The Hannity Challenge: "Can you name any prominent Republican ... that has said that [Obama] is not patriotic?"
SUMMARY: Sean Hannity asked Democratic strategist Michael Brown: "Can you name any prominent Republican that has brought up -- that has said that [Sen. Barack Obama] is not patriotic, or that he's got a funny name, or that he doesn't look like those presidents on dollar bills? Do you know any prominent Republican that has said any of these things?" Indeed, there have been numerous instances of Republicans -- as well as Hannity himself -- who have questioned Obama's patriotism or brought up his "funny name."
On the July 31 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity asked Democratic strategist Michael Brown "a very specific question": "Can you name any prominent Republican that has brought up -- that has said that [Sen. Barack Obama] is not patriotic, or that he's got a funny name, or that he doesn't look like those presidents on dollar bills? Do you know any prominent Republican that has said any of these things?" Brown responded, "No, but many Republicans have," later adding, "Republican and conservative websites for more than a year and a half now have been doing that." As Media Matters for America has documented, there have been numerous instances of Republicans, including Republican congressmen -- as well as Hannity himself -- who have questioned Obama's patriotism or brought up his "funny name."
Among the examples:
- As Media Matters documented, TPM Media editor and publisher Josh Marshall noted that on the February 22 edition of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) raised the issue of Obama's patriotism, saying that Obama "won't put an American flag lapel pin on his coat" and falsely claiming that Obama "would not say the Pledge of Allegiance." Kingston went on to ask where Obama "stand[s] on America."
- Media Matters also documented comments made by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) to a Spencer, Iowa, radio station and published in a March 8 Spencer Daily Reporter article, stating: "I will tell you that, if [Obama] is elected president, then the radical Islamists, the al-Qaida, the radical Islamists and their supporters, will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they will declare victory in this War on Terror." The article continued:
King thinks radical Islamists will say the United States has capitulated because the Obama administration would be pulling troops out of any conflict associated with al-Qaida.
"Additionally, his middle name (Hussein) does matter," King said. "It matters because they read a meaning into that in the rest of the world. That has a special meaning to them. They will be dancing in the streets because of his middle name. They will be dancing in the streets because of who his father was and because of his posture that says: Pull out of the Middle East and pull out of this conflict."
Further, Hannity himself has raised questions about Obama's patriotism:
- As Media Matters documented, on his October 4, 2007, radio show, Hannity referred to an interview in which Obama said that he had stopped wearing an American flag pin on his lapel during the lead-up to the Iraq war. Hannity said: "[W]hy do we wear pins? Because our country was under attack. And to politicize once again the war to this extent. Well, who cares about the war? Are you proud of your country? Do you believe in America?" Media Matters noted that Hannity himself has not worn an American flag lapel pin on a number of recent occasions.
- As Media Matters also noted, on the October 23, 2007, edition of Hannity & Colmes, during a discussion of Obama's purported failure to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem at an Iowa campaign event, co-host Alan Colmes responded to the attacks on Obama by showing a photo of President Bush resting his hand on his midsection as the national anthem is reportedly being played. Later, Hannity said: "[F]irst of all, at least the president wasn't making a statement, and he did have his hand over his heart in the right place, Alan," adding: "That was a cheap shot." After Colmes responded, "Obama is a cheap shot," Hannity replied: "No. Obama -- but the difference here is Barack Obama made a statement about the Iraq war with the flag pin. And to not do it here, people are raising questions about why. Is this another statement?"
From the July 31 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes:
OBAMA [video clip]: They know they've got no new ideas. They know they're dredging up all this stale old stuff they've been peddling for the last eight, 10 years. But since they don't have any new ideas, the only strategy they've got in this election is to try to scare you about me. They're gonna try to say that I'm a risky guy. They're gonna try to say, "Well, you know, he's got a funny name, and he doesn't look like all the presidents on the dollar bills and the five dollar bills."
HANNITY: With more of Obama's controversial comments, we are joined by former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, Obama supporter Michael Brown, and the editor of CitizenJanePolitics.com, Patricia Murphy.
Michael Brown, I have a very specific question -- we'll get back to your analysis later: Can you name any prominent Republican that has brought up -- that has said that he is not patriotic, or that he's got a funny name, or that he doesn't look like those presidents on dollar bills? Do you know any prominent Republican that has said any of these things?
BROWN: No, but many Republicans have.
HANNITY: Who?
BROWN: I mean -- and that's the point. I mean, it may not be the prominent -- how you would define "prominent," Sean --
HANNITY: Who? Well, who?
BROWN: -- but the bottom line is --
HANNITY: Can you name me the names? Who?
BROWN: -- Republican and conservative websites for more than a year and a half now have been doing that. I can't put --
HANNITY: Republican and conservative websites -- like what websites?
BROWN: I can't give you exactly a name of a person --
HANNITY: You can't give me a name, a website --
BROWN: -- nor a name of a prominent Republican, that was your question.
HANNITY: Yeah. OK.
BROWN: And I can't give you -- I don't listen to the -- or watch the websites of your friends, so I don't know the names of them.
HANNITY: Oh, by the way, you should hear what --
BROWN: I can't name a prominent Republican.
HANNITY: -- you should hear and read what left-wing websites say about little old me. So they got extremists on both sides.
Let us start with John McCain's:
Obama would ""rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign"
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/01/mccain-ad-did-make-fun-of-obamas-appearance/
Last week, five minutes after Hannity angrily challenged people to identify any Republican who had "played the race card," he suddenly showed a music video clip of an angry, menacing looking Ludicras. Then he tried to tie him to Obama.
If that's not going out of your way to play the race card, to cue a derogatory racially-biased reaction in viewers, then nothing ever could be.
Great call-out.
How can you be a patriotic American if you want our nation to lose a war for your own personal gain?
Terrific example.
I get the feeling that there will be several in here that can and will post several links to many prominant Republicans calling Obama all that and more so that Hannity and his stupid little question will be seen for what it is!
I clicked on that link, thinking you had actually led us to a parody site. But I found to my horror that it's real.
http://www.hannity.com//Article.asp?id=711786
I have rarely, if ever, read such simplistic BS. That is a scary site.
I have rarely, if ever, read such simplistic BS. That is a scary site.
What's really scary is the morons who post there and listen to Hannity's radio pukefest think they're being told the truth. They're all OD-ing on right-wing Kool-Aid.
