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The Do Nothing Congress, Offering Non Solutions To Non Existent Problems | 9 comments (9 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
why so many flags ? (none / 0)
What is the symbolism of the US flag that makes descrating it such a special crime ? I cna't think of any other country that holds a mere symbol of patritism in such esteem. - please educate me should I be wrong.

Neither can I think of any other country that makes such a fetish of the flag that it seemingly hangs from every Govt building in such abundance and from the front porch of practically every other home. for a visitor it is simply mind boggling how the Stars and Stripes is on every corner.

If I were feeling uncharitable I might suggest that it might be something along the lines of "methinks you doth protest too much", but I admit to being confused by the need.


keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 04:27:30 PM EST
Re: why so many flags ? (none / 0)
WHen I was an exchange student in the UK I had an american friend who had an American flag in his room. When we were pacing to leave (I believe) I helped him fold the flag, and he admonished me not to let it touch the ground, otherwise he'd have to destroy it.

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 04:31:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: why so many flags ? (none / 0)
Anyway, that site did answer your friends dilemma;-

My flag touched the ground. Do I need to destroy it?

No. You should, of course, try to avoid having the flag touch the ground. But if it does, you should correct the situation immediately. If the flag has been dirtied, you should clean it by hand with a mild soap solution and dry it well before returning it to use.




keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 05:09:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: why so many flags ? (none / 0)
Helen, here's an anthropological sample for you: Flag Rules and Regulations.

I have to say the Danes use their flag as much as the Americans.

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 04:37:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: why so many flags ? (none / 0)
Man that's sad !!

keep to the Fen Causeway
by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 05:08:15 PM EST
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Yup (none / 0)
But those Danes did use it with a twist when I was in Denmark 9 February 2005: The day after Rasmussen and the Liberal Party were re-elected, flags were hanging half staff all across Ribe county... Or it could be a historicial national day of mourning, though I didn't think so...
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 06:03:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
not in Europe? (none / 0)
What is the symbolism of the US flag that makes descrating it such a special crime ? I cna't think of any other country that holds a mere symbol of patritism in such esteem. - please educate me should I be wrong.

For whatever reason the flag is seen as symbolizing America. Burning it amounts to saying 'I hate America'. Americans find that offensive. Same is true in other countries. Some of those countries have laws governing that sort of conduct, others don't.  Those that do criminalize insulting symbols of the nation include France and Germany.  The most recent time the issue came up in France was when a bunch of spectators at a France-Algeria soccer match booed the Marseillaise. The politicians and pundits freaked out and our good friend Sarkozy was at the forefront of passing a law criminalizing that and any similar type of political expression, including flag burning.  Germany's laws are part of the panoply of legislation that criminalizes anti-constitutional political expression, a reaction against the Nazi rise to power.

by MarekNYC on Mon Jun 26th, 2006 at 06:06:09 PM EST
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The Do Nothing Congress, Offering Non Solutions To Non Existent Problems | 9 comments (9 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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