated and the psychology that is being used is to sway public opinion is frightening. But, all the information referenced in links below is easily verifiable and should not be discounted just because they the mainstream media reported on it:
“Have you stopped to wonder why most of the people that support Barack Hussein Obama, are not from, or tied to the military in any way?”
You are right; most people who support Obama are not in the military, that’s because the military makes up a very small percentage of the general population that votes. Also, that’s not true for current enlisted military personnel. Outside of Ron Paul, when he was still in the race, Barack received the most support from current enlisted military personnel – more than McCain or Hillary – as is reported on the following links. You can also find a list of retired generals and other non active military personnel that support him on his website. It’s true that more military related people support McCain now, but you cannot discount all the honorable people that served, that support Barack, just to make a point.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sq4DRInyh-0&feature=related
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-09-13-military-donors_N.htm
“Should all the liberal fascists out there actually manage to get Barack Hussein Obama elected …”
Definitions of liberal on the Web:
• having political or social views favoring reform and progress
• tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
• a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
Definitions of fascist on the Web:
• an adherent of fascism or other right-wing authoritarian views
• A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition …
Liberalism and Fascism are direct opposites and cannot co-exist in the same space. Calling someone a Liberal Fascist is an oxymoron and “clearly shows your true level of intellect, and lack thereof.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist) More to come……..
May 1, 2008 at 4:32 am
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May 1, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Response to TL continued:
Regarding the size of the military – you said:
“After Barack Hussein Obama spear heads shrinking our nations defense to a size even smaller than it is now…”
The US Military is currently as large as the rest of all the world’s militaries combined. Of all the world’s military expenses, the US military expense make up 48%.
How much of the US federal Budget should go to the Military? Is there ever a point where you would consider Military too big?
US FEDERAL BUDGET 2009 FISCAL YEAR
Total Outlays (Federal Funds): $2,650 billion
MILITARY: 54% and $1,449 billion
NON-MILITARY: 46% and $1,210 billion
“Former President Clinton tore this nation’s defense apart for 8-years while in office.”
Please look at the data regarding the size and cost of the military on the below sight. It shows world and US military spending over time covering the Reagan to Busch II years.
http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/ArmsTrade/Spending.asp#InContextUSMilitarySpendingVersusRestoftheWorld
http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm
According to this data, military spending started declining with Reagan, followed with steep decreases during Bush Sr. Admin and then Clinton where spending flattened out and actually began to rise again. According to the chart, Clinton decreased spending less than both Reagan and Busch Sr. I challenge you to come up with data that supports your statement above.
I am sure anyone can argue a few % up or down from these numbers, but, let’s put things into prospective. Do we need a military that is twice the size of the entire rest of the world’s military to protect us? How much of it is waist or overkill?
You said:
“Terrorists will most likely take opportunity of such a weakness if this great nation, and proceed with an attack far worse than that of Septemeber 11th, 2001”.
Now, again, I am for having an overwhelmingly superior military protecting this country, but let’s get a grip on this. The threat of fighting the Communist with the entire might of the Soviet Union was a justification for increasing the size of the military. The potential threat of the growing Chinese Military in the distant future might some day be a good justification. But, the terrorist that pulled off the 911 attack were a handful of loosely organized, mostly poor Saudis, with box cutters and some basic knowledge of flying airplanes. The people and organizations that have been designated as “Terrorist”, that we are being asked to live in constant fear of, are mostly small groups, with no country, no weapons – to speak of, and no military – relative to the size of the US Military. I agree that it is definitely a threat and should not be ignored, but, again, let’s get a grip on this and put it in some perspective. Terrorism should be fought by using mostly special op forces and law enforcement. That is were extra money and resources would do the most good. The regular military should be used in extreme cases – I.E. Afghanistan. I am sure that even you agree that if the military was twice the size as it was on 911, it would have made no difference to stopping those attacks. Lets be real and honest about this. Many intelligent people are completely insulted about the way “Terrorism” has been used to justify the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars Spent, Tens of thousands of injured and disabled young men and women and Thousands of lives lost. I would much more respect anyone who said that they were ready to wage war against the entire Arab/Muslim population to secure the energy resources for the future of this country. Or, I would feel better if I was told that the military and it’s personnel don’t want to be downsized and the Fat Cats that make Billions in the Military Industrial Complex really miss the profits they made during the Cold War and they need perpetual, on going war to get fatter and fatter. I would still be against it, but I would not feel that I am being treated like I am stupid.
Oh, Yeah, there’s more………………….
