It seems like there used to be a code to be followed in regards to how the American flag can be used...Like it used to be disrespectful to have it on clothes and stuff. And I keep on seeing people with it in their t-shirts and people that have it made ito something sort of cartoonish, and I know that they think it shows support of our country, but it's so tacky...
I saw a guy today with a necktie that was made out of stars and stripes just like on the flag and it made me sad.
2006-09-24 07:38:10 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
I do not mean having a real flag at your house. I mean doing stuff to the flag, wearing it, etc.. It used to be frowned upon.
2006-09-24 07:41:10 · update #1
Isn't there a way to educate people on what is and is not appropriate?
2006-09-24 07:43:59 · update #2
A Grand old flag custom suggests the U.S. flag be displayed only from sunrise to sunset unless it is illuminated. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. It should not be allowed to touch the ground.
Old Glory has been our nation's symbol for more than two centuries. The country's colors fly everywhere, high above the Capitol dome and on front porches along suburban streets. Today is Flag Day. Here's some history of the Stars and Stripes and the basics for properly displaying the American flag.
SOURCES: Flag House Association, Smithsonian Institution, www.ushistory.org, World Book Encyclopedia, www.ctssar.org
Displaying the Stars and Stripes
Custom suggests the U.S. flag be displayed only from sunrise to sunset unless it is illuminated. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. It should not be allowed to touch the ground.
WALL
The flag can be displayed vertically or horizontally; the stars should be at the top of the flag on the observer's left.
PODIUM
The flag should be placed to right of a speaker or staging area; other flags should be placed to the left.
STREET
When a flag is suspended across a street, it should hang vertically with the stars to the north or the east.
HALF-STAFF
Flown at half-staff during national mourning, the flag should be hoisted to the top of the flagpole for a moment, then lowered to half-staff. The flag should be raised to the top of pole before lowering at end of the day.
In addition, the flag should never be worn as a piece of clothing, and should not be used as a tablecloth, napkins, plates...it'd disrepectful.
2006-09-24 08:01:32 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it is the intent that counts. If someone wants to show their patriotism by using a stars and stripes table cloth at a picnic, it's fine with me. Times have changed. A LOT of things that were once considered tacky, aren't any more. Wearing white after labor day used to be considered tacky, the TV shows we watch today would have been considered tacky, wearing mini-skirts to work was tacky, and some of the expressions commonly used today would have been considered tacky, and on and on and on. Anyone who doesn't like the display of patriotic stuff should probably just change with the times, join the 21st centruy and just get over it.
I say if someone wants to wear a red/white & blue tie, GO FOR IT!
Wearing the flag sure as heck beats burning it!
2006-09-24 08:11:03 · answer #2 · answered by Mike N 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not especially bothered by it but you're right - it IS tacky (at best).
As to educating people about appropriate behavior - that's the job of parents first and schools second. The latter are too busy with the fad du jour to bother with niceties like our flag and parents seem (for the most part) to have abrogated their responsibilities.
When I went to school in the '60s (in a VERY left-wing city) the school day started with the playing of reveille while the flag was raised; that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance; at the end of after-school athletics practice the day ended with the playing of taps while the flag was lowered and folded.
Those days are long gone as far as I can tell. The anti-American, anti-patriotic, anti-military crowd has achieved its purpose in this realm.
2006-09-24 07:51:22 · answer #3 · answered by Walter Ridgeley 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think alot of people know the rules of how the flag should be displayed. But, in their defense, I think the rules only apply to an actual flag, not designs of the flag on clothing.
But, I get what you're talking about. Sometimes it does seem a bit tacky when someone is wearing a hat with a flag design, then has a little flag sticking out of it. Sometimes you just want to say, "...ENOUGH, already!" LOL!
2006-09-24 07:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by loveblue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I understand your feeling, about the our Flag, but there is nothing anyone can do about it. Since the 60's the American Flag has been fair game for eveyone who has no respect for our Flag nor anything associated with it. Disrespect began in earnest during the Viet Namn War, and it has become worse ever since. How about the Mexican Flag flying on top of and Unside Down American Flag. If that isn't enough to really make any true American angry, Nothing is. All of it stems from the acivities of what used to be our Government.
2006-09-24 07:50:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I once saw a very patriotic (neocon) site and their store featured a Stars & Stripes towel. I mean, if true 'patriots' don't have a problem with using the American flag for their personal hygiene, I don't think you should worry too much :)
2006-09-24 07:48:34 · answer #6 · answered by Mischa 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it is tacky whatsoever. What is tacky in my opinion is people driving around with those little PuertoRican and Mexican things hanging from their rearview mirrors, it's almost as tacky as owners of the New Beetle with the flowers on the dashboard, or the "show me your titties" beads from mardi gras hanging on the rearview. When I die, there will be red,white and blue on my casket, and that is all I need to show who I was, and how much I loved my country.
2006-09-24 08:35:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if it's so tacky, Why do many people have the American Flag flying from the front of their houses?
It's personal choice, They can be as patriotic as they like.
Don't you realise that they are showing pride for their country?
2006-09-24 07:39:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No. People who love their country are needed to step forward and express that love now more than ever that we're under attack physically, diplomatically and intellectually by those who hate us and hate our culture.
Tacky also comes outta high priced boutiques on Rodeo Drive or on 5th Avenue you know...
2006-09-24 07:42:06 · answer #9 · answered by Masterwooten 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't like it except as a flag. Clothing and tablecloths etc look tacky.
2006-09-24 07:40:48 · answer #10 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