You probably met people who claim to idolize the flag the same way that Cap does, but that doesn't mean they actually do idolize the flag the same way. I mean there are a lot of people that claim to worship the flag and what it means, then want to enact an amendment (illegalizing flag burning) which goes completly against the first and most important amendment we have. If people who claim to worship the flag can't comprehend the most important amendment then you can't take their claims of idolization too seriously.

read his little speech again, where is the appeal to fervent nationalism, aggression or chauvinism?

Damn, just having some pride in what your country is supposed to stand for isn't a reason to condemn him.

And as other people have pointed out - IT'S CAPT. FREAKING AMERICA, not Batman or Thor or Daredevil...

Also: I totally agree, Janson is extremely overrated IMHO. I also think Rubenstein was a perfectly acceptable inker.

I KNOW it's not impossible to simply talk about comics without having to read this stupid, off topic arguing. Let's try it, hmm?

Successful at what- Being a politician?

Anyone who thinks that symbols and the symbolized have no real relationship understands nothing about how symbolism works. Symbols are bundles of meaning that both concentrate and represent the things that they symbolize, such that capturing the symbol in the public imagination is effectively to capture the concept that it represents, which can be especially effective when the symbol is strongly identified with personal and cllective identity

Yeah, but anyone who thinks a symbol getting destroyed is the end of what it symbolizes either didn't believe in much worthwhile,, didn't have much conviction beyond putting on a show, or is a simpleton.

But an inexperienced guy who people worship just for peppering vacuous speeches with the words “Hope” and “Change” over and over IS a hero, enough to make you more patriotic than ever?

It's true, all that experience of failure in the business world really came into play for Bush as president.

Yeah, you pretty much lost credibility there anyway as to what warrants patriotism.

So he loses credibility as a patriot because he supports the new President?
Fuck, you guys shifted the goalposts on what patriotism is pretty quick didn't you?
What happened to supporting the President IS supporting the country?

Going to be a long eight years for whitey...

Anyway, if you've never been that patriotic, I can't imagine you to be the target audience of that story.

I’ve met real people who idolize the flag in the same way Cap does in this story, and I wouldn’t call ‘em heroes.

But an inexperienced guy who people worship just for peppering vacuous speeches with the words "Hope" and "Change" over and over IS a hero, enough to make you more patriotic than ever? Yeah, you pretty much lost credibility there anyway as to what warrants patriotism.