Mark Kleiman has an interesting post about the use of the American Flag and it's meaning in politics. I can only hope that if there are many more years in Iraq, and certainly by 2008 his suggestions for using/wearing flags will be more in the sentiment of John Prine, than what he's (rightly) suggesting.
...
But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
Of course it won't stop the Racist Homophobic Bigots from using it to prove their "patriotism" especially plastered right next to that Confederate one on their bumper. What part of Cognitive Dissonance don't they understand? Ah, the Jesus don't like killin' part, I guess.
Yeah, it's been a muzik kinda night so far...one of the only Chicago songs I can stand, "Dialog Pt 1 & 2" is playing on iTunes...
posted by Jo Fish on 11.13.04 at 01:03 AM
Comments:
Hey, I just found your site, and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks.
I couldn't agree with you more about the use of Flags. They've become worse than meaningless, they're now almost dangerously nationalistic. It reminds me of the red-white-and-blue ribbons on SUVs that say "Support Our Troops" -- What does that even mean now?
The people who are brandishing these ribbons aren't really supporting our troops in any meaningful way, they're just showing off how "patriotic" they are. It's disgraceful.
I want to see a "Support Innocent Civilians" ribbon. I want people to acknowledge that "I Support Our Troops" is not an acceptable euphamism for "I Don't Agree With This War, But I Don't Want To Look Unamerican" any more than it's an acceptable replacement for "Let's See Our Boys Kill Some Towelheads!"
I feel that an effective political statement about veterans issues and the preznit's lying hypocricy on the Iraq was putting a support our troops ribbon alongside my JK/JE bumper sticker (on my wee old honda). Oh yes, I also had a pre-election day JK/JE campaign playlist with Flag Decal on it, along with We're not gonna take it, Unknown Soldier, The bravery of being out of Range, Know your Rights, Lined up, Fortunes of War, Trapped in a Box, Maggie's Farm, Fight for your right to Party (yes, really)....there are so many protest songs out there--I wish people really *listened* to them. My post-election playlist is evolving.
posted by: Nina on 11.13.04 at 08:13 PM [permalink]
Do not (I repeat: DO NOT) surrender the flag! We must fight for it!
Don't define your self as an outsider. It gives the thugs a reason to dismiss you and it gives you an excuse to cop out.
I put a flag decal on my car after 9/11 and nobody's going to make me take it off.
This is my country, dammit. I'm pissed because the goon squad at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is trashing it and I'm going to fight like hell.
Make sure everybody understand that we're in this fight because we're Americans and it's our duty.
posted by: Dave Hollander on 11.13.04 at 09:46 PM [permalink]
And Boulder HS students were ratted out by a few "concerned Boulder citizens" for wanting to do Dylan's 'Master's of War' in terms of the preznit company. The SS came and 'investigated" but the princpal of the HS didn't punish the students. Keep them scared, very scared.
posted by: Nina on 11.13.04 at 10:18 PM [permalink]
Having been an American, served in it's military for 20+ years and now being a French citizen, I have no desire to fly an american flag on anything I own... Your Flag has become a symbol of hate, bigotry, right wing fundamentalism, and everything I and most of the world despise.
The country of my birth has actually done nothing to help me and thousands of vets like me. We are left to beg for medical care for ourselves and our families. Don't get this wrong, I still love the country of my birth and the ideals of the liberal left.
As far as the right go, I wouldn't walk 5 feet to piss on a rethuglican if he or she were on fire... I will push my anti american thoughts and feelings and they will remain with me as long as these thieves, charlatans, right wing hypocrites and general goons remain in office... The United States has lost credibility in over 90% of the worlds population, and with numbers like that, it will take you decades (long after I am dead and gone)to regain the confidence of the rest of the world.
What in the fuck is going on with our Brothers and Sisters in that shithole?
Mission: Time to start the organization for the new memorial in DC.
My suggestion is placement right in front of the White House, so they can see it every single fucking day.
Semper Fidelis
posted by: Barndog on 11.14.04 at 10:02 AM [permalink]
We have been preaching for anyone who will listen that an excellent way for the left to reclaim the flag is to target the Confederate flag.
Not just through tourism boycotts (as if South Carolina is really such a hopping place anyway outside of spring-break and enthusiasts of charming coastal architecture), but through actual legal and legislative offenses. Not just resolutions, but a constitutional amendment banning any state from using as any part of its official symbols any symbol or symbol derived from any colors raised in armed insurrection against the United States of America or in support of secession.
We could support this with two good bumpersticker slogans and soundbites:
“The Only American Flag!” (pic of Stars and Stripes)
“One Nation, One People, One Flag” (OK, so it has slightly unsavory historical associations. But let them try to explain away likening the U.S. to Nazi Germany for once).
Having been cursed with a long memory: I don't know when it changed, but it used to be illegal to wear the flag - in any form, including a lapel pin. Back in the sixties, protestors who draped themselves with the flag, had shirts printed with flags, et.al. were targeted and beaten. Any presentation of the flag other than as the Flag dawn till dusk was considered disrespectfull and hence illegal.
As to its current predominence, in the runup to Iraq I happened to sit through a screening of The Sound of Music. The scene where Von Klapp tears down the flags arbitrarily draped across his home by the party sent cold chills down my spine.
posted by: Thomas Ware on 11.14.04 at 03:51 PM [permalink]
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