DAMN IT, You're Not Patriotic Enough!

[cgannon64]

http://cbsnewyork.com/siteSearch/topstorieswcbstv_story_294130249

Tonight's Daily Show showed clips from this segment. Its amazingly bad. The guy (pictured in link) goes around criticizing people for how they display their flag. At one point he goes to a store owner, asking him to fix his tattered flag. The owner replies that he doesn't have enough time to fix it, and the guy replies sarcastically, "Oh yeah, real patriotic."

Ah, local news...

 

[naervod]

Sad that guys actually have enough time on their hands to do this (although it's also pretty sad that some of us devote so much time to CFC ).

 

[cgannon64]

Hey, its his job. Hell, he probably gets a good amount of money to do this.

Then again, he has no jouranalistic integrity whatsoever...

 

[Roundman]

I consider myself to be patriotic and I don't even fly a flag. I guess that guy would be on my case.

 

[NateDawgNY]

Well, again I feel like throwing my two cents into this.
I am veteran. I do not have a problem if you don't fly an American flag, hell, I don't even fly one.
However, if you do have a flag on display there are several Federal laws that govern it.
For example, if your flag is worn or tattered and it is not from combat, then it must be taken down, handed over to the VA, and they will perform a ceremony which involves burning it.
There is nothing that pisses me off more than seeing some schmuck flying a flag that is tattered or worn. It is an insult to all those who have ever worn a uniform.

Edit: I always make it a point to very tactfully make people aware that I am offended by them flying a torn flag. Nine times out of ten they didn't even realize it and take steps to correct the situation.

 

[Roundman]

Originally posted by NateDawgNY

However, if you do have a flag on display there are several Federal laws that govern it.
For example, if your flag is worn or tattered and it is not from combat, then it must be taken down, handed over to the VA, and they will perform a ceremony which involves burning it.

Yeah, I don't think that most people are aware of that. However, I don't think that most people would care if you told them about it, as I believe that most of the flag flyers are fake patriots, trendy yuppies who do it because its the "thing to do" rather than because they are actually patriotic. They couldn't be bothered with taking proper care of their flag.

The reason that I don't have a flag is because I have yet to find one that was made in the US. I REFUSE to buy a flag that was sewn in Pakistan by someone making 2 cents an hour and who hates the flag, the country, and the people. I also resent that business use this cheap labor to capitalize on the true patriotism felt by many Americans.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

Cars on flags are illegal.

Unless you go 35 on the freeway, of course.

 

[Pongui]

Originally posted by Pontiuth Pilate
Cars on flags are illegal.

Rightly so. And it's particularly insulting on a dirt road.

 

[Shabbaman]

They have a 'flag burning business' in the U.S.? Funny. How does one get their flag 'worn' btw? I assume it's in your country illegal as well to fly your flag at night?
The dutch flag actually changed color to prevent 'wearing' centuries ago iirc. Apparently the orange stripes changed color due to the salty water.

 

[Speedo]

US Code regarding the flag

They have a 'flag burning business' in the U.S.? Funny.

The prefered way of disposing it is by burning. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/8.html (look under (k))

How does one get their flag 'worn' btw?

Cloth that is outside usually wears out...

I assume it's in your country illegal as well to fly your flag at night?

"It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. " http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/6.html

Of course, no one really enforces any of that. I just say, if you're going to do it, do it right.

Now, don't even get me started about all the flag clothes and etc

 

[Peri]

I was reading on the Fox News website a while back that the best way to show your patriotism is to vote Republican because only Republicans love their country

 

[Cilpot]

The way I see it the flag is nothing more than a peice of cloth. Not at all worth worshiping.

I wouldn't delibriatly (sp?) raise a torn flag to provoke, though. I respect that others have different views of the flag..

 

[MrPresident]

At least they fly your flag the right way round. Nothing annoys me more than seeing the Union Jack upside down and the people flying it thinking they are being patroitic. Here my advice, if you want to show your patroitism not don't buy a flag give the money to charity instead. Buy a poppy for example.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

Did I just say "Cars on flags are illegal"?

maybe I should run for President

 

[Martacus]

Originally posted by MrPresident
At least they fly your flag the right way round. Nothing annoys me more than seeing the Union Jack upside down and the people flying it thinking they are being patroitic. Here my advice, if you want to show your patroitism not don't buy a flag give the money to charity instead. Buy a poppy for example.

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't the Union Jack symmetrical? How can you tell if it's upside-down?

 

[zorven]

Originally posted by Roundman
The reason that I don't have a flag is because I have yet to find one that was made in the US. I REFUSE to buy a flag that was sewn in Pakistan by someone making 2 cents an hour and who hates the flag, the country, and the people. I also resent that business use this cheap labor to capitalize on the true patriotism felt by many Americans.

This company claims their flags are made in the USA. I didn't look for any others after finding that in about 5 seconds.

edit: and here is one retailer of those flags.

 

[Roundman]

Thanks

 

[The Yankee]

They devoted a whole series to this? Are there that many rules?

As for wear and tear, flags get worn out very quickly if they're on a car and the car always goes on the highway and moves at 50 mph. I see quite a few cars that still have flags attached that are flags where the tear is so bad, it looks like the flag is in danger of ripping in two.

I hated it when people chastised me for not walking around with a mini-flag on September 13th. I have a few things that have the flag, a flag pin, a full-size American flag from the Army or wherever it came from, two flag shirts....but the pin and the flag I had before, the flag shirts were after. My father ordered the shirts, they're nice looking and it's better than a plain shirt.

But, if I had a car, I wouldn't be flying it on the antenna. Besides, what would you have to do if you drove in front of a municipal building that has state and city flags about 20 feet high? And, haven't I seen little flags on the President's limo?

 

[bobgote]

...this isn't a satirical article?

i think i have a couple of US flags to dispose of right now...
* goes to find some petrol and some matches *

i think it's transparently insincere to have a flag there (which is bad for the few that ARE sincere about it). It's become too overused and a dirty political tool as well.

 

[MrPresident]

Originally posted by Martacus
Pardon my ignorance, but isn't the Union Jack symmetrical? How can you tell if it's upside-down?

The red diagonal cross is lower on the left hand side of the red cross and higher on the right hand side. This denotes that Ireland joined the union after Scotland. It is very easy to spot when you know what you are looking for.

This is both an aid and also to show that I am as patriotic as the next guy (he's very patriotic so that's quite a feat).

Originally posted by bobgote
It's become too overused and a dirty political tool as well.

I feel the same way about cute babies.