I really want to know what your opinion is of Blackwater and the obvious plot of the neo-cons and this administration to try to privatize the military. Everyone knows that Blackwater and other hired gun companies pay their people 5 X what military personnel make. Does that mean that it is costing the US taxpayer 5 X the amount of money to have a privatized army taking care of business instead of the US military? It looks to me like the current regime in the White House has done to the military what they tried to do to Social Security – Privatize it. No wonder Rumsfeld and Channey were against increasing the size of the initial occupying force in Iraq. Sure we would have won the war a lot faster and stabalized Iraq much cheaper, but they would not have given the opportunity and money to Blackwater and others. What are your thoughts?
May 9, 2008 at 6:32 pm
TL,
After reading 3 of your blogs, it is apparent to me that you are intelligent and very patriotic and have served you country through military service. That being said, it is not clear to me why you are so against Obama. I’ll share my reason why I’m for Obama. After reading both of his books and his 2002 speech against the IRAQ war (not Afghanistan) I was most impressed. His message then and actions now have been consistent.
I cannot say the same consistency for Clinon (Hillary) or McCain. It seems to me that they are influenced by the corporations that are trying to get them elected.
I am a registered Republican and voted for George Bush twice. However, he has led me and 70% of Americans in a direction that we believe is terribly wrong.
Senator Barack Obama is intelligent and strong willed. He has demonstrated the personal courage to stand up for what is right for the majority of Americans. The people that he will be loyal to if elected is a whole lot of Americans giving $25 donations. That means the people of the United States. I believe he will bring more justice and peace to our Country and the World than any of the other candidates.
May 11, 2008 at 4:33 pm
k i ndrstand that it is not true that he wont say the pledge, but no where on this page does it actually explain why his hand is not over his heart in this video??? any answers?
May 11, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Anonymous Says,
He was taught, by his grandfather, to place his hand over his heart during the Pledge and to stand at attention facing the flag during the singing of the national anthem and sing. The next time you have a national anthem experience pay attention. A lot of people do just that, others place their hands on their hearts. Bottom line is that this is BS. The people that have tried to make this an issue are reaching. They want to pass judgment on Obama’s level of patriotism. They are telling you that they know what is in this man’s heart by looking a photo.
Pre- judging a person’s patriotism is very low form of politics and it is used to exploit ignorance. Does anyone have any REAL issues, of substance with Obama’s message, politics or policies?
May 22, 2008 at 11:20 am
I am SO worried about the future of our fantastic country if Obama wins this election!
The fact that so many people are simply ignorant about who the REAL Obama is, scares
me & everyone I know beyond measure!! He is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” ~ please
wake up America, before it’s too late!! The Bible says, “…they will know you by the fruit
that you produce…”, referring to being Christians. I ask you, what kind of “fruit” do you
see from Obama’s life??? I urge you to go to http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036 & see for yourselves that pictures & words out of his own mouth don’t lie! WAKE UP AMERICA & think for yourselves, based on FACT!!! May GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA!!
May 24, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Calm down Anonymous. It’s going to be OK. If Obama becomes President, the sky will not fall and no one will force you or your friends to become Muslims. I promise.
When all is said and done – none of your worst fears will come true.
It will be just another cycle of Progressivism overtaking conservatism, as it has always happened in the past. Every time, people have claimed it was the end of this country or the world.
This country, and the world, will be alright. I believe that the world will be a little better, because of the courage shown by people like you-who were fearful of change, but overcame their fears and allow a person of color, because he is the best qualified, to lead this country. That is social progress, it is a reason to be proud.
There was nothing in the video you posted that was of any substance. It was all fluff with a racist/ignorant/Republican slant. I am not calling you a racist or ignoranus, I am however, calling you a republican.
I know that you are scared of what MAY happen, but there is no rational basis for that fear. If you want to spread your opinions, why not find some positive and constructive message to spread.
May 28, 2008 at 6:03 pm
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
June 3, 2008 at 1:16 pm
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June 4, 2008 at 5:08 am
As a 20 year military veteran i believe the tradition of hand over heart is important,
(US Code title 10, sec 171) especially in a fellow who wants to be commander in chief.
You may not believe in it but i gave 20 years of my life defending it.
June 4, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Brilliant. Just linked to this – thank you for doing the work for the rest of us.
June 5, 2008 at 10:43 am
So, can it be forgiven? Can he win your respect as commander in chief if he puts his hand over his heart from now on? I am sure there are many more import attributes to leading the military, this country and the free world.
June 8, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Whenever the US Flag is presented at a public event, irregardless if the national anthem is sung or not, flag etiquette dictates civilians put their hand over their heart, uniformed military (or police) personnel salute the flag. And by the way, whoever sang the anthem that day butchered the song and should be banned from ever singing it again.
