Barack Obama's Patriotism Still Being Questioned

Photo from source, Free Republic

The Presidential election season is still pretty young, given that we still have eight months to go. And if we're going to have eight long months of this idiocy, I fear the early enthusiasm may start to wane.

So far, most of the mudslinging has been--despite the lather the cable news channels are worked up in--fairly tame, in my estimation. It's all piddly, silly crap for the most part. And it bears repeating that usually, any of the sniping in the primary/caucus portion of the race is largely forgotten once the general election campaign ramps up.

But by far the stupidest of charges comes from conservatives toward Barack Obama, regarding his religion and his patriotism. I've commented on the ridiculous "Barack is a Trojan Horse Muslim" meme before (here, here and here), but it's the anti-patriotism issue that really comes off as stupid.

What we have is faux-outrage over verbiage (often with a bunch of outright hoaxes mixed in--see above links). To think that Michelle and Barack Obama hate America is just unbelievably stupid. And to claim that one must be "proud" of America at all times, in all circumstances is flat out ridiculous.

I for one am not proud of America in its current state. I am embarrassed by our President, genuinely outraged by his actions, and disgusted with Congress. That does not mean I hate my country, and neither do the Obamas.

Barack Obama said the following in a speech:

"And if that child should ever get the chance to travel the world and someone should ask her where is she from, we believe that she should always be able to hold her head high with pride in her voice when she answers, 'I am an American.' That is the course we seek. That is the change we are calling for. " (Source: Town Hall)

Conservatives (at least the hard-right variety) are taking this to mean that Obama is not proud of his country currently, and that makes him despicably unpatriotic. Rubbish. There is plenty of reason to not be proud of our country right now. It doesn't mean he (or I) hate America, it means we want to fix it.

Here are just a couple of comments from the far-right Free Republic site, to show you the ridiculous things they're saying. I'm not convinced anyone actually believes this stuff.

"We don’t say Obama is unpatriotic, we OBSERVE that he is unpatriotic."

“Barack Obama Isn’t Proud Of The Nation He Wants To Lead. No Liberal ever is. Americans got that message loud and clear a long time ago!!"

"He and his wife think alike - - they both hate America."

Ludicrous.

Read more at: Free Republic