Posted by
Kilroy on Friday, October 05, 2007 12:05:34 PM
WATERLOO, IA - While on the campaign trail this week, Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama shocked an audience of Move-On.org delegates by confessing that, prior to September 11, 2001 he did, in fact, on occasion wear an American flag lapel pin. The gesture, explained Obama, was meaningless however, and in no way should be interpreted as some kind of expression of patriotism.
The admission came just days after of some embarrassing pre-911 pictures of Obama, wearing the controversial attire, surfaced on the Internet. Describing his rationale for wearing the flag Obama stated, "Prior to 'nine-eleven', I really didn't think twice about putting on that pin. I always liked the look of the flag and thought the stripes had a slimming effect. The red in the flag pin brought out my eyes and really enhanced my chocolate bronze skin tone", Obama explained. "It is unfortunate that," Obama continued "right after the attacks, the American flag was transformed, in the minds of many, from a mere fashion device to some kind of weird patriotic symbol".
Obama promised the crowd that he has since stopped wearing the flag because of the wrong message the pin sent. "I want to reassure you all, and Mr. Soros personally, that there was no patriotic intent behind the flag and, to avoid the appearance of patriotism, I will no longer wear an American flag lapel pin", Obama said.
The audience seemed receptive to the candidate's apology with one attendee saying "we've all had youthful indiscretions, this is really no different than that time Prince Harry wore the Nazi uniform to that party. Sure, it was in bad taste, but no real harm was intended".