June 13, 2008 at 9:45 am
I’m not a fan of Obama, but if folks are going to challenge him, challenge him on his ideas and ideals, not some ridiculous BS about his middle name or wearing a lapel pin.
Albert… irregardless isn’t a word.
As stated above:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. — United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171
As a vet, I do have a problem with his failure to follow the code if he wishes to be my CinC. I do not fail to salute, and and expect my POTUS to do the same.
June 14, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I’m 65 years old. While I stand at attention, I have never placed my hand over my heart during the singing of the national anthem. Did not know that there is such a requirement. Can’t recall anyone criticizing me for that. Hope that I haven’t offended anyone all these years.
June 18, 2008 at 6:50 am
when singing the national anthem I have always put my hand over my heart, right along with everyone else at the game
June 18, 2008 at 12:33 pm
http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?irregardless+
June 20, 2008 at 1:53 am
Copied from the US Code Title 36
United States Code Title 36
§301. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner
The composition consisting of the words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.
Conduct during playing — During rendition of the national anthem—
when the flag is displayed —
all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
June 22, 2008 at 1:48 am
Thank you for the resources provided here. Giving credit where due, I plan to use this site as one reference for truth-squadding the idiots, bigots, and genuinely misinformed who send me these nasty things.
June 23, 2008 at 12:50 am
Unfortunately some people will continue to let chain emails think for them instead of find out matters for themselves. Too much work.
June 23, 2008 at 11:28 am
[...] Story – Politics News Story – WCVB BostonSeach #5: Obama Pledge AllegianceGoogle’s number 1 return: Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To …Yahoo’s number 1 return: Did Barack Obama Refuse to Say the Pledge of Allegiance? – Associated [...]
June 24, 2008 at 9:15 am
…’SHOULD’ stand at attention…’SHOULD’ place their right hand over the heart…’SHOULD’ face the flag……sorry…as a legal writing student, ‘SHOULD’ is entirely optional and does not come close to ….”SHALL”.
By the way, some of you ’should’ take the time to visit the polling place and make your desires known – what other democracy has such a poor turn out on election day?
Just asking…
June 24, 2008 at 8:49 pm
BARACK OBAMA IS A COMPLETE IDIOT!!! LET’S GO MACAIN. WE ALL NO BARACK OBAMA WILL NOT PLEDGE ALLEGEINCE AND I THINK THATS A MAJOR PROBLEM DON’T YOU? HOPEFULLY HE WILL NOT BECOME OUR NEW PRESIDENT .DON’T VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA!!
June 28, 2008 at 4:35 pm
interesting how the so called “loyalAmerican” Barack Obama (not a Muslem name I guess?) started the first words to the pledge in the video provided by the bleeding heart liberal who posted this video but listen — he only starts the pledge with the first words (in a begrudging tone) “I pledge allegiance…” and THEN HE STOPS SAYING THE PLEDGE. He has a microphone on and NO words come out of his mouth after the first few. Once again, just like his phony sandbag shovelling photo during the Iowa floods, he can fool some of the people some of the time(they guy who posted the video on this site) but you can’t fool all of us all the time.
July 5, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I too, received that email. I just want to know the truth about the candidates who will have the most important job in the US for the next 4 years, and one of them being to protect me and my family by making decisions and passing laws, etc. that would ultimately have an impact in my personal life. I want a President that doesn’t just say things and portray ideas just for votes. Irregardless to whether or not I feel any particular candidate is right for the position of Commander In Chief, or not, is my decision just as it it everyone else’s decision to vote for who they feel is the right person for the job. I want the person who will make decisions based on the principles and beliefs that this nation was founded on in the first place. We have strayed away from those principles and beliefs and look where we are now. We are so far in debt as a Nation, who knows if we’ll recover. Also, we have our own resources, why not use them instead of buying from other countries and making them richer and us going in debt even more??? Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was taken out of school…or so they thought…I did, and I know of many others that pray daily to God while at school! But I think you know what I mean. Look where we are….school shootings, bomb threats, etc.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I think we need to go back to some of the things that made this Nation a great one to begin with! I know that there have been some improvements…I’m all for improvements. But, there have also been many things that have brought us down as a Nation and I really don’t think we can afford to make any more uneducated decisions or allow things to happen that shouldn’t. It’s time NOW to make the right choice! NOW is when it matters. If we don’t make the right choices now, there may not be another chance. There will be no other chances to make the right decisions when tomorrow is gone…
Look up the facts, research the candidates….do we really know ALL we need to know to make an intelligent decision?? Which candidate is really who they say they are? What do they stand for? What are their beliefs? Where do they see America in 10 years? or better yet, where do they see themselves in 10 years?? Make a list of things that are important to you…are those things equally important to the candidates? Do they stand for things that are immoral by your standards? This is the big picture.
