Patriotism and Political Dialogue in America

Host:

Lawrence O'Donnell

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The furor over Barack Obama's church has pushed his presidential campaign into the most dangerous possible political territory -- questions about his patriotism. Has the founding fathers' notion of American exceptionalism created to an exceptionally patriotic country? Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell

talks about the defining role patriotism plays in American politics and what role patriotism plays in the politics of other countries.

Today's WWLA is a re-cut of this morning's To the Point.

Photo: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Barack Obama's patriotism is being questioned because he doesn't wear an American flag pin on his lapel. His pastor's sermons are called un-American. Congressional votes on anti-flag-burning bills are considered tests of patriotism, even though the Supreme Court has declared that flag burning is constitutionally protected speech. Do nationalism and patriotism illuminate or confuse political dialogue in America. Does the Founding Fathers' notion of American exceptionalism control our politics? How does the expression of American patriotism compare to displays of patriotism in other countries? Do our symbols of patriotism get in the way of real political debate?

Guests:

Gary Gerstle: Professor of History, Vanderbilt University
John O'Sullivan: Editor-at-Large, National Review
Todd Gitlin: Professor of Journalism and Sociology, Columbia University, @toddgitlin
Jabbar Magruder: Co-Chair of Board of Directors, Iraq Veterans Against the War

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

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