Memorial Day, 2008

It is well-known and well-lamented that our political campaigns have devolved into meaningless, absurd and increasingly abstract symbolism. The current Democratic race reached a well-documented low when Nash McCabe, a "regular voter" asked Senator Obama the infamous flag pin question: “Sen. Obama, I have a question, and I want to know if you believe in the American flag. I am not questioning your patriotism, but all our servicemen, policemen and EMS wear the flag. I want to know why you don't.’’

It isn't absurd, of course, to expect our leaders to love this country. But McCabe claimed the question wasn't about that, that she wasn't questioning Obama's patriotism. The question was just about a stupid pin.

Not all symbolism, however, is meaningless and absurd. Today is a holiday that is rich in patriotic meaning. And I'd like to see 52-year-old Nash McCabe from Latrobe, Pa ask some questions to the malls of America, to Wal-Mart, the Texas legislature, and to our own WTAMU.

Why are you open today? Don't you think you are devaluing the sacrifices of our war veterans by refusing to celebrate this holiday? Or do you really think that throwing a sale is the best way to honor our war dead? As important as is it to buy energy-efficient appliances, doesn't the Texas legislature dishonor veterans by encouraging people to do nothing but shop on Memorial Day by changing the day to a tax holiday? Shouldn't we all be American citizens on a day like this, and not mere customers?

[Moment of silence.]

spacedark