Organizing for America | Winning the right way, the Obama way.: Discussion between brothers.

Post from Winning the right way, the Obama way.:

Discussion between brothers.

By LV Duckworth - Mar 20th, 2008 at 3:49 pm EDT

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Yesterday, I had a debate with my eldest brother, he a conservative and I an avid Obama supporter.

He began, "Just thought I would stop by to hear what your thoughts are all this."

I responded, "You mean Barack Obama?"

He said, "Yes of course, just thought, well, I would get your perspective."

I said, "I am understandably upset because people are unable to see the manipulation of the press, unwilling to except an honorable man at his word, when even his opponents have acknowledged "Obama does not hold the political opinions of his Pastor."" and "That he certainly is no racist".

My brother asked, "But what about the speech?"

I said, "Profoundly beautiful."

He then suggested, "But it didn't answer the question."

I was perplexed, I didn't understood what question he thought was supposed to be answered.

I thought for a moment and asked, "What question did he not answer?"

"Well, the only question that matters of course." he pushed, with a grin.

Again I asked, and he finally said, "Is he a patriot?"

In honest surprise I questioned, "Thats what you think everyone is asking?!".

I questioned, "How could someone think him not a patriot?"

Knowing my brother to an intelligent and reasoning man, I was shocked at what he said next.

He said, "Well he doesn't wear a flag pin and he doesn't put his hand on his heart when saying the pledge of allegiance?"

I stated, "Really! You believe that? Of course Barack Obama is a patriot."

I offered, "Barack has explained why he does not wear a flag pin, he has said that he believes that such symbolism is far too often used as a cudgel, a means to project a false patriotism for political ends and that he prefers to show his patriotism through his deeds, not symbolism." and in response to the other, "That picture of him standing without hand on heart was not taken during the Pledge of Allegiance, it taken while listening to the National Anthem, Hand on heart is not tradition, rising is. - you agree that is correct?"

He nodded in the affirmative and said, "How come I haven't heard that?"

I said, "I don't know, he said it, its out there, others have reported the anthem thing as well. Perhaps you need to expand your sources of info?"

"Here we go again, your gonna attack Rush, right?." he quipped.

I replied, "Rush is not a news source, he is an opinioner, nothing else and I dislike him for what I believe are his rantings, but will not allow you to change the subject to him."

"Hmmpf." he muttered.

I will tell you why I believe Barack Obama to be a patriot, "Barack has spent his life proving his patriotism, from his first days of working on the streets of Chicago, promoting and supporting the homeless and less fortunate." "Each and every step in his life's journey has reaffirmed his commitment to making this nation a more perfect union and a better America." "He has dedicated himself to the study of law to further benefit those that he strove to aid, he chose to teach rather than pursue a more lucrative legal career, because he believed that people should give back to the community from which they came."

Then I asked rhetorically, "How can that be seen as anything but patriotic?, but didn't allow him a chance to respond.

Again I continued, "His expertise is Constitutional Law, chosen because he believes in its precepts and in its being the most important document left us by our founding father, within it contains everything that it means to be an American. He ran for the Illinois Senate not just advance himself, but saw it to be a logical step in his desire to change a system he thought needed improvement. Not because he wanted to tear down a system, but to build it up, to make it more closely represent the perfect union. True, each step lead to greater power, but never did he wield that power to damage the system of government that we love. You may not see it that way from a political aspect, but you must at least acknowledge it as reasonable to assume."

This man, Barack Obama, the man I support is a Patriot, he showed it again with the speech he gave on Tuesday, that he wrote and delivered - he presented to us, his understanding that this Union that we call the United States of America, can fulfill its prophesied destiny, but only if we face the things that still divide us with honest discourse."

I have no doubt that my brother will still vote for McCain, but at least he now understands where I stand and why!

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