The Fact-Checker, by Michael Dobbs

Only ONE Pinocchio for an obvious lie by Barack Hussein Obama?!

Four Pinocchios for Michael Dobbs. He hasn't identified a lie, or a 'mispoke' or anything else. He's just picking up an old story and re-cycling it, for the sake of something to do.

What a waste of space this column has become.

strum:

Perhaps you missed the part about Obama being "unconvincing"? While this is certainly not among his Top Ten Flip Flops, you have to at least admit he's given "inconsistent" reasons for wearing the pin.

I'm beginning to believe that The Fact Checker is actually "in the tank" for Obama by assigning "no outright falsehood" to this obvious whopper!!!

Saturday Night Live debate skits, here we come.

I'm SO impressed with this mind-numbing topic. How come Obama doesn't wear a bowling pin?
I'm thinking a better subject would have been repeated statements by Bush, Cheney, Tenet and others that "America doesn't torture" in light of incontrovertible evidence to the contrary.
Is sweeping up people and imprisoning them for years on the flimsiest of evidence without hearings patriotism?

Obama's beliefs are determined by whichever way the wind is blowing. The Dems have picked a real winner... NOT!

BTW - "...he referred me back..." - bad grammar.

Now you truly are wasting everyone time!

JakeD, if you're going to troll, at least change your username between posts. That way, it looks like there's more than one person who's outraged by this ridiculous issue.

Can this be filed under the "so what" heading?

A Lapel pin means NOTHING except pandering to a certain segment of the populace.

Since when has Hannity worked for CNN? Time to fact check the fact checker. The flag pin "controversy" is idiotic, by the way.

Because there's certainly no greater sign of patriotism than wearing a kitschy pin that was made in China. How many Americans are going to get health care because our President wears a flag pin? How many soldiers will survive another tour of duty because they're so inspired by our President's patriotism? That's what I thought.

All this fuss about flag pins. Could someone tell me what is patriotic about wearing a pin that is almost certainly made in China?

Race card-Schmace card- The reason this is an issue is because he's black and one thing that American whites have been expert at (got to give it to you) and that is pinning a black male into a position and/or point of view and forcing him to defend it. Obama has to defend some statements made by someone else-TWICE! Now he has to defend not wearing a flag pin when McCain does not wear it to no great outrage.
But I know, I know, I know-I'm playing the RACE CARD!!!!!! OOOOOOOHHHHH!!

More cr@p from the Fact-Distorter. I'm pretty sure he said earlier, he doesn't look into a candidate's motivation's, because he can't; he sticks to provable facts. Well, that's not the case here. Here IS what he said earlier: "Given the fact that NewsMax has no documentary evidence to support its version of events, it seems reasonable to give Obama the benefit of the doubt on this occasion ..." Soooo -- where's the documentary evidence HERE? By FD's own standards, there's no fire here. But FD changes his standards to fit the day, very much like lying pols.

No documentary evidence. No provable facts to the contrary. You have to take Obama at his word. No Pinocchios for Obama, three for Dobbs.

PS The sad thing is, as soon as I saw it was on Obama, I knew Dobbs would beat him up. His racism -- yes, I'm calling it that, when you suspend your ethics and standards based on race, that is a fair assessment -- is predictable.

Jake-D, how you be? The comments have gotten out of control in The Fix and elsewhere, I'm not surprised I don't see you like I used to. Hope you're getting out in some of this good weather.

Its a LAPEL PIN!!!

WHY is this an issue???

Aren't there bigger issues? Isn't there more at stake? Shouldn't we be focused on something other than trivial stupidities?

Thats why Obama is wearing one now - he couldn't understand before (just like me) how this was an issue at all, and now he wears one to avoid the retarded question.

So I guess the big question is: Will he wear one tomorrow???

WHO CARES. It's a lapel pin.

When the fact checker first began I was excited to have a new column checking politicians words. Maybe it would cut through the spin. Instead, this site seems to continue spin. Topics that actually matter are often swept under the rug and subjects that are useless to policy are highlighted. I understand that it is easier to write on fluff topics, but I expected more. The presidency should be more important than this.

But who do you think should be picked as VP running mate?
Go to http://www.votenic.com and see what America thinks
2008 Presidential Election Weekly VP Poll.

Who cares about ridiculous flag pins? This was just gop driven hooey to distract from their abyssmal record of failed leadership and governance. Once again they've proven themselves to be hypocrits - or is mccain just having another alzheimers moment and forgot to put it on. He's a phoney of the worst kind.

In the television age, image matters. Obama made a courageous gesture to not wear the label pin early on in his campaign. He was also courageous not to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem. But, why take courageous stands on something so trivial? Or maybe, Obama will only take stands on the trivial issues? I would feel better about him if he'd taken a stand by walking out of Rev. Wright's church during one of those fiery sermons.

Image matters to Obama. It matters because he is a manufactured candidate with little experience. Wearing the pin now only shows how crafted his image really is.

As a very conservative Republican who retired from the Army Reserves after 20 years in the infantry, I think this is the silliest issue to come down the pike. Lapel pins, bumper stickers, and various colored ribbon magnets are cheap substitutes for real committment. After reading both of Obama's books, I would not vote for him but my reservations have nothing to do with his wardrobe.

Thanks for correcting me on Hannity's employer. A senior moment. I have changed it.

Obama can't win, can he? If he doesn't wear a flag pin, Fox News questions his patriotism. If he puts one on in self-defense, the Washington Post calls him a liar.

David,

If were truley a crafted image - he would contiune to not wear the pin.

The fact that Obama wears one sometimes and sometimes not defies your definition of a crafted image. A crafted image is unbending, solid. This is not what Obama is doing.

Obama taking stands only on trivial issues is also incorrect. Obama never said a word about his lapel pin until the media brought it up - he didnt take the stand earlier this year because he wanted good press - it was the press trying to slander him about trivial issues that forced him to make a statement.

Image matters to everyone - not just candidates for the POTUS. But spinning it to imply that this flag pin buisness is OBAMAS doing? I think not.

Woodbridge:

It doesn't help Obama that he is LYING about the silly things too.

gbooks:

I am hanging in there -- how are you doing -- what (who) happened at The Fix? As for your claim of "racism" short of a Gippeto mark, what more could you ask for on this topic than minimizing Obama's obvious whopper?

Obama gave a speech opposing the War in Iraq but has done nothing since. Even after becoming a US Senator, Obama has used the issue of the Iraq War as a political tool to further his ambitions. Asked why he hasn't been more vocal leader in his opposition to the War, Obama spoke of the politics and Party. Even while our young men are being killed by cowardly terrorists and their roadside bombs, Obama talks of Party unity and politics. Can you imagine if he stood up in the Senate and spoke with the forcefulness and eloquence of a Barbara Jordan? Our horror with 8 years of ineptitude and arrogance of GW Bush is what is propelling Obama. Barack the politician has been particularly good at linking others, including the Clintons, to GW Bush. And at taking advantage of the hatchet job groundwork done by the RNC on Hillary.

GW Bush was famous for standing in front of supportive crowds and giving canned speeches. Obama seems to have learned this lesson well, but instead of the religious right and deep pocketed old money types, Obama has a black choir and naive college students. I want my President to have the courage to stand in front of the American people and speak. I want a more English Parliament exchange between leaders. Oh well. The bubble McClellan spoke of - Obama is building his own.

Art Fried:

The Fact Checker is NOT calling Obama a "liar". That's the problem!

Jake D:

So Obama changed his mind. He made a personal choice a long time ago, and found out now that it doesn't jibe with blue collar America. So he's wearing a pin.

Whopper? I think not. A change of mind? Indeed.

I would prefer a president who looks at the current state of things, and bases decisions on that assessment. What I do not want is a president who refuses to change when faced with overwhelming evidence to support that change.

I've had enough over 8 years. I've had enough with a president who "knows better" and never changes his mind. I've had enough with this endless focus on image. I've had enough with the endless spin. I've heard enough "GOTCHA!" statements.

Each candidate has flipped back and forth on issues. We see this every 4 years, and every 4 years there are people like you who are trying to find every last place that the candidates took a piss, just to say "look, they missed a little!"