Everything changes….look at the past, everything changes daily. Some change is good, But not all change! Let’s make sure we change for the better when we do change!
July 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm
July 5, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Let’s face it…while saluting the American Flag and what it stands for is definitely an important thing….there are other issues of great importance that we need to consider as well. We have to see the WHOLE PICTURE of who the candidates really are in order to make an informed decision and not base things on just one discrepancy. For everyone has at least one!
July 5, 2008 at 12:57 pm
July 7, 2008 at 9:27 pm
The problem is not if he is not a muslim, the problem is he has not been tested under hard times and he has NO REAL EXPERIANCE. He’s a freshman senator who is playing off a bad economy and a democratic base starving for power. He will bankrupt the country.
July 9, 2008 at 11:14 pm
To all of you folks who faithfully listen to the garbage spread by Rush Limbaugh the drug addict, Sean Hannity the idiot and O’Reilly the racist: If you really think that John McCain will be a better President than Barack Obama then you are the epitome of the sheep being led to slaughter. You are the same folks who castigated Bill Clinton for lying about a consensual sexual relationship, but defend George Bush, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Condeleeza Rice, Don Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Karl Rove and the rest of the Republican Sleaze Machine for lying and getting our country involved in an unwinnable war in Iraq.
July 26, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Looks like everyone is being lied to! Does anyone know the truth?? I think there is just too much to hide…
August 4, 2008 at 11:06 am
and check this out!
August 4, 2008 at 11:07 am
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/airplane.asp
August 4, 2008 at 11:11 am
A friend sent this today. Thought it was pretty short and to the point, no matter what your politics are.
I know that some of you don’t like to read long drawn out missives…so here’s the executive summary………
Congress Military
John McCain 26 Years 22 years
Barrack Obama 143 days 0
Summary Concluded.
August 5, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Thanks for your work on de-bunking rumors. You’re the antibiotic to this infectious rumour that is spreading around to people who listen to this kind of crap. Obama for not only 08, but for the next 40 years.
Steve (registered Republican since 1978)
August 5, 2008 at 10:54 pm
To John’s comment on July 7th, read this about Obama bankrupting our country http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/financial/reports/citizens_guide.pdf , and look back 8 years ago via this website, and tell me who has used our credit cards, all 300 million of us to pay for his policy. There’s more info out there, go dig for it and find out for yourself…if you do s then you’ll make the right choice when you vote in a few months. Choose wisely young Skywalker.
Oby Wan
August 8, 2008 at 12:17 pm
[...] http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/barack-obama-refused-to-say-the-pledge-of-allegia... [...]
August 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm
aren’t you still suppose to put your hand on your heart during the national anthem after all all our olympians have been! the video may clear up that it wasn’t the plege but it still makes him look like a jackass! I wasn’t going to vote for him before i saw this so i don’t think this so called smear will change many minds anways you either think hes an idiot or you don’t but then again they are both idiots and we have to chose the one that will serve us and our millitary the best.
August 19, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I don’t think there is a single undecided voter for whom this issue will finalize a decision between Obama and McCain. I think _everyone_ here who has an opinion about how the videos and images impinge on Obama’s patriotism has already let another more salient aspect of the campaigns affect our biases. The video/image is either a confirmation of something already felt or another piece of evidence of dirty political smearing.
I support Obama, and I think that looking at where a person’s hand was during that National Anthem is a terrible test of a citizen’s loyalties. It is tempting to make one uber-standard for your opponent and an easier standard for your favorite. What would you do if you were trying to get elected for a position at your city council, and your candidacy hinged on whether you sang the National Anthem every time you attended one in the last ten years? I would consider it more important if you had any conflicted financial interests or if you paid attention at the town meetings. Obama and McCain are both loyal citizens and competent lawmakers.
The point is not whether someone follows your standard of behavior 100% of the time that you are watching. The point is whether _you_ are paying attention to what other people are telling you is important and what is not important. I admit that I have a biased interest in this election; that McCain–with his clear experience advantage in Congress and in the military–fatally undermines his own credibility by selling bankrupt policies–ideas that do not belong to him. I think McCain should know better, but I don’t think that is what I as a concerned voter should be saying is the most important to communicate to other U.S. citizens.
The most important thing to keep in mind for this election, for those who have not made up their minds about their candidate, is to listen to multiple resources, consider the arguments for both of the hopefuls, and to measure all of these arguments against the _same_ level of scrutiny and skepticism, ensuring that you are not letting anyone else insert dogma into your deliberations without your knowledge. This is at least the most important election since 1980 (Carter/Reagan), but because the stakes are higher, each stakeholder will weigh in and try to buy your vote. Be a free agent and let no one else decide this election for you. It has gone on for far too long.
