The stupid flag pin question reared it's ugly head during the debate Wednesday. In spite of the fact that apparently wearing a flag pin breaks the flag rules (and no I'm not saying that that's the reason Obama didn't wear one), many seem to think that wihtout one on your lapel you're un-American. So I thought I'd pitch my two bits in on the issue.

I'm a Christian and as a general rule I wear neither a cross nor a crucifix. I have and do on occasion, sometimes as an earring, a necklace, or on a tee shirt (though more rarely as I get older), but I decided some time back that if people couldn't tell by my speech/behavior that I was Christian then wearing a cross or any other Christian symbol made little sense. If my behavior is un-Christian then being identified with Christ would bring shame to my brethren and more importantly my Lord and his name. If my behavior is Christian then the symbol would be superfluous.

I think the same goes for Obama and the flag. Anyone who knows anything about current political events knows that Obama is an American. Anyone who is running for political office in this country more than likely loves this country. We may disagree on what that looks like, but I'd like to think that it's a given. Everything I've heard the man say indicates that Obama cares about this country and the people that live in it. So why should he have to wear a pin?

So the only reason he would have to wear the pin would be to pander to those who need to wear their patriotism on their sleeve. Is that what we want, more pandering?

Incidentally, if you’re the kind of person that does fly the flag or wear a pin or a crucifix or what have you, I’m not saying that you’re somehow wrong. I’m really not. I have to ask why you do, but you have a right to express yourself and your belief. I respect that. I just don’t think you need to come down on those of us who decide not to.