So true.
The only thing to hope for is that McSame royally screws up-- like accidentally calls Obama 'boy' at the debates. Stranger things have happened.
I suspect, though, that because of O's clear superiority as a person, politician, and thinker, there will be NO debates.
Even if McSame WERE call Obama 'boy', the corporate media would likely argue that it would be justified by their age difference.
He'd need to be brandishing a noose when he said it.
And even then, Faux would claim it was simply a symbol of Western justice by an Arizona senator.
I just cannot resist, to wit: I presume you mean prominent as in protuberant.
It is so hard to maintain one's dignity when it comes to Hannity...
The Hannity Challenge: "Can you name any prominent Republican ... that has said that [Obama] is not patriotic?"
should read
The Hannity Challenge: "Can you name any Republican ... that has said that [Obama] is not patriotic?"
for using the word prominent you open the discussion to interpretation. the constant drumbeat of being a Muslim is interpreted ( by me anyways ) as code for " not patriotic , ie pledging allegiance to the United States ) Come to think of it, I never seen or heard Hannity pledge allegiance.
The Hannity Challenge TM -
Listen to one of his shows in entirety without becoming ill.
Or...
Count the number of lies/spins/talking points in one of Hannity's shows.
What he means, of course, is name one Republican who has used the exact words, "Obama is not patriotic." Innuendo, implication, insinuation do not count as these would require reading comprehension beyond the 3rd grade. He's speaking to people who tend to view the world through a desidedly "black-and-white" filter. They are into absolutes because that's all they can handle. All you have to do is watch Fow for like ten minutes to hear "Bad guys" and "bad stuff" to see just how low his rhetoric is aimed.
Hannity is right. No one has said, exactly, "Obama has a funny name." He does, however, insinuate that Obama is one scary, radical Negro EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY DAY. Of course, Fox viewers are too stupid to get it. To them, it's truth.
But, Gov., you know the brick-headed Hannity's angle. Anything short of GW Bush or Grampy driving around town, shouting "Barack Obama is not patriotic!!" through a bullhorn will be dismissed as 'spin".
This is one of the reasons I enjoy watching H&C. To watch that idiot with his "gotchas", demanding that guests provide a quote conforming exactly to his specifications, on the spot. Of course, it's ridiculous, but the look on Hannity's face as he imagines his little victories is adorable.
I missed Hannity's America this weekend. Have I mentioned to you what a blatant rip-off of another show it is?
From the change into "play clothes", the comforting simplification of life's scary bits, the fictional real estate of the show's title, the visit to the neighborhood of beyond belief, I don't know how the estate of Fred Rogers hasn't bent this guy over and made him pay.
It's by design.
Fox News loves to give the illusion of fairness and balance by having "strategists" on to represent the left. They have to rely on people who they know are ill-equipped to handle Hannity's poo flinging.
"Strategist" is the cable crap news term for throwaway talking heads who, in most cases, don't know squat and don't have any kind of resume to speak of.
Is that is MMFA's best shot? Two relatively unknown congressmen?
Thanks for proving Hannity's point.
AA,
Perhaps you missed the point...... MMfA gave us two..... they have more I have no doubt..... leaving it up to us to find them as well!
You speak this way to soon son!
Capt.
There may be prominent Republicans who have spoken thusly. However, in the context of National Politics, I could be wrong, but I doubt anyone here, outside of these Congressmen's districts, have ever heard of them.
My guess is that if MMFA had better examples, they would have used them.
You are so very wrong on this.
AA is so very wrong on virtually every issue...
Oh please, this is almost too easy. This very site just recently carried audio of Rush Limbaugh talking about how Obama "loathes" America.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200807220007?f=s_search
My guess is that if MMFA had better examples, they would have used them.
Good point AA. The examples are a tad weak...
BUT Gov, says to AA : "You are so wrong on this"
Really Gov? Are you on MMFA's staff? If you think MMFA has better examples, why didn't use them? How is AA wrong? Come on, tell us, you obviously know...don't you? Ha! Bet not.
Wiz chimes in: AA is so very wrong on virtually every issue...
Come on Wiz, instead of personal digs/attacks, why not address AA's suggestion that MMFA had no other examples or they would have used them.
Crickets.
Anyone else hear crickets?
Aw Sue, making an ass out of yourself again are ya? Sorry sweetie but I'm at work, I guess you're in the basement typing. As you can clearly I came back to answer Kyle. But you had to leave a wiseass post.
I'll wait for your apology.
Crickets chirping...
No, what you demonstrated was that you had to throw out an untrue personal attack while I correctly pointed out that you had not replied up until the time I posted.
There was silence. Crickets.
It is you who owe me an apology for a untrue and unjustifiable personal attack. I didn't lie about your silence.
Knock off the BS Sue.
What are you now? The self-appointed forum monitor? Checking to see if & when certain posters are replying to other posters by some pre-ordained time of your choosing? Anyone ever tell you to mind your own business? I bet they have. I bet you've never listened.
Unlike you, some of us can't sit here all day ensuring that we respond to every post instantly or even in a timely fashion. We work, we spend time with family & friends, we have hobbies, we read, we sleep, we rest, we play.
You, having no job, or family or friends or any other activity to fill your time, apparently sit here at your keyboard all day & night, ready to pounce & show off your crippled mind.
Tell me Suzie, what business was it of yours when or even if I replied to Kyle????
Exactly, it wasn't & isn't.
And don't you feel like an idiot now? If you look at the timestamp of my post & yours, they are within a minute of each other.
Susie-Q, anyone here will tell you I always attempt to reply to any & all posts addressed to me. So your little cricket dig was a wasted smear.
The only posts I intentionally ignore are those by a select few here that I consider trolls or nitwits.
And yeah, you're SUE. See you can't change your MO: Your style of writing. The multitude of annoying habits you revealed daily around here as Sue, and now as BottleBlondie... like monitoring other posters as if you were the Queen of this forum.
Sue, it's like a fingerprint.
Rabbit, when Libs fires back at insults it's cool. When a Con does it he needs a thicker skin?
Like I told Roundhouse, I don't mind getting knocked around about my opinions. This is a Lib site. I expect it. But a personal attack or dig for no reason other than to be an ass deserves one back. Sue/BB deserved what I wrote.
