The Flag, AGAIN

Demolocke’s Agenda Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Well, how we display the flag is provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and their set of guidelines are governed by “Public Law 94-344, the Federal Flag Code.” It has rules, stressing they are rules and not law per se, for handling and displaying the flag. You should be able to find that public law on the Internet and the guidelines from the VA here: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf

Remember, as it should be according to the constitution, etc., there are States who have their own flag codes and MAY impose penalties. I hope that my assumption is true that those states abide by any rules, codes and laws from higher levels along with just and legal aspects in their own states. 

The guidelines, not law, provides how to carry the flig, how to display against a wall, how to group display several flags with the countries colors; when displayed other than from a staff, when projected form a building, and about how to display flags of state, cities and orgs from a staff, etc. 

The statements are also made as to how we should avoid displaying our flag, i.e., for instance they say in the guidelines, “The flag should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom” AND as follows:

Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never:

• dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags
• may be dipped as a mark of honor.
• display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress.
• let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.
• carry it horizontally, but always aloft.
• fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled.
• place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.
• use it for holding anything.
• use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should not be used on a costume or
• athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.
• use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard.

There is more and you may find it interesting reading so use the above link to read the entire guideline. Now, it is time for personal opinions, mine.

If we respect our country in its entirety both historically and in the present then we shall take it upon ourselves to pay it the due respect it represents, not what we think, feel or assume but what it represents. No where does it recommend that we use the flag for any political or personal reasons unless we adhere to these guidelines. 

In protest, personally, there are other ways to use the flag appropriately to express our protests in the proper and legal ways. An example is if I truly felt some political aspect of our government were worth protesting then I would properly display the flag, if I felt it was necessary and effective in getting a protest point across, then express how those political governmental issues under protest were a form of disrespect to the flag and what it truly represents. I would not burn it or display it in any way that would violate those guidelines because of the respect I have for that flag and its symbolism, i.e., as stated in the guidelines “The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol.” Let me emphasize that in my book, it is a LIVING SYMBOL and that trumps whatever protest you may feel necessary to make changes to our way of life and so on. 

I personally agree with the judicial system that we have a unalienable right to protest and burn the flag but the real question is this, “Should we? Is it right, is it necessary and will it get the job done?” If it even angers a little bit we all should already know and understand that making folks angry changes nothing, it just triggers the emotional immaturity of the protestor and gains nothing - ever! In my view, I refuse to get angry when someone deliberately uses the flag for personal gain even if they label it as protest or some such. I feel sorry for those who do so because they are just too immature to realize they are failing at the very work the hope will create and inspire change. 

Just take a moment to understand human history where someone felt strongly about getting what they want under any number or reasons and justifications because those are some of the most violent and horrible times in human history and guess what? Those actions tho forced on people failed ultimately and more reasoned and just changes occurred anyway. Stick to the just and morally correct methods and forget such childish things!

Out of respect for our history and the living symbolism of our great flag don’t use it for an excuse to punish or become angered for that leads to actions also just as unjust and illogical and so on. Be mature, be an adult and keep the respect alive and remember that it has nothing to do with politics, or injustice or anything similar. If we lose sit of our living symbol then we are no better than those terrorists who use the great religious tomes of history to justify violence and death the use for their “PROTESTS.” What an easy slip that is to end up in the same place as those we detest. 

Remember, this is just my PERSONAL OPINION.

p.s. Here something to mull over, if we NEED "LAWS" to FORCE US to RESPECT our flag, etc.,  then there is something TERRIBLY WRONG in what we are teaching here, something TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY WRONG! Our respect, our beliefs and our culture should inspire us all to respect the living symbol we call the American Flag, long may it wave!!!