What’s with all these people I see lately driving around in pickups with an American flag flying from a pole mounted in the bed of the truck? Usually white dudes driving, who look like they enjoy hunting. Never saw these guys until the past year or so.
Why, they’re just Respecting the Flag by wearing it to sun-bleached tatters. You know, to show them colored athletes what patriotism is all about.
Is there a debate to be had here?
Reported for forum change.
Welcome to the Straight Dope. I’m going to move this thread from Great Debates to our IMHO forum where it seems to be a better fit.
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Around here it is often groups that are trying to main-stream their ideas, as they seem to think that they need to normalize.
As I am very active in debating some of these groups in person, I know at least 4 individuals who were in this parade who now run these impromptu parades around here.
I actually talk to these individuals whenever I get a chance, and try to engage in respectful in person debate. While this is anecdote and obviously subject to selection bias it is most often a display of support for nationalism and/or fascism. (real use of the term, not an empty insult)
They’re just celebrating their reclaimed freedom. Can you blame them? After eight long years of brutal oppression, it’s once again legal to fly an American flag. #MerryChristmas
Maybe they are just Americans who love their country. Is there some reason to read more into it than that? If they are, like, lynching people or lighting crosses, let us know.
They especially love it right now.
I don’t think they should be taken out and shot or anything, but I’m guessing the correlation between these people and assholes is almost 100%.
MAGAts
Could you elaborate on this?
I’ve seen a number of people with flags attached to their vehicles, and never once came away with the impression that they were supporting fascism. It’s always seemed to me like a harmless patriotic display, but admittedly, I haven’t ever tried to engage one in a “debate”, and I’ve only had precious few fleeting conversations with any of them.
I don’t have time to cover them all, but here are a few points to think about.
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia.
A fear of enemies and the need for security, are use to rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe
Supremacy of the military, and a cult of personality in leadership where obedience is more important that ideals.
it is all a push to create mythology around some historical myth of greatness, and a promise to return to that state.
Search for a book by Madison Grant called the passing of the great race and map those claims and theories to the rise of Mussolini and the Nazi party.
He was an American writer, and you can see where groups like the American Legion and author of the Pledge of Allegiance meant to embolden nationalism to protect the country from groups such as Catholics, Finns and other groups.
Sometimes a flag is just a flag.
Perhaps so. But, google “flags in truck beds” then click on “Images”. The OP is on to something here, but I cannot quite put my finger on it…
I always think it is a young kid, maybe up to college aged. It is a step up, around here, it was the rebel flag, first.
A month or so ago I saw the yellow ‘don’t tread on me, snake’ flag on a a truck! That kinda worried me.
Why did that worry you?
Just to make sure we’re on the same page, here, those aren’t actually American flags…
Yeah, the Gadsden flag is my favorite version of the American flag.
I see people flying all sorts of flags. Gadsden flags, Eagles flags, Mexican flags. So what? Why would that “worry” someone?