I suspect the day before the November General Election we'll still be talking about whether or not Barack Obama is wearing his flag pin, and whether that is a reflection of his patriotism, or lack there of.
The pin seems like a small matter, but as one Obama critic pointed out to me, Obama made an issue out of it by first deciding not to wear the American flag lapel pin because it had become a substitute for "true patriotism."
After lots of questions, speculation and criticism, Obama can now be seen sporting the pin.
So now is he more patriotic than before?
Does proudly wearing a flag pin indicate one's level of patriotism?
A poll finds Americans believe it does, but not as much as some other kinds of behavior.
A Gallup Poll found 95 percent of those questioned believe the most patriotic act for an American is voting.
Next is military service; 87 percent believe being in the military is an indicator of a person's patriotism.
Wearing the American flag pin ranks sixth, with 59 percent of Americans saying that action shows that a person is patriotic.
Patriotism, by its nature, suggests emotion, as in passion for one's nation.
But, as Adlai Stevenson said, "Patriotism . . . is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil steady dedication of a lifetime."
A lifetime commitment, as Stevenson suggests, means that we, as Americans, should have at least a basic understanding of what we're dedicated to.
Unfortunately, one recent report suggests many of us fall short here.
The report, "E Pluribus Unum" by the Bradley Project, found after a two-year study that America "is facing an identity crisis.
I suspect the day before the November General Election we'll still be talking about whether or not Barack Obama is wearing his flag pin, and whether that is a reflection of his patriotism, or lack there of.
The pin seems like a small matter, but as one Obama critic pointed out to me, Obama made an issue out of it by first deciding not to wear the American flag lapel pin because it had become a substitute for "true patriotism."
After lots of questions, speculation and criticism, Obama can now be seen sporting the pin.
So now is he more patriotic than before?
Does proudly wearing a flag pin indicate one's level of patriotism?
A poll finds Americans believe it does, but not as much as some other kinds of behavior.
A Gallup Poll found 95 percent of those questioned believe the most patriotic act for an American is voting.
Next is military service; 87 percent believe being in the military is an indicator of a person's patriotism.
Wearing the American flag pin ranks sixth, with 59 percent of Americans saying that action shows that a person is patriotic.
Patriotism, by its nature, suggests emotion, as in passion for one's nation.
But, as Adlai Stevenson said, "Patriotism . . . is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil steady dedication of a lifetime."
A lifetime commitment, as Stevenson suggests, means that we, as Americans, should have at least a basic understanding of what we're dedicated to.
Unfortunately, one recent report suggests many of us fall short here.
The report, "E Pluribus Unum" by the Bradley Project, found after a two-year study that America "is facing an identity crisis.
"Two out of every three Americans now believe our national identity is weakening, and one in four believes the nation is so divided that a common national identity is not possible."
The study says we're losing sight of our national identity because we're not reminded of what it is.
University of Virginia political science professor James Ceaser says we're spending a lot of time on diversity, which is important, but losing sight of our shared values.
Instead of "many to one," we're in danger of becoming the opposite; "from one, many."
The shared values that make up the American identity are found in our history, through understanding from our civics education, by assimilation and through national security. The experts believe education is a key component, and here we are lacking.
A survey of 18-34 year old Americans found only 45 percent believes that the U.S. Constitution "should trump international law in instances where there is a conflict."
National assessment tests show most eighth graders don't know the significance of the Declaration of Independence.
The Bradley Project report calls for a national dialogue that gets people thinking and talking again about who we are as Americans and how we got here.
If we don't understand the ideals of our country, how can we pass those ideals along to our children and grandchildren?
It's reasonable to suggest that playing a role in the understanding of our national identity is a form of patriotism.
That's a weighty task because it carries with it some study and seriousness about our history.
An easier way out would be to just wear a flag pin.
Kercheval is host of TalkLine, broadcast by the MetroNews Statewide Radio Network from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The show can be heard locally on WCHS 580 AM.