I'm sorry it was off-topic, but I wasn't about to let her get away with her BS.
Sorry to interrupt here, but as an innocent bystander (and not taking up for either side...that's on you guys!), I didn't see BottleBlonde's remark regarding crickets to be an insult. If you did, Jeter, you indeed need thicker skin. And as you pointed out, Jeter, the 'cricket' response was nothing more than a poke at you for not answering in what BottleBlonde thought was an appropriate time frame. I don't believe it was an insult.
As for the whole posting thing - who the hell cares who responds and when? Jeter is right, at least about one thing - most of us have lives to lead and things much more important than MMfA keep us busy most of the time. It's just silly to argue about the long response time.
Yeah Kyle I did. And MMFA should have included McCain.
But I think AA wanted to know if MMFA had other examples, where are they? He was guessing that if they had a slew of other prominent Cons, MMFA would have listed them.
My post was really more abot Gov's claiming to know otherwise [but not saying how] & Wiz throwing out a personal attack, instead of simply addressing AA's post.
Jeter, I think what Governor was responding to was AA's "I may be wrong, but..." I read this as MMFA playing around a little with Hannity's stipulation of "prominent Republicans". AA has fallen for Hannity's BS, and there's no need to belabor that fact.
Of course, there are many more examples of prominent Republicans making the insinuations about Obama's patriotism, but Hannity is handicapping himself, allowing any examples to be dismissed by saying they're not National level, widely known members of the GOP, or actual elected officials.
MMFA chose, along with examples of Hannity's own innuendo, a couple of examples that, while not major figures, fit Hannity's narrow criteria.Responding with half their brains tied behind their back, so to speak, the examples were of people spreading the theme on cable TV and radio,
If Gov. won't spoon feed it to you, I will. ;0)
And WZ's comment was as polite as the lying, plagiarizing, backpedaling,insulting AnotherAmerican deserves. It's a meritocracy here, not some commie feel-good fiesta where the weak are treated with the respect and dignity they've made the choice to throw away.
Colonel,
If I wanted to understand Gov's posts [which are usually one-two liners with nothing of substance to back up his quips] then I'd start watching Sesame Street to gain some insight to how a child's mind works.
As for Wiz's throwaway insult about AA, well insults seem to be the bulk of Wiz's posts around here. Again, if he could offer a well thought out argument instead of insults I'd be more inclined to take his stuff seriously.
You may not personally have much respect or use for AA, but at least he doesn't troll this forum throwing out BS or insults without offering an opinion. You might find his opinions ridiculous, but at least he offers more than Gov or Wiz does.
Could it be you've dismissed AA quicker than you would other posters simply because his ideology doesn't match yours? Would you be as dismissive of certain Libs here? Something to ponder maybe?
Missed my point Pete? Too complicated for ya?
"Aw Sue, making an ass out of yourself again are ya? Sorry sweetie but I'm at work, I guess you're in the basement typing. As you can clearly I came back to answer Kyle. But you had to leave a wiseass post."
Fascinating.
Fascinating? How so?
Sorry Roundhouse, I fight fire with fire. Of all the posters here, I'd figure you'd get that concept.
I give as good as I get.
Act like an ass, I'll treat you like one.
Sue/BB did. What was her post about? Crickets? And just how would you have responded?
Get it yet?
I get it.
Totally.
But the difference between you and me is that I don't get uptight and act all self-righteous about personal digs. I take it like a man instead of acting like my white hat ain't smudged. I mean you come of as a bit thin-skinned by denouncing insults while indulging in them. It's fascinating to me, cowboy.
Here, this will make all better I'll add a ;)
The ;) means this is all just some good natured ribaldry, right? I mean it works for AA to place the ;) after insults. Right?
God, I love emoticons. They make the cyber-world a nicer place to dwell.
Roundhouse,
Let's get real, you don't find yourself at the receiving end of too many insults around here. It's a Lib site. You're a Lib.
Now I don't mind getting knocked around if someone disagrees with my opinion. Again, it's a Lib site, I'm a Con, I expect it.
But the personal attacks for no particular reason tend to piss me off. I'll admit it. And if someone wants to get down & dirty, I'll give it right back. You call that thin-skinned? I'd call it not taking any bullsh#t. I do denounce insults, & very rarely dish them out unless I receive one first.
But it's all good. If I was really all that thin-skinned, I would have left this site eons ago.
;-) one back at ya.
Yes. Let's get real here.
Ever taken a liberal position with philib? rino? geghiz? wesley? science/columbus? Remember foolsgold69? What a peach he was. Ever take autopsycic to task with a liberal argument?
Ever been on the other side of an immigration issue with mefirst? Ever pissed off dem02020? (nevermind, you have).
How about chrispage? Ever gone a few rounds with that guy? sueeld? gettntoobed?
Don't bother telling me I don't field many insults here. It's about all I do get from folks who hold conservative positions on issues. I don't care though, I can deal.
And you turn the other cheek when they hurl personal insults at you?
Roundhouse, I find that hard to believe. But since I can't [off the top of my head] recall any of your go-rounds with those posters, I'll take your word for it.
However, I never recall you backing down from a fight here.
If someone wants to get into it over an opinion, that's cool. But someone delivering personal insults for no particular reason deserves to get them hurled right back.
I LIKE TO TUSSLE.
So let me get this straight Roundhouse.
When you get into it hurling insults back & forth with Cons..it's a tussle.
When I get into it hurling insults back & forth with Libs. It's being thin skinned.
Ah I love the inner workings of the Liberal mind.
It's fascinating. Scary, but fascinating.
Come on Wiz, instead of personal digs/attacks, why not address AA's suggestion that MMFA had no other examples or they would have used them."
Upon further review, wiz was not making a personal dig. His remark was factually verifiable opinion.
So, in my view, that leaves jeter as the first one dipping headlong into the personal attack cesspool on this. Unprovoked attacks jeter? Doesn't bolster your give as good as you get cowboy narrative very well.
Is this post an unprovoked personal dig? Probably.
I report. You decide.
Wiz was most certainly making a personal attack about AA.
"AA is so very wrong on virtually every issue"
I simply suggested he address the issue, not insult the poster. Which is what he did. Why not give reasons why AA was wrong about this issue instead of just throwing out a wiseass remark?
