In the real world, all Americans know how to demonstrate their patriotism. They wear a little lapel pin made in the image of a flag. With one of those in plain view, nobody will ever doubt you're a rootin' tootin' patriot. Without it, you'll never convince anyone you love your country.

It's not so simple in Superhero Land. There, they don't call you a "patriotic hero" unless you wear the whole darned flag.

Yesterday (May 26), I posted a new article on Miss Victory, one of those who, as I said in articles devoted to one or two of them, "wrap themselves in the flag like a cheap politician." It seemed like the thing to do on Memorial Day. July 4 is another day I like to post about something flag-oriented. Last year, I did Red, White & Blue; and the year before, Captain Freedom. This year I plan to do Quality's Miss America, but don't hold me to that because you never know what might come up. If I do, it'll have the additional salutory effect of completing a set — I'll then have done articles on all if the many superhero women who debuted with a cover date of August, 1941.

That's not an endorsement of the war making that seems to be the aspect of America that those characters get most enthusiastic about. It's just acknowledging and embracing the day's theme, like when I posted articles on Santa, Rudolph and Frosty on three successive Christmases.

Anyway, who could doubt that, say, The Star-Spangled Kid & Stripesy are devoted to the stars and stripes? It's what they wear.

You might take a hint, Barak Obama. Dress like Captain Flag or Fighting American, and nobody will even notice whether or not you wear a lapel pin. They'll be too busy laughing.

And that's bound to improve your chances. After all, voters enjoy a good laugh just like everybody else.

— DDM