Retired Gen. Wesley Clark took a bit of a swing at John McCain, stating that the senator from Arizona lacked experience in decision making as a military man.
McCain, of course, served in wartime and was a prisoner of war.
The subject of Barack Obama's not covering his heart during the playing of the national anthem or not wearing a flag pin was yet again brought up in various newspapers and segments on cable news channels.
So, the junior senator from Illinois's patriotism is yet again being brought into question, but what exactly is patriotism?
According to Webster's Dictionary, a patriot (n) is “someone who loves and defends this country.”
By that definition, McCain's actions as a young man suggest that he is a patriot since he served in the country's volunteer army.
But how exactly do you prove that you're patriotic?
Does one have to sing as loudly as possible with ahand over the heart anytime the Star Spangled Banner is played at a sporting event?
Do you have to rush out to the nearest Army recruiting station and sign up to serve in Iraq?
Or is it something just as simple as wearing a red, white and blue shirt every now and then and waving a flag?
The simple answer is that these are all acceptable ways to show pride in your country, but being patriotic is something you either are or you're not, and it's not anything that you should have to prove to anyone.
That's something that can only be answered individually.
Someone that walks up and down Wilson Road singing “Yankee Doody Dandee”, while wearing an Uncle Sam tuxedo and waving flags in both hands may not be any more proud of the red, white and blue as the man that simply practices his right to vote in local and national elections.
Politics, by nature, is a cynical business, but I'm going to trust that Sens. McCain and Obama are men who “love and defend this country” by using their abilities.
The simple fact that this issue is brought up is insulting to both candidates, the voting public and the electoral process.
The time taken up discussing whether or not each candidate is patriotic takes away time and focus on the issues that need serious discussion during this incredibly important time in our country's history.
During this Fourth of July weekend, we as community should take time and remember our patriots - our heroes.
We, as Newberry County citizens, are fortunate that we have living, breathing patriots among us in plain sight - the 218.
If you see someone in a uniform this weekend, tell that patriot “thank you”.
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