Stating that someone is wrong on virtually every issue is not an insult. If you think so, then maybe you should check the definition of an insult.
You seem to be the one who indulges in insult, Jeter. You used to keep me entertained with your posts - and sometimes you had a clear point with which I agreed. However, you've gone downhill lately. Not sure what's going on, but this is a response in good faith. Where did the old Jeter go? ;)
See, I can do the emoticon thing too!!! ;)
Noting personal Another, but I am sincere in post number one.
And I believe McCain is fully sincere in the implications of his comments.
Most probably, however, it is the negative influence of his entourage that leads him to such.
JMH,
You bring up a good point - as did McCain.
So, then, we are all agreed that _The_ most Prominent of Republicans has called Obama Unpatriotic and therefore we have met Hannity's challenge with ease.
JMH,
McCain did not call Obama unpatriotic. If my memory serves me, there are many here who feel they themselves are very patriotic, and have said so many times, who also at different times called for getting out of Iraq even if it means losing the war. So in that sense, even though they want us out of Iraq no matter what, they feel that is the most patriotic thing to do.
So, in that sense, I don't believe McCain's statement rises to the level of calling Obama unpatriotic. Is McCain saying, Obama wrong headed? Yes. Is Obama appealing to the anti-war sentiments of the poplulation? Yes. Will Obama's various "withdrawal" positions lead to a U.S. defeat? Yes.
I think it can be argued both ways. If you want to use that as "the" quote, go ahead. What I find interesting is that you provided a rather obvious quote to make your argument, where MMFA didn't. Instead, MMFA had to go find two obscure Congressmen using six month old quotes to local media as their pitifully weak examples.
Thanks for your comments. I would respectfully disagree by saying that I believe that the phrase "rather lose a war" is a very strong choice of words...a little hard to take back. I would rather that McCain stated his opinion that Obama is wrong about this or that and then _explained_ his position/reasons.
"Rather Lose A War" is completely inflammatory and reflects his temperament about Obama. It is intended to rouse irrationality to his favor, his ends. It is not a far leap to associate his choice of words with 'Obama is unpatriotic.
I would rather that McCain stated his opinion that Obama is wrong about this or that and then _explained_ his position/reasons.
The NY Times offered McCain an op-ed column to explain his "position" on Iraq. All he could come up with were vague talking points and attacks on Obama, so therefore it was rejected (prompting false outrage from the right-wing puditry). McCain has no position except more of the same - more death and wasted $$$.
McCain said the Obama was willing to lose a war in order to win a political campaign. How can that motive be seen as anything other than unpatriotic? It's not just the silly idea of "losing" the "war" in Iraq; the motive also matters.
If you wish to withdraw because the benefits to the country of doing so outweigh the hazards, that would be a patriotic reason. McCain didn't grant any such reasoning to Obama.
There can be no doubt that McCain attacked Obama's patriotism. Your defense of that attack is weak.
JMH and Bill,
You guys make good points. McCain obviously worded his quote so it could be inferred even if he didn't come out and actually say that Obama is unpatriotic.
I really don't care if McCain called Obama unpatriotic, even though I think he nimbly danced around it. On the other side of the dollar, (and all all the president's on it,) I don't care if Obama accuses McCain of being a parrot of G.W. or worse. It's politics. Let 'em rip each other apart.
I am not a fan of McCain, even though I agree with him about Obama. I have long felt McCain will get down in the gutter to duke it out with his opponents, if that is what it takes, and the quote you provided only bolsters my belief.
On the plus side McCain should keep MMFA pretty busy these next few months. :-)
You really don't care?
Then why did you say this?
Is that is MMFA's best shot? Two relatively unknown congressmen?
Thanks for proving Hannity's point.
Because it proved Hannity's point.
Next.
I have long felt McCain will get down in the gutter to duke it out with his opponents
Duke it out through lies and smears? Obama is above the gutter. Always has been. He won't stoop to those desperate tactics. But I guess you enjoy dirty politics. Most of America has seen the light and now reject them.
Fog,
I've finally accepted the fact that all is fair in Presidential politics. The name-calling has been going on at least back to Andrew Jackson and probably before that.
To argue against negative campaigning is like arguing against the weather. It happens no matter how angry you get It happens. Accept it.
If you want to claim moral superiority by your candidate, that is fine with me. I think McCain is a down and dirty campaigner. On the flip side, let Obama play the race card all day long. I don't care. I find it interesting to see how each candidate tries to frame the other candidate's positions like Obama did when creating this straw man argument. The right wing will call him on it just as the left calls McCain for his comments like JMH did so well here.
Well, the pitiful thing for your side is that the name-calling and stupid innuendo is all McCain has. I still haven't heard what HE (McCain) has to offer that would amount to change from the last eight years - instead, I've heard many attacks on Obama.
Attacks on your opponent do not bolster your own case.
Rabbit,
Well if all you do is read MMFA then I can see why you'd say that about McCain.
As an aside, if you have never uncovered McCain's positions, how can you say voting for him carries forth the Bush policies? :-)
No, that idiot interrupts otherwise decent evening fare with stupid ads about Obama and how he is supposedly like Britney, Paris, etc. and the equally stupid ad about that Messiah crap you Righties have concocted. Take a hint: the ads are stupid and they will not sway me towards him at all.
Why the hell doesn't Johnny air ads that talk about what HE will do for America? Why all the Obama bashing? Oh, that's right. Maybe because Johnny doesn't actually HAVE an agenda that will benefit America! He just wants to continue the same old tired beaten-to-death Bush-Cheney agenda! Wow!
On the lighter side, I will just offer my closing comments to the jury:Bill O'Reilly must be breathing a sigh of relief these days with all of our attention on Hannity... I think the last time I viewed Bill O. he looked positively rested.
There can be no doubt that McCain attacked Obama's patriotism. Your defense of that attack is weak.
Of course. No repub is going to blatantly call out "he hates America" (though some have.) Instead, they'll talk in code, using derogatory synonyms that mean the same thing.
Carl,
You just proved Hannity's point.
AA,
Why do you think McCain made a good point about Obama being willing to lose the war when you excused McCain missing 10 of the 14 early 2007 Iraq votes as McCain being out "campaigning?" Even though he was the only presidential candidate to miss even ONE vote, you excused him. By McCain's own logic, would he rather win a campaign than win a war?
