Disresepcting the Flag

[JBE 328]

DISCLAIMER!!!!! Upon perusing this missive, readers may find the Blue Eyed Weirdos rantings to be humorous. However, if you look past the sarcasm, you will see that there is a point to this and I state for the record I am not trying to cast a broad brush of aspersions on any group of people, other than the Stupid. That being said, read on!!!

With the World Cup of Soccer being played these past few days, I have noticed an above average swelling of pride in the home nations of many people in my fair city. I'm driving down Woodhaven Blvd. earlier tonight and I saw something that really bothered me. Here's a fellow, with an Italian flag attached to his antenna. OK, sounds good, so far. But, he has a much larger Italian flag covering the roof of his car. His doors are holding it in place.

Now, as a former Boy Scout and US Serviceman(USCG 1992-96) I was taught to respect the flag, any flag of any nation. I find it quite disturbing that this gentleman, in a misguided attempt at showing his ethnic pride, is desecrating that flag. Not to mention the safety issues, heavens to Betsy, and Fotz it all to Hoboken, if that thing were to come loose and fly into oncoming traffic on that wonderful thoroughfare. Not to mention if it were to happen once this yutz passes Liberty Avenue and it becomes Cross Bay Boulevard and he ventures into Howard Beach, still a VERY large enclave of Americans of Italian descent.

I first noticed this phenomenon a number of years ago when I lived in the Bronx. However, it was primarily people of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage who attached these flags to the hoods of their cars. Then, ya get the CD's with the flags imprinted on them hanging off the rear view mirror.(This is non-specific in eithnicity)

Am I the only one who wants to walk up and slap these people upside the head and say, "Hey F@$%o!!!! show a little respect and take that thing off your car!!!" ???

These are the things I think about when I'm sitting home at night and the wife is sleeping and I am bored outta my mind.

[res6cue 67]

Yeah, I definitely agree with you. Some methods of displaying the flag of one's nation leave a lot to be desired. The irony, of course, being that while they're obviously well intentioned and trying to show national pride, they're basically being disrespectful in the process.

That being said, I'm not really sure where or if there is a line here. And I've thought about it too, believe me. Does anything with even the image of a flag on it have to be treated with the utmost respect? If so, does that include t-shirts with the flag, decals of the flag, patches of the flag, etc? Does this mean that you have to constantly clean a rig with American flag grill or graphics on it so you're not disrespecting the colors? Should the flag even be represented like this in the first place?

Here's another one for you, and I know this will once again stir the sh!t like my "patriotic graphics on rigs" thread did, but since you eluded to it already. What about flying those huge flags off the back of rigs? First off, they get pretty filthy pretty quickly, and that's certainly not treating it with any measure of respect. We all know the road dirt, grease, grime and crap that collects on the tailboards of our rigs. Secondly, there is just as much a chance of it flying off and obstructing someone's view as the yahoo with the flag on his roof.

Again, well intentioned for sure, but maybe not the best means of showing pride. This was one of the points I was trying to make in my other thread.

[Firefighter57 0]

well i guess its better then people burning flags. We had a whole long talk about that in History class. people go and say its their right to burn the flag or in your case, right to display it how they want but i always tell them, that flag represents your country and your rights, we fought for freedom from england and came up with the american flag later on, so doesnt that flag represent your rights as a citizen also?....so your burning/disrespecting your rights....right? lol

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

well one thing that we all must take into account is the fact that those of us (including me) that have like a ribon sticker with part of the flag on it or a pin with like some stars or stripes or something that has the flag not in its compleat state or on objects that are not intended to be displayed like a flag is disrespecting the flags and doing some thing like that is just like and along the same lines as burning the flag, so next time you wear part of the flag or put it on your car...remember that you are disrespecting it and theoreticlly burning it

here is a link to propare flag use and etiguette: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

[ny10570 745]

I say go by the intentions of the person displaying the flag. If you follow the flag code then pretty much every use of the flag outside of traditional displays is disrespectful. So where is the line? At flags tied across the hood of a car of at images of the flag on a napkin. In this case you're actually wiping your face with the flag. Outside of burning it doesn't get much more "offensive", yet you can find flags all over nap[king and disposable dishware come the 4th of July.

[Guest]

Hey, you know those trendy paper plates and napkins that have the flag on them for 4th of July....that we all have eaten off...yeah according to protocol that is disrespecting the flag. Wearing shirts or jackets with the flag is considered against regulation as well. Hey, don't get me wrong I believe the intention is more important...if someone wants to drape their car in a flag because they are patriotic so be it.....just make sure it is secure.

[nyemt131411 3]

Just checked out the "Flag rules". I never knew there were SO many rules regarding the flag. I try and stick to the usual ones everybody knows (directions, flying, dropping), but there are some we all "break". I coach my son's football team - i put flag decals on the back of all the helmets. (just like the NFL....nobody yells at them, do they?

Everybody has (and is welcome to) their own opinion, if you will, regarding flags and their use. I personally think the flying of large flags on the back of rigs is a huge display of patriotism, but yes, sucure the hell out of it so it's not attached to MY windsheild wipers later! I know this has been said alot before, but i couldn't agree more - unfortunately, 9/11 brought out alot of the "bandwagon patriots, just cuz it looked cool. (I AM NOT QUESTIONING ANYONE"S PATRIOTISM BYTHAT, just to be clear). The flag should be flying Memorial day, July 4th, a Thursday afternoon in October, whatever...it shouldn't matter.

Sorry -something just came up - I gotta jam.....later

[IzzyEng4 427]

I posted this before in the other topic about flags on trucks thread.

http://www.legion.org/?section=our_flag&su...ntent=flag_code

This is the link to the American Legion about the Flad Code. Though we love to display it prrodly in many depictions, we have to remember the rules. Other countries have the same code for thier flags as well and should be followed.

Though this would be good for the topic to have the link here as well.

Iz

[nyemt131411 3]

I posted this before in the other topic about flags on trucks thread.

http://www.legion.org/?section=our_flag&su...ntent=flag_code

This is the link to the American Legion about the Flad Code.  Though we love to display it prrodly in many depictions, we have to remember the rules.  Other countries have the same code for thier flags as well and should be followed.

Though this would be good for the topic to have the link here as well.

Iz

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If it's a mattter of pissing some people off by flying a flag on the back of MY truck, well then i guess i wont do it. FYI - last July 4th i had a couple flying on the sides om my old truck - came out of the grocery - - gone. I'm sure stealing a flag is against the rules somewhere too, huh?

SORRY I had to run out so quick on my thought yesterday...my brother( in law) was in the ICU

yesterday and I had to go meet my family - he passed away last night....

god bless and stay safe

Jimmy

[JBE 328]

My condolences on your loss.

[Guest psd8109]

I took a call 2 weeks ago from someone reporting that the flag was flying upside down, and at half staff, over one of the big chemical companies here.

After tracking down building security, the head of security seemed as puzzled as I was as to why the flag was flying that way.

He said he'd investigate and get back to me.

Turns out that they hired some day laborers to do work on the roof and they took down the flag. When they put it up, they weren't sure exactly how it was supposed to go!

Don't get me started!