Proper display of the U.S. flag... questions.

[Firemanbuck82]

Instead of getting some self proclaimed authority to tell you what is proper, go research the word "Freedom".

While I get what you are saying, there comes a point. There are rules and proper etiquette for displaying the American flag and it has nothing to do with authoritarianism or snowflakes. Flying the flag from the back for your lifted F-250 may scream "'Murica, f**k yeah!" But my guess is that that this so called patriot leaves the flag on in the rain or after dark, or when they go 'muddin', which is disrespectful; and we're all supposed to respect the flag, right?

Is burning the flag on the street corner as a form of protest OK under the definition of "Freedom"?

 

[Sysop]

Is burning the flag on the street corner as a form of protest OK under the definition of "Freedom"?

UNFORTUNATELY, according to the courts, yes.

 

[Firemanbuck82]

UNFORTUNATELY, according to the courts, yes.

But, we don't need no authority to tell us what we should and shouldn't do, right?

 

[Firemanbuck82]

UNFORTUNATELY, according to the courts, yes.

OK, my snarkyness aside, where is the line drawn? OK for some yahoo to disrespect the flag on the back of their truck, but not OK for someone to protest by burning it? Why is one OK and the other isn't?

 

[Sysop]

I'd guess the line is drawn where each individual wishes to draw it. Arguing about where the line should be, is only done by those that care. We have plenty of redneck truck mounted flags around here too and while I consider it to be a less-tasteful method of displaying patriotism, I don't consider it disrespectful like burning a flag.

 

[NorTracNY]

Some excellent points all around. Remember freedom and respect. If you feel someone is doing something disrespectful, you really need to question if, when, and how you should intercede. Teach your kids right. That's the first step. Teach them to respect the flag, country, and those that put their lives on the line defending it. Set a good example for others. If you think you should just walk up to some clown you've never spoken to and say something critical, then you certainly will come off as holier than though in the very least.

 

[cdaigle430]

For me I don't care about the symbol itself but what it stands for. It is a symbol for all those who sacrificed and\or lost their lives to establish her and to protect her past, present and future. Any disrespect to the flag is a disrespect to all those who have sacrificed, lost their lives including the families of those individuals.

Allowing the burning of the flag is a slap in the face for all, and must be punishable by immediate loss of citizenship and all rights as an American stripped because obviously that person hates our society and doesn't want to be part of it anymore.

I served 22 years and know for a fact that anyone who served the boyscouts, cub scouts and every branch of the military knows how to care for the American flag and should speak up but not as an individual. Don't go it alone, please.

 

[CobyRupert]

For me.... It is a symbol for all those who sacrificed and\or lost their lives to establish her and to protect her past, present and future. Any disrespect to the flag is a disrespect to all those who have sacrificed, lost their lives including the families of those individuals.

Allowing the burning of the flag is a slap in the face for all, and must be punishable by immediate loss of citizenship and all rights as an American stripped because.......

That the thing with symbols, especially when there's no agreement on what it symbolizes.

I totally understand where you're coming from. That yes, for many the flag is a symbol of those dead loved ones who sacrificed all.
If that it what it means to you, then its understandable how dishonoring it would be enraging.

But this is a totally different symbol to someone who sees it as a symbol of a government that been perverted, high-jacked by profiteers who no longer represent Americans, or see it is a symbol of colonialism, illegal wars, overthrows, bombings, death. Their conscious says they must oppose what this "symbol stands for" (in their mind).

The clash comes because the two groups don't even agree what the symbol stands for.

When someone tells me "you must always follow (or respect) the flag". the first question that comes to my mind as a patriotic American is "Well, who's carrying it?"
I'm not going to follow some fascist just because they slap a flag pin on their lapel.

 

[CobyRupert]

Reminds me of that John Prine song:

John Prine -Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore - YouTube
"Your Flag Decal Won't Get you Into Heaven Anymore"

While digesting Reader's Digest in the back of a dirty book store
A plastic flag, with gum on the back fell out on the floor
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside, slapped it on my window shield
And if I could see old Betsy Ross I'd tell her how good I feel

But your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore
They're already overcrowded from your dirty little war
Now Jesus don't like killin', no matter what the reason's for
And your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore


Well, I went to the bank this morning and the cashier he said to me
"If you join the Christmas club we'll give you ten of them flags for free"
Well, I didn't mess around a bit, I took him up on what he said
And I stuck them stickers all over my car and one on my wife's forehead

But your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore
They're already overcrowded from your dirty little war
Now Jesus don't like killin', no matter what the reason's for
And your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore

Well, I got my window shield so filled with flags I couldn't see
So, I ran the car upside a curb and right into a tree
By the time they got a doctor down I was already dead
And I'll never understand why the man standing in the pearly gates said

"But your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore
We're already overcrowded from your dirty little war"
"Now Jesus don't like killin', no matter what the reason's for
And your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore"

 

[/pine]

[hijack]
Favorite John Prine songs:
John Prine - Dear Abby (Live) Best Version - YouTube (Dear Abby)

John Prine - "That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round" - YouTube (way the world goes around)

[/hijack]