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I took this photograph in 2004 shortly after we moved to Vallejo to realize our dream of being homeowners. I spotted this house on my first trip to the grocery store and knew I wasn't in San Francisco anymore. I was back in the land where people wrapped themselves in the American flag and by doing so declared themselves patriots.
One of the more shameful moments during the 2008 Presidential campaign was the flap over Barack Obama and the flag lapel pin. Remember that?
The pin saga started on October 3, 2007 when a local ABC reporter asked Obama why he didn't wear one. Instead of the standard Beltway refrain, "My patriotism speaks for itself," Obama launched into a long explanation of his decision-making process: "The truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we're talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for, I think, true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security," Obama said in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest. Instead I'm going to try to tell the American people what I believe what will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."
It didn't take long for opponents and Republicans to jump on the idea that Obama wasn't as patriotic as he could be, prompting the Illinois Senator the next day to clarify his remarks. "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," he told a crowd in Independence, Iowa. "My attitude is that I'm less concerned about what you're wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart."
We've all been subjected to the dullards who wallowed in Lapelgate. They're the ones who started going to those teabagger rallies after the election wearing red, white and blue everything. They adorned their little red, white and blue hats with Lipton's bags all in a great display to show you how deeply patriotic they are. From my perspective they couldn't have been more stereotypical of the American asshat if they tried.
There's something about our flag being worn as clothing that irritates me to no end. And a dog wrapped in the American flag? Don't even get me started.
These people don't stop at slapping a coat of our national colors on anything they can get their hands on. If you aren't doing it too, you are a damned commie. Their favorite pastime is to point their liver-spotted finger in your chest while screaming that if you don't believe in their god, in their governing philosophy, in their superiority then you aren't fit to breath American air. They do this with complete detachment from the realities of our Constitution and true American principles. They are profound idiots.
So folks, I chose the picture of that ridiculous house to be my avatar on Daily Kos because of the irony it represents. I love my country and feel deep patriotism towards it. I believe our Constitution to be an amazing document to be shared by all Americans. I believe in these words:
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
My avatar is a grand fuck you to anybody who would tell me that I am less of an American than they are because of who I vote for, because I don't share their religious beliefs and because I demand the freedom to love whomever I damned well please.
Before we move on to the Tops, I'll leave you with my favorite epic rant of all time. Take it away Julia Sugarbaker.
TOP COMMENTS
June 10, 2012
Thanks to tonight's Top Comments contributors! Let us hear from YOU
when you find that proficient comment.
From paradise50:
In JanF's J Town: Got Post? diary, smileycreek gave us this wonderful little story from Netroots Nation.
From bronte17:
LeftOverAmerica wasn't missing anything with this comment over the finer points of distribution in the diary post Wherein I End the Abortion Debate by CherryTheTart.
And from your diarist, Steveningen:
In EngineerScotty's diary Oregon Court Alleged rapist has right to victim's Google search history, Indycam hits it out of the park with this excellent comment.
Commonmass gives us some great insight into LGBT issues at this year's Netroots Nations in Chrislove's diary MT Democratic Party endorses marriage equality in official platform.
In The Nephew's tragic diary We lost another gay teen to suicide, snapples gives us some hope.
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TOP MOJO
June 9, 2012
(excluding Tip Jars and first comments)
Got mik!
1) They write from a class privileged by TomP — 117
2) The reason NY rates are so high by Geekesque — 113
3) Bingo by MinistryOfTruth — 110
4) "Pink -Slip experts" by journeyman — 101
5) Say What You Will About The Tea Party by webranding — 94
6) Granted, what the Tea Party wants is by The Dead Man — 89
7) I'm inclined to think finished also, although by ChemBob — 84
8) The profit model of private equity is... by Minerva — 84
9) Can't remember who said it.... by diffrntdrummr — 79
10) Absolutely. That's the thing by GenXangster — 73
11) Ireland Photo Diaries by Ojibwa — 72
12) Because it's bad politics. by Geekesque — 71
13) Yes by webgenie — 68
14) We are having a revolution by LaFeminista — 66
15) People who don't believe in government... by JeffW — 66
16) Yes and no. by Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN — 66
17) Canada, my neighbor by splashoil — 63
18) All this shit Bill should "pay attention" to is by IARXPHD — 62
19) Absolutely Geekesque, 1000% correct by nyceve — 62
20) Woo! Front Page! Congrats :D n/t by Lorikeet — 62
21) Rick Perry isn't often right... by markthshark — 59
22) How delightful! by Cali Scribe — 57
23) This was Maher's worst "New Rule".... by Audible Nectar — 57
24) Such a tragedy~Marty Atencio. by Desert Rose — 56
25) That would be winglion, by asterkitty — 55
26) Oh, jamess, this makes me sick. by 3goldens — 55
27) If this is what happens on camera... by tharu1 — 55
28) No they won't, the rest of the media by LaFeminista — 54
29) Looking up rape means no rape ? by indycam — 54
30) Oh, what a lovely surprise! by arizonablue — 54
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TOP PHOTOS
June 9, 2012
Enjoy jotter's wonderful PictureQuilt™ below. Just click on the picture and it will magically take you to the comment that features that photo. Have fun, Kossacks!
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