Now I get your point better, Monty. I don’t know a single person who worships the flag. Nor do I know of anybody who affords it extreme reverence. I imagine that somebody who did might be a bit unbalanced[sup]*[/sup], and agree that it would be a bad thing.
So I agree. But your OP didn’t say that. You asked what purpose does the flag serve. My answer is that it is a convenient unifying symbol for the entire country, apparently with the exception of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As an added bonus it is silent, doesn’t require the ability to read English, and has an incredibly long shelf-life and low maintenance compared with a bird.
I think proper respect for the flag is a good and healthy thing. Try not to drop it in the mud, for instance. But don’t kick the crap out of someone (or kill them) if they accidentally let it drag on the ground.
[sup]*[/sup]I really meant to say imbalanced, as in chemically, but it didn’t sound grammatically correct.
I am probably way out of my league here, but it
seems pretty obvious to me. Why do people
venerate the flag? It is a symbol. People have strong
feelings for their country. Is the question really why do
some Americans venerate or worship the United States?
Less than two years since 9/11 people are still feeling the
psychological effects of the attack. One way that people
are dealing with this is with their flags, the most readily
available and recognizable American symbol with all its
connotaions of glory, courage, and all that. For some people
it reminds them of a better time, at a national as well as
personal level.
What if we all opt out of the “flag-waving syndrome”?
(perhaps through vaccinations) Sounds like a personal choice
to me. Freedom of expression and all.
And if there no flags for politicians to stand in front, maybe
Ashcroft could sing the national anthem before each press
conference
Well I thought flags were good to show what country a ship is from and to identify some other stuff
I agree flag worshipping that is known as over blown patriotism sometimes can and usually gets out of hand. It might not be so bad if politicians were patriotic too. They wouldnt make people get into a xenophobic frenzy unless their nation was really in danger.
Argentina and the Falklands was a good example as is the US now... all critical thought going out of the window when the Flag and the nation's honor/safety/integrity is in danger. Invading the Falklands/Malvinas was distraction.
Yeah, I remember 9-11. During the grief period, I never saw so many American flags on TV or displayed in Canada by Canadians. I took the American display as a symbol of solidarity and sympathy for New Yorkers, and our displays as a symbol of our filial condolences.
What is it with a piece of cloth? Even when blank it can carry great symbolism of unity. Vancouverites can attest to that when due to a referee’s call in the Canuck-Blackhawk series in '82 the white towel became the banner that unified a city.
Why would you want to take away this cherished American symbol of unity. Do you want people to rally around a leader instead like they did in Germany in the 1940’s? Do you think Americans could rally around a copy of the constitution? Or do you think there is no need for the citizens to rally at times of crisis? Certainly flag veneration can be viewed as a little over the top, but has it ever hurt anyone? Give me a break!
hhmmm the way Americans drool over their flag ? It does hurt people… because politicians are using this. Not because people actually are wrong.
I remember those Pork Barrel bills passing congress with “defense” or “nation” titles. Its how this flag waving is used that irks most intelligent people.
Other countries are somewhat patriotic but dont rally to their flag with such ardour. As a foreigner it scary.
hhmm… I must add that it is human nature to rally to a cause and to want to feel part of something bigger. It might be a theatre group, a certain culture or the US Army.
Flags arent guilty of this… just symbols of it. Even military groups have their own badge, flag and motto. Defining THEM vs US gives a lot of comfort to the human animal… defining what tribe and who they are helps anxiety and identity.
Like many said… take the flag and then watch something else rise.
Not only does the politicians’ stance hurt people, but there are people who not only hurt others but advocate hurting others based on others’ position on flag worship. Feel free to do a search on this very site for what some people have to say about the pledge of allegiance. Come to think of it, if one were to be seriously allegiant to that flag, then one would sacrifice his own life to prevent its burning, etc.
hehe… in Brazil during the World Cup (Like the World Series for Soccer for the Soccer ignorants) the Brazilian flag was everywhere. Even bikinis with the flag were being sold. (very skimpy in cloth and area coverage too).
It didnt take long for the old guard to complain and try to pass a law forbidding the use of the Flag in bikinis, handbags and caps. Naturally during a World Cup the rampant patriotism won over the conservative concerns.
Legally speaking we do have law that give jail time to people if they "mistreat" the flag... never seen anyone arrested on that one.
Yeah, American display of patriotism is way over rated when compared to other countries as evident where soccer is concerned. I just saw a billiards tournament match featuring a dutchman vs an american. A contingent of dutch spectators were quite visible with their display of orange garments, orange being the colour symbol of Holland. You couldn’t tell the american spectators from any one else. Perhaps the Dutch should outlaw the orange colour ?