So, if you think that Barack would be a lesser U.S. administrator than McCain, because he does not always hold his hand over his heart during the National Anthem, then you should not vote for Obama. However, if you have not checked whether McCain measures up to that standard, then you should rethink what is informing your decision. It’s your vote–don’t be embarrassed to be an intelligent citizen.
August 24, 2008 at 3:27 am
I am not voting for Obama, however, I recieve these emails from friends saying all the rumors stated above and I am quick to point out that they are not true-simply because it makes us (Non-Obama supporters) look ignorant and not be able to be believed when we really ARE speaking truth about Obama.
At the risk of being completely ostracized, I WILL however, say that I was completely blown away that the lady at the end of the last video who attends Obama’s church- BEFORE saying anything else says that she attends Obama’s church and there is nothing wrong with the Muslim religion, and I was flabbergasted because Christians have practically nothing in common with Muslims, we do not believe in the same anything. Even their view of who God is, is COMPLETELY different than ours and if she is truly a Christian at a Christian church, (Christian meaning “follower of Christ”) there is no way she could make that statement since the Muslims don’t even believe Jesus was the son of God. The Muslims wouldn’t say “There is nothing wrong with being a Christian” because they think there is definitely something wrong with it!
I am not just basing this on opinion or what I’ve read. I make it my personal mission to speak with as many Muslim people and explore their beliefs as i can and everyone of them wants to convert me and show me how wrong western religion is.
My point is- putting her on there just threw gas on the fire. people will naturally conclude that if they go to the same church and she thinks there is nothing wrong with the Muslim religion then Obama must believe that way too. (which he does anyway) but in this country-the people who will not like him because they think he is Muslim, will also not like him because he thinks there is nothing wrong with the Muslim religion and so the emails will continue only now they will say that he is partial to the Muslims or supportive of their beliefs….and so the cycle goes. People should stop speaking for Obama and let him talk for himself!
August 27, 2008 at 7:39 am
We need to Pray for Barrack Obama and his Family… and to fast as well.
We need to Pray the Democrats win – over the Republican Smears, Hatred and Envy.
We need these New Ideas that are Long Overdue – to come to Fruition.
We need people to Come from Other Parties or to just Come and Throw their Support behind the Democrats.
We need to Pray that once the Democrats get into the White House – by this same Miracle – that they are able to Accomplish their Goals and Change America and Inspire and Change the world.
We need to Pray for the Safety of all Involved.
We need to Pray for the Best and most Inspiring Presidency in a long while.
We need to Pray for Peace and Prosperity and the Fulfilment of Hope.
Then we need to Pray that once Hope is Fulfilled -that Hope is Fulfilled – Again and Again.
Pass It On >>
August 28, 2008 at 8:51 am
I had heard these rumor more than once and decided to search the internet to find out more about them. I found this site and a few others that proved to me that they were not true. Well that’s all good for me but what about the people that don’t have internet? That is what concerns me.
August 28, 2008 at 11:18 am
I was so annoyed at getting these stupid emails from family memb ers I decided to write my own, and see how ridiculous I could make it. Here it is.
Another truth about Obama
If you do not ever forward anything else – please forward this to all your
contacts. It is very scary to think abou twhat lies ahead of us here in our
own United States… This guy wants to be our president?! Wake up America!
I bet you never heard this – the liberal controlled media would never report
this, but, it’s true – Barack Hussein Obama refuses to say “God Bless You” when
someone sneezes.
He even admits it, in black and white, in one of his books. In his 2005 book,
“Audacity of My Father” he talks about being a new dad to his first daughter.
Here’s the quote:
“When my daughter Malia was born, I suddenly felt the weight of the most
important job I will ever have – being a father. I would look at her in her
crib, and just be amazed at how precious she was. Sometimes she’d open her eyes
and look at me; a few times she sneezed. ‘Gesundheit, little one’, I whispered
to her.” (page 167)
There you go! I’ll bet you also don’t know that ‘Gesundheit’ is a Arabic Muslim
word. Everyone thinks it’s German, but the roots of the word are directly from
Muslim Arabic, and the Germans got it from there in the 16th century. It
shares the same root with “A salam alaikum’ – a greeting all muslims use. Both
phrases mean the same thing – “Allah be with you”
Several of his staff confirmed that when they sneezed in Obama’s presence,he
either said, “Gesundheit” or SAID NOTHING AT ALL. What’s the matter, Barack
Hussein – The Christian God not good enough for you?
And people want this guy to be president?! Waeke up America!
