# Variant on Thin Blue Line Flag **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672 "2020-10-10T23:42:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/1 "2020-10-10T23:42:03Z")
I learned about the US Flag where red is replaced with blue, to indicate solidarity with the police. I saw one today which was like that, except one of the blue stripes was green, instead. What does this signify? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/2 "2020-10-10T23:45:15Z")
Is it this? > **[First Responder Flags | Thin Green Line American | 100% Made In The USA](https://flagsusa.com/product/thin-green-line-american-flag-3x5-for-outdoor-use/)** > > Thin Green Line American Flag - Made in the USA. > The **thin green line** is a symbol that is used to show support for federal law enforcement agents such as border patrol, park rangers and conservation personnel. The **thin green line** is also used to show support for the men and women of our military. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/3 "2020-10-10T23:48:22Z")
A flag with [all green stripes](https://www.flagcollection.com/itemsummary.php?CollectionItem_ID=2181) has been used to represent the environmental movement. However, more recently a [flag with a theta in the upper right and green stripes](https://uedata.amazon.com/Ecology-Flag-3X5-Foot-Nylon/dp/B004EPPJYO?ie=UTF8&dpID=41KTdfPDYJL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_) has been used for that. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/4 "2020-10-10T23:54:47Z")
I saw one with a blue, red, and green stripe and was wondering what it meant. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/5 "2020-10-11T00:01:47Z")
Let’s get this out of the way. 😉 [https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us\_tl.html](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us_tl.html) ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/6 "2020-10-11T00:02:31Z")
This says police, military, fire > **[Amazon.com: Thin Blue Line Flag Decal – 3D Premium Quality Thin Blue Line...](https://www.amazon.com/Thin-Blue-Line-Flag-Decal/dp/B08CDYZ5NN)** > > Amazon.com: Thin Blue Line Flag Decal – 3D Premium Quality Thin Blue Line Stickers for Phone – 7 in Pack Support Police Flag Sticker 2 х 1.05 Inch Vinyl American Flag Decals Laptop – Raised Stars Stripes : Automotive > **[What Do Thin Line Flags Mean? | FlagandBanner](https://www.flagandbanner.com/flags/thin-line-flags-faq.asp)** > > What do flags with thin blue, red, or other colored lines mean? Learn more about this beautiful way to support the everyday heroes in your community. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/7 "2020-10-11T00:27:59Z")
**running\_coach** – thank you twice, for the direct answer and the resource link! (Physically unable to run…do you do swim coaching?) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/8 "2020-10-11T00:29:34Z")
I thought the current occupant of the Oval Office had decided that the national ensign itself represents the military. Interesting citation. Thanks! BTW, I think choosing orange as the representative color for a group might not be the best idea, given the existance of the Orange Order. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/9 "2020-10-11T00:31:51Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > **running\_coach** – thank you twice, for the direct answer and the resource link! > > (Physically unable to run…do you do swim coaching?) I barely survive showering. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/10 "2020-10-11T04:22:52Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > show support for federal law enforcement agents such as border patrol, park rangers and conservation personnel ??? That is a bizarre grouping. Is there really much of overlap between racist ICE sycophants and people who like the ranger giving a bear talk? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/11 "2020-10-11T04:26:32Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > That is a bizarre grouping. Is there really much of overlap between racist ICE sycophants and people who like the ranger giving a bear talk? **Moderator Note** Let’s keep political jabs out of GQ. No warning, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/12 "2020-10-11T04:39:09Z")
Huh? How is that a political jab? The thin X flags are political statements by design, and the whole point of the border patrol is to keep out people from Central and South America. It’s not exactly something they try to hide. I’m not accusing them of anything beyond what they are actively rallying behind. They literally made a new flag to state their point?? It’s not a jab to restate someone’s position, one they are proud enough to openly display. I am merely questioning why they would group that ideology – _their_ ideology, not mine – with something as random as park rangers. “Federal law enforcement” could just as well mean the Secret Service or FBI or Postal Service inspectors. Why specifically border patrol and park rangers? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/13 "2020-10-11T04:43:15Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Huh? How is that a political jab? The thin X flags are political statements by design, and the whole point of the border patrol is to keep out people from Central and South America. It’s not exactly something they try to hide. I’m not accusing them of anything beyond what they are actively rallying behind. They literally made a new flag to state their point?? It’s not a jab to restate someone’s position, one they are proud enough to openly display. **Moderator Warning** Don’t dispute moderation outside ATMB. This is an official warning. “Racist ICE sycophant” is clearly a political jab. I am further instructing you not to post further in this thread. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/14 "2020-10-11T05:21:16Z")
I saw a variant of the American flag being flown last week and I was trying to figure out the ideological significance of its design. It took me a minute to figure out I was looking at a Pittsburgh Steelers logo. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/variant-on-thin-blue-line-flag/922672/15 "2020-10-13T05:30:43Z")
In other news: in Canada the RCMP and Ontario Provincial Police have directed their officers not to wear thin blue line patches on duty, only uniform and standard patches and badges. > **[RCMP directive eliminates wearing of ‘thin blue line’ patch while on duty |...](https://globalnews.ca/news/7392282/rcmp-directive-thin-blue-line/)** > > The thin blue line represents the line police walk daily between life and death and is seen as a show of solidarity. The RCMP urges officers to wear the commemorative blue ribbon.