The meaning of a pin

TownHall.com ^ | 7/26/03 | Neil Cavuto

[kattracks]

As a FOX News anchor, I get a good deal of e-mail -- some of it good, some of it bad. Some of it gets into substantive issues, a lot of it into anything but. It's the latter category that most intrigues and often amuses me. The comments can be nasty ("Your ego is as big as your head") and funny ("Of all the FOX anchors, you seem to be the least obnoxious, but you're still obnoxious").

But occasionally I get particularly hurtful e-mail that even I must admit hits a chord. One concerned my wearing a flag pin each night on my program. I don't make an issue of it, but one particular viewer did. A Fred C. (I'll leave out his last name) wrote "it bordered on the sickening, day in and day out, shoving your pseudo-patriotism on viewers who want news, not cheerleading."

He went on to say that since I didn't serve in the military, who was I to talk up the military; and since I enjoyed an apparently cushy life, how dare I act "like a bleeding patriot."

This is as much an opportunity to respond to Fred as it is to make a point in general.

First off, I don't make a big thing of wearing a pin. It is, after all, just a pin. But it's a powerful symbol for me. It represents a country that lets me do what I like to do, in an environment in which I'm free to do it.

Fred, I don't take issue with people who do not wear flag pins, so why should you take issue with those who do? You go on to claim in your letter that my patriotic bias shows through again and again. You're right there, because I do like it here. I like the opportunities this country affords me, all made possible by people who made big sacrifices before me.

You say that I cannot salute because I haven't served. I strongly disagree, because you

see, Fred, you don't have to march in the parade to proudly wave and honor those who do. You don't have to give blood for your country to never forget those who did that and much more for your country.

Frankly I'm sick and tired of journalists who prefer to honor a profession more than the country that makes that profession possible. I believe strongly, Fred, that you can be a good journalist and a good American at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive.

I ask just as penetrating questions and probe just as critical issues. But I do so with a firm appreciation of the place from which I'm doing it . . . the United States of America. You're right, Fred, I didn't serve this country. But I do love this country. I'm the son of a World War II veteran who fought to make sure I could enjoy the good life I do today. I'd much sooner salute that generation than cavalierly forget that generation.

I'd much rather emphasize the good in this country than harp on the bad in this country. All is not perfect here, but I'll tell you this . . . it's a hell of a lot better than almost anywhere else. I believe that, and I report that.

You're right, Fred. That makes me biased. I'd much sooner look at those who serve my country and say "thank you" than "screw you." They're the reason I'm here. The least I can do is let them know how grateful I am that they are here.

A pin is a small thing, but for me it's a powerful thing . . . a daily reminder of a country and a system of government that lets me do what I love every day.

Fred, you call me a cheerleader. You're right. I am. And I'm damn proud of it . . . first as a citizen, then a distant second . . . as a journalist.

©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

Read Cavuto's biography

[onyx]

I adore Cavuto. I'm willing to bet that he's as nice in person as he is on TV.

[onyx]

I adore Cavuto. I'm willing to bet that he's as nice in person as he is on TV.

[onyx]

I adore Cavuto. I'm willing to bet that he is the same decent and nice man in person as he is on TV.

Thanks for including the link to his bio: He has more than made-up for his stint as an intern in the Carter White House.

[onyx]

LOL! Sorry about the double post! Ignore the first two, it's the third amended post I thought I was posting!

New high-speed internet connection is driving me nuts! Very fast. Too fast and too light to the touch for my banging fingers!

[lainde]

Cavuto fan ping!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"You go on to claim in your letter that my patriotic bias shows through again and again."

Oh the horror!

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

Bump!

[Joe Marine 76]

Big Bump! I saw "Cavuto" the day he addressed "The Pin". When he was done my jaw was on the floor. A great patriot he is, indeed. As a veteran and son and brother of veterans, thanks for posting this: I'm saving it to send to family and friends. Thanks again!

[holden]

his stint as an intern in the Carter White House

As Churchill is known to have said:

Unless you're a liberal by the time you're 20, you have no heart!

...and unless you're conservative by the time you're 30, you have no brains!

HF

P.S. Ok, maybe my memory didn't capture it fully verbatim, but that was the essence of it.

[CGVet58]

re: your triple posting...

no prob... i thought you were just trying to really emphasize your point. ;=)

[Feckless]

My email to Neil:

Just read your piece to Fred C. about your wearing the Flag pin on FreeRepublic.com. I don't catch your show often because of my hours and, as a retired Army NCO, I don't have a lot of money to manage.

After 9-11 most of the folks at the hospital where I work heaped on the pins and ribbons. I was confronted one day by a newly reborn patriot about my lack of a pin and therefore patriotism.

I whipped out my DD Form 2 (Retired Military ID card) and told her I have been wearing this in my back pocket for 9 years. It is my ticket back to combat anytime my Uncle Sam calls and that I had traded the green version (Active Duty) for it after carrying it 20 years to places like Germany, Korea, Egypt, Desert Storm, etc.

I thanked her for her new found appreciation for our country and our military and told her I hope she still wears her pin long after it is out of fashion.

As for Fred C. and those like him..... he just needs a good old fashioned asswhoopin.

Alfred W. Evans
1SG, USA(Ret)
Gatesville, Texas

[onyx]

You're what America is all about, FReeper Feckless!

It's as certain as death and taxes that Neil Cavuto will treasure your e-mail and I won't be at all surprised to hear him read it on air!

Thank you for your service and for finding your way to FR! I'm honored to make your acquaitance! God bless you.

I've pinged JR and Tonk, because I "know" Tonk will either make use of his ping list or he'll cut and paste your post # 12 on his wonderfully inspirational and patriotic daily thread.

[A_perfect_lady]

If the jerk harrassing Cavuto snarled about him being a "bleeding patriot" he might not even be American. And a lot of Euros -- as we know -- just hate this country with all their stinky might.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I've pinged JR and Tonk, because I "know" Tonk will either make use of his ping list "

CLICK HERE for a GREAT post by FReeper Feckless

Thanks or a great post Feckless
And Thank You for your service to our country.
onyx Thank You for alerting me to this.

[Bahbah]

Bless you, Feckless. You are anything but.

[kayak]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk!

I think it shameful that a reporter/journalist/anchor/program host/whatever should NOT consider himself an American first. I keep trying to imagine what WWII coverage would have been like with the U.S. media pulling for Hitler and whining over D-Day and every other step into or flight over Africa/Italy/France/Germany. And they would have been very "deeply saddened and concerned" over the Pacific Theater actions, particularly Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Feh on them all and God bless the patriotic ones like Neil!

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you for posting this response.

Here, Here, I am so thankful to be living here.

Tonk, thanks for the ping.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I thought your last name began with an "M".

[TexasCowboy]

"I hope she still wears her pin long after it is out of fashion."

And therein lies the difference, brother.
We were patriotic before patriotism was cool.