Patriotism?

[ob]

I have been flying an American flag at my residence since the 911 attacks to show support for our countries loss and to back its endeavors of security and servicemen,as have many of my neighbors.I've noticed in recent weeks that several of the neighbors flags are no longer displayed.I was wondering whether they were prompted because of opposition to the Iraq situation.I also made another observation.All of these residents were Hispanic.Haven't come right out and asked any of them why they were no longer displaying the flag,but just this week on a local newscast it was mentioned that local hispanics were displeased with the Presidents stand on affirmative action.Thoughts?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Patriotism?

fly flags or burn them. praise the government or curse it. the actions our president and military are about to take will allow those same people the liberties to do such actions. it's just a shame they don't see it that way.<br /><br />i ask everyone to forget the economy, forget the problems at work and home, and show 100% support for our deployed troops. they need it right now more than ever.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Patriotism?

I, like ob have been flying old glory ever since 9/11. I have one on the truck also, one in the car that the wife drives, and one in the van that is used for the courier service.<br />I have always shown support for our country, regardless of the situation we were in, both good and bad.<br />Love it or leave it as Merle Haggard would say.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Patriotism?

AMEN!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Patriotism?

mine hasn't come down! more like valley forge<br />around here though... 70% of folks on my street<br />are still flying the colors proudly.

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: Patriotism?

The Flag is still flying free at my house, as a retired military (22yrs USAF) and having served overseas I will continue to fly it each and every day. Mine has been displayed since March of 93 the day I retired. Military personnel are to be honored and supported in any way we as Americans can.

 

[JB]

Re: Patriotism?

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Patriotism?

Been flying a small flag from the cheapo house bracket we put up when we moved in since we bought the place but shortly after 9/11 I put up a big flagpole in front of the house. Ever since then the flag has been flying proud and strong except when at half-mast. I plan on keeping on doing it too as it is an addition to the yard that we intended to do before the spring but 9/11 just got it up quicker.

 

[Beaux]

Re: Patriotism?

Flag Flying proudly in my front yard. Politics or not, our troops deserve our respect and admiration- well said MATT. I reserve all resentment concerning the action/inaction of our military for the politicians that make the decisions. <br />

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Patriotism?

I just hope when those protestors pray at night that they prey in honor of our fallen veterns. For it was the vet that made it possible for them to protest in this country, Not God, (but however his help may have been there). Without freedom, there is no protesting. Why can't they realize what the hell they are doing! <br /><br />Can you protest the protestors?

 

[ob]

Re: Patriotism?

SSmayfloat,I believe the sad issue is that they do realize it and simply are looking out for their own special interests.The unification of minds is what made this nation so strong and merciful.I pray that we are not losing that to partisanship and special interests.Maybe this country has just been too good for its own good.

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: Patriotism?

We've been flying one out front on our flagpole when we first moved in this house about 16 years ago. I dont follow all the political crap, I just sit back and convince myself(wether its true or not) that all those people figuring out what to do-and those who carry it out, have my (the common person) wellbeing at their foremost thought.<br />I cannot help but wonder how many of the little cheap-o flags were sold as a result of 9-11. By quantity or total revenue (i think thats the word) it must be a huge number! A very horrible thing, but it was quite a time to be in the flag business.<br />Craig

 

[SCO]

Re: Patriotism?

I read that Jerry Springer said(Drudge Report) that war with Iraq is like hitting a hornets nest with a baseball bat. I can almost see that but we cant cave can we? We as a people have to have guts. Kids used to have to fight their own battles so we learned about bullies, fear, respect, capitulation and forthrightness. Every baboon, chicken, dog, and cat knows to take advantage of the adversaries fear. I can think of nothing that will stir that hornets nest up more than the scent of fear from us.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Patriotism?

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[crab bait]

Re: Patriotism?

do you fellas take your flags down an properly fold them nightly,, or do you's have a spot light shining on your flags at night time..??