I constantly hope that Americans are better than they are, and every 4 years people like yourself work tirelessly to kill that hope.

I think it's the right-wing commentators who need some Pinocchios here. I mean, really. It's important to wear a flag pin because we are under attack? WTF is a flag pin going to do?

It just shows some people crave something on which to bloviate.

"Barack Obama is unconvincing when he claims that his decision on whether or not to wear the flag in his lapel comes down to the suit he is wearing on any particular day. Political campaigns spend untold hours obsessing over such image questions. A more plausible explanation for his embrace of the flag pin is that he wants to defuse the patriotism debate."

I find it very strange Mr Dobbs is comfortable basing his "fact check" conclusion on no more than his assumption. I wonder what other claims contradict Michael's gut, and therefore merit debunking by the Washington Post.

...and, as usual for this column, we are left to wonder, what exactly is the "fact" being "checked"?

David:

Did you hear that McCain wants to introduce weekly "Prime Minister" type questioning by Congress if he's elected?

Chris:

Too bad Tim Russert is gone -- I'm going to miss him -- no one else will have the balls to call Barack Hussein Obama on this.

JakeD:

And that has anything to do with what I said because....

Chris:

Specifically, it was re: your downplaying GOTCHA statements. What makes you think you deserve anything from a "troll"?

this country is full of empty-headed morons. Why does anyone care whether anyone else happens to wear a flag on their lapel or not? This has to go down as one of the stupidest non-issue issues in history.

I think Obama was right when he originally said that the pin is just a substitute of real patriotism. I also think that wearing the pin to shut up the idiots who care about whether he's wearing one or not was a smart thing to do. It's such a dumb issue that it doesn't belong on the table. So wearing the pin is a small thing to do to take the issue off the table. It's a needless distraction that's not dispositive of anything.

Are we going to start comparing the size of their....shoes next?

Its a f**king pin!!!!!! How the hell is a pin supposed to show how patriotic you are? Bush wears a flag pin all the time and he is the most unpatriotic person EVER! He is someone who doesn't care about this country or its constitution. He has made me ashamed to be an American. After 9/11 the company I worked for gave all of its employees a flag pin, I through mine in a drawer, I refuse to wear it. I thought it was stupid then, and it is still stupid. Move on to something more important.

So, lying is fine if it's about "stupid" things?

JakeD:

I never called you a troll. I have never used that term here or anywhere and I am offended that you have unfairly associated me.

I was expecting you to defend yourself - but see that you are having difficulty, and have resorted to angered response.

You are on these boards every day stirring trouble, and now that I have called you out for being trivial you call up the name of Tim Russert in some attempt to say...well I'm still not sure what you are trying to say with that.

So yes. I think I do deserve a response from you. And if you don't think I do, then why did you respond?

Little wonder that the rest of the world looks at this silliness in America and shakes its head wondering: And they call themselves the world's only remaining Superpower?

Indeed. What bothers me most is not the monumental silliness of right wing blowhards like Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham--who in my own estimation should not even be in a position to be taken seriously as political commentators. What bothers me most is the spinelessness and gratuitous pandering of you people in the mainstream media who elevate these silly people and the trivial, irrelevant issues they raise.

It is you--and they--who have done so much damage to America's image in the world and part and parcel of the reason that the world is gravitating to other power centers who seem to more concerned with more meaningful issues and are now seen to have far more gravitas in their presentation of news than you people do.

"I'm thinking a better subject would have been repeated statements by Bush, Cheney, Tenet and others that "America doesn't torture" in light of incontrovertible evidence to the contrary."

Incontrovertible evidence? Um, source please.

Just so we're clear on how I view it, I define this as torture: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0524072torture1.html

You are saying that was a different "Chris" at 7:56 AM? Can I lament the lack of WaPo's comment registration system at least without it being all about you?

Yes - I am a different Chris. I did nto see that signature. I will go by "Chris1" to make the distinction.

Oh Holy Jeebus Flarging Schiznit - ENOUGH ABOUT THE @&&#* FLAG PINS!

Looking at this election, I care about the following topics (not in order of importance):
1. The Economy
2. Leaving Iraq
3. Prosecuting Bush & Cheney for war crimes
4. Health Care
5. Environment
6. US Infrastructure
7. US reputation abroad
8. Foreign Policy
9. Food & Product safety
10. Finding Osama Bin Laden
11. Alternative Energy Sources
12. Protecting free speech
13. Future Supreme Court Justices
14. Ending Corporate Welfare
15. The Housing/Mortgage Crisis
16. Immigration
17. Advancing Technology

What I don't give a flying f&&& about:
1. Lapel Pins
2. Tipping waitresses
3. Nominees' spouses
4. Swift Boats
5. Reverend Wright or any other religious yahoos.
6. The age or ethnic background of any candidate.

Writing about this flag pin thing at all does nothing except detract from the legitimate issues that voters actually care about, and I think it cheapens the Washington Post to continue writing on such an inane topic.

"So, lying is fine if it's about "stupid" things?" -JakeD

_____________________________________
Lets tell a little story:

JakeD and I sit down for lunch at the local bistro. We both peruse the menu, and I decide that I will have the ham and cheese. I inquire to JakeD, "now that you have had a chance to view your options, and weigh your personal preferences, what will you be having for lunch today?"

JakeD replies, "I will have the French Dip. It really is calling to me. It is what I want."

The waiter comes to the table to take our orders, I order the ham and cheese, and JakeD, to my surprise, orders the club sandwich.

"You LIED TO ME JakeD! You said you were going to order the French Dip, and not the club sandwich! How can I ever trust you???"

***
Yes JakeD. Some lies are unimportant.

So, lying is fine if it's about "stupid" things?

Posted by: JakeD | June 17, 2008 10:40 AM

Yes, the whole flag pin debate is STUPID. I believe his first explanation was closer to the truth, but since the media wouldn't let it go he came up with something more palatable. Do I think he should have just stick with his first explanation? Yes, but there are other things more at stake than a STUPID flag pin. What's even more stupid is that John McCain gets a pass.

This column has tremendous potential for enlightening voters and potential voters about the serious matters being addressed and not addressed by our country's leadership. I don't have to name them do I? Please, please do not again succumb to the lowest-common denominator mentality that thinks whether or not someone wears a flag pin is some kind of qualifier for public office. There are plenty of fora where the idiots among us can ponder such weighty matters for goodness sake. Okay?

Deaniac: "Amen!" 100 times.

fadol13:

I least I wouldn't LIE about changing my mind. That's the distinction I am making.

For the record, I do not believe whether someone wears a flag pin or not is disqualifying; lying about it is.

JakeD:

Obama said he wasn't going to wear a pin beacuse he thought it was a cheap replacement for true patriotism.

Now he wears one to avoid the stupid questions.

He changed his mind, and it is apparent because he's wearing one now, as opposed to before when he was not.

I dont see how you translate that into a "lie." My story was to show you how "techinically" an individual can be caught lying - and that the reality is very far from actual "lying."

The same thing is happening here. Obama hasn't lied. he changed his mind, and has said nothing to contridict that fact.

Looks like this commie muslim nigra ain't nuthin but a liar.

I think wearing the pin is a thoughtful and empathetic adjustment on his part. In recent months I've been enlightened on how strongly some people feel about the flag pin. If wearing it makes some people more comfortable, then wear it sometimes. I doubt if his feelings about it have changed. He's just respectfully acknowledging that he realizies how important it is to others and sends a signal.

"Looks like this commie muslim nigra ain't nuthin but a liar."

This is not the real JakeD.

And what a stupid issue for you to raise again, as if wearing or not wearing a flag is important. Who the hell cares? Oh yes, the nuts care, and you obviously don't mind pandering to them. Charlie Gibson's question may have been "the height of absurdity" but your raising an obviously inane issue again has to be considered "the depth of absurdity". Get a life, Dobbs.

Obama indeed claims he just wears the flag pin same as if he wears a tie that day or not. Can we all agree at least that is a LIE? If he had been honest about it and said "I wear it now so I can avoid stupid questions" or even "I was wrong and I apologize to everyone who believes it is important" then I wouldn't have an issue with that.

