So the local patriotic committee put a flag in my yard yesterday

[Dr. Death]

for the Fourth of July. Not my yard in particular; they've gone up and down the streets of the neighborhood, putting little American flags in everyone's yards. These are the kind with a flimsy cloth flag mounted on a wooden dowel and stuck into the ground: the cheap Wal-Mart discount kind, probably made in China.

A few years ago (i.e., pre-Bushco), I wouldn't have cared. I probably wouldn't have even thought about it, but instead just left it there along with all the others. But times have changed, and every time I looked at that flag sitting on my grass it made me angry. I am sick of people trying to force everyone to participate in displays of blind patriotism over a make-believe war. So I pulled up the flag, took it off the pole, placed it back on upside down, and put it back in my yard. Mine is now the only house on the street displaying the flag in distress mode - appropriate, I think, given the distress that our country is in at this point in its history. They wanted symbolism? They got it. It's just a small gesture, I know, and won't change anything, save perhaps to arouse the animosity of the local "Team America - fuck yeah!" crowd. But I feel better anyway, and my flag is staying as it is.

[supernova]

1. Clever!

But truthfully, I doubt they'll notice.

Frankly I would have taken it up. I don't like people putting things in my yard without my consent. I don't care what it is.

[calimary]

49. I bet they will notice, but maybe most of them won't understand.

They'll likely think it's a simple mistake - Oh, look, Harry - one of those flags is upside down...

BUT: There is also the possibility that if you're standing around near there, or in your yard when passersby pass by, it just might come up for conversation. OR you might be in one of the local 4th of July gatherings and may hear somebody comment about it. Either circumstance would allow you to explain, and educate. It might provoke some serious discussion about What Ails America (bushco, that is).

If it were me, I'd be eager to do this. If you do, your flag will certainly stand out from the crowd.

:thumbsup:

[wryter2000]

2. The distress mode

You're 100% correct that our government is in distress mode. I'll bet the Patriot-lite types won't realize that's what it means, though.

[Dr. Death]

3. They probably won't, I concur

But it still has meaning, even if that is not seen by most.

[Vinca]

4. Distress mode - that's perfect. I'm going to do the same. nt

[Marr]

5. It feels more than a little stupid to be celebrating our country's

history and ideals while simultaneously pissing on them. I'm not displaying my flag until this criminal administration is run out of town. It just seems like a hollow display at present.

[Sherman A1]

30. Agreed

I haven't put up a flag since * came to office and won't until he leaves.

[benevolent dictator]

6. If they try to put it the "right" way

or put in a new one, I say you burn the flag and leaved the burnt stick in the ground.

[Straight Shooter]

7. Maybe some members of the "patriotic committee" are Democrats?

I ask that, because with the flag-o-rama epidemic in my hometown, I have to grit my teeth at all the flags that people never waved before The Day the Universe Changed. Yet I found out that quite a few are being waved by Democrats who are disgusted at the hostile takeover of our flag by the Repubs.

So, maybe it's possible that it was a country-loving, flag-loving, old-fashioned Dem who stuck that flag in your yard.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

8. I fly a flag in my yard

every day.

[Dr. Death]

9. That's fine - the point is that YOU chose to put it there

Just as it is fine for anyone to say the pledge of allegiance, or believe in a particular god, or whatever. The problem is when someone decides that their way is right, and tries to force everyone around them to participate in their belief system.

I don't feel that the flag is an appropriate symbol at this time, and therefore I choose not to participate. Instead, I will fly it upside down in accord with my belief that our country is in distress. However, I'm not trying to force anyone else to change their flags.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

32. Do you feel that the fact

that the committee placed the flag there "forced you to participate in their belief system"?

I'm assuming you could have pulled it up and trashed it without legal ramifications?

[Dr. Death]

12. Some probably are Dems

Or others who did this purely because it's what you do at this time of year. But that only highlights why I changed it - because if there are Dems or others out there who aren't thinking about what these actions mean, then they need to wake up.

Attempting to force participation in this event is not right, and any Dem who does so needs to rethink his or her position.

[AndyTiedye]

10. I Really Like Our STATE Flag

[kineneb]

55. So do I...think I will put mine out on the 4th

Bear Flag Republic forever! Where is Emperor Norton when we need him?

[b smith]

11. I fly the FLAG everyday

To me it stands for the USA!!!! Love it or leave it!!!! If you let the flag stand for a political party, you have it all wrong!!!!!

