Okay, this is a rant but I’ve had enough.  First, under the guise of “honor” the right-wing extremist mutilated our flag with selective discoloration and even the pictures of hate mongers.  Then they took the Betsy Ross Flag and imbued it with connotations of hate (alluding to a time when slavery was legal), then those same treasonous extremists paraded around hiding their policies of hate and exclusion behind the American flag and patriotism. Now they are flying the American Flag at half staff “mourning” the strategic retreat from Afghanistan. Enough is enough.  As Americans you have the right to fly the flag, or not, but when you fly that flag, you must show proper respect for the institutions represented by that flag.  If you can’t do this, then you are no better than those who burn our flag as a sign of defiance (Actually you are worse as those foreign protestors have no reason to show any loyalty or respect to our country, only their own.)  

During the procession at the Summer Olympics in Berlin in 1936, President Roosevelt ordered that the US Flag not be lowered as it passed the podium containing the Nazi Party ruling Germany.  This was not without precedent – the flag was not dipped in 1920 (Antwerp) or in 1924 (Paris) – but this was ordered as a signal that the United States bows to now dictator.  Congress later stipulated in 1940 that the US Flag is lowered as a sign of respect ONLY when so ordered by the President of the United States or state governors.  (United States Code, 2011 Edition Title 4 – FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES). 

Holding the flag at full staff is a sign of respect for all those who fought and died for our country.  Failing to properly display it is statement that you do not respect the traditions and laws of our nation.  Those who flying the American Flag at half-staff for personal or political reasons are acknowledging a sovereign above the laws and constitution of the United States.  In other words, this is an act of disloyalty to our nation.

I support free speech, even the burning of the flag in protest but these are ACTS of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE and disloyalty to the government.  You can’t be both a patriot, and a claim to love the institutions of our nation (its Constitution, its military, its history and laws) and be constantly protesting them.

Published by Michael Carver

My goal is to bring history alive through interactive portrayal of ordinary American life in the late 18th Century (1750—1799) My persona are: Journeyman Brewer; Cordwainer (leather tradesman but not cobbler), Statesman and Orator; Chandler (candle and soap maker); Gentleman Scientist; and, Soldier in either the British Regular Army, the Centennial Army, or one of the various Militia. Let me help you experience history 1st hand!

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