P.S. to Chris1 -- thanks ; )

The larger point, of course, is that John Sidney McCain does not feel the need to demonstrate his patriotism on his lapel. Not sure how that translates to a "free pass". The guy spent 5 1/2 years in a POW camp. Please, Barack Hussein Obama, PLEASE question his patriotism.

So... lie = lie = lie ?

Lie #1 - "I did not have sexual relations with that woman". How would you rate this lie?

Lie #2 - "Saddam Hussein is assembling a nucular [sic] weapon". How would you rate this lie?

Lie #3 - "The United States does not torture". How would you rate this lie?

Lie #4 - "I wear a lapel pin sometimes because I changed my mind about it." Hoo-boy-howdy throw 'im in the stockade.

"Lie #3 - "The United States does not torture". How would you rate this lie?"

Extremely low, unless you can point to some incontrovertible evidence. Or any evidence.

One ditzite here said that if Obama was not a "manufactured" man, he'd have walked out of his church twenty years ago. Leaving aside the fact that the religious preferences of any candidate should be entirely secondary, if not absolutely irrelevant in a political contest, I'd like to ask just what it makes YOU then, as a presumed part of the 50% of the population that "approved" of Bush 8 years ago..and now..does not? Unless, of course, you are part of the 15% of the population that STILL approves of President Mental D. Fective's performance, lo these past two terms? Oh well..water seeks its own level.

For me whether or not he wears a flag pin is irrelevant. What is of interest is how he handles questions and jabs. At first Obama tried to make a Statement(TM) by talking about how it was false patriotism, etc. Then in order to 'defuse' the possibility of it coming back he started to wear one, but only because he was given one by a veteran. And now it shows up pretty frequently, but only if he is 'in the mood' for beer, or wine, or steak, or whatever. It's pandering and trying to not look like he's pandering. If Obama thought it becomes a substitute for real patriotism before why not now? What changed? If you can't express it, it comes across as cynical hypocrisy.

whurley:

Good points.

I love how you find excuses to discuss right wing attack. My guess is just to help get the word out. Stop using your fact checker page to smear Obama.

The issue is very simple, Obambi does not like to wear the flag, because he does not care about it or America. all he cares about is to get elected into WH.
wishful thinking

Yes..well..the key word here is "stupid"..as in what constitutes wasting time on an issue, over not? When does a person compromise his principles? Has Obama changed his opinion on the war..in spite of the benighted who still indulge in the fantasy that it was worthwhile? If he had suddenly started to say he now agrees with the McBush supporters, we could claim he was a flip-flopper, like..well, you know..John McStrangelove, who has, conveniently, rotated 180 degrees on SO many important issues in the last couple of years. But no..Obama hasn't done that. He's learned, he's broadened, he's amplified and qualified his positions over time, but he hasn't flip-flopped..like John.

Neither does he believe, along with millions of other patriots, that wearing a lapel pin is any indicator of committment to your country. However, if wearing one calms those who would waste their energy being offended over such an insignificant matter..or just plain shuts up the annoying, time-wasting questions emanating from the mental midget collective..then fine. Wearing a flag pin is not anathema, it doesn't compromise his principles or create a change in his policies..which he is then free to discuss, undistracted, with the other grownups present..toward a more productive end. I know the Republicans have nothing constructive they can say for themselves, and must bitterly cling to lies and trivia..but can we give this twaddle a rest, already!!

Obama actually has the American flag tattooed on his butt. Top that! Who loves America now, huh? That's right - Barack Obama with a flag tattoo. You right wing dead-enders will be voting for him how, right?

/rolleyes

What Barack Might Have Said

Q: Senator Obama, it's been noted that you decline to wear an American Flag pin in your lapel.
Do you not honor the American Flag? If you do, why do you refuse to wear a pin?

A: "It is precisely because I do honor the American Flag - and the nation and the democratic principles it represents - that I decline to wear the pin. Put simply, I choose to have my actions speak for my patriotism, rather than an object that anyone can purchase for a dollar which then ascribes to the user a wide range of beliefs, principles and values he or she may or may not share.
"There is no better example than the fact that President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, among others in the present administration, wear flag pins. It demonstrates to me the degree to which that revered symbol can be exploited to create an illusion of patriotism and love of country by men who have worked assiduously to undermine and abuse it. These men wear the flag pin as an imprimatur - their American "brand," so to speak -- that they expect will conceal the shoddy merchandise of this presidency and lend legitimacy to their cause. I would rather see our beloved standard waving proudly in the winds of freedom than have it become a cheap commercial appurtenance cynically bolstering the illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional acts of this arrogant cabal."

As I said, it's the LYING not whether he wears a flag pin or not.

I think the Fact Checker is being a bit selective, although I recognize that this is meant as a somewhat silly item with its "great debate" terminology and single Pinocchio. I have definitely seen Obama in recent weeks state quite candidly that a number of veterans who support him have said, on different occasions, why don't you just wear it, and take the issue off the table? He stated that he thought about it, decided they were right, and took their advice. I'm sorry I don't have a citation but recall him saying this on several occasions and hope someone else can post the exact interviews.

I think the very helpful idea of checking facts has drifted here to matters of campaign strategy and spin. I'd love to see something on John McCain's claims today about offshore drilling, just as an example (or some equivalent policy-related claim by Obama). That would be my idea of fact checking!

Why are you using your column to advance right wing smears against Obama. Second in a row. Why don't you analyze policy.

You mean "policy" like same-sex marriage? What's next, legalized incest?

No facts here to check so why is it a column? I heard McCain say today that "it's difficult to be proud of America"! Where's the outrage???

I rather like Obama's original reason that true patriotism is not represented by what you wear but what you do

It's too bad he has to dumb down his reasoning in order to please the nut cases that voted for Bush the SECOND TIME

JakeD...what are you talking about? This is a non-sense issue that got stirred up by dumb a$$ reporters in 2007 and even dumber TV media more recently! Why is all the focus on Obama wearing a "freakin'" flag pin to demostrate patriotism? Most of you dummies don't even know where many flag pins are made. Most assume America without realizing a lot them come from over sea places like China.

I am "talking about" Barack Hussein Obama LYING -- I could care less whether he wears a flag pin or not -- just don't lie about it.

Oh. My. God. Obama lied about wearing a lamea$$ lapel pin. Prosecute him.

JakeD, what is ok to lie about? The real reason we went to war in Iraq? (hint: it wasn't to protect America) How about lying about outing a CIA operative? Or why several states attorneys were fired unjustly? If this is faux pas by Obama get your panties in such a bunch, you must be really outraged over the lies coming out of the Bush Administration.

It's not OK to lie about any of that.

"Barack Obama is unconvincing when he claims that his decision on whether or not to wear the flag in his lapel comes down to the suit he is wearing on any particular day."

Let replace "flag pin" with "wedding ring", would you believe him then?

No one else is held to this nonsense standard except a ***** man. A ***** man don't need to wear one, it's a given he is a patriot...

By the way Fact checker, do you wear you wedding ring all the time? If not, it's your wife you need to explain the 'why not' to.

A major test of whether someone is a chronic liar: do they lie about stupid things? Things that aren't important? The flag pin lie fits into that criteria. If he doesn't want to wear the pin, fine. Don't wear it. But stop lying about why you are or aren't wearing it. Obama needs to take a long hard look in the mirror; it's obvious he really has no idea who he is.

JakeD:

You're the only one lying! You lie everytime your mouth opens or your old wrinkly fingers jab at the keyboard.

What don't you understand???

Sometimes he wears it, sometimes he doesn't! That's not a lie...

Show me proof he's lying

Yep:

Read the article above.

"The real reason we went to war in Iraq? (hint: it wasn't to protect America)"

Source, please.

Show me proof he's lying
Posted by: Yep

Yep:
Read the article above.
Posted by: JakeD | June 17, 2008 3:42 PM

"The article above":
"Barack Obama is unconvincing when he claims that his decision on whether or not to wear the flag in his lapel comes down to the suit he is wearing on any particular day. Political campaigns spend untold hours obsessing over such image questions. A more plausible explanation for his embrace of the flag pin is that he wants to defuse the patriotism debate."

