Mr. Obama, Imploding
Filed under: US Elections
Some Democrats like to bash George W. Bush for his supposed lack of intelligence. One might point out that Bush has become the fourth Republican since World War II to win a second elected presidential term with a majority of the popular vote, something the Democrats have yet to accomplish even once in all that time, so perhaps they need to revise their definition of smart somewhat. Or, one might simply cast one's appalled glance at Barack Obama.
Under Title 36, Section 306 of the U.S. Code, when the U.S. National Anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner") is played in one's presence, one is to "stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart."
In September, first-term Senator Barack Obama, while seeking the U.S. presidential nomination, was photographed standing on stage along with rival candidates (Bill Richardson and Hillary Clinton) in front of a giant American flag while the U.S. National Anthem was being played. Both rivals had their hands over their hearts. Obama didn't.
When asked why he didn't put his hand over his heart, Obama said his grandfather told him he didn't have to.
Perhaps a U.S. Senator, to say nothing of a presidential wannabe, should have a source of information about the U.S. Code slightly more sophisticated than his grampy? Perhaps someone wishing access to the nuclear button should have at least a drop more horse sense?
Don't forget: Just last month, Mr. Obama would go on to announce he'd stop wearing an American flag pin on his lapel, in order to protest the war in Iraq. He said he'd show his patriotism in "other ways" -- like, presumably, violating the law when he hears the National Anthem.
The capper to all this is that when Obama was accused in a political e-mail of lacking patriotism, he tried to throw up a smokescreen by focusing on the fact that the e-mail claimed he was hearing the pledge of allegiance in the photograph when in fact he was listening to the anthem and wailing about slurs and smears. It's quite true that the e-mail unfairly accused him of actually refusing to say the pledge, which he's never done. It's also quite true that that couldn't be more beside the point. He is, in fact, flouting the most basic indicia of patriotism, and he's egregiously unfamiliar with U.S. law for someone who purports to lead the nation. And instead of talking openly about that, he's ducking for cover. So much for Mr. Golden Boy.
The e-mail also accused Obama of hiding his father's Muslim religious faith. Obama tried to dodge that issue by waxing indignant about the pledge of allegiance "smear," a total red herring. Ask yourself this: When was the last time you heard Obama speak openly and proudly about Islam?
Obama has never been governor or vice president, a qualification every single elected president since Eisenhower has held (except for JFK, who won by the one of the narrowest margins in history, didn't get a majority of the popular vote and didn't serve out his term). Other than one famous general, you have to go back to Herbert Hoover and the Great Depression before you find a president elected without that credential. Obama has Muslim connections in the time of 9/11 and his name sounds like Osama. Yet, with all these risk factors, he's not smart enough to handle this simple matter of patriotism any better? You don't need to know anything more.
This man is not qualified to be a U.S. Senator, much less president of the USA.
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