If I peed on the American flag right now, what would it matter?

Question

The world wouldn't stop turning. It wouldn't set in motion the downfall of our nation even. It's just a piece of cloth with 13 bars and 50 stars. If I ran over it with my car or rolled up quarters in it and beat you with it what would that matter? Flags get put everywhere too, like on shopping bags and sports teams arm patches. What about when they get tattooed on a fat redneck's arm? Isn't that desecration. What if I wiped my a-- with the flag. What say you? I welcome all answers, but mostly intelligent and informed ones who can explain to me how a piece of cloth has ANY bearing over our lives.

By the way an informed answer can win, but a belligerent dumb redneck answer might just win also.

Answer 1

That is so wrong, on so many levels.

Answer 2

I know why it would matter. It would disrespect everything that flag stands for and all the people who died defending it. I know you probably don't even understand what this means? That piece of cloth with 13 bars and 50 stars have inspired millions of Americans to sacrifice for their country. The piece of cloth has no bearing on your life or anyone's lives, what that flag represents is why it angers so many people when people desecrate the flag. Respect, have you heard of such things? If I was to say ******, what would change? Would there be a downfall of the black race? No, nothing would happen yet you get upset about it. I think these situations are quite similar.

Answer 3

To the 'Freedom of Speech' answer: If so, drawing Muhammed (sp?) and then publicly burning the paper his face is on shouldn't arouse any furor at all. Please do not give the 'Freedom of Speech' answer; it is mentally lazy and highly inaccurate.

To the question: To properly answer this question, we must first understand what a flag is, which you apparently do not. A flag is not just a piece of cloth with a bunch of colors randomly arranged, but a symbol of the country it represents. For example, the American flag has thirteen stripes to represent the original thirteen colonies. The white on a flag, if my memory serves me right, is a symbol of honor, while the red signifies courage in the face of war. Switzerland, I believe it is, has a similar flag setup.

The white stars on the blue background symbolizes the lights in the dark that are the fifty states. In a world full of dictators, communism, terrorism, pollution and inequality, America is, indeed, a shining beacon of light, comprised of the fifty smaller lights of the states.

The thirteen bars and the fifty stars, therefore, are far more important than dye on cloth.

To the question, therefore, I answer; because it's not the flag you pee on, it's the ideas and the country it represents that you are peeing on. A country cannot be everywhere its representatives are, but the flag can be. Therefore, the flag is to be accorded the same respect you feel for the country.

Do you wish to pee on America and the freedom it represents? Then pee on the flag. Do you wish to burn America into ashes? Then burn the flag. But please don't feel offended when you are glowered at and yelled at by more patriotic people when you do. After all, you could always move to Iran and get rewarded for peeing on our flag.

As for the rest of your question, I answer: They are put on shopping bags and sports team armpatches to signify patriotism, something that is becoming a lost art in the 'modern world'. The same is true of the 'fat redneck', although it is probably more along the line of wanting to appear strong, which, as nobody can deny, America is.

If you wipe your rear end with the flag, you wipe your rear end with the idea.

I cannot explain it more simply than that.

The American flag is a symbol of the ideas that comprise this country, much as Jesus on a cross is the symbol of the beliefs of the Catholic church and the stylized S within the pentagon is the symbol of the strength of Superman.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 4

I see what you are saying and I can actually somewhat agree with you. I am one of those people who live for the important things. For me, the flag is not as important as the pride and nationalism that someone has inside themself. But, on the other day, if you have true pride and nationalism for your country, would you not also take respect it in and in the things that represent it?

I understand your point that "the world wouldn't stop turning". That is very true and it's not like we're going to all the sudden die or have death smitten upon as if we do something like driving over a flag. We can still have nationalism and do that. But if we do it in the wrong nature or with the wrong intent, we must ask ourself if we really do take pride in our country. I think if someone has pride and has nationalism, then they would not do something like that, in that nature, or in that intent, but instead show respect to the country that they hold so much pride in.

Hopefully you see where I am coming from. I do agree with you, it's completely harmful. But it really all depends on the nature and intent of an act that is being done. It is not about the material things, but about what is inside of us...Our intent, our nature, our pride, our nationalism. If we do something with a wrong intention in a wrong nature, then I would consider as desecration. But in a general sense with no ill intention/etc, then I don't see anything completely wrong in doing that.

Answer 5

The only bearing it has over your life is what you put into it. If it is just a piece of cloth to you - then that's all it is. When it comes down to it we all have freedom of speech and freedom of expression, how you feel or what you say about something is your right. I say use those freedoms, because if not, they'll be taken away.

Just respect that others may NOT feel that way and will debate their side as well.

Answer 6

It's what it represents.

I admit I didn't really understand the big deal myself until I saw a clip of a flag being burned. I guess it's the venom behind it that's disturbing.

I guess it comes down to - why WOULD you do any of those things? They don't serve any purpose. Rebellion for the sake of rebellion is just silly.

Or maybe good practice. Who knows?

Answer 7

You are so RIGHT!
the flag is only a visual reminder of what it represents, it invokes many different emotions and reactions but it is no more no less a piece of cloth!! it's what you feel it represents to you that matters. so go ahead friend use your cloth !!

Answer 8

A flag represents a country, a place where you belong, a place you call home.

To answer one of your many questions - "if i ran over it with my car or rolled up quarters in it and beat you with it what would that matter?"

Yes, it matter. If you beat me with it, that will hurt me. And I will be sure that you are in jail for this criminal act.

Answer 9

Flags represents the countries pride and glory. And by you peeing and running it over, shows that you aren't a true American. It's simply about RESPECT

Answer 10

It signifies our country as a whole, and if you dont want to be a part of that, or dont like this country, then by all means , do what you want to the flag. It doesnt bother me. I have my feelings and opinions, and you have yours.

[To Me],(Thats what makes america great:::You can express your own feelings or opinions, without fear of prosecution)

Answer 11

remember the flag did nothing wrong, so why pick on the flag? if it is a government thing, then take it up with them.but don't pick on our pride.its all we have left, think about it.