Obama and his image

The above image of President Elect Obama's stage in Chicago shows six American flags as props. Two flags are not shown. There are eight flags on stage! Why so many flags? Wouldn't one or two suffice?

When President Bush and Iraq's President Minister Nuri al-Maliki held a press conference in Iraq there were 6 American flags and 6 Iraqi flags in the background, for a total of 12 flags!

Why do politicians have to be surrounded by the flag of their country? Are they saying "I am the State. Respect me as you respect the State".

Image is so important. But images are not substances. In politics and other situations, images are the practice of deception.

Images of the State are designed to beget loyalty and submission. Without that the State has no power.

Charles Tolleson