In the spirit of America, retailers have chosen to capitalize on consumer demand and soak the American public by doubling the price of US flags. Governor of Florida, Jeb (sic) Bush, has cracked down on the capitalists by fining them up to $25,000. This raises the question - do politicians have a right to interfere with retailers who are simply trying to milk their customers?
History is full of disagreement about what citizens can and cannot do with the nation’s banner. The courts have frequently fielded lawsuits about flag burning, desecrating, and even wearing it as underwear. Over-reaction to it’s symbolism has even led to a proposed Amendment dictating how we may treat the flag, and punishing those who don’t comply. Many citizens argue that it is their right to exploit the flag, while fundamentalists argue that it hurts their delicate psyche.
The irony of the recent price gouging is that the US flag symbolizes freedom and the free market. Soaking the public is an American tradition, whether it’s jacking the price of fireworks on July 4th, or upping the price of beer kegs on Super Bowl Sunday. Granted, the government often manipulates the price of essential food items, like milk, bread, and cigarettes. But flags - frequently used to display mushy, patriotic jingoism - are far from required items, and anyone with some paper and a few Crayolas can make one.
While the extremists would demand death to those who exploit the US flag, the intelligent observer realizes that a flag is merely a symbol, and that it is America itself that we should be concerned about - not 6 ounces of colored nylon.
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“Human pride is not worthwhile; there is always something lying in wait to take the wind out of it.” – Mark Twain
Many states have anti profiteering laws. Difficult to define and prosecute, they are seldom invoked. I think a national tragedy is poor excuse to soak the public, it is illegal, and is a fine time to remind sellers of the law.
:rolleyes: Yes, cigarettes, that staple that is so essential to proper nutrition. The government doesn’t fiddle with prices, they are free to change with supply and demand. It is only profiteering that is illegal. [defined as charging prices that could legally be proven to be excessive.]
Need any more rope? The flying of flags at this time is in remembrance of more than 5000 people who died and their families, and support of those that working so hard at the scenes of the tragedies. It’s also serving to symbolize our solidarity when there are those who would try to break our will with terror and violence.
I, for one, couldn’t locate a flag but was lucky enough to find a large stars and stripes bunting for sale from a VFW post. The price was unchanged, and these men were just happy to see the town flying red white and blue.
First off, the (sic) is unnecessary. John Ellis Bush is known politically and socially as “Jeb”. Ask anyone about Governor John Bush and you will encounter a lot of blank stares.
Second, by Thursday, most of the stores in Orlando were out of American flags. I finally did locate one store (after an hour and a half of busy signals) and my boss stood in line for 45 minutes to pick up a 3x5 nylon flag. Price: $15. Same as it ever was. Stores around here are keeping prices the same: no one wants to be the known as a gouger.
Of course with all the rain we’ve had, I haven’t had a chance to put it up for more than 20 minutes. Then again, maybe the rain will help keep this one from being stolen, like the last three flags were.
I went out to buy a flag on Thursday. Every store I visited was sold out. Later, at my mother’s house, I mentioned that I couldn’t find a flag. She then told me that she had one I could have. She went to her bedroom and came back out with a large, wrapped box. Inside was a properly folded flag.
The flag that draped my father’s casket now flies in front of my house.
It’s not “just a stupid flag.” It’s big, and beautiful, and long may it wave.
Taking advantage of people during a National or State disaster is illegal and for a good reason. It’s just vile. IMO it’s no better than the people who try to scam the victims.
Rysdad, your story brought tears to my eyes.
[aside]There are just no flags to be had in the state of Oklahoma. Understanding people’s need to display one now, The Daily Oklahoman printed a full page flag in their paper so people could have one to display in their windows until more are available.[/aside]
[QUOTE
But flags - frequently used to display mushy, patriotic jingoism . . .
**[/QUOTE]
Lao Tzu, how about you take those six ounces of colored nylon, fold 'em until they’re all sharp corners and shove them up that dripping sphincter you’re talking out of? Putting down the sentiments of other people - especially veterans who have protected and served our nation - as mushy and jingoistic is repulsive.
Most people are flying their flags, not as a declaration of war, but as a reply to our attackers that we won’t be knocked down or bullied. They are showing their empathy for those who were killed, injured, or deprived of loved ones. They are stating that the freedom the flag stands for will outlast the motivations of our attackers.
I know far too many people who went through horrors that would that would leave you an even more contemptible, whinging pile of flaccid spew than you are now to see them belittled for their dearly held beliefs.
No one’s forcing you to buy or fly a flag. No one’s forcing you to look at the flags others are buying. So fuck off.
I was talking to my parents yesterday and mentioned the run on flags in the stores and people’s newfound patriotism by plastering the things on everything in sight.
My father said that one of his friends, trying to show her support for our nation and those directly affected by Tuesday’s events, proudly put the flag out on her front porch. The next day, when she woke up and went outside, she noticed someone had stolen her flag.
