Should we re-write the US Flag Code?

Question

Either we teach it at schools or we re-write it, is very sad how most Americans don't know what the Flag Code says and yet think it's ok to wear the Flag as a piece of clothing. Look at disrespecting the flag under the US Flag Code and you will see that most everything anyone does as a show of patriotism is deemed disrespectful towards the flag. So I say we either educate people on the Code or we re-write it to fit our lives. I've seen company flags flown above the US flag, i've seen flags with writting on them, i've seen some torn and worn ones, but everyone thinks it's fine, well I guess we nip and pick what we wanna laws we wanna ober or not.

P.S. I just noticed the grammar errors, but i'm sure you guys get what i'm saying.

For those who don't know the US Flag Code was written in the 1920's and became public law in the 1950's.

Answer 1

I agree. And it needs to be taught on ALL levels to all people.

For instance, even the President has violated the flag code:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/images/bushflag.jpg

While that's not right, even if he's President, maybe parts of the code need to be changed. But the general rules of conduct should still apply.

Answer 2

Flags no longer mean what they once did, when they were carried into battle along with the flag of the Church.

The US will never recover from the free speach and the filthy speach campaigns of the 1960s. Nor will the anti-flag burners (as I shall call them) be able to resuscitate the respect for ONE flag when today such a large proportion of citizens are dual (or triple; and BTW my daughter born in Belfast has FOUR) nationals.

I always ask those who worry too much about maltreatment of the flag whether they would object to disrespect to a Liberian flag if the single star was burned first and if they couldn't count that there were only 11 stripes . . .

Respect is one thing. Hysteria is another.

Don't make the children of foreign diplomats in American schools salute the US flag.

Answer 3

Hmm.... I'm not sure. I think that wearing the flag like those old navy flag tee shirts should be fine because we should be able to display our country's symbol proudly no matter what . When was it even written? IF it was thought of in like 1789 it would be understandable but now it makes no sense. And i agree with you on the torn flags and stuff. I have seen flags caught in trees and stuff like that and it is awful i think. Its like we respect our country so much but then we turn around and fly the flag inappropriately. My favorite is when people don't take it down at night or just roll it up because they don't know how to fold it correctly. Maybe it should be rewrote. Good point.

Answer 4

Some people are against publicly burning the flag- but do they realize the proper procedures for retiring the flag? Of course, I think that the rituals have different underlying meanings and symbolism...but the proper way to retire an old flag is to burn it. I will look up the flag code now since you mentioned it, because I am curious to see what it says.

Answer 5

I think the flag code should not be changed. I for one believe the flag should be flown above all other flags. The flag not only represents our nation, but the blood and sacrifice, both past and present that has been given to keep us free. If anything needs changing, it is our indifference to how much of a free gift we have been given!!

Answer 6

Perhaps you should cite from Title 4 of the US Codes (the Flag Code) to support some of your claims.

For those interested in doing the research on what the law actually says, the link below contains the entire code as enacted by Congress.

Also, when reading the laws, pay attention to the phrasing. The words "shall" or "must" indicate mandatory conduct. The words "should" or "may" refer to preferential or permissive conduct.

Answer 7

I know someone who introduced me to the Flag Code and I was shocked at how often we all break the code. I think the code should always be taken with a pinch of salt. The code is meant to discourage disrespect, not patriotism.

Answer 8

Perhaps we can just be happy in the knowledge that the freedom the flag represents is far more important than the piece of cloth it's made of.

Answer 9

i know exactly what you mean.i don't think we should re-write it.it is getting so that anything we want to change to fit us we do.how about us changing to fit a tradition.

Answer 10

yes there should be new laws on that