Soccer Mom: Unplugged

The NC GOP has produced an ad highlighting the extremism of Jeremiah Wright, pastor and friend of presidential hopeful Barack Obama.  This ad references the endorsements of Obama by some of the state's gubernatorial candidates and the implication is that the candidates, local and national, have questionable judgement and perhaps less than stalwart patriotism.  Fair enough. 

We all recognize that a candidate's personal life gives just as much insight, if not more, into his character as his official actions and statements.  Remember the frenzy over Hillary Clinton's channeling the spirits of past first ladies or the front page fear-mongering when newsmen found out that President Buch read Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series?  The fascination with stories like these reveal a truth most of us unconsciously know but that democratic operatives spent most of the 90s trying to deny:  a man's private character and morality are inseparably connected to the execution of his professional duties.  Patriotism, integrity, and decency aren't like a suit coat you can put on when you walk out the door in the morning.

Nevertheless, John McCain has called for the NC GOP to abandon the as-yet unreleased ad and has denounced the state party as 'out of touch'.  Judging from other recent statements, McCain believes he is trying to take the "high road" by avoiding personal attacks on his opponents.  Unfortunately, McCain's denunciation reveals as much about himself as the ad does about the democrats vying for the NC governorship.

It is completely reasonable to find the judgement of a candidate suspect based on his associations.  it is also perfectly reasonable to find the judgement of a candidate suspect if he or she endorses a presidential hopeful whose associates are unpatriotic, conspiracy theory spewing pastors and unrepentant domestic terrorists.

Further, it is completely reasonable to find the judgement of a candidate suspect if he denouces state party leaders for political correctness and expediency.  John McCain cares about winning the Presidency - the NC GOP wants to win the governor's seat.  It would seem that Linda Daves knows what I know.  No matter whose inaugaration we see in January, we've already lost the White House.

In response to news reports about students getting suspended for school for wearing patriotic outfits or clothes sporting the US flag, North Carolina lawmaker, Rep. Walter Jones introduced HR-5255.  The bill essentially draws a line in the sand with regard to wearing patriotic gear. 

"H. R. 5255 would prohibit an elementary school, secondary school or institution of higher education from receiving funds from any Federal source, by contract or grant, if the school or institution has a policy or practice that prevents or prohibits the right of a student to display or wear, in a respectful manner, a representation of the United States flag in a manner that is at least equal in quality and scope to the right of a student to display or wear any other representation." (Jones website)

Everybody clear on that?  If you can inscribe FUBU on your chest and Juicy on your rear end, then you should certainly be allowed to advertise for the nation that funds your education.  And schools receiving federal funds that wish to ban old glory do so at risk of losing greenbacks.  Sounds fair.  Our dollars come wrapped in the stars and stripes.  I like it.  Now, lets's hope that the House and Senate get it together enough to back Jones' bill.