HTT - Patriotic Edition

I recently received a mass email from someone, which gave all sorts of "factual" information about Barack Obama, including his refusal to say the pledge of allegiance and admit his jihadist Muslim upbringing. My favorite part was when it declared that "As you know, Muslims have sworn to bring down America," and that Barack is running so he can do just that.

First off, the whole Barack pledge scandal is nothing more than a rumor as you can read here. Second, last I checked the Muslim religion as a whole prescribes to peace. Third, I hate forwards. I don't care if they are touching or made you laugh and/or wet your pants. Don't send them to me! (Sorry, I'm feeling sassy today and you're all going to pay the price.)

While discussing the email with Mr. Dub, we started into the issue of burning the flag and refusing to say the pledge. And things got a little heated on our couch - and it was only a Thursday!

Because I don't care if someone burns a flag. I don't care if someone doesn't say the pledge of allegiance. I don't care if you do or don't wear a patriotic pin or put your hand on your heart. It's not that I don't appreciate the patriotic symbolism of all these things. And it's not that I would burn a flag or eschew the pledge myself. It's just that I don't think patriotism is defined by these actions.

When someone burns an American flag in another country, the message may very well be "America sucks forever!" (And, well, each to his own. I'm so liberal that I can even understand the basis for some of the negative feelings foreigners have for America, but that's another Hot Topic.) But if an American burns an American flag, generally in protest, I think they're saying, "I believe in America, but right now it sucks!" And I think they are still patriotic individuals, though I'm not thrilled with their mode of protest, mostly because fire is scary. In fact, their mere desire to get involved or try to move a cause forward shows more patriotism to me than someone who says the pledge every day but never votes or doesn't get involved in community issues.

Same with the pledge. While I think the words are beautiful, reciting the words don't make someone patriotic to me. And refusing to say them, whether for religious or political reasons, doesn't offend me. It says to me that you are either someone who honorably adheres to your religion, or who firmly believes in your political stance. And I'm just happy that you have either, to be honest.

I don't think the flag is a sacred piece of cloth that can be compared to religious symbols and clothing, partially because people wear bikinis and make quilts of the same pattern. And I don't think the pledge is a covenant with God or our founding fathers.

But Mr. Dub disagrees. He thinks both the pledge and the flag are such sacred symbols that they must be treated with a high degree of reverence. And, well, he is an Eagle Scout, so I suppose that's appropriate.

What do you think?

Is it ever OK to burn the flag or refuse to say the pledge?

And if you do, does that make you unpatriotic?

Let's get serious, people!







p.s. We're having some serious medical conerns around our house. Blogging will be sporadic for quite a while, but you can compensate by writing more on yours so I have some good reads when I get a second!