If there is a "liberal media" why are his early 2007 no-shows a non-issue?
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mccains-missed-votes-on-iraq-trigger-reid-rebuke-2007-05-17.html
AA,
Which one is the good point ;)?
AA,
It's a ridiculous qualifier that's open to varying levels of definition.
Being a member of the U.S. Congress isn't prominent enough for you?
Saying this crap loud and clear on an HBO show, which gets further propagated via the internet, isn't prominent enough for you?
Then what the hell is?
Pete, you're asking those questions of a member of Hannity's target audience. I hope you're not expecting any sort of a coherent response.
As it is, AA is typing his responses while drooling on the keyboard. It's a miracle he can get ANYTHING to post here..... :-)
Pete,
You are correct, "prominent" is subjective. My feeling is that Hannity was referring to Republicans people like you and me would recognize by name.
Also, I don't subscribe to HBO and I would venture that the number of viewers is only a fraction of whatever the subscriber base is at HBO.
I thought one of the quotes by one of these congressmen didn't even rise to the level of questioning Obama's patriotism. Muslim people cheering in the Middle East over Obama winning the election says nothing about Obama's patriotism.
So, it is all subjective, but I felt the examples provided by MMFA are very weak. JMH did much better.
oops.. "you and I would recognize".
Sorry. My bad grammar is the result of public edukation.
Sorry. My bad grammar is the result of public edukation
No, your bad grammar is the result of you, and you alone.
Thanks for the personal responsibility lecture. Sounds down right conservative. :-)
Grammar aside, Barn, " My feeling is that Hannity was referring to Republicans people like you and me would recognize by name." is akin to saying "nuclear scientists that Hawkings and Hannity would recognize by name". It kind of puts undue restrictions on the field of possibilities, don't you think?
Besides, do you think the republican party would have prominent republicans out in the forefront spreading lies? Of course not. They've already paid their dues. Lie spreading is a rite of passage, a process of moving up, in the republican party.
Besides, do you think the republican party would have prominent republicans out in the forefront spreading lies?
That's the nut of this, Neon, and eggs-zackly what Hannity knows simpletons like BarneyAmerican will swallow. The code words and insinuations filter down from the "prominent" GOPpers, only being decoded by the man on the street or blog or local am radio. Hence Hannity's qualifications in his routine demands for exact quotes saying what the weasel-words clearly imply.
It's pretty transparent to the unbelievers, but works like a charm on the zombies.
"My bad grammar is the result of public edukation."
Actually, it's the result of your parents not being wealthy enough to send you to the finest private schools. Blame them instead.
You and the rest of the righties talk a big game about personal responsibility and not relying on the government. But when the realities of life hit home, it's anyone but yourselves who get the blame for your problems.
Pete et al.,
I'm truly touched by your concern over my welfare. I luv ya man.
(Not that you will, but you guys ought to lighten up a bit. It is funny to me how an off hand joke like mine can take so many off topic.)
Is John McCain a sufficiently prominent Republican for you?
When Obama spoke about being attacked for not looking like other presidents on dollar bills, he wasn't offering a hypothetical: he was directly addressing McCain's ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDTJDv4hevU
On Obama's patriotism: can you seriously say that McCain wasn't impugning Obama's patriotism when he said, "Senator Obama has indicated by his failure to acknowledge the success of the surge, that we would rather lose a war than lose a campaign." That wasn't meant to criticize his love of country?
Is John McCain a sufficiently prominent Republican for you?
And KKKarl Rove has questioned Obama's patriotism on numerous occasions. I think HE counts as a "prominent RepubliKKKan".....
Hillary Clinton is not Barack Obama's problem. America is Mr. Obama's problem. He has been tagged as a snooty lefty, as the glamorous, ambivalent candidate from Men's Vogue, the candidate who loves America because of the great progress it has made in terms of racial fairness. Fine, good. But has he ever gotten misty-eyed over … the Wright Brothers and what kind of country allowed them to go off on their own and change everything? How about D-Day, or George Washington, or Henry Ford, or the losers and brigands who flocked to Sutter's Mill, who pushed their way west because there was gold in them thar hills? There's gold in that history.
John McCain carries it in his bones. Mr. McCain learned it in school, in the Naval Academy, and, literally, at grandpa's knee. Mrs. Clinton learned at least its importance in her long slog through Arkansas, circa 1977-92.
Mr. Obama? What does he think about all that history? Which is another way of saying: What does he think of America? That's why people talk about the flag pin absent from the lapel. They wonder if it means something. Not that the presence of the pin proves love of country—any cynic can wear a pin, and many cynics do. But what about Obama and America? Who would have taught him to love it, and what did he learn was loveable, and what does he think about it all?
Another challenge. Snooty lefties get angry when you ask them to talk about these things. They get resentful. Who are you to question my patriotism? But no one is questioning his patriotism, they're questioning its content, its fullness. http://www.peggynoonan.com/article.php?article=416
Read Joe Trippi’s piece.
It appears to me that the McCain campaign may be executing a classic “Race? Not me!” campaign.
The past 24 hours reflect exactly how to pull it off with nary a fingerprint that matters.
First you help inject race into the campaign and raise its focus as an issue (as the McCain campaign did yesterday with a little door opening from Obama himself).
Second - this unleashes energy and anger in the African American community (energy that often the African American candidate, Obama, can not control). Leaders like James Clyburn take to the airwaves - and cable channels have two African Americans debate who is or isn’t raising race. In any case black faces dominate the cable airwaves and some of those faces are angry.
Third - McCain then appears to speak in front of an all black audience. White swing voters think “see, he isn’t racist”. And if the crowd applauds so much the better, if it boos him for tactics real or imagined white swing voters see a white guy “who is at least trying” and angry blacks who are not being duly appreciative of his effort- either way it isn’t good for Obama. McCain speaks today before the largely African American National Urban League.
Gergen: I think that Donna's got a point here. Everybody knows he's black, but there has been a very intentional effort to paint him as somebody outside the mainstream - other. He's not one of us.
Stephanopoulos: Mostly below the radar screen.
Gergen: It's below the radar screen. I think the McCain campaign has been scrupulous about not directly saying it. But it's the subtext of this campaign. Everybody knows it. And when they send...there are certain kinds of signals. As a native of the south, I can tell you when you see the Charlton Heston ad, the "One", that's code for "He's uppity. He oughta stay in his place." You know, we...everybody gets that who's from, you know, a southern background, we all understand that. When McCain comes out and starts talking about affirmative action, "I'm against quotas," we get what that's about. We understand where that's coming from.
