Flags

[etler]

I've been watching a lot of the Olympics recently. The Track and Field events started within the last day or so. And while I love the events, it also brings with it something that annoys the hell out of me: improper use of the flag. For some time now it's been standard practice for American medal winners to grab a flag out of the audience and

Comments

[geekosaur]

I'm more annoyed by the "patriots" driving down the road with their American flags being shredded into tatters by the wind, splashed with muddy rainwater, etc. (4 U.S.C. §8(e))

[jetspeaks]

The grabbing the flag thing was originally done as a political act by someone (I want to say from an African country, but I don't remember which). Subsequently, it's become more standard to grab a flag and do a victory lap, but it still can have political overtones (not that I suggest the US athletes are doing it for that reason). The most recent example I remember is Cathy Freeman (from Australia) grabbing both an Australian flag and the Aboriginal flag, and running with both. Caused a huge stir, but again, not because getting sweat on the flag was considered a bad thing.

[und1sk0]

Tell that to Barack HUSSEIN Obama.. he's got one pinned to his lapel! Fucking commie! I bet it MADE IN CHINA too!

[etler]

Amusing since he was getting shit for not wearing one.

In any case, 4 U.S.C. §8(j):

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

The whole "considered a living thing" always kinda creeped me out.

[dannyman]

Of course, I got to give a plug to not watching TV.

Anyway, I'm a bit twitchy about the flag as well. If an Athlete is going to act a fool because they just won a medal, I'm not too distraught over the patriotism. A crime of passion, if you will . . .

What does burn my britches is seeing flags carelessly flown on cars and buildings, night and day, rain and shine, and getting soiled and tattered and ignored in the process. I once left a note in a neighbors mailbox that while I feel his patriotic fervor, his fucked up flag was offensive. That flag was gone the next day.

-d