http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped1010parkeroct10,0,3282851.columnThe much ado about Barack Obama's decision not to wear an American flag lapel pin was, well, symbolic.
To follow the debate that followed the headline that followed the non-story about a dated decision is to witness where acute partisanship has led us. From the hue and cry on the right, you'd have thought Obama had flushed a Bible down the toilet.
What Obama did might have escaped anyone's notice but for what he said when a reporter in Iowa recently asked him about the pin. In the Age of Public Virtue, it is apparently essential that citizens flaunt their patriotism; crucial if they're running for public office.
Obama replied that he had worn a flag pin immediately after Sept. 11, 2001, but removed it when he felt it had become a substitute for "true patriotism." He said he preferred to demonstrate his allegiance to the U.S. by "speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security" and by trying "to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism."
One could argue that Obama didn't say exactly the right thing, politically. When campaigning for president, it's probably best not to insult all those nice Iowans who have flagpoles in their front yards and flag pins in their lapels.