George Will: He was asked!
Gergen: I understand that, but I'm just telling you that gets across. And so it's not unfair for him to sort of bring up the fact, "Hey everybody knows I'm black. Let me talk about it."
Funny thing about those wingnuts.
First of all every Naval vessel that passes the Arizona memorial stands at attention and on the rail when they pass.
Second of all, wingnuts keep forgetting that the military budget was cut under Clinton true, but they also forget that it was a republican Congress that cut it, not Clinton. Also, they seem to forget that at the time, it was recommended that the military be cut back, and be streamlined to be leaner, and meaner, and that it was republicans who cut the budget in Congress, since they are the ones who, you know, do those sort of things.
Yeah, that was a big pile of poo in that email, the fiscally responsible conservatives gloating about Reagan's spendy ways is pretty funny.
My main point was the Obama boat at the bottom. It could, of course, be defended as a metaphor for the theme of the rest of the bit, the Dems cutting defense spending, but why not a picture of an All-American rowboat? The USS Obama is definitely more "exotic" looking than even the Clinton ship.
The left calls Clinton the greatest president of the 20th century
The right calls Reagan the greatest president of the 20th century
I was referring to Bush1's peace dividend. He started to dismantle the military after the disintegration of the USSR/end of the cold war. At that time, the reduction in costs for maintaining an enormous military presence throughout the world was called "the peace dividend" (not to be confused with other earlier peace dividends, sorry for any confusion ...).
..."it was Bush's administration, not Clinton's, that first boasted of a "peace dividend."
http://www.factcheck.org/more_mitt_missteps.html
Absolutely correct! Papa Bushie and his cronies including Cheney and Rumsfeld began drawing down our military which they labeled the "peace Dividend", but the current crop of conned-servative anti-intellectual ventroliquists' dummies will try to lay the blame for diminishing our military on Clinton anyway! (even though Richard Mellon Scaife, the billionaire bankroller of conservative crusades, the neocon endower of the IRD who financed a good part of the campaign for the Clinton witch hunt has admitted Clinton was actually a pretty good president)
And, they do love Reagan - the bedtime for Bonzo B movie star whose second term was administered by Nancy and her consulting astrologer due to Raygun's Alzheimer's.
The only thing of interest at that site to me was the ad for hip resurfacing rather than hip replacement.
I plan to file it away with the links I've collected so far from different McGrampy websites recommending different denture manufacturers, deals on "Matlock" VHS Tapes and ED treatments that I'll be needing once I reach my golden years.
But rest assured, when I need adult, waterproof undergarments, I'll be buying mine at our company store.
I just hope that when I'm that old, I don't start buying into all of the fear and loathing for sale from the Repubs.
Sorry, I've got to run.
Those damned kids are playing ball on my lawn again.
Hey, W-King, haven't seen much of you lately. Lounging on the beach, I'd guess. Here's a pretty good site where some guy has archived a lot of those wacky righty emails.
And if you come back, King, I've been meaning to get you some more pics of the Jingomobile. Shoot an email to KOBrien62 (at) socal.rr.com
Obama: ... "and he doesn't look like all the presidents on the dollar bills and the five dollar bills."
As an aside, what exactly does Obama mean by "all the presidents"? How many different dollar bills and five dollar bills Obama looks at?
As far as I can tell there has only been one President on each of those bills.
I think Obama meant, "How many times can I play the race card?"
Look more closely, AA. Every denomination has a different President on it. Washington is on the $1, Lincoln on the $5. I can't believe you've never noticed that. That's ignorant even by the standards you've set.
"Race card" is just a racist buzzword, get over that.
I wrote: "As far as I can tell there has only been one President on each of those bills."
You must have missed that part.
and not all paper curency has "dead presidents' on their faces. Ben Franklin for example- however, all of the images on our currency are that of caucasian men, so the lefties can spin and churn all they want- Obama's statements make it clear he's playing a race card, no matter how much damage control his campaign, surrogates, and the kool aid drinkers want to apply to it. McCain's campaign's call out on this, especially in light of what Obama played off on the Clintons in the primaries, was the right thing and certainly accurate in assessment. It's another example of the hypocrisy applied when Obama states that his campaign is a post-racial one.
Ben Franklin, the only president of the United States, who was never president of the united states. FST quote.
Don't forget the religious fear being sold wholesale currently.
Mention race a few more times, there's probably someone out there who can still be scared into voting for McStain.
I think Obama meant, "How many times can I play the race card?" - anotheramerican / Monday August 4, 2008 2:06:53 PM EDT
Obama's statements make it clear he's playing a race card, no matter how much damage control his campaign MissDee / Monday August 4, 2008 2:34:15 PM EDT
Sounds like you guys just got your e-mailed Republican talking points.
Obama acknowledging that he's black IS NOT "playing the race card", even if McCain and the Republican Natl Committee says so. By the way, why didn't you guys notice this back in June when Obama made the SAME comment while in Florida? E-mail late?
LOL
Pearlene,
I do believe the fact that Obama played the race card was also brought up back then. Obama simply brought back one of his stump speeches.
But that is okay. I say let him keep bringing it up.
I do believe the fact that Obama played the race card was also brought up back then. Obama simply brought back one of his stump speeches.
AA, when you say Obama was "playing the race card". what does it mean and exactly how was Obama doing it?
If Obama was white . . .
going to Harvard wouldn't make him an elitist, it would make him well educated and well qualified.
AA, you're a parrot. I can't believe I thought you were a serious poster. You parrot everything conservatives lie about, which makes you a liar. Every ad McCain put out last week was an attack on character. Why shouldn't Obama defend himself? The ad comparing Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton would have been condemed if Obama had put that out about McCain, because it's unprofessional and childish, yet the media said "Bravo" to McCain for playing dirty. Obama defends himself and suddenly he's the bad guy and he's playing the race card.
August,
Oh, quit your squawking. I don't recall anyone else before me bringing up Obama's reference to "all the presidents" on the one and five.