[Dr. Death]

13. OK, I'm just going to assume that this one is a joke

[b smith]

15. No joke

I agree with most of whats going on here. But the 4th of July is a nations celebration!!!! Not a Bush, Gore, Kerry or who ever else you hate or like in politics. Dr Death, seems like if I hated this country like some folks do, I would leave!!!! No if, ands, or butts about it!!! This will probably get deleted by someone, but the 4th of July should be a "glad to be an AMERICAN day"!!!!!! Can you , or anyone tell me where there is a better country to live in??? How about you Dr. Death?? Let me know, and if your right I will move there. I do not think anyone here can name one!!!!

[otherlander]

16. South Africa

or Norway
or Costa Rica
or Denmark
or Belgium

[TallahasseeGrannie]

33. HMMMMM

Too cold and dark

Too hot and wet

Too cold and dark

Too cold

[noamnety]

17. You would have to define "better"

Access to health care?
Personal freedoms?
Free press?
Infant mortality rates?
Caring for its weakest citizens?
Being a responsible member of the world community?

"better" is so vague as to be meaningless.

[b smith]

22. Put it this way then Iwfern

"Where" you you rather live than the USA? Don't see where "better" is so confusing. And add all the questions you post, do you know where you want to live???? There is nowhere better than the good ole USA!!!!!

[uppityperson]

23. "better" is a subjective decision. What do you base it on?

[BlackVelvet04]

29. Really? How many other countries have you lived in?

LOL I bet NONE.

[magellan]

34. Well, I'VE lived in several other countries

...and let me tell you something -- there's nothing particularly special about ANY country unless it's the place you were born and raised. So stop with the American Exceptionalism crap. There are plenty of democratic countries that treat their citizens a darned sight better than this one does under Bush** and the theo-fascist corporate regime. Those of us who stay here in spite of that do so because we haven't given up fighting for a return to the America our forefathers intended.

on edit: sorry, blackvelvet04, I thought I was relying to b smith!

[BlackVelvet04]

63. No problem.

But I agree with you about the American Exceptionalism. It's a bunch of propaganda.

[magellan]

20. Who are you implying?

"seems like if I hated this country like some folks do, I would leave!!!!"

The subtlety seems to be lost on you. People here don't hate America. We hate what's being done to America. There's a vast difference. If "get out if you don't like it" were our historical tradition, we'd have no America. Think about it.

I share the feelings of DUer Marr in post #5 above: "It feels more than a little stupid to be celebrating our country's history and ideals while simultaneously pissing on them. I'm not displaying my flag until this criminal administration is run out of town. It just seems like a hollow display at present."

[uppityperson]

21. Denmark

[b smith]

25. What would you do in Denmark???

Its a good country, but what would you do if you moved to Denmark not being a citizen???

[uppityperson]

31. You asked to name a country that was better and you'd move there

You don't answer what "better" means, instead saying "better" is too confusing. Not "Access to health care? Personal freedoms? Free press?Infant mortality rates? Caring for its weakest citizens? Being a responsible member of the world community?" as Iwfern says. Instead you say "better" is too confusing, so "where" would Iwfern rather live.

Here is a repeat of my question: "better" is a subjective decision. What do you base it on? Y

ou ask, we answer, you change the question.

[onethatcares]

42. I don't hate my country,

I feel it's in the hands of the wrong people at this time. Are we as a country in a period of distress, in my opinion, YES, HELL YES. I keep looking for the upside to what happened to the United States of America, I find none. I see more people falling behind and being left behind, I see mindless people feeling they own the entire political landscape. I see others that don't give a rats ass about our countrys' enviroment or earth scape. I see those that speak out against all this as being derided, called tinfoil hatters, conspiracy theorists and then being told that their losers.

Is our country in distress? HELL YES.

[blonndee]

43. Decaf for you next time.

And lay off the Kool-Aid, while you're at it.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

52. Some of us are just so sad and outraged

at what our country has done.

I wish I could feel like you do. I used to believe this was the greatest country on earth. Now I'm not so sure.

A lot of conflicting emotions roiling around inside. Especially this time of year. :(

[AndyTiedye]

57. We Love Our Country Too

I do not fly the American flag, for that would leave some Republican pol naked. :scared:

The problem that many of us have is that we have become aversively
conditioned to the flag of our own country due to its shameful abuse
by the Bush** regime.

It saddens me greatly to be this way, for I do still love my country.

