# Bush desecrates flag..
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998
**Category:** Great Debates
**Created:** [July 26, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998 "2003-07-26T00:47:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/1 "2003-07-26T00:47:21Z")
Bush autographs flags…
[http://www.wyethwire.blogspot.com/2003\_07\_01\_wyethwire\_archive.html#105915666121974904](http://www.wyethwire.blogspot.com/2003_07_01_wyethwire_archive.html#105915666121974904)
Surely he knows that the flag is not the written on at all. No matter what the size of the flag.
Just one more sign.
[http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/8.htm](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/8.htm)
> [@](#):
>
> (g)
>
> The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
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### Author:  [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/2 "2003-07-26T00:53:07Z")
Where do I sign the petition to get the impeachment rolling? :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/3 "2003-07-26T00:56:12Z")
“ **Just one more sign.** ”
of…?
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/4 "2003-07-26T01:07:05Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by SimonX \*
> \*\*“ **Just one more sign.** ”
>
> of…? \*\*
Bush’s disrespect for our soldiers, our country and our flag.
I don’t know about the rest of y’all but my flag is very important to me. To see the man who supposedly runs our country desecrating the flag that many men and women have died for irks me to no end. There is no excuse for it.
None at all.
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### Author:  [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/5 "2003-07-26T01:08:30Z")
Can we burn this thread?
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### Author:  [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/6 "2003-07-26T01:09:14Z")
I agree. Impeachment is too good for him. Let’s string him up.
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### Author:  [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/7 "2003-07-26T01:20:32Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Reeder \*
> \*\*Bush’s disrespect for our soldiers, our country and our flag.
>
> I don’t know about the rest of y’all but my flag is very important to me. To see the man who supposedly runs our country desecrating the flag that many men and women have died for irks me to no end. There is no excuse for it.
>
> None at all. \*\*
It’s just a flag man. It’s just a symbol. It’s only as important as YOU want it to be. Far out.
It’s like getting your knickers in a knot because somebody insists on singing a national anthem out of tune. There are so many more important things in life to get stressed about.
Holy shit - if we all ended up THAT uptight about symbolism we’d be paralysed with rage - nothing would ever get done. So there are folks around the world who like to burn your flag as a way of saying FUCK YOU. Big deal. The only reason they do it is because they know people like you get totally stressed about it.
GO and burn the Australian flag. See if I care. Shit on it. Spit on it. Write insults on it. Let me know when you’re done. I’ll be napping.
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### Author:  [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/8 "2003-07-26T01:29:43Z")
It’s not illegal. For the same reason you can burn it, you can sign it.
I did think he was one of the ones who wanted a Constitutional amendment making this kind of thing illegal, though.
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/9 "2003-07-26T01:36:25Z")
I never said it was illegal.
It shows utter disrespect. From the leader of our country.
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### Author:  [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/10 "2003-07-26T01:38:39Z")
Oh hogwash… you’re choosing to be uptight about this. You could also choose to be complacent and ambivalent about it. But whatever choice you make, the fact remains that it’s YOUR choice.
But the truth is that you’re trying to convince all of us who don’t agree with you that we, too, should share your righteous indignation and well, that’s just silly to be honest.
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### Author:  [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/11 "2003-07-26T01:46:29Z")
> [@](#):
>
> …Bush’s disrespect for our soldiers, our country and our flag.
I have serious doubts that he had any idea that he was desecrating the flag. But can we impeach him anyway?
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/12 "2003-07-26T02:00:46Z")
Oh for crying out loud!
Now, I could see if he were campaigning for the anti-flag burning amendment.
But come on! This is pretty weak, **Reeder**!
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### Author:  [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/13 "2003-07-26T02:05:21Z")
You know, I kind of wish the flag that was presented to me when I retired from the military had the prez’s signature on it. All that came with it was a certificate saying that it was flown on a certain date especially for me at the capitol. So, it could be any old flag in the box, but the certificate’s the one with the authentication? I like the idea of the prez signing the thing!
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### Author:  [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/14 "2003-07-26T02:17:44Z")
I think the concept’s kinda icky; it seems to make the country’s flag just a background for The Signature of the President, which is not a very respectful way to treat it.
However, I’m not sure I agree with the OP that those little toy flags-on-a-stick really count as “the American flag” when it comes to ceremonial respect. I mean, where would we draw the line? Could we not write on or otherwise deface flag-patterned napkins, wrapping paper, etc. etc.?
In any case, even if Bush were spray-painting “DUBYA ROOLZ” on the official White House Authentic Real-Thing Big Honkin’ Flagpole Flag, we would have much more serious things to be upset at him about. Focus, **Reeder** , focus.
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/15 "2003-07-26T02:18:30Z")
So it’s ok, according to y’all, for the President of the United States of America to desecrate the American flag.
No wonder we are going to hell in a handbasket.
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### Author:  [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/16 "2003-07-26T02:20:31Z")
Indeed Monty. When our Australian servicemen and women recently returned from the Gulf, one of their most common requests at their official “closed party” was for Prime Minister Howard to sign their various Aussie flags.
Nothing offensive about it whatsoever.
But **Reeder** - you’re totally trying to convince us that YOUR position is the only position to take, and that further, those of your fellow Americans who don’t take your position are somehow less patriotic. That’s a cheapshot mate. It doesn’t wash.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/17 "2003-07-26T02:20:43Z")
He. Is. Not. Desecrating. The. American. Flag.
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/18 "2003-07-26T02:25:27Z")
[http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/8.htm](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/8.htm)
```
quote:(g)
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
```
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### Author:  [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/19 "2003-07-26T02:30:47Z")
With all of the substantial things to take objection to you choose this.
No wonder we are going to hell in a handbasket.
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### Author:  [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)
#### Post date: [July 26, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-desecrates-flag/190998/20 "2003-07-26T02:33:54Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \*
> \*\*He. Is. Not. Desecrating. The. American. Flag. \*\*
Care to elaborate, Guin? :rolleyes:
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