August 28, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Smallonion -
The problem with your ’stupid email’ is that the people who believe the real emails are stupid enough to believe that what you are writing is true. You’ll probably find it circulating on the idiot blogs and the wingnut blogs any day now. It’s blatantly obvious that the people who believe this stuff haven’t got the brains of a turnip. If humans were still living in the wild, these people are the ones who would have been eaten by lions because they’re too stupid to get out of their own way.
Nice try, though.
August 29, 2008 at 4:48 pm
[...] only person who caught that! america is freedom of religion right? so whats the problem!!! lol Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You Think On These Things [...]
August 30, 2008 at 9:48 am
[...] Posted by Gnnr Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You Think On These Things Saying it and meaning it are two completely different things. When the national anthem plays you [...]
September 5, 2008 at 7:59 am
Play the tape for yourself again. I heard him start the pledge with WE not I.??????
September 8, 2008 at 3:47 pm
you fool Obama is standing there with his hands down doing nothing.. just more proof that hr does not honor the pledge, nor our flag.. some that honors it will have their hand on their hearts.. like the other true american….
Obama and his wife are a bad example of what a true american that love the coutry is.
September 10, 2008 at 10:13 am
I came across this page on a fact finding mission, but it is clear you have a preference for Obama but strive for the appearance of an honest, unbiased perspective. So, lets be honest, both Obama and McCain are not running for President for you and I, they are running for their own self interests. McCain wanted to run even before he was a POW and Obama is blatent in his self-promotion. The only reformer in either camp who has made a clear difference to the benefit of their constituency is Sarah Palin. Alaskans are paid to live in the state, they have a surplus thanks to her efforts. It’s no wonder she has a 90% approval rating. Biden, Obama and McCain are all sitting Senators. The Senate only has a 14% approval rating. They are all part of the problem. The only qualifications are a natural born U.S. citizen and at least 35 years of age, however she may be more suited and experienced to turn this country around, than all 3 of her opponents combined.
September 10, 2008 at 2:19 pm
It’s hard to “strive for the appearance of an honest, unbiased perspective” when I stated clearly on the “About” page that I am Obama supporter! To make it crystal clear, I changed the subtitle of the blog in your honor.
September 18, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I don’t care if you think obama is a patriot or not. He lost my vote when Hillary lost the nomination
September 18, 2008 at 9:44 pm
It looks like McCain is the best man for the job. Obama doesn’t hold a candle to McCain or Palin
September 20, 2008 at 11:15 am
larry -
Let me see if I can get this straight: You said “I don’t care if you think obama is a patriot or not. He lost my vote when Hillary lost the nomination.”
So if Hilary won the nomination you were going to vote for Obama?
September 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm
A picture is worth 1000 hours of evading the question. Regardless of who taught BHO to say the pledge. Regardless of who denouced who or what, when and where. Regardless of what BHO said. Why does the man in the YouTube video not have his hand over his heart? Did you know that a Muslim is permitted by the Quran to lie to further this cause of Islam? America: be affriad. Be very afraid. But not of BHO. Seeing is believing. If you have eyes to see.
Thank ya. Thank ya verymuch.
B.
September 25, 2008 at 9:41 am
You fools… This is not the Pledge of Allegiance .. Do you all know what Pledge of Allegiance is…?
Remember…. I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.. This is the NATIONAL ANTHEM… Big difference. I too do not hold my hand over my heart when a national anthem is sung. Look at basketball games, when the national anthem is song on a daily basis, noone puts their hands over their heart.. I guess they are unpatriotic as well. I need you all to get this correct.. I bet most of you all cannot even recite the “Pledge of Allegiance”. And if you watch the video, he is actually SINGING .. while some are truly uninterested..
No Way, No How, No more of the past 8years ……………….No Mccain/Palin 08ama/Biden.. the dream ticket for america!!
September 26, 2008 at 1:02 am
Ok did this person really use TMZ as a reference site? You might as well use the national inquirer too… right? I mean, they’re both super credible sites…
September 26, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I have been getting these emails and it only takes a few minutes of datamining and the truth is easily revealed. I like your canned response listed and may use it to combat some of these misleading and untrue emails circulating. The fear tactics used by the other side are vile and only makes my drive stronger. Keep up the great work, and keep on using Information to combat their speculation…
September 28, 2008 at 11:41 am
I hope more people can see this. Thanks for posting.
September 28, 2008 at 2:27 pm
[...] consider themselves ChristainsReligious identification in the U.S. He didn’t refuse to pledge Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You Think On These Things Not that I like Hilary Clinton but just because you think her husband was a bad president doesn’t [...]
September 28, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Thanks for this.
September 29, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Obama will never get my vote because he is way to liberal for me. I have never vote Republican before but Obama seem so anti-Constitution. I’ll cling to God and guns this time and vote Republican before I vote for someone that some are calling the messiah.
