# Does the display of American flags have some "hidden meaning" these days? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 17, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270 "2023-09-17T17:52:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/161 "2023-09-21T19:31:35Z")
> [@Orville\_mogul](#): > > What it this about putting a light on the flag? A US flag flown at night is supposed to be illuminated by a light, instead of just flying in the dark. > [@Napier](#): > > Good question. My first impression is that it’s part of the Bicentennial buzz of a half century ago … > > Not that I’m sure it’s supposed to be, just that that is my first impression. I’m interested to read in your cite that it actually has such early provenance and didn’t originate with Bicentennial buzz at Thank you! At work, there is nomenclature in one of my projects that includes “76,” and having had one sent to me overseas for a ‘ride along’ on a combat sortie (1), I ordered a new replica for the office. I got it in early '17, before politics went all “roid-rage” and was afraid that if someone outside of the office saw it, they’d take it out of context (2). I’m still interested if other Dopers have similar/different opinions. (1) Years ago, on the SDMB, I offered Dopers the chance to have their flags flown on a fighter/attack jet sortie over Iraq/Afghanistan. The thread was a mild success. . . (2) Still a distinct possibility. Tripler Breathing a sigh of relief, for now. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/162 "2023-09-21T19:31:59Z")
Ha ha Not every building. We don’t have one, though I have thought about it. It is mostly part of the tourist appeal. Not too much nationalism here except for one political party. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/163 "2023-09-21T19:33:54Z")
> [@Tripler](#): > > A US flag flown at night is supposed to be illuminated by a light, instead of just flying in the dark. That makes sense. But in the day we were told that it was necessary to take down the flag at sunset ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/164 "2023-09-21T19:37:41Z")
Some flags are flown 24-7, such as certain Headquarters flags (IIRC aka “Installation Flags” on Air Force bases), especially when there’s a 24-hour watch going on (e.g. Command Post functions). Tripler _Somobody’s_ gotta monitor the Bat Phone 'round the clock. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/165 "2023-09-21T19:41:04Z")
The U.S. Flag Code isn’t really enforceable by law, is it? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/166 "2023-09-21T20:31:49Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Yes, indeed. Push back by flying it, or carrying it, along with something that clarifies your intentions; presuming that it’s safe for you to do so. Could be a Pride flag, could be lots of other things. No. You do not have to justify your flying of the American flag. (assuming you are in the USA, of course). ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/167 "2023-09-21T20:39:09Z")
I might consider flying a Ukrainian flag next to my US flag. Would that signal my intent adequately? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/168 "2023-09-21T21:19:38Z")
Nope. It’s more like an “Honor Code” of standarized practices expected to be observed with respect. Wildly unenforcable, as opposed to a Building or Plumbing Code, but for quite a few folks has some gravity. Tripler The worst you can legally suffer is a wagging finger from the Style Police. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/169 "2023-09-21T22:09:19Z")
That’s what my neighbor does. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/170 "2023-09-22T07:24:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You do not have to justify your flying of the American flag. Once again: It’s not about “having to justify” or “apologize for” or in any other way account for one’s perfectly legitimate decision to display the flag of one’s country out of feelings of patriotism. It’s about realistic assessment of how one’s display of said flag may reasonably come across to observers, based on real-world trends in other people’s choices about displaying the flag. Continuing to claim that the dispute here is about apology or justification or similar is just obstinately missing the point. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/171 "2023-09-22T07:34:21Z")
We’re not really discussing whether to fly the U.S. flag or not. We’re discussing whether to fly that flag alone, or to fly it alongside an additional flag (pro-Ukraine, pro-LGBQT, pro-whatever) to send the clear message “I’m not MAGA–I hate MAGA”–aren’t we? To fly it alone is to send an ambiguous message–“Maybe I’m pro-MAGA, maybe not. Probably pro-MAGA.” I’ve kept mine (off my WWII veteran dad’s coffin) boxed up for decades. It’s gotten stained over the years but I don’t want to destroy it for sentimental reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/172 "2023-09-22T07:53:04Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > We’re not really discussing whether to fly the U.S. flag or not. > > We’re discussing whether to fly that flag alone, or to fly it alongside an additional flag (pro-Ukraine, pro-LGBQT, pro-whatever) to send the clear message “I’m not MAGA–I hate MAGA”–aren’t we? And IMHO we’re not even really arguing about what one should do. We’re just discussing the present-day realities about what US flag display might reasonably be inferred to symbolize, along with things that non-bigoted flag displayers might do to ensure that their flag display isn’t easily confused with pro-bigotry flag symbolism. The argument AFAICT is stemming from the fact that a few posters don’t want to face those realities. If they did—if they said, for example, “Well, it’s still important to me to display my flag as a standalone message of patriotism, and if that makes some passersby think I’m a MAGAt then I regret that but I’m willing to take the risk”—I don’t think they’d be getting a lot of pushback on it. But continuing to insist that it’s automatically WRONG for anyone to interpret a US flag display as potential pro-bigotry symbolism, and that if some observers perceive it that way then it’s THEIR FAULT for “taking the flag away” from veterans and patriots and such, is IMHO just sticking one’s head in the sand. Hey, I don’t like it either when bigots taint up a formerly neutral or positive symbol by publicly associating it with their bigotry. But I don’t try to kid myself that I can meaningfully “resist” their malicious corruption of our iconographic heritage by merely pretending it’s not happening. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/173 "2023-09-22T13:17:14Z")
Seconding @Kimstu’s post just above. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/174 "2023-09-22T13:30:44Z")
Thirded. We can pretend it’s not already happened in lots of the country and pretend it’s not happening in much of the rest. Or we can push back actively. I’d like to see the forces of Good come up with a flag that’s not special pleading for a group, and not indiret like the UKR flag. One that is as explicit as the various trump/MAGA flags. Then we somehow develop the same degree of in-your-face enthusiasm as the MAGAts have for displaying it everywhere all the time. I propose something like > Liberty and Justice for all. > Democrats for Democracy, not dictatorship With a catchy logo. Then we hand those out in several formats, but mostly like the sports team pennants folks fly from little poles in their car windows. So now 100m people are flying the US flag on their cars’ left and the Democrats for Democracy flag on the car’s right everywhere they go. Or vice versa, sides aren’t the point; just that they’re flown as a pair. _That’s_ the way to take back our flag. From the traitors who’re claiming they want to take back “our” country. For them, and them only. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/175 "2023-09-22T14:53:40Z")
I live quite rural. No one will see the flag but me. But I would consider hanging the US flag and a State flag. Now we do have our own clown (Boebart). But I am proud of our state. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/176 "2023-09-22T14:59:46Z")
\<\< deleted by poster \>\> ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/177 "2023-09-22T16:46:45Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > But continuing to insist that it’s automatically WRONG for anyone to interpret a US flag display as potential pro-bigotry symbolism, and that if some observers perceive it that way then it’s THEIR FAULT for “taking the flag away” from veterans and patriots and such, is IMHO just sticking one’s head in the sand. As I said in my post about the swastika above. I think I can forgive someone for thinking that a person flying the US flag might be a racist or MAGAt without any other indicators. I wouldn’t rate their critical thinking skills very highly, though. Racists and MAGAts aren’t very shy, and are generally happy to present plenty of other unambiguous indications of their beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/178 "2023-09-22T17:27:02Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I wouldn’t rate their critical thinking skills very highly, though. Racists and MAGAts aren’t very shy, and are generally happy to present plenty of other unambiguous indications of their beliefs. And that’s where IMO you’re wrong, or at least wrong vs. much of the USA. Yes, the truly frothing trump worshipers are also flying their trump flag or their Gadsden flag or waving their AR-15 or rolling coal or whatever. But 100% of people who vote R are closet MAGAts. Or MAGAt adjacent. Or at the very, very, most charitable they’re MAGAt enablers. The only reason Trump won’t be the R nominee is if he’s already imprisoned by the date of the R convention and I do not see that happening just due to the pace of actual justice, not the victor’s kangaroo justice he and his ilk would mete out given the slightest chance. Absent overt actions to indicate your flag isn’t a Republican party symbol, I have to conclude you (generic you) are a trump-for-president booster. And therefore a _de facto_ MAGAt whether you think you are or not. Again generic you. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/179 "2023-09-22T18:38:20Z")
never mind ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270/180 "2023-09-22T19:55:48Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > It’s about realistic assessment of how one’s display of said flag may reasonably come across to observers, Those words “realistic” &“reasonably” does not belong there. It may surprise you, but the real world is not at all like the SDMB. Few people think the police are fascists or that the American flag show MAGA sensibilities. > [@Kimstu](#): > > We’re just discussing the present-day realities about what US flag display might reasonably be inferred Again, you use “realities” & “reasonably”. > [@Kimstu](#): > > The argument AFAICT is stemming from the fact that a few posters don’t want to face those realities. The “realities” of the SDMB are not reflected in the real world. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Absent overt actions to indicate your flag isn’t a Republican party symbol, I have to conclude you (generic you) are a trump-for-president booster. Your conclusions would be wrong nearly half the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-display-of-american-flags-have-some-hidden-meaning-these-days/990270.md?page=10)