Are we to understand the "proof" offered is "Michael Dobbs says he's lying because... Michael Dobbs thinks he's lying"?

No. The "proof" is in the inconsistent statements made by Obama which led Dobbs to said conclusion.

JackieD:

I did read it. But, unlike you I utilize my reading comprehension skills!

There are no FACTS in the article above that PROVE anything...especially lying.

This article is nothing more than the "so called fact-checker's" opinion on Obama's statements, which, given his track record, should be taken with a grain of salt.

He picks out one part of Obama's statement and in my "opinion" micharacterizes it...

Not-withstanding the fact he overlooks Obama's over-riding justification.

"Sometimes I wear it, sometimes I don't."

Obama wasn't saying his decision to wear the pin depends on what suit he is wearing. As wronly implied by the "so called Fact-checker"

He was simply pointing out one scenario that could possibly result in him not wearing the flag pin everyday.

Good thing the SAT's weren't around in your day...

JakieD:

Furthermore, he has not made inconsistent statments.

He started wearing it again (occasionally)becuase Veterans on the campagin trail asked him to do so.

And, he agreed.

You and the "so called fact-checker" need to get your facts straight.

Have I been in a coma the last 35 years and wake up on Pluto? Why in the hell are we discussing who is wearing a flag pin and who is not. This is absurd. People are hungry, jobless, dying in a war and tons of other things and we care whether or not these idiots are wearing flags on their jackets. Good lord!

Mr D, I think your threshold for "consistency" is unreasonably high. I wonder if you apply that same standard universally.

Confused, the reason we are discussing flag pins is the dem candidate is a relatively unknown pol with a more exotic background than is typical and the GOP believes doubt as to his "like us"-ness can be sown.

"He started wearing it again (occasionally) becuase Veterans on the campagin trail asked him to do so."

Really? Then why did Obama and his campaign give a different answer?

WylieD:

You must not be able to comprehend what you read either.

By different answer are you refering to the "sometimes I wear it, sometimes I don't" quote the campagin referenced?

If so, they are one in the same...

Please don't reply, until you have an intellectual comment to make, which is supported by an in-dept analysis of the topic and detailed knowledge of past statements and/or facts on the subject matter.

You are officially a waste of space and therefore a waste of my time...

I can't believe all the idiotic posts on this idiotic issue.

WylieD:

At least you didn't get called "racist" (yet ; )

I'm wondering why the article focuses only on Obama's inconsistency and nothing on McCain's hardly ever wearing it. I've used McCain's name more in my comment than in the article. This is a ridiculous argument, especially if there's criticism on one side and one side alone.

I love how some who don't support Obama simply can't resist the opportunity to seize upon such a trivial issue. While in doing so, they completely ignore or overlook the far more substantive and politically expedient reversals made by McCain - such as his new found love of Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Yeah, let's focus on flag pins; that's REALLY important.

For the last time, I could care less if either candidate wears a stupid flag pin. Just don't LIE about it!!!

Confusing lapel pins and magnetic yellow ribbons with patriotism, as well as reporters checking for trivial items instead of the issues is the problem here.

Flag pins? This fact check is a waste of bandwidth.

JakeD said @ June 17, 2008 6:36 PM
"For the last time, I could care less if either candidate wears a stupid flag pin. Just don't LIE about it!!!"

@JakeD :
For the last time, I could care less if either candidate (wears a stupid flag pin | or is a warmonger). Just don't LIE about it!!!"

And while you are at it, you can stop lying about WMDs.
Hence, flag pins don't kill, McSame do.

"War is hell." That ain't no lie either.

Show 'em who is really patriotic: Get your own Obama McCain Democra Republican Independent American Flag Lapel Pins or Cufflinks!
http://www.politicollectibles.com/American-Flag-Collectibles/Flags-Pins-Jewelry

Why is the fact that Mr. McCain fails to wear a pin at all has no relevance? Those of you who are trying to hang a pin issue on Mr. Obama are making it too easy for yourselves. "It's true because it's true" doesn't wash among most adults.

Italian Revolutionary

Because McSame is White, REALLY REALLY WHITE and Angry and doesn't often rely upon Logic or Reason to make decisions.

Obviously, He's American.

Hussein, who knows if he's American or not. I've heard he's al Qaeda. So, the "Liberal" media made an issue about it.

This country Sucks. McSame will win. The Retarded Citizens of Foxerica Deserve to have their factories closed and shipped to the REAL hardest workers: The Chinese.

Get off your enormous A$ses, America. You're Lazy and vote like it.

Hint: if you like how things are going, vote for the White guy again.

Republicans forever ! Quickest way to a Revolution.

Well, we can at least agree that John Sidney McCain will win election this November. Unlike you, I don't want a "revolution". I don't even want race riots. The rest we will have to agree to disagree on.

Can we agree that you're an idiot?

There seems to be some consensus on that, too.

P.S. to Gary: are you a U.S. citizen?

Lying to the Nazis is a Good Thing.

How hard is it?

Nope. We can't agree that I am an idiot. You will note, however, that I won't resort to personal attacks against you.

If he thought the flag pin becomes a substitute for patriotism before, why change now?

Or, as lawyers love to ask, were you lying then or are you lying now?

"If he thought the flag pin becomes a substitute for patriotism before, why change now?"

I think Obama answered this question. "Sometimes I wear a tie, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I wear a flag pin, sometimes I don't.

Pretty funny. When I read this quote, all I could think of was that old candy bar jingle,
"Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't..."

Well, there are many ways you can go with this. However, its really up to personal opinion. When you heard that he stopped wearing his lapel pin, and you were confused, outraged, or questioned the action, then you are part of the minority in this country that still has common sense. If you were OK with this, then I ask you; why did he suddenly change? If you had an American flag hanging in your front yard, it wasn't broken, wasn't dirty, or faded, why would you take it down? When you ask yourself this question, apply your answer to obamas. In there lies the answer and true judgement of the man who claims to be a unifier and patriot.

jblog wrote:
"Lie #3 - "The United States does not torture". How would you rate this lie?"

Extremely low, unless you can point to some incontrovertible evidence. Or any evidence.
---------
It comes up again and again, like TODAY:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/17/AR2008061702862.html?hpid=topnews

You'll never get it.

Politico.com is reporting that Obama campaign volunteers asked supporters in Arabic headscarves to move out of camera shot.

Are you guys SERIOUS!!??? Wearing a flag pin and explations for why or why not are part of a "Pinocchio test"???

You jerks got your way -- if you criticize a guy for not wearing a pin and he starts doing it - well give him points for listening to the things that Americans find important.

If it's a simple thing that demonstrates to those folks who see it as important - then why not wear it whenever you think of it?

But then to see his words somehow less than honest is simply WRONG!!!

JakeD:

So what?

The campaign has apologized, and rightfully so.

They were volunteers who used bad judgement and made a poor decision.

No where does it say or imply these volunteers were directed to do this by the Obama campaign.

What's your point?

Wait, don't answer...just like always, you never have a point.

Maybe he should buy a whole suit of lapel pins, wear it like a suit of mail. Holy cow. Who gives a rat's a$$?
Let's talk about policy!

Maybe he should get thousands of lapel pins, and make a suit out of them, wear them like armor. That will make him a true patriot. Really...who gives a rat's a$$? Let's talk about policies.

How do you expect anyone to BELIEVE Obama on policy if he lies about this? How do you expect Obama to STAND UP on the important things if he won't about this silly thing?

My "point" is that we cannot trust this man.

It is funny that here in Belgium no one cares about patriotism. Our current prime minister mistakenly sung the French national anthem instead of the Belgian, when he was asked by a reporter to sing our national anthem. Almost everyone laughed with this fact, downplaying the importance of the gaffe. It seems that the American media are struggling with ... A flagpin???

McCain does not wear a flag pin because his Manchurian programming did not foresee 9/11 and a flag pin might cause a psychotic overload.

Talk about a candidate you can't trust, how about the Manchurian one?

