Today on fair-and-balanced radio – I think it was FOX – there was a big stink about Michelle Obama’s “for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country” remark. Anyone that fails THE TEST – that is, does not uphold the pro-war Right’s standards for plastic patriotism – is deemed an enemy of America. The conservative reaction has been predictable and shallow, as one would expect. How dare she! If you can’t wear a flag lapel pin, sing Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American,” and happily trade the seventh inning stretch (”Take Me Out to the Ballgame”) for God Bless America, you are a traitor and you hate America. Torture was even contemplated when the Tennessee Republican Party “urged radio stations to play “patriotic music” during Michelle’s visit to Nashville.” Ouch. Perhaps the firing squad would be more painless and humane. Mrs. Cindy McCrazyCain even hopped on the “I’ll show you” bandwagon and proclaimed, “I’m proud of my country, I don’t know about you, if you heard those words earlier. I’m very proud of my country.”

So now the race is on for each and every person of political significance to prove their patriotic value by adopting any and all “patriotic” symbols, phrases, and events. Even Barack Obama, trying to deflect the potential for anti-American claims, has been seen wearing his old glory lapel pin, again, since the Michelle incident happened in February.

Obama fired back with his “lay off my wife” warning. The FOX chatter was about whether or not going after his wife was in proper form. Obama’s chivalry aside, his wife is traveling the country speaking about war and freedom and policy, and on his behalf. She’s been made an official spokesperson for the campaign and promises to be a force in the event of an Obama administration. Thus even the unfair and unbalanced types are right when they say she’s stepped in front of the bullseye, so she’s fair game.