October 13, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Thank you!!! Can’t wait to send this link to everyone with their heads stuck up their asses.
October 18, 2008 at 11:55 pm
All I have to say is. look at http://www.obamacrimes.com.
October 19, 2008 at 9:47 am
Next time you are at a professional sports event, see how many people have their hands on two beers instead of their heart during the National Anthem and point them out and call them terrorist! See what happens to you in the real world!
October 20, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I think anyone that says I’m a fool or ignorant because I can’t try to research rumors is a fool. Forgive me if I can’t blindly follow any human being. Obama is human isn’t he? He makes mistakes doesn’t he? If I heard disheartening rumors about McCain I would research him as well.
October 22, 2008 at 8:05 pm
When all is said and done election day will be here , If you have not deciphered what is true or false and remain in total darkness about the democratic process and the scales of justice , Think of what is your obligation , what is your moral right , the best thing to do for your country. for yourself , for your descendants….
Shakespear would say
To vote or not to vote that is the question ?
If you chose to vote and feel moraly obligated :
Question part 2 is inside of you =
FOR WHOM ?
What ever your decide ,
There is a fifty percent chance you made the right choice.
and the converse also applies
October 23, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Fairness Assumed:
Please note a difference between a democracy and a dictatorship:
Yes, the code says should not shall – as citizens of the USA we have a right to do as we please as long as it’s not forbidden by law – we still SHOULD follow the code out of respect.
October 28, 2008 at 12:46 pm
There is certainly a lot of BS being spread about Obama, I’m British and I get it from American friends. Apart from the pledge of allegiance lie, I got one suggesting that he is a Muslim and is being funded by Muslims to undermine the USA. It quoted Wikipedia as a source. It is obsurd on so many different levels. I felt that I had to reply (including all on the Cc list). Though I’m not an American, I hope you won’t mind me sharing my thoughts with you all as your choice of President effects my country too (so it is my business).
I have copied below, my response to that email, which I hope you will find thought provoking. Anyway, here is the reply I sent:
Wikipedia quoted below is not a reliable source of information. Anybody can sign up to Wikipedia and add content. I could write that Obama was a transvestite, or McCain had sex with sheep. Wikipedia is irrelevant. Like the second last paragraph below says, if he/she can find it, why can’t the press? The answer has to be that it is not a reliable source or certainly the Republican press would have printed it.
Anyhow, I would like to put a few thoughts to you. One of the main cornerstones of democracy is separation of church and state; that is why so many people left the old world to go the US in the first place. So why do so many Americans insist that the President of the USA should be a Christian? That is undemocratic.
Also, why fear the Muslims? It is a minority of fundamentalists that is causing the problems. There were a substantial number of American Muslims killed in the twin towers on 9/11. Their family’s will be grieving as much as the Christian families and they will hate Al Quida as much as the rest of you do!
The reason that Al Quida ended up in Afghanistan, is because the Arab/Muslim world kicked them out. Bearing in mind that although the Arab world is Muslim, they are (with the exception of Iran) secular states; in the same way as American leaders are mainly Christian but the government is secular. Al Quida attacked many of the Arab governments in order to try to provoke a popular Islamic uprising and replace these secular governments with Islamic clergy governments. Instead the Arabs were appalled by the violence and threw them out. In desperation the defeated and exiled Al Quida declared war on the West in a desperate attempt to provoke another Islamic uprising. They got lucky at 9/11 due to total lack of security of internal US flights.
Western mistrust (sometimes verging on hysteria) has pushed Muslims in the West to join Al Quida, not realizing that the majority of the Arab world has already rejected them. Our mistrust and isolation of Muslims has been created a more successful recruiting campaign than Osama Bin Ladin could have dreamed up in his wildest fantasy.
The invasion of Afghanistan could not have happened without the co-operation of Pakistan. A Muslim country. Even Iran gave the Alliance intelligence information against the Taliban.
The invasion of Iraq was launched from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Muslim countries.
The first Gulf War had a massive international alliance including Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Muslim countries.
Can anybody see a pattern here. The Muslims are our allies, it is the fundamentalists that are our enemies. Most of the Muslim world fear the fundamentalists too. Even Colonel Kaddafi of Libya who as a Marxist revolutionary sponsored terrorism against the West for decades during the Cold War, has come over to our side as he too fears the fundamentalists.
If Obama has a lot of Muslim contacts . . . . SO WHAT!
The Bush family made its money from oil. So did Osama Bin Ladin’s family. They have links. The President of the USA has family connections that have done business with the family of the head of Al Quida. So what? Why shouldn’t Obama have Middle Eastern contacts, the President of the USA has. Besides, more Middle Eastern contacts has to be good in the War on terror; it means more allies.