JakeD:

How can anyone believe McCain's policies when he lies about turning a promotion to Admiral???

Now that's a real whopper!

John Sidney "the always lying" McCain

BTW: Obama is not lying.

You present the results of your "fact-checking" exercise using phrases like "Barack Obama is unconvincing ...", "a more plausible explanation ..." and "John McCain feels ...". And this is "fact" checking? Good Lord, this is not even opinion-checking. What you are engaged in is a stealth version of what Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh perpetrate elsewhere: carrying water for the Swiftboating Republican Party under the colors of journalism and the Washington Post.

"John McCain feels..."? Have you no shame, sir?

McCain '08

If Obama is not lying about this one, then McCain never cheated on his first wife.

jblog said @ June 17, 2008 12:42 PM
"Lie #3 - "The United States does not torture". How would you rate this lie?"
Extremely low, unless you can point to some incontrovertible evidence. Or any evidence."

@ _ jblog_
US Torture Archives
"20th Hijacker" Claims That Torture Made Him Lie

PS. Do you also need proof about WMDs?

The problem I have with this whole incident is that it seems to follow a pattern. A strong Statement followed by some re-adjustment, and then reversing himself at the end as quietly as possible. The flag pin being a small example of that. Another one, of course, being the whole Rev. Wright issue. Going from "I didn't know" to "You have to understand where he's coming from" and "He's like a crazy uncle" to "I repudiate everything" and "I'm leaving the church" is a significant set of changes when very little actually changed, it merely got more exposure. The incident with Jim Johnson is also illustrative. I think the "scandal" is a little silly, but how Obama handled the aftermath is not. Saying that the work that Johnson was doing was minor and unimportant is disingenuous and rather insulting to our intelligence.

JakeD said @ June 18, 2008 12:48 PM
"How do you expect Obama to STAND UP on the important things if he won't about this silly thing?"

@_ JakeD _
You mean important things such as, "Obama Speaks Truth on Iraq [VIDEO]" ?

whurley said @ June 18, 2008 2:24 PM
"Saying that the work that Johnson was doing was minor and unimportant is disingenuous and rather insulting to our intelligence."

@_ whurley _
Maybe just maybe it was targeted at those "uneducated working class whites" that the MSM is always talking about. No intelligence required.
And if you are educated, no explanation needed.
Seems like you got it all figured out, eh?
At the end of the day, it's all politics.
An educated voter is BamBam's best constituent.

Exactly. Obama is all talk when it comes to opposing the Iraq war. Then, when he gets into the U.S. Senate, he votes FOR funding and does nothing to get the troops out.

JakeD:

There you go again. No clue about the legislative process or Congress.

One Senator cannot end a war!

You can be against the war and vote for spending bills that provide equipment and much needed supplies to keep our troops safe while in battle.

If you took the time look (which I know you won't), you would see he also voted for defense spending bills that included timetables for withdrawl, benchmarks, and other measures aimed at redirecting this President's misguided strategy!

But, Dem's didn't have the votes to pass those bills. (That will change in Nov)

So, Obama made the correct decision to support these spending bills.

There is a diffence between supporting troops in the field and supporting the policy of the President.

As you may know, they would't be there if it wasn't for him.

And, yes McCain cheated on his first wife. He then dumped her because she was badly injured in a car accident...

What a real man he is...

This is the biggest piece of crap yet in the WaPo's concerted drive to elect Ol' John McCain. Look buddy -- where does this even get into pinocchio territory??? You people are ridiculous. Why don't you go check out some real facts -- like Cindy McCain's role in the Keating 5 debacle, or whether John McCain violated the military code of conduct by smuggling alcohol on Senate junkets for alcoholic senators like John Tower, or by slipping those same favored Senators confidential Navy reports against the orders of his superiors??? Oh, a little too much work?? What a jerk.

If ONE Senator wanted to introduce legislation, he could do it. He could have at least voted against funding For that matter, Nancy Pelosi did not have to take Impeachment off the table. If every Democratic Congressman voted for Articles of Impeachment, the Senate would be FORCED to conduct a trial.

Anyone who cares about whether or not politicians wear flag pins is an idiot.

Anyone who doesn't care about whether said politician is LYING is asking for trouble.

JakeD:

You are lost in space!

Stop making comments on things you know ABSOLUTELY nothing about...

Obama did vote for legislation that called for the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq.

S.J.Res. 9, which directed the Pres to begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces in 120 days with the goal of redeployment by March 31, 2008.

This bill failed to pass by 3 votes!

Your articles of impeachment argument is out in left field somewhere.

The Senate operates differently than the house, which any 6th grader would know.

In the Senate you need to be able to invoke cloture before a bill can be voted on!

Educational moment:
Cloture is a procedural vote that places a time limit on debate(which requires a vote of at least 60 Senators).

Once invoked, time limits are established and when time runs out, the bill is then voted on...

Whereas in the house, the leadership can ram any legislation it wants down the throat of the minority!

Haha...

I've got to go tutor kids that actually want to learn.

BTW: McCain can't even turn on a computer! What a joke.

No wonder he crashed 5 airplanes during his navy career.

God help your students.

Yep said @ June 18, 2008 6:04 PM

"BTW: McCain can't even turn on a computer! What a joke."

"Do we want a commander-in-chief who can't use a computer without assistance?"

What if he it the wrong button? Kaboom!

Before Obama began wearing the flag pin every day, I told a friend of mine, if I were in his shoes, I would put a flag pin on EVERY piece of clothing - simply to SHUT all these idiots up who make a big deal about NOTHING!

And I wouldn't want to ever hear another thing about any F*KNG flag pin! This is one of the most ridiculous issues i've ever heard raised in a political campaign.

The country is falling apart and THIS is an issue?

I'm sure he feels the same and knew exactly what to do to shut these idiots up. Good for him!

correction for above:
Posted by: knowledge_unchallenged | June 19, 2008 9:17 AM

"Do we want a commander-in-chief who can't use a computer without assistance?"

What if he hit the wrong button? Kaboom!

As a VietNam vet, I am appalled by this seemingly discussion over something as trivial as the wearing of a flag pin on ones lapel. My take is that the ones complaining the loudest about Obama wearing/not wearing one, are the conservative Republicans that have never been in the service to their country, but are quick to condemn those that don't follow their ideals. This some how ameliorates their lack of true patriotism, and lack of truly serving their country, it is akin to having a small penis and trying to act macho to hide this fact. If I am not mistaken, this country was founded on personal freedoms. The flag is a symbol, and as such I don't have a problem when I see it burned or desecrated over seas. that is what used to be great about this country, people died so that people could feel free to choose how they showed respect to their country. This current administration has changed all that. They are not true patriots, so they have to convince us that they are by wearing a cheap, and obviously imported trinket. Also McCains pow status is wearing thin. The press gives him too many get out of ignorance passes, and this needs to end. His checkered past to be brought in to the light.........

For me, at least, it is not about the pin but about Obama's trustworthiness. Just like his failure to "agressively pursue" an agreement on public financing. How can Obamaniacs believe ANYTHING he says?

How many pinnochios to McCain for not wearing a flag pin?

At least the so-called "Fact Checker" provides his fellow yahoos with something to babble on about! Earns his salary, he does....

Subject: WHO IS BARACK OBAMA?
There are many things people do not know about BARACK OBAMA. It is every American's duty to read this message and pass it along to all of their friends and loved ones.
Barack Obama wears a FLAG PIN at all times. Even in the shower.
Barack Obama says the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE every time he sees an American flag. He also ends every sentence by saying, "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL." Click here for video of Obama quietly mouthing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in his sleep.
A tape exists of Michelle Obama saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE at a conference on PATRIOTISM.
Every weekend, Barack and Michelle take their daughters HUNTING.
Barack Obama is a PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. He has one HAND over his HEART at all times. He occasionally switches when one arm gets tired, which is almost never because he is STRONG.
Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It's upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.
There's only one artist on Barack Obama's iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Barack Obama is a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN. His favorite book is the BIBLE, which he has memorized. His name means HE WHO LOVES JESUS in the ancient language of Aramaic. He is PROUD that Jesus was an American.
Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.
Barack Obama's new airplane includes a conference room, a kitchen, and a MEGACHURCH.
Barack Obama's skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.
Barack Obama buys AMERICAN STUFF. He owns a FORD, a BASEBALL TEAM, and a COMPUTER HE BUILT HIMSELF FROM AMERICAN PARTS. He travels mostly by FORKLIFT.
Barack Obama says that Americans cling to GUNS and RELIGION because they are AWESOME.