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Patriotism?

Got a litle tired of taking it down especially considering on weekends I may not be home before dark so I modified the front door light into a spotlight for the flag and put a sensor on it so it shuts off at dawn and turns on at dusk. I try to get it down if it is gonna rain but for the most part it is up 24/7.<br />BTW everyone uses the carport door and having a front door in our case is almost a waist except I fenced in the front yard from the rest of the yard so we can put the dog (now dogs) in it when we have company.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Patriotism?

Take a good look around you and you will see just how much the flag is disrespected by some. Like the guy in the pickup with two flags flying off the back all riped and torn and loaded with road salt. The guy up the street with the flag that has drooped down so low it now is half on the ground covered with snow and mud. The guy with flag that has a picture of a pit bull silk screened into it. The flag that has flown so long that it is frayed so bad it is half way gone and almost black with dirt. Every time I see this kind of thing I cant help but think how ignorant these people are. Just my opinoin.<br /><br />---------------<br />Flathead

 

[plywoody]

Re: Patriotism?

I agree with you, Flathead.<br /><br />I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been almost run off I-5 between here and Portland Oregon by some yahoos in a pickup trucks, weaving in and out of traffic, 20 mph over the limit, proudly flying two frayed American Flags.<br /><br />And I consider myself wildly patriotic, but I am extrordinarily concerned with our approach in this whole thing. I am loathe to agree with anything Jerry Springer says, but I have to agree with him.<br /><br />Taking out Saddam may make all of us feel good for a little while, but in and of itself it is a useless and counter-productive excercise that will only make the problem worse.<br /><br />Why do you think that Osama released the statement about his support for Iraq? It is because there is nothing he wants more than a war against Iraq, and he knows that aligning himself with Saddam will put Saddam in a box he cannot get out of, and virtually guarantee a resulting chaos.<br /><br />From that chaos, only good things for Osama can occur.<br /><br />Before we somehow go to war with Iraq, we need a well thought out strategy, and a goal in mind. This whole thing in the Middle East is a war against radical Islam--It cannot become another crusade of Christains and Jews against Muslims.<br /><br />We have to figure out a way of aligning ourselves with the mainstream Muslims and have a joint effort against the radicals. Now I am not going to pretend that I know how to do that, exactly, but we have to do it if there is any chance of success. It is going to take lots of planning, talking, diplomacy, and world involvement. And we have to be perceived as wanting peace. Not because of fear of war, but rather as preferable to war.<br /><br />Or it will just escalate into a bigger and bigger problem. Which plays right into Osama's hand.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: Patriotism?

Good post, plywoody.<br /><br />As to displaying the flag, seems you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. If you don't display it, you're traitorous scum. If you do display it, you may be considered traitorous scum for not doing it correctly.<br /><br />I'll give you my late father's perspective. My father dropped out of college in December, 1941 to enlist in the Army Infantry because he thought it was the thing to do. He became a machine gunner and fought until late 1943 when he was wounded and removed from active duty. Enough background.<br /><br />About 20 years ago, on my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my uncle gave my dad a 30 ft flag pole. My brothers and I planted it in the front yard and got a suitable size flag. We ran it up and were admiring it and my uncle said, "Remember, Bob, you have to take it down at night or when the weather is bad." My dad said, "Bullbleep. It's my goddam flag and I'll fly it anytime I want to."

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Patriotism?

A flag is a symbolic item - and a well maintained flag makes a statement to all who see it, just as a poorly maintained flag makes another very different statement. If you fly your country's flag, I believe you have then have a responsibility to fly it properly, otherwise you're doing your country a disservice.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Plywoody - For the reasons you describe, I believe we should all be very careful with our terminology of what is happening in the Middle East. There will be no war against Iraq, only against Saddam. There was no war against Afghanistan - only the Taliban and bin Laden. Incorrect naming of what is happening can be a dangerous thing.