So many Republicans have been wrapping themselves in the Flag
so blatantly for so long, while using the Constitution for
toilet paper, that it just does not trigger the feelings of
national pride that one traditionally associates with this holiday.

The only cure for this condition is regime change.

IMPEACH THE WARPED RESIDENTS!

[gollygee]

66. There are lots of great countries

which one is best is a subjective issue.

You really like that exclamation point.

Have you ever been to Australia? It's a really great country.

[annabanana]

14. the constitution...

"Live it of Lose it"

[calimary]

50. Hey, GOOD one!

Let's treat the Constitution as it is - A Founding Document that DESERVES to be preserved, protected and defended (as bush presumably swore on the Bible to do both times he "TOOK" office - and not the roll of toilet paper he feels it is.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. Who said the OP didn't love the USA?

Refusing to fly the flag, or flying it upside down, doesn't mean you don't love your country or that you should leave. I used to fly a flag every day, but I took it down on 11/02/04 and haven't put it up since, except to fly it upside down on 1/20/05. I will fly it proudly again when our country is released from the grip of the current pack of lunatics. I love my country and I'm not going to leave it, but what I do with the flag has nothing to do with that. It's only a symbol. Flying the flag is meaningless if at the same time you are crapping all over the Constitution, as the Republicans are doing.

[uppityperson]

26. What does the flag stand for, for you?

I am curious, thanks.

[b smith]

35. To me the flag is

My country. My family has been here since the late 1800's. Just about all the men, and my mother served in the military fighting for our freedoms we enjoy here. Lots of people take them for "being normal" and the way it should be here. I spent 4 years in the army and spent 9 months in Vietnam. Been working all around the world since then for RCA. Been in India, S Africa, S Korea, Brazil, and around 20 other country's setting up radar units.
Every country has its good and bad points, but I still feel secure stepping off that plane on the ground in the USA.
I know someone will rebut this, but if not for the USA, most of the world would be speaking Russia or Japanese.
As far as answering any more questions, you have wore me out. This is the most active day for me saying I love the USA, and flying my flag all the time in honor of it!!!! So no more questions please, my 4th of July weekend starts in 14 minutes. And do no want any bashes to ruin it!!!!!

[uppityperson]

36. To me, my country is my country, represented best by constitution.

Freedom to not fly a flag without fear of repercussion, freedom to speak out against the administration, freedom to believe that the USA is no better than many countrys, is worse in ways than many, and working towards improving it. This is what I am working towards and the freedoms I wish I had.

[Gabi Hayes]

39. You might care to spend some more time in school: remediation is GOOD!

Your logic, grammar, and spelling might improve. You present yourself as a barely literate, inexpressive geeb, displaying your ignorance for all to see. Does that make you proud?

Your family fought for the freedoms you so cherish, yet your pat response is: love it or leave it.

I hope you're posting this from somewhere in Iraq, whether hunkered down in a force-protection outpost, or taking a lunch break at the NGO for which you're working, or perhaps on your way to emptying the bedpan of an Iraqi child whose legs have been blown off.

[uppityperson]

48. Now now now, no bashes

:rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

40. True patriotism is standing up for the Constitution,

honoring freedom (of the press, separation of church and state, civil liberties, etc.) NOT seeing who can deck themselves out in the most red, white, and blue displays. True patriots don't need to overcompensate for their insecurities by putting flags and flag stickers everywhere. That is totally superficial and has NOTHING to do with being patriotic.

My general observation is, the more flag paraphernalia a person has, the less that person understands what is truly great about this country. REAL patriots fight against administrations that flush American democracy down the drain by RIGGING elections, spying on citizens, letting corporations run roughshod over the poor and middle class, and the like. Why don't you demonstrate your patriotism by doing something about that instead of flying your flag and telling people to "love it or leave it"? True patriots are not insecure like you seem to be -- so threatened by someone with another opinion that you tell them to leave the country.

[Solon]

45. You seem to have no understanding of patriotism....

First, in the United States, flying the flag upside down is displaying that the nation is in distress, its WAS a symbol that was used almost universally, but has fallen out of favor as of late. During WWI, the Great Depression, etc. it wasn't UNUSUAL to see the flag flown upside down.

Then again, I don't understand patriotism, I mean, attaching feelings like love to an unfeeling thing like a nation just doesn't make sense to me. Family, Friends, Humanity, those are what matter, not the window dressing.

[theboss]

18. It's the 4th of July

Not Yay Iraq War Day.