Anyway, I appreciate your once held esteem. :-)
How bout you try and keep up with my larger point. You can't play the race card if it's already been played against you. The ad McCain put out last week with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears was racially motivated. In fact much of the attacks on Obama has had racist undertones. Is he Muslim? Is he patriotic enough? Why doesn't he where a flag pin? Why doesn't he say the pledge? Is he too black? Obama didn't ask these questions, conservatives and the media asked these questions.
So again parrot, how can you accuse him of playing the race card when it has been played against him since he decided to run?
I think you are getting your cards mixed up.
Previous editions of the $5 bill have had Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson and US Grant on them.
The $1 bill has had Salmon P. Chase and George Washington. $1 silver certificates have had Lincoln, US Grant and Martha Washington on them.
Both have also had early versions with Columbus on them.
Bill,
Very good research. As an aside, do you know when the current Washington and Lincoln replaced earlier versions? Thanks.
AA, are you really gonna play stupid? I've posted the ad in question from McCain several times now, it aired in June. Obama's face was placed on a $100 bill. Here, you lazy.....
Comments like "magic negro", "is he black enough", and who's ancestor owned who as a slave, as well as the constant emphasis on his middle name were all brought up and bantered about by your friendly neighborhood screech monkeys.
Snoop,
No offense but I must admit, if your post doesn't interest me, I don't go following your links. Maybe next time.
ewe,
I long ago gave up chasing links that supposedly prove something in the poster's mind when the poster didn't even have enough interest to tell me what the link supposedly proves.
Do I care if Snoopy posted a particular link in other threads? As a rule, no.
And for the umpteenth time, AA, there was a McCain ad from June (which is apparently so long ago that everyone has forgotten) where they literally mocked Obama's appearance on a dollar bill.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/08/01/mccain-ad-did-make-fun-of-obamas-appearance/
Yes, I can name several Republicans and prominent Conservatives who have called Obama's patriotism into question. FoxNews does it every day, or allows unrepentent liars to push that false meme.
I think we should call John McCain's capability to be President into question. I think he's demonstrating a huge lack of personality traits that will serve a President well. Many in the news media today are talking about how John McCain has drastically reduced his availability to MSM journalists.
He can't stand the heat, so he's staying out of the kitchen, but what does that say about his abilities to deal with tough issues and be diplomatic and be reasonable and reasoned in his approach to conflict?
Do we want someone who cowers from people who might question him on tough issues to be our President?
I was taken aback, a couple of weeks ago, when I saw the news footage (one of the McCain Town-Hall meetings) of his response to a question about his voting record on veterans issues. I thought he was lacking, seriously, in diplomatic skills by saying in effect: "You dare question Me?"
BREAKING NEWS!!!!!
Faux News is reporting that Robert No-Facts has announced his "immediate retirement".
(BTW, he's another prominent RepubliKKKan who's questioned Obama's patriotism.)
HANNITY: -- you should hear and read what left-wing websites say about little old me. So they got extremists on both sides.
yeah unfortunately it is not for your intellect.
And now to flip the coin:
Can anyone name a prominent Democrat who has said that McCain isn't patriotic?
(and no, I can't name one)
Dang... Do Republicans really have double-standards?
Does a bear ...?
You know the rest.
Dawus,
Duh?
Even most Democrats are not so stupid to try to say McCain is unpatriotic or have you forgotten that POW thing?
"Why does anyone pay attention to that GOP motor mouth SHEAR INSANNITY?"
Because if you don't listen to your enabler you can't have your pre-conceived prejusidices reinforced and justified.
The Republican's use of lies, both large and small, are well documented, especially in the last 8 years. Of course, our resident trolls will disagree. Over and over...zzzz.
Air America is the loudest voice for liberal thought. As they often allow conservatives to speak their piece and can't reach the audience of MSM. The match is poor. I'd say their usually factually based and will come down on democrats on occasion.
Obermann is on a leash. He's seldom allowed to take on his own networks missinformation
If you can find a closer equivilent I'd like to know who it might be.
Try "The Republican Noise Machine", written pior to MMfa's exsistence by it's president David Brock. Its a detailed and info backed up review and media historyof the folks we look at here.
I posted this in another thread, messed up there.
But is Rush Limbaugh a prominent enough republican for everyone's taste here? He has said that Obama hates America, and wants to destroy it (paraphrasing here).
Rush Limbaugh isn't an official representative of the Republican Party like a current or former Congressman, Senator, or Governor is.
He's a conservative, or what currently purports to be a conservative, but according to Hannity's definition, I don't think that Rush would be considered a Republican.
Just last week Rush announced that Obama's European trip "bordered on treasonous".
But ... Rush is a conservative, not a republican. From that, would a reasonable person, like Hannity frinstance, infer Rush isn't registered republican, or doesn't vote straight GOP? Cmon... Also, if Rush isn't a prominent Republican, why is he being phoned by Bushco on air?
He's a conservative, or what currently purports to be a conservative, but according to Hannity's definition, I don't think that Rush would be considered a Republican.
Jeff Christie doesn't fit my definition of being a human being.
Pleased to be of service.
There's usually a follow on post about possible(probable)nonhetrosexual behavior on the part of Mr. Christy.
That's Rush's real name.
Actually, Rush Limbaugh's real name is Rush Husdon Limbaugh III - he was named after his father and grandfather. "Jeff Christie" was the pseudonym he was using when working as a DJ in Pittsburgh in the Early '70s, when he was fired for getting arrested in the company of a male prostitute in an area known for homosexual activities. It's a part of his personal history that he keeps hidded from the millions of dittoheads, which is why I choose to refer to him as "Jeff Christie".
I wonder who Sean Hannity thinks are the extremist on the Republican side?
NYT columnist: GOP exploited race for decades David Edwards and Nick Juliano
Published: Monday August 4, 2008
Print This Email This
Bob Herbert, the most prominent African American voice on the paper's op-ed page, authored a Saturday column outlining his objections to the GOP's race-based attacks against Democratic nominee Barack Obama. He expanded on his thesis Monday morning in an interview with MSNBC's Joe Scarborough.
"You tell me why those two phallic symbols are placed there, Pow! Right at the beginning of that ad," Herbert said, referring to images of Berlin's victory column, where Obama spoke last month, and what appears to be the Washington Monument juxtaposed with clips of Hilton and Spears.
