The Flag

Recently, my friend Tom sent me the following message:

I got into a fight, not a discussion, with a person one time about the flag burning amendment. I baited them to show how silly their stand is. I asked them if they wanted respect for the flag, yes. And anything flag-like, yes. Then I asked what would happen to all of the embroidered flags and flag decals. Shouldn't they be treated with the same respect that he wanted for the bunting? If a cop had a flag on their uniform and they tossed their jacket on the ground, wouldn't that be disrespectful? Now he was steaming. Of course, that was different. OK, then lets look at it from a different angle. Just look at flag burning. If he wanted it to be illegal to burn the flag which is the symbol of our country then how did he feel about burning a picture of a flag, no answer. Flag is a symbol, picture is a symbol, picture is a flag.

Along the same time I was reading the Minneapolis newspaper at breakfast. On the back page of section 1 there was a half page image of a flag burning. The flames had consumed the bars and were nipping at the field of stars. Wow! That is some kind of image. At the bottom there was a cut out like a postcard. It was meant to be filled out and sent to the Senate and Congress. I wondered who ponied up the coin for the ad. At the bottom of the page, in the smallest type face that could be printed, it read that Perkins Restaurants had paid. The digitally processed image was done by some ad shop. Right then and there I started a Perkins boycott. Puke-ins uses the large garrison flag for advertising. Several ex-military people have told me that the only place those flags are used ins when a big general is on base or the admiral of the fleet is on board his flagship. In other words, rarely. I asked the fellow how he felt about using the flag for advertising. All he could come up with is, "Well, that's different" Pretty lame.

Here's some of what U.S. Code Title 4 Chapter 1 Sec 8 says in regard to improper use of the flag (called showing disrespect for the flag):

(i)

The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

(j)

No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

(k)

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. (Emphasis mine)

(I'm not certain about the nuance here, but Section 3 prohibits anyone in D.C. from selling merchandise with a representation of the flag or any part of the flag. At least, I think that's what it says:

"any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America".

It may be that the sale of such products in D.C. is punishable by fine and/or jail term, which the same section sets at $100 and not more than 30 days, while the "disrespect" shown by the subsections above does not have any legal consequences attached.)

I think it's all ridiculously nationalistic. But that's the Code.

So get those flag patches off your baseball caps. Stop buying 4th of July flag napkins and paper plates. Get those "temporary use" made in China plastic flags out of your car windows. And don't ever let me see you in those American flag jock thongs.

And take down those humongous flags from your car dealership.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.