by ISP 102 Replies latest social current
I'm sorry Simon I thought I would be allowed to offer my explanation of my post...as I explained and also apologized for earlier I was at work and unable to post when this was being discussed. In the future I will refrain from posting when I cannot do so in a more timely manner.
Thank you for your time.
Sorry Xena ... I wasn't having a go or dismissing what you said, just that I didnt' really have anything to add over what I'd already posted.
t/y for you for explaining Simon Sorry I was so testy.
BTW expat...I am more flattered than afraid....gonna be getting the big head...
| Flag Etiquette and History
Click here to download a large, printable US flag! If you are from Tennessee click here to order a US flag flown over the Capitol! History of the United States Flag: Almost a year passed after the Declaration of Independence was signed before a new flag was adopted by the Congress. But variations in the flag were persistent, and changes continued during much of the 19th century. The Flag Act of 1818 fixed the number of horizontal stripes at 13, and gave the President the authority to determine the star arrangement. The now-familiar stars and stripes were not carried into battle by the United States Army until the Mexican War. Finally, in 1912, an executive order was established which defined the design of the flag, including the star arrangement. Later, when Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union, stars representing those states were added to the flag, adapting the traditional horizontal arrangement. American involvement in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II stimulated patriotic sentiments and interest in the flag. In 1942, Congress established rules and customs concerning the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. The years since World War II have seen the refinement of various laws and regulations concerning the flag. Today, it has become an accepted part of the decoration of most public buildings and a symbol regarded as appropriate to almost any setting where citizens gather. Pledge to the Flag: After first appearing in a copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received the official recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The phrase, "under God," was added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war." When rendering the pledge of allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in uniform, salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart. Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform, should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the organization whose uniform they are wearing. Our National Anthem: The "Star Spangled Banner" has been designated as the national anthem of the United States of America. During the playing of the anthem when the flag is displayed, persons not in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag at the first note of the music, and hold the salute until the last note of the anthem is played. Again, this applies to those wearing veterans' organizations caps or the uniforms of other patriotic organizations. Displaying the Flag: When displaying the flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They are:
Respect for the Flag: The Flag Code, a national guideline on ways in which the flag is to be respected, states that no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. Specific ways, in which the flag should not be used, according to the code, are:
Flag Folding: To store the flag, ceremoniously fold it length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the outside. A properly proportioned flag will fold 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 Original Colonies. When finally complete the triangular folded flag is emblematical of the tri-corner hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded no red or white stripe is to be evident leaving only the honor field of blue and stars. Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite end, continuing to fold it in triangles until only the blue shield shows. When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. Flying Our Flag: It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. The flag may also be displayed at night if illuminated by a light. But it is even more important to display the flag on national holidays and days of importance, including: New Year's Day Other days the flag may be flown at half mast may be proclaimed by the President of the United States. |
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Frankly, the US flag is just a piece of colored cloth.
It hasn't put food on my table, helped me with my taxes, or rubbed my back for me lately. It's done just about as much for me as God has. That's why in my mind, making a flag representing personal thoughts and ideas is not offensive.
Just for kicks, people who are offended by the peace flag, sign in on the state you're from.
Me: Jersey-not offended
I think that a lot of this fervor is demographic.
ash
I think the USA devotion to / obsession with the flag is something us brits have a hard time understanding or comprehending.
We just do not have it and it tends to be associated with extremist. If anyone put a British flag on their house then they would be labeled the town nutter.
We don't have any oaths or salute the flag or anything like that. Probably / possibly the only thing anyone is likely to have with the Union Jack on it is a par of shorts unless they are a member of the BNP.
What amazes me is that while the flag is treated with such reverance, the values that it represents can so easily be trampled on. We also frequently see it being used for pure commercialism almost as a brand mark which surely devalues it?
Maybe it's a little like blood for JWs (which represents life)? ... the symbol has become far more important than the thing it represents.
It staggers me that people who have experienced Watchtower brainwashing are still so susceptible to propaganda. Show an image of a flag and they get all teary eyed.
DEEEEEEEP!
I quess there are americans here who have no respect for the flag, and b/c as JWS we were taught not salute it or view it as important, I do not find it odd that a number on the board do not understand how important is. I included this article to show proper flag etiquite and i believe Simon did ask no one to put up any symbols , pro or con for the war. I did not appreciate TH or anyone else defacing the american flag. They may not be on this board, but the majority of americans understand the flag is not a rag, and treat it with respect it deserves.
I put the article up b/c so many were saying it was ok to add the peace symbol or whatever to the flag. it is not, it defaces the flag.
it is not, it defaces the flag.
That is an opinion only, not a fact. Defacing a symbol means denigrating it in some way this is unseemly, and if a peace sign is unseemly, then God (or the Invisible Pink Unicorn) help us all.
If they were putting on foul language, burning the flag, or putting pornography on it, then I would agree with you. But, a peace sign?
I think that George W's use of the flag is offensive. I think that waving a flag around to rally support for a political war that's main interest is not the people of Iraq but financial and political interests, is offensive. I think that using the flag to sway people to a questionable cause is wrong. Using a piece of cloth like a church would a holy relic is wrong.
The flag stands for what we fought for 200 some-odd years ago. Freedom. But, afterwards, after the wars, it should come to stand for balance and understanding, seeing how much power that we have.
Unfortunatly, the 'beloved' President is using this symbol to rally people to a war that is for him only.
God Bless Operation George W. Re-election!
ash
despite what u say, altering the flag in anyway is not ok. There are many places on the net where u an find "flag etiquite" .
That piece of cloth stands for the fact that a lot of men died so we can sleep peacefully in our homes. It shows gross disrespect to alter or deface the flag in any manner. Most americans know this.
If u wish to continue the discussion about how bad america is, fine, but my only motivation here is to show proper flag etiquite. if u do not like George Bush, then do not vote for him next election.