JakeD,
Ya, you can trust McCain, because he has been oh so consistent on the issues.

* McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as "an agent of intolerance" in 2002, but has since decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. (Indeed, McCain has now hired Falwell's debate coach.)

* McCain used to oppose Bush's tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.

* In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush's presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.

* McCain supported a major campaign-finance reform measure that bore his name. In June, he abandoned his own legislation.

* McCain used to think that Grover Norquist was a crook and a corrupt shill for dictators. Then McCain got serious about running for president and began to reconcile with Norquist.

* McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to White House demands.

* McCain gave up on his signature policy issue, campaign-finance reform, and won't back the same provision he sponsored just a couple of years ago.

* McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.

* McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he's pro-ethanol.

* McCain was both for and against state promotion of the Confederate flag.

* And now he's both for and against overturning Roe v. Wade.

* McCain was opposed to off-shore drilling. Now he thinks it is the solution to our energy crisis.

* He was also supported Hurricane Katrina investigations by voting against investigations.

* McCain used to stump in support of the Estate Tax citing a Teddy Roosevelt quote. Now he is opposed.

* McCain also campaigned for social security privatization before he claimed he never supported privatization.

tom:

At least John Sidney McCain doesn't LIE about it.

Cognitive Dissonance:

Who said I am voting for McCain?

As I've posted several times, if the election were held today, I would vote for neither Obama nor McCain.

JakeD,
I admire you in the way that a mentally retarded person keeps unsuccessfully trying to make a phone call with their shoe but never gives up. You can do it. Logic and reason be damned.

Thanks?

JakeD:

Really? He doesn't lie?

John "Sidney" McCain lied about writing letters to the FCC on behalf of Bud Paxon (a major campaign contributor), who was trying to purchase a public tv station...

Funny, that he only wrote these letters for the businesses that contributed to his campaign...

What about his lie that Iran (a Shiite nation) is training Sunni Al Qaeda members in Iraq? (which he repeats often)

This is an absolute lie...The Pentagon and CIA have even said so...

What about McCain's lie that John Lehman offered him an Admiral's star and he turned it down because he could do more good in Congress.

Haha! What a bunch of crap.

Guess Lehman forgot that as the Secretary of the Navy he does NOT appoint Navy flag officers.

That's done by a selection board headed up by a 4 star...

JakeD, just admit he lies

We all know he does...and you do too!

For the last time, I would not vote for McCain either.

WHO CARES?
This is such an inane debate, I can't believe people waste their time on it.

marc:

Whether a candidate for President LIES is an "inane debate"?

I wouldn't wear a flag pin either if I was going up against McCain. McCain is a veteran who served time in the Hanoi Hilto. What has Obama done? You people that lambast McCain should be ashamed of yourselves.

Cognative Dissonance,

Jerry Falwell is dead. Let the man rest in peace.

marc or Yep:

You still there?

McCain's not wearing his flag pin?

Quick, call the Irish Catholic bigots at Fox news so the can loop the story and spin it that McCain is unpatriotic. (Oops, wrong Party, sorry)

McCain was born in Panama so he isn't a US Citizen and furthermore, his middle name is Sidney so he is part of an Australian terror group.

Rockinravenmaniac:

What in the world are you talking about?

Just because he's a former POW doesn't mean he can be critized...

In case you forgot, the Constitution I swore to uphold allows all American's the right to speak their minds...

Regardless of whether or not they served in the military, like I did.

His father and grandfather were Admirals, for goodness sake!

What did you expect him to become??? A florist?

It's kind of funny how someone at the bottom of their Annapolis class can somehow get one of the most sought after positions in the Navy...(Naval aviator)

Maybe that had something do with his dad and grandpa being a Admirals as well...

Roy:

Do you think whether or not a candidate for President LIES is an "inane debate"?

Deaniac,

You, and several other level headed Americans have nailed it. You have said nearly everything that I wanted to say..but in a much nicer way. I thank you for saving me the time and trouble on a non-subject.
Also, I too started getting hopeful about our country as a whole. Now..again I am saddened, and angered that this, and a whole lot of other non-issue subjects are even being mentioned. It is truly amazing after the past 8 yrs that ANYONE can deal with the prospect of the same old thing, yet again. I find myself shaking my head in awe quite often. As far as the Right wing machine, Obama can't do *anything* right. But from where I'm sitting (and plenty of others too) he's done everything just right from where I'm sitting.
Thanks for listening..

McCain cannot win unless he wraps himslef in the Flag

Hubba Hubba:

You mean "literally"? Or "figuratively" as in another 9/11 attack? There's at least ONE other way McCain can win -- just as an example to prove your premise is false -- we all remember what happened to Bobby Kennedy in California in June.

I used to respect Fact Checker. Now it gives gravity to trivial issues---what a waste of time.

But I know, I know, I know-I'm playing the RACE CARD!!!!!! OOOOOOOHHHHH!!

Posted by: | June 17, 2008 8:55 AM

This is not about race, but about his response to the flag pin question. He can explain away anything being a trained lawyer, but most americans see through it, I believe. Oh, and he is not necessarily a black man. In case we forget, he is half white. But because he sortof looks like a black man, he is labeled a black man. I am so disgusted with this whole race thing. It reminds me of high school politics. John McCain will bring a bit of maturity to the campaign so we can get to the real issues most voters want to discuss.

dl:

My concern, however, when McCain wins will there be race riots?

Subject: Your Whiteness is Showing -Tim Wise (06/06/08) (Tim Wise is a white man who lives and was raised in the south. He is a published author of a well regarded novel. He is a professor and he has spoken at over 400 college campuses including Harvard. Other articles by him can be found at www.timwise.org). He is a highly regarded commentator on these issues in part because it is unique to hear a white man speak as he does.

An Open Letter to Certain White Women who are Threatening to Withhold Support From Barack Obama in November
Your Whiteness is Showing:

By Tim Wise
June 6, 2008
This is an open letter to those white women who, despite their proclamations of progressivism, and supposedly because of their commitment to feminism, are threatening to withhold support from Barack Obama in November. You know who you are.

I know that it's probably a bad time for this. Your disappointment at the electoral defeat of Senator Hillary Clinton is fresh, the sting is new, and the anger that animates many of you--who rightly point out that the media was often sexist in its treatment of the Senator--is raw, pure and justified.

That said, and despite the awkward timing, I need to ask you a few questions, and I hope you will take them in the spirit of solidarity with which they are genuinely intended. B ut before the questions, a statement if you don't mind, or indeed, even if (as I suspect), you will mind it quite a bit.

First, for those of you threatening to actually vote for John McCain and to oppose Senator Obama, or to stay home in November and thereby increase the likelihood of McCain winning and Obama losing (despite the fact that the latter's policy platform is virtually identical to Clinton's while the former's clearly is not), all the while claiming to be standing up for women...

For those threatening to vote for John McCain or to stay home and increase the odds of his winning (despite the fact that he once called his wife the c-word in public and is a staunch opponent of reproductive freedom and gender equity initiatives, such as comparable worth legislation), all the while claiming to be standing up for women...

For those threatening to vote for John McCain or to stay home and help ensure Barack Obama's defeat, as a way to protest what you call Obama's sexism (examples of which you seem to have difficulty coming up with), all the while claiming to be standing up for women...
Your whiteness is showing.