The bizzarreness of the message that was sent by stealing the flag off her porch completely cracked me up.
I was going to buy a flag, but the only ones I could find were obviously pulled out of some dank and dusty warehouse, They were dirty and looked horrible, and overpriced for the condition they were in. So I decided instead to take the money and donate it to the Red Cross.
I’d like to say something to those who take overwhelming pride in “Old Glory”, and have heart warming stories of it’s importance, and those who cry just thinking about it and those who wrap themselves all up in it and proclaim them selves the quintessential patriots. …
Good for you. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
But … this is America. And I love America. And one of things I love the most about America is that no one can <i>force</i> me to wave a flag. No one can make me put the flag up on a pedestal. No one can compell me to where red, white and blue ribbons. I’m just getting a little sick of being accused of not loving my country, or not being a “patriot” because I question those who are now coming out of the woodwork to tell me how to be one.
Seriously, wave your flag all you’d like. I’ll stand right behind you and knock down anyone trying to prevent you from doing so. But just don’t fucking glare at me for not waving my own.
I know where my priorities lie. I don’t need a piece of cloth on a pole to prove a god-damned thing.
I am normally one of the most patriotic people in my circle, I have never missed a chance to vote since I turned 18. But the jingoism that has sprung up recently, while perfectly understandable, sems kind of frightening. I don’t wear one of those ribons because I would feel like a phony, I didn’t light a candle on friday because I work evenings, I didn’t pray on saturday because I’m an athiest. I did donate blood, I plan to buy ramen noodles for groceries and send the rest of my grocery money to the red cross, I have refrained from beating the living shit out of co-workers who use the phrase “rag-head” although I have tried to explain how un-American that phrase is.
I don’t begrudge people whatever makes them feel better, but I really fucking resent being made to feel like a creep for not wearing a damn ribbon.
We are all upset people, don’t jump on each other for how we chose to deal with things.
Sure, the flag is just a symbol. Looking at it literally, it can seem a bit absurd to have such reverence for a colorful swatch of fabric. However, it’s just not possible to express the worthy sentiments this icon has come to represent quite so succinctly, nor so visibly as the star spangled banner. Some of the displays I’ve seen are gaudy, and I’ve heard more than my fair share of trite patriot clichés this week, but the values, sacrifice, and empathy the flag stands for are beyond reproach.
If you don’t wish to fly one, that is your choice, and I’ll think none the less of you so long as you don’t mock those that do. I would, however, urge you to reconsider. Look past the fact that is just a piece of cloth, look beyond the clichés, and consider the message behind the symbol.
Jack Batty and grendel - don’t feel like you have to jump on anyone’s bandwagon. As much as i like this country, our flag has mixed meaning attached to it. Sometimes it reminds me of democracy and the Bill of Rights, and other times it represents oil-motivated wars, corporate-run politics, and human rights violations, both here and abroad: http://www.soaw.org.
Flag waving never fails to perpetuate the inciteful “us vs. them” mentality - the same attitude that created enemies for us in the first place. I don’t need to be a part of that. If there was a world flag, i might fly it. I’m a man of the world first, and an American second. Just because i’m not waving a banner doesn’t mean i’m not on your team… despite what the jingoists tell you.
Keep standing tall.
Phouka, it looks like i hit a nerve. You should get that checked out.
…
“When the people forgot the great Way,
the doctrines of humanity and morality arose.
Then came disharmony in the family,
and ‘brotherly love’ was advocated and enforced.
The country fell into division and chaos,
and loyalty and patriotism became the style.” – Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
I don’t know who that Matthew Parris is, but I cordially invite him to kiss my ass. Tony Blair had me so convinced that the Brits had our back, but now I wonder.
He’s a former Conservative MP who is now the parliamentary sketch writer for The Times.
How come you need us to “have your back”? You’re the greatest nation on earth right? Britain’s well past its best so I dunno how much help we’d be…
BTW - cheers for the all troops you sent into Ireland when the IRA bombed London, Manchester, Omagh… I can see you take seriously this fight against global terror… Or would that be global terror that specifically aflicts the US…?
I know loads of Brits died last week, but I wouldn’t like to see yet more of our troops get killed as a result of badly thought out knee-jerk US over-reaction. Reaction is needed, but carpet bombing the entire middle east won’t work.
I guess that didn’t have much to do with the OP - soz.
Just a couple of rhetorical question here…would you have wanted US troops? Do you think you would have resented unilateral action on our part since I don’t recall anyone asking for US troops?
Also, speaking for myself, I’m not limiting the scope to terror that only strikes the US. If we can help to prevent terror anywhere, we will.
We sold out of “flags” right away. We only had a handful of small window stickers and keychains. But we change the price all the time, DISCOUNTING them when the demand is high, like at 4th of July, as a logical sale item.
You can have our back by supporting us politically. I had the impression that you were. I hope I’m right and that Matthew Parris is alone in his callousness.