If Obama is really a Muslim . . . . SO WHAT!
It is not undemocratic to have a Muslim President. In fact it is exactly the opposite in the land of opportunity and equality for all. Furthermore, the Muslims have had more success than the rest of us at dealing with the fundamentalists. Having a Muslim President would make it easy to rally Muslim allies and crush Al Quida all together.
The suggestion that the Arab world is funding him to take over the US, I find farcical. What would he do? Force all Americans to become Muslims? Hand over the reins of government to the Mosque? Even the President is answerable to Congress, and the Congress would not allow it (not even the Democrats in Congress). So apart from a lot fear mongering, what really is the issue here?
We are trying to set up democracies in Muslim countries of the Middle East and teach them it is a secular system, then complain that the President of the USA might be a Muslim. Might the new democracies of the Middle East that we are sponsoring find this to be a bit hypocritical? What if they said that a Christian should not become President in their democracy, would we not complain?
I don’t mean to offend anybody, but I do hope to provide a different point of view.
October 28, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Oh good christ Charlie, offend away! The people who believe this crap are too stupid to know they’re being offended. They don’t know diddly about their own country and don’t care that they’re ignorant and lack the intelligence to sort truth from lies, so you can throw all the facts, evidence, proof, and logic at them that you can muster. Believing lies and propaganda is easier than thinking for them. So fire away, but they’ll just call you names.
Good post anyway.
October 29, 2008 at 11:25 am
Just like the e-mails this website is one sided….Really how can you believe any of this. Someone just got on the internet and made up this website. Show facts not your opinions.
All I know is that we need someone who’s gonna do it Gods way… God help us if Obama gets in there.
November 3, 2008 at 10:31 am
Why should God matter in this election? Our nation was founded by Christians who believed in their values and their faith, but look at our society today. Not a single person could justly say that this nation is still greatly connected to its “christian” values.
We seek to learn the issues facing America. During political debates both Obama and McCain personaly attack each other’s character and deliberatley avoid fully answering questions.
I would say I favor Obama’s opinion more than McCain’s, but I highly doubt he (or any other person) would deserve four years as an American president. Still, his religion has nothing to do with it. He shouldn’t defend his character because of his religious values.
American’s will find any excuse to hate someone who is slightly different.
“I don’t like Obama because he isn’t a true American.”
Are American’s truly American? NO! We are not. We say we have morals and beliefs and values, yet we find ourselves opposing those views each day when we do something wrong or say something evil.
Americans are a selfish breed of people. We say we value equality and justice and that we love those people who are different.
Obama is different. Obama is a half-white American with a heart just as big as mine and yours, if not greater. He has a reason to run for president.
We’ve idly stood in the shadow as George W. Bush entered Iraq with our American dollars. Obama wants to end that. He wants to end the war in a simple manner, not with war, but with a single action that will hopefully cure everything.
War solves nothing.
When a child slaps another child, the other child slaps back. Iraq slapped us. We slapped back, then Iraq slapped us again, and its a never-ending cycle that will always go on. As long as there are opposing views there will be war. Radical people who value those opposing views will make sure of that.
As I stated earlier, religion has nothing to do with this election; yet, for most people, it does and always has been an issue. They run to their religion for everything and believe that faith alone will solve their problems. Faith isn’t purely a religious thing. Faith could be faith in oneself to do what one believes in. Faith is action. Faith is determination. Faith is religious as well. But, most believe that Atheists have no faith.
I am not an Atheist. I’m Agnostic, but lean more towards a world without religion. I respect all reglious values and hope for a future world where all values are important, a world where the people in it love each person.
November 3, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I just used the site to shortstop a chainletter slurring Obama’s patriotism, i.e failing to wear the pin, failing to salute the flag during the National anthem and a host of other out and out lies.
I to resent the fact that they seem to think that a BIG Lie told often and loud enough is a good as the truth.
Thank God that the people get to decide tomorrow. With the get out the vote effort and the message of HOPE perhaps we can put a new face on to American politics.
November 5, 2008 at 8:54 am
yada yada yada, ALSO, I am SO SICK of hearing “The first AA president”. HE IS HALF WHITE! HE IS BIRACIAL, NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN!
November 6, 2008 at 1:41 pm
DENIAL DENIAL DENIAL!!!
of course he is going to deny all of the rumors he still didnt mention anything about why he took the AMERICAN flag off the airplanes or about changing the american flag and the national anthem! we also still have NOT seen real proof that he is an american citizen either. i think our country is in some real trouble!
January 20, 2009 at 10:24 pm
i believing America, I believing Barack Obama.