When I say your whiteness is showing this is what I mean: You claim that your opposition to Obama is an act of gender solidarity, in that women (and their male allies) need to stand up for women in the face of the sexist mistreatment of Clinton by the press. On this latter point--the one about the importance of standing up to the media for its often venal misogyny--you couldn't be more correct. As the father of two young girls who will have to contend with the poison of patriarchy all their lives, or at least until such time as that system of oppression is eradicated, I will be the first to join the boycott of, or demonstration on, whatever media outlet you choose to make that point. But on the first part of the above equation--the part where you insist voting against Obama is about gender solidarity--you are, for lack of a better way to put it, completely full of crap. And what's worse is that at some level I suspect you know it. Voting against Senator Obama is not about gender solidarity. It is an act of white racial bonding, and it is grotesque.
If it were gender solidarity you sought, you would by definition join with your black and brown sisters come November, and do what you know good and well they are going to do, in overwhelming numbers, which is vote for Barack Obama. But no. You are threatening to vote not like other women--you know, the ones who aren't white like you and most of your friends--but rather, like white men! Needless to say it is high irony, bordering on the outright farcical, to believe that electorally bonding with white men, so as to elect McCain, is a rational strategy for promoting feminism and challenging patriarchy. You are not thinking and acting as women, but as white people.

So here's the first question: What the hell is that about?

And you wonder why women of color have, for so long, thought (by and large) that white so-called feminists were phony as hell? Sister please...

Your threats are not about standing up for women. They are only about standing up for the feelings of white women, and more to the point, the aspirations of one white woman. So don't kid yourself. If you wanted to make a statement about the importance of supporting a woman, you wouldn't need to vote for John McCain, or stay home, thereby producing the same likely result--a defeat for Obama. You could always have said you were going to go out and vote for Cynthia McKinney. After all, she is a woman, running with the Green Party, and she's progressive, and she's a feminist. But that isn't your threat is it? No. You're not threatening to vote for the woman, or even the feminist woman. Rather, you are th reatening to vote for the white man, and to reject not only the black man who you feel stole Clinton's birthright, but even the black woman in the race. And I wonder why? Could it be...?

See, I told you your whiteness was showing.

And now for a third question, and this is the biggie, so please take your time with it: How is it that you have managed to hold your nose all these years, just like a lot of us on the left, and vote for Democrats who we knew were horribly inadequate--Kerry, Gore, Clinton, Dukakis, right on down the uninspiring line--and yet, apparently can't bring yourself to vote for Barack Obama? A man who, for all of his shortcomings (and there are several, as with all candidates put up by either of the two major corporate parties) is surely more progressive than any of those just mentioned. And how are we to understand that refusal--this sudden line in the proverbial sand--other than as a racist slap at a black man? Y ou will vote for white men year after year after year--and are threatening to vote for another one just to make a point--but can't bring yourself to vote for a black man, whose political views come much closer to your own, in all likelihood, than do the views of any of th e white men you've supported before.

How, other than as an act of racism, or perhaps as evidence of political insanity, is one to interpret such a thing?
See, black folks would have sucked it up, like they've had to do forever, and voted for Clinton had it come down to that. Indeed, they were on board the Hillary train early on, convinced that Obama had no chance to win and hoping for change, any change, from the reactionary agenda that has been so prevalent for so long in this culture. They would have supported the white woman--hell, for many black folks, before Obama showed his mettle they were downright excited to do so--but you won't support the black man.

And yet you have the audacity to insist that it is you who are the most loyal constituency of the Democratic Party, and the one before whom Party leaders should bow down, and whose feet must be kissed?

Your whiteness is showing.

Look, I couldn't care less about the Party personally. I left the Democrats twenty years ago when they told me that my activism in the Central America solidarity and South African anti-apartheid movements made me a security risk, and that I wouldn't be able to get clearance to be in some parade with Governor Dukakis. Yeah, seriously. But for you to act as though you are the indispensible voters, the most important, the ones whose views should be pandered to, whose every whim should be the basis for Party policy, is not only absurd, it is also racist in that it, a) ignores and treats as irrelevant the much more loyal constituency of black folks, without whom no Democrat would have won anythi ng in the past twenty years (and indeed the racial gap favoring the Democrats among blacks is about six times larger than the gender gap favoring them among white women, relative to white men); and b) demonstrates the mentality of entitlement and superiority that has been long ingrained in us as white folks--so that we believe we have the right to dictate the terms of political engagement, and to determine the outcome, and to get our way, simply because for so long we have done just that.

But that day is done, whether you like it or not, and you are now left with two, and only two choices, so consider them carefully: the first is to stand now in solidarity with your black brothers and sisters and welcome the new day, and help to push it in a truly progressive and feminist and antiracist direction, while the second is to team up with white men to try and block the new day from dawning. Feel free to choose the latter. But if you do, please don't insult your own intelligence, or ours, by insisting that you've done so as a radical political act.

Is Old Songbird McBush is a Traitor, Why are his Military Records Sealed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REBaXQfTTn0

Release your complete Military Records, Old Songbird McBush.

What are you hiding, Old Songbird McBush?

This might provide some clues.

http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan08/mccain_military_record.htm

Google these to learn more about OLD Traitor Hot Tempered McBush:

McCain Affairs
McCain Songbird
McCain Womanizing
McCain Mafia
McCain Infidelity
McCain Flip Flop
McCain Mob
McCain Keating Five
McCain Temper
McCain Traitor
McCain Hero
McCain Organized Crime
McCain Adultery
McCain Military Record
McCain Manchurian

Is Old Songbird McBush is a Traitor, Why are his Military Records Sealed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REBaXQfTTn0

Release your complete Military Records, Old Songbird McBush.

What are you hiding, Old Songbird McBush?

This might provide some clues.

http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan08/mccain_military_record.htm

Google these to learn more about OLD Traitor Hot Tempered McBush:

McCain Affairs
McCain Songbird
McCain Womanizing
McCain Mafia
McCain Infidelity
McCain Flip Flops
McCain Mob
McCain Keating Five
McCain Temper
McCain Traitor
McCain Hero
McCain Organized Crime
McCain Adultery
McCain Military Record
McCain Manchurian

Is Old Songbird McBush is a Traitor, Why are his Military Records Sealed?

Release your complete Military Records, Old Songbird McBush.

What are you hiding, Old Songbird McBush?

This might provide some clues.

http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan08/mccain_military_record.htm

Google these to learn more about OLD Traitor Hot Tempered McBush:

McCain Affairs
McCain Songbird
McCain Womanizing
McCain Mafia
McCain Infidelity
McCain Flip Flops
McCain Mob
McCain Keating Five
McCain Temper
McCain Traitor
McCain Hero
McCain Organized Crime
McCain Adultery
McCain Military Record
McCain Manchurian

Is Old Songbird McBush is a Traitor, Why are his Military Records Sealed?

Release your complete Military Records, Old Songbird McBush.

What are you hiding, Old Songbird McBush?

This might provide some clues.

Google these to learn more about OLD Traitor Hot Tempered McBush:

McCain Affairs
McCain Songbird
McCain Womanizing
McCain Mafia
McCain Infidelity
McCain Flip Flops
McCain Mob
McCain Keating Five
McCain Temper
McCain Traitor
McCain Hero
McCain Organized Crime
McCain Adultery
McCain Military Record
McCain Manchurian

I don't care if anyone wears a flag pin or not so it is with great curiosity that I follow this raging issue. For me it is a constant reminder of the triviolity of most coverage surrounding this and most other political campaigns. I tend to judge the character of a candidate by his oe her record, actions in and out of office and never by what they wear, who they marry or even what political party they represent. Because in the end a flag pin says nothing, does nothing and means nothing. It's just another prop used by those who try hard to look busy when actually they are doing nothing!

In short, Obama HAS broken his first promise and he lied.

I could care less whether anyone wears a
flag pin or not.
Michelle Obama was the UNpatriotic one when she stated that she had never been proud to be an American "until now".

My other comment about Obama lying was related to the campaign finance issue.

Dobbs = Partisan Hack

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, 'During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.' Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Hussein Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,' - Barack Hussein Obama

Obama went on to say, "There are a lot of people in the world to Whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.' ********** Now his excuse for not wearing the flag pin, it's on another suit?....Pulllllease! When will people wake up & see this guy for what he really is??????? It only goes to show who he really supports & it isn't us or the U.S.........