Perhaps not coincidentally, both celebrities' sultry images contributed to their fame. Hilton became a household name after the "leak" of her amateur sex tape, and Spears' late-90s stardom arose from her sexually charged dance moves. Both also have repeatedly greeted paparazzi while wearing short skirts and no underwear, Herbert noted in his column.
Herbert traced McCain's reliance on a racist dog whistle to his very first general election ad, where the GOP senator portrayed himself as the "American president Americans have been waiting for," as if there was any question about which country he was running to lead.
"What was the subtext of that comment? ... My contention is that the subtext is that Barack Obama is the other," Herbert said. "And you just have this whole thing playing out in the context of a Republican party that has used and exploited the race issue for political gain for decades now."
Typical of the GOP, they run a slimy ad, the Repugnant candidate disavows it ("I have no IDEA how it got there, I swear! I certainly would never approve an ad about a ni-, I mean, about my worthy opponent.") and it gets double exposure, once for the ad and once for the news stories about how the Repugnant disavowed it because he's such a good guy.
I don't deny the use, I just didn't pick up on it. No doubt my unconsious picked it up. I don't approve of the tactic, it is underhanded, and typical of Rovian politics for fun,profit, and aquision of power.
As noted, this has worked to deliver positions of power, to people who I wouldn't trust to run an icecream truck arround the block.
2 things.
1) The ad claim that Obama wants to "lose the war" is treasonous, not merely unpatriotic. This, for me, should be ZJohn mcCain's tipping point.
But only if we don't have Kerry, or Dukakis, or, to a lesser degree, Gore.
Which leads me to.....
2) Obama has to immediately stop and go on tjhe offensive. There is such a large treasure trove of McCain foibles that consultants must feel like kids at the candy store.
It's time to get down and dirty here. You see the differenceis, when the GOP attacked Obama, all they could attack was his personality, thinkig that causing voters to doubt him was going to give the election to McCain.
So far, the initial attacks have worked. I initially held off my endorsement for Obama, because I only was going to back a fighter. In the spring he was feisty and quick to respond to the daily Republicsn machine. His conduct gave me confidence we had a fighter in DC.
His current campaign is going sll wrong. Everything he's doing is plsying defense. It seems to be this way in every recent election, aren't there anty savvy consultants out there?
The best way yo deal with mcCain, and I say start this up now. Run ads that show him changing his issues on everything for political expedience
Run a 2nd ad that focuses on his ignorance of geography (like the Iraqi-pakistani border remark)....and conclude it by saying, this is the man who has been annointed expert on foreign policy. After promisding us we would be greeted by liberstors and the war would be easy, we were treated to a dishonest statement at a future rally where he stated he always knew it was going to be hard.
We need to play these tapes. People need to see the slime for who he is
Scoot,
It is fairly well known that the one behind in the race goes negative. They have nothing to lose Obama will go negative as soon as McCain gets close or slips past Obama in the polls.
I heard something interesting. If McCain can get the country to make this election about Obama, McCain wins. If Obama can make this election about McCain, Obama wins.
Hannity is just a coward, no more, and a great deal less.
Hannity is never truthful folks. He lies. also, he is one of those responsible for the origin of most of the distortions about Obama. He already knew the answer. So tell me,who of you commit the net address of any site where you heard or read some truly exaggerated or outright lie about Obama. I would have a list that would entirely fill an 8 1/2 by 11 inch page full. Hannity's question was not one for which he sought information. It was one to make his guests look bad. However, Hannity is the racist and the bigot. He takes a swipe at Obama every chance he gets and even sometime he makes the chance. But tell me, what person is stupid enough to care one wit what Hannity says or thinks about Obama. It will only get worse because Obama is doing so well. All the self-righteous prigs tend to need to take down anyone who is not in lock step with their narrow-minded ideas. Look, Obama is just much smarter than Hannity and it drives Hannity mad. So I say just let the guy alone. He is simply not intelligent enough to make his point with facts. He has to try to minimalize Obama instead. But honestly, Shawn, you simply cannot do it. Obama has energized Democrats to a very great level and we will never let you define him. We just know better. We have met him, listened to him, read stuff he has written and always, his honesty is so obvious. He never has to stoop to those low life levels you have, Hannity. I know, I know, Hannity, poor thing, it just drives you mad because it is obvious all you hate-mongers on the Republican side are wasting your breath this election. I know, it must be a miserable feeling, but try to brace up. More is on its way.
Mari, here's a link that refutes the standard Hannity claim that Obama is the most liberal senator in the senate. From checking the list, I count 17 senators more liberal than Obama, as scored for 2007 by the American Conservative Union:
http://www.acuratings.org/2007senate.htm#IL
Well, he is in the top 20% (he's voting liberal), but by no means is he close to being the mostest!
The REAL Hannity Challenge:
Can Sean do a full hour of TV or radio during which he DOES NOT TELL ONE SINGLE LIE?
Of course he can't.....
Finally, it is worth considering the meaning of patriotism because the question of who is – or is not – a patriot all too often poisons our political debates, in ways that divide us rather than bringing us together. I have come to know this from my own experience on the campaign trail. Throughout my life, I have always taken my deep and abiding love for this country as a given. It was how I was raised; it is what propelled me into public service; it is why I am running for President. And yet, at certain times over the last sixteen months, I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged – at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for.
So let me say at this at outset of my remarks. I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine.
...Obama
The America I feel allegiance to isn't the America that requires compulsory displays of loyalty. In this country, so far, no one has the power to tell me what is American and what wasn't. "un-American" has been used to taint protesters, dissenters, and even potential presidents. And who is doing it.
I will tell you it is Republicans doing it. Not Democrats. Republicans who say its my way or the highway. Who call my and YOUR patriotisms into question.
How long will Democrats and non-republicans stand for it?
Loreli wrote: "The America I feel allegiance to isn't the America that requires compulsory displays of loyalty."
Would you pledge to that allegiance? ;-)
AA, my allegiance is to America.
If America is in the wrong, my allegiance is still to America, but to speak out about the wrong. To try to uphold our constitution. To protect our way of life.
Whats yours? Republican or nothing? Conservative christ beleiving christians or nothing?
Not that it matters but you didn't answer my question. I have no issues saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
I think the United States is the best country on Earth by a long shot. It's not perfect, but it is a lot better than any other. My allegiance is to God, my family, and my country. ( Go ahead and cue Lee Greenwood).