DISCOVERED FERVOR

In 2008 while on the campaign trail, President Obama was at a rally with other presidential candidates. When the national anthem played, he stood but did not put his hand on his heart. This, combined with statements he'd made about America and his refusal to wear a flag pin made some question his patriotism. Then-Senator Obama replied that he had a different kind of patriotism that did not require any demonstration.

Here's a side by side comparison of Obama over a year so you can see the change from that day to this week:

In the first, he is watching and quiet, but not displaying any emotional attachment to the country being honored or reverence for the situation. In the second he is showing both with the hand over his heart in traditional salute to nationality and patriotism.

In the first, the US National Anthem was playing.

In the second, he is at the tomb of the unknown soldier... in Moscow, Russia.

As I wrote about in the past, wearing a flag pin or not isn't any particular sign of patriotism - in fact, wearing one is probably just a symbol of patronizing voters, since most politicians only wear on while on the campaign trail.

It just is sort of significant that President Obama didn't feel the need to demonstrate patriotism and honor to his own country, but does to the tomb honoring communist soldiers who died in WW2.

*Hat tip Van Helsing via Right Wing News for these images.