It's my flag too. And it stands for the things I care about - freedom, equality, fairness, and pornography.

[Ian David]

19. How about displaying a tombstone?

[soup]

41. November 2, 2000?

November 7th was election day in 2000, if that's what you're referring to.

I'm not very comfortable pointing out someone else's mistakes since I make so many myself. Is that an oops!, or did I miss something?

[Ian David]

44. Well, maybe your historical fact from a "book" but my gut said Nov 2

[soup]

64. Don't need a book for that one.

It's permanently etched in my mind as the night I decided to stay up and watch the election results - and stayed up and stayed up and stayed up... It eventually became the day that didn't end. As the years pass, it becomes increasingly harder to even imagine what our world would be like today if President Gore had taken office on 01/20/01, rather than the Pretender-in-Chief.

Completely agree with your sentiment, though, and appreciate the graphic you provided (despite the incorrect date). So much has been taken. So much and so many lost. I grieve along with you on a daily basis.

Celebrating Independence Day is not something that comes easily anymore.

Pretty sure if someone planted a flag in my yard that I'd either:
do the same as Dr. Death and turn it upside down,
take it in and add a black band around the edges then replant it,
or sadly, just remove it.

[Ian David]

65. A black band around the edges? How about 2,536 stars instead of 50? n/t

[Vidar]

60. Very fitting. Has applications at DU as well, or so I hear.

[recoveringrepublican]

27. I did that memorial day

local realtor put one by everyone's mailbox on my street, along with her card. I doubt anyone noticed and 3 days later all the flags were removed.

[shireen]

28. can you place an "impeach Bush" sign next to it? nt

[Kenergy]

37. Good for you! n/t

[Gabi Hayes]

38. if somebody takes it, you could always replace it with this

[Swamp Rat]

46. That flag goes great with this flag:

:D :hi:

[OhioBlue]

47. A lot of people in a lot of towns

do this - place flags in tree lawns up and down the street - especially before a parade on the Fourth of July. Trust me - they mean no ill will. They are decorating to celebrate the Holiday. They are probably little old men and women from the Lion's Club or some such organization. You would probably like them if you met them.

[tabasco]

51. I support your right to fly your flag any way you want.

I'll fly mine right side up, thank you, and I expect the same consideration.

Using it as a distress signal is more proper when in actual imminent distress, such as a ship in distress at sea. While I do see the Nation in a dangerous and difficult time, I do not think it helps to insult a national symbol, especially on a patriotic holiday. To each his own.

But again, I support your right to free speech.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

53. We ARE in Imminent Distress!

imho


But like you say; to each his own.

Cheers.

[LibDemAlways]

54. The last few years the repuke woman down the

street who's a realtor has stuck cheap small plastic flags on everyone's lawn with a stupid little banner attached advertising her realty office.

I immediately yank the one on my lawn. I think she has one hell of a nerve using the flag and the July 4th holiday as an excuse to promote her business and trespass onto private property to do so.

[kineneb]

56. couldn't do that here

for one thing, we are out in the "country", and few people have a real lawn (water is expensive), also...all those fenced yards with barking dogs would slow down any flag-planters...and finally, right now, the dirt is so hard that dynamite would be needed to make holes...

...just love to see what the two miniature dobermans across the street would do to an "invader"...

[tyedyeto]

58. If they have already planted them and it's not the 4th yet...

I assume they have also placed a light nearby to shine on the flag during the nighttime hours.

If they are so flag hungry, they should know that a flag should never be flown after dark unless a light is shining on it.


Edit to add:

What is a 'local patriotic committee'?

[Raine]

59. Real estate salespeople give me one

in my yard every year, it's part of their sales props. :shrug: I always bring it in cause I think they are being disrespectful using it that way. It's my flag too and I treat it better than that! :patriot:

[bklyncowgirl]

61. Put out a sign with a quote from Twain or Paine along with the flag

"True patriotism means supporting your country always and your government when it deserves it."

or this one from Tome Paine.

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism"

[midnight]

62. Labor Day the Patriotic committe put flags throughout our

village except I noticed on my street. I do have a Cindy sign in my yard. Well anyways, my husband who is an ex-marine, and our baby grand-daughter stuck two flags near Cindy's sign in my yard. The sign on one side says bring them home and the other side -thanks Cindy. But I know what you mean there is some concern about wrapping yourself in symbolism that is standing for so much destruction.