What if he it the wrong button? Kaboom!Posted by: knowledge_unchallenged | June 19, 2008 9:17 AM ******** Obama six times claimed as senator he pushed the wrong voting button when he voted for removing 2 million of child welfare in Illinois and voted in favor of republican measures. When angry democrats chewed on him he said, "Oops, I hit the wrong button."

So was he catering to lobbies, big business and republicans or just incompetent?

Will he hit the wrong button as president?

To: kym |**** Why are these facts hidden from voters? ***"CAN OBAMA BE PRESIDENT?
It seems that Barack Obama is not qualified to be president after all for the following reason:

Barack Obama is not legally a U.S. natural-born citizen according to the law on the books at the time of his birth, which falls between "December 24, 1952 to November 13, 1986?

Presidential office requires a natural-born citizen if the child was not born to two U.S. citizen parents, which of course is what exempts John McCain though he was born in the Panama Canal US Law very clearly stipulates: ".If only one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth, that parent must have resided in the United States for at least ten years, at least five of which had to be after the age of 16."

Barack Obama's father was not a U.S. citizen and Obama's mother was only 18 when Obama was born, which means though she had been a U.S. citizen for 10 years, (or citizen perhaps because of Hawaii being a territory) the mother fails the test for being so for at least 5 years **prior to** Barack Obama's birth, but *after* age 16. It doesn't matter *after* . In essence, she was not old enough to qualify her son for automatic U.S. citizenship.

At most, there were only 2 years elapsed since his mother turned 16 at the time of Barack Obama's birth when she was 18 in Hawaii. His mother would have needed to have been 16+5= 21 years old, at the time of Barack Obama's birth for him to have been a natural-born citizen. As aforementioned, she was a young college student at the time and was not. Barack Obama was already 3 years old at that time his mother would have needed to have waited to have him as the only U.S. Citizen parent. Obama instead should have been naturalized, but even then, that would still disqualify him from holding the office.

*** Naturalized citizens are ineligible to hold the office of President. *** Though Barack Obama was sent back to Hawaii at age 10, all the other info does not matter because his mother is the one who needed to have been a U.S. citizen for 10 years prior to his birth on August 4, 1961, with 5 of those years being after age 16. Further, Obama may have had to have remained in the country for some time to protect any citizenship he would have had, rather than living in Indonesia.

Now you can see why Obama's aides stopped his speech about how we technically have more than 50 states, because it would have led to this discovery. This is very clear cut and a blaring violation of U.S. election law. I think the Gov. of California would be very interested in knowing this if Obama were elected President without being a natural-born U.S. citizen, and it would set precedence.

Stay tuned to your TV sets because I suspect some of this information will be leaking through over the next several days."
-------------------------------------------
Thomas Sowell
Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow
The Hoover Institution
Stanford University
Stanford, California 94305

********** Why is bama's birth certificate hidden? Why won't he show it to disprove the above info? WHO IS OBAMA? but you call me a racist for not voting for him.....

McCain was born in Panama so he isn't a US Citizen and furthermore, his middle name is Sidney so he is part of an Australian terror group.Posted by: Roy | June 19, 2008 2:53 PM ********* [Both McCain's parents were U.S. Citizens. Presidential office requires a natural-born citizen if the child was not born to two U.S. citizen parents, which of course is what exempts John McCain] or do you not believe in following U.S. Laws??????

Why are you using your column to advance right wing smears against Obama. Second in a row. Why don't you analyze policy.Posted by: Julian | June 17, 2008 1:52 PM *****

Since when is posting bama's own words a smear? When anyone else changes their mind it's flip flopping, but when bama does it you say he's evolving?

As I said, it's the LYING not whether he wears a flag pin or not. Posted by: JakeD | June 17, 2008 1:46 PM ******* AMEN! Blessings Jake........

God Bless you, too, Carol : )

It wasn't a fashion statement.

It was the result of a fashion statement:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/stickin-it-to-obama/

pin? naah, not even an accessory.

The USMC t-shirt?
THAT's a statement. Says "help is onnn the way.. out".

But maybe he just borrowed it from Pastor Wright. He was a Marine.. and a patriot now I think about it in perspective. :)

I guess my post is too little too late. But what the heck ...

JakeD is clear: It's not the pin, it's what he perceives as lying about it. He will not vote for Obama because of this reason (and others). Ok.

Many of us do not think the issue is important, nor any deception about it was important, nor that there was any real deception about it. Ok.

Moving on ...

Suggestion to WP FactChecker: Rather than one dimension of measure for truthfulness, also include a measure for significance based on how the population as a whole is rating issues.

Suggestion to WP FactChecker commenters (me, too): When there's a topic we think is over-stressed in importance, change the topic in the comments and ignore attempts to change it back.

Engaging on an issue like this seems pointless: If the topic is really unimportant, we should be able to easily let it go. Moreover, the most effective way to show the media that it is not a topic worthy of their focus is to pay it little attention. When we argue with others about an issue like this, we validate the premise that the question was worth asking.

Example: My post isn't really about the article, but about how best to respond to articles like this.

I thought that "changing the topic and ignoring attempts to change it back" was called TROLLING?

It's only trolling if the desire to change is in the minority. Discussions can take whatever direction the group as a whole desires. What is undesirable is when one, or a small number, of individuals willfully and obstinately derail a conversation that the majority wants to have.

Scanning through the list of comments above to find those who expressed frustration that topic is given serious attention gives me strong reason to suspect that if that same group had simply altered the topic, it would have remained altered.

For the record, I would rather not have ANY form of trolling and would discuss the thread topic.

As I said, I don't see it as a form of trolling, but you are entitled to your view, of course. I'd rather have the freedom to discuss what the group, as a whole, would like to discuss.

For the record, we are the only two discussing on this thread now, and you have engaged me only on the the "re-directed" topic I put forth. This seems inconsistent with your statement, though certainly I do not object. Also, your absurd slippery slope fallacy above about "legalized incest" could hardly be said to be even remotely on-topic.

But I can reconcile your rather draconian view of comment self-moderation with my ideas: Perhaps it would simply be best for those who find the topic unworthy of serious attention to not comment at all? You would get your say about how you feel on the issue, and the rest of us could move on to topics that we find significant.

I suppose my main point is not in contention (as yet): The best way to communicate that you do not think a topic is worth discussing is not to discuss the topic. Though, I admittedly find posts indicating a belief that a topic is not worth discussing has a certain entertaining irony.

JakeD, many of my friends at high school, reacting to Republican racist propaganda, have informally changed their middle names to 'Hussein.' I asked one of them, who is a senior, why he did it, and he said "To protest ignorant smallminded racists who deliberately ignore other aspects of Obama's campaign and life to focus on the most childish insult possible." Then today I was online doing research for a term paper and found this blog. I have read it before, and I have noticed that you always emphasize "HUSSEIN" in capital letters when referring to Obama. Are you an ignorant, small-minded racist? And if not, why else could you possibly feel it was necessary to do that? I am majoring in political science this fall at UVA, so I am interested in your answer.

Well, after receiving blows from the media for not wearing a pin (I did not know that's a requirement of patriotism) I can see why Mr. Obama would try his best to always wear one.

Why does McSane get a free pass for not wearing the same thing the media hounds Obama about? Being a POW does not mean you are patriotic - unless the definition has changed.

It seems almost taboo to criticize McSane about military experience and patriotism. I think this is very unfair and may I add that serving in the military is not criteria for presidency.

I'm sure the media will try to find out what Barack on 4th July - trying to see how patriotic he is. I hope he wears a blue speedo and red neck tie. That would be more of an interesting piece than how he is celebrating the day.

For now, I am just waiting for November to help make HIStory!

NEWSFLASH:I grew up in Germany during the
Hitler regime and all Party members were
REQUIRED to wear a LAPEL PIN in the form
of the swastika- it was considered very
PATRIOTIC too.But of course hardly anyone
in the US is aware of that fact as they are
unaware of so many others in world history.
Same old,same old--------This lapel pin
idiocy arouses age old creepy sensations in
me of "deja vu" all over again.