Oops…Try Again?
Representative Todd Akin (R-MO) lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a rally protesting the Democratic health care reform bills. He gave a short statement beforehand on the importance of the phrase “under God.” He then invited everyone to join in the recitation of the Pledge because it “drives the liberals crazy.” This statement shouldn’t be surprising coming from a member of a party committed to nationalist overtones and calling into question the patriotism of anyone who dares to dissent from their claims of what is “patriotic.” Yet Rep. Akin made a fool out of himself when it was time to actually recite the Pledge.
Sure, he simply had an honest stumble. I am sure we all do it. But it is quite hilarious that it took place after he sanctimoniously claimed some sort of patriotic high ground for conservatives because liberals apparently hate our country. So much for his credibility. . .
Similarly, House Minority Leader John Boehner was fired up against the Democrats at a Tea Party rally. He went to invoke the Founding Fathers who wrote in the preamble of our Constitution: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Oops.
Mr. Boehner does not appear to know the difference between the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Better luck next time.
5 Responses to Oops…Try Again?
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(12 hours ago)
This statement shouldn’t be surprising coming from a member of a party committed to nationalist overtones and calling into question the patriotism of anyone who dares to dissent from their claims of what is “patriotic.”
Boy it’s a good thing we have good people like Eric at TAC elevating the tone and not intent on caricaturing his opponents.
What if President Obama made such a gaffe? Or Speaker Pelosi? I admit if you keep reading that it was probably an honest mistake. In regard to the context, sure — I do believe the GOP has rhetoric that borderlines nationalism. I won’t retract my statement particularly because of the what he said about liberals before commencing the Pledge.
If the Democrats can be railed against for every gaffe they make, then it is only fair that the opposite can occur.
“This statement shouldn’t be surprising coming from a member of a party committed to nationalist overtones and calling into question the patriotism of anyone who dares to dissent from their claims of what is “patriotic.”
It also of course is a true statement if it is amended to “drives many liberals crazy”. Many liberals tend to be very uncomfortable with most outward manifestations of patriotism in this country. I think Katha Pollitt in The Nation after 9-11 typified this attitude:
“Bombing Afghanistan to “fight terrorism” is to punish not the Taliban but the victims of the Taliban, the people we should be supporting. At the same time, war would reinforce the worst elements in our own society–the flag-wavers and bigots and militarists. It’s heartening that there have been peace vigils and rallies in many cities, and antiwar actions are planned in Washington, DC, for September 29-30, but look what even the threat of war has already done to Congress, where only a single representative, Barbara Lee, Democrat from California, voted against giving the President virtual carte blanche.
A friend has taken to wearing her rusty old women’s Pentagon Action buttons–at least they have a picture of the globe on them. The globe, not the flag, is the symbol that’s wanted now.”
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011008/pollitt
As for the “nationalism” of the Republican party, I guess that is in the eye of the beholder. I prefer to think of it as patriotism. Without that patriotism inspired by the Republican party, assisted by honorable War Democrats, during the Civil War we wouldn’t have one nation today.
Donald, if the statement were amended, I wouldn’t disagree with your conclusion.
I think the problem is disagreement over what is patriotic and what is not, and whether disagreeing with someone else over patriotism makes you a non-patriot.
And again with nationalism, I think there is a fine line between nationalism and patriotism and I think it is too obscured in the GOP for my tastes.
It’s a headscratcher for a liberal like me. I was a Boy Scout. I love the pledge of allegiance. I also sing the National Anthem at sporting events–in the crowd, of course.
It reminds me of that pro-Ten Commandments politician Stephen Colbert nailed on his show. Did he get any of them?