Is this flag abuse?

[sonny]

Here's a hot thread over at rimfire central.....

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17517

 

[sonny]

And here's the picture in question

 

[sonny]

I'll speak my mind on it if others join in.............I think it's a interesting subject.

 

[Soap]

"Flag abuse" is a very subjective thing. I find absolutely nothing wrong with people doing what they want with their own property. I might find it tasteless, but I wouldn't prohibit them from doing it. In this case, I don't think that it is tasteless at all.

 

[mons meg]

Subjective, yes, but there is a flag etiquette which I think is being violated at least in spirit if not to the letter. The flag is not a blanket you throw down to sit on.

 

[The Reaper]

http://www.sar.org/colors/flagetti.htm

At the link above you will see that the flag should not touch the ground. I didn't look closely, but it should be displayed higher than the British flag in the pic.

So while I wouldn't term it "abuse" what is shown in the picture is a disrespectful and inappropriate display. That flag should be disposed of properly and not used again.

Just shows the continuing ignorance about the proper display of the US Flag.

 

[Greg L]

More disrespectful than abuse. For abuse you should show bad intentions (at least in my book).

Greg

 

[Beav]

You'll find that a lot of people don't know how to handle the flag. I don't really think its abusive or even disrespectful but more ignorant than anything.

 

[Soap]

What if I have a pair of boxer shorts with the American flag on it: Am I doing a dishonor by wearing them?

 

[Greg L]

Am I doing a dishonor by wearing them?

Only if you leave tracks.

Greg

 

[cratz2]

There's a difference between wearing a flag or representation of a flag in an honorable fashion vs. sitting on it, dragging it along the ground etc... Personally, I think flag wearing flag underwear would be a disrepectful form of display.

I don't think the Williams picture is abuse, but possibly unintended disrepect. Wouldn't have hurt to have had those polls just a little bit longer.

 

[Ed Brunner]

I find it offensive that she would put the flag of my country on the ground and lounge upon it. It shows a lack of sensitivity on her part and it has offended many Americans. I do not impute motives to her conduct. Perhaps she is a typical example of our national school system.

 

[jmbg29]

She is just a kid that doesn't know any better.

Her father Richard is a #1 POS. That she was raised by him to be completely ignorant of the respect and honor that is due our flag, comes as no surprise.

 

[NewShooter78]

Her and the photographer's ignorance are typical examples of how much people care to know about their country. While I don't find this personally offensive, I think it is disrespectful. The flag should never touch the ground. And it is not a blanket. I wouldn't wear a representation of the flag as underwear, or on my clothing. I have one in front of the house, and one that is neatly folded in a chest that used to fly in my window in my on-campus appartment while in college (pre 9/11).

 

[MJRW]

It doesn't bother me because I don't get any intent of disrespect.

 

[Azrael256]

Sent a shiver up my spine. This kind of think really ticks me off. It doesn't really matter to me that it's out of ignorance (if it is) or if it's malice... it really gets to me.

 

[HABU]

I dont care if she is stupid, ignorant, disrespectful or just plain doesn't care. That sort of blatant disrespect for the flag really pisses me off. Flag etiquette is a thing of the past, for the most part. I see flags taped to vehicle antenna's that are six inches tall and three inches wide. I see them along the side of the road as a result of the post 9/11 patriotic movement. People wearing clothing that looks like it is sewn out of a flag. Currently, I am wearing an "old navy" shirt that has a flag on it, but the whole shirt doesnt look like its sewn out of the flag. My sister bought my nephew a swimsuit that looks like it is sewn out of a flag. The flag is not clothing and certainly shouldn't be worn around your ***, of all places.

Then there are the people who superimpose an image onto the flag. Native americans come to mind. The american flag was never meant to host the likeness of an indian chief in full headgear.

Then there are the POS's that burn the flag.

Thats a whole other subject/debate in its self.
And whats up with the flag hankerchiefs?

The list goes on and on.

What do you expect from a country that outlaws the pledge?

 

[Soap]

What if I have a piece of clothing that has a "Made in the U.S.A" tag on it...is that dishonor?

What if there is a really offensive looking fat guy with an Old Navy shirt w/flag on the front eating a hot dog on the 4th...is that disrespectful?

People's property is their property, and its not my place to prohibit them from doing what they wish with it. Even if I am offended by their usage, its not my property. Simple.

For example, there is a devout Muslim in town who would die for the principles contained within the Koran. I have an old copy of the Koran that I really don't want that is cluttering my bookshelf, I throw it away. Does he have any right to prohibit me from throwing it away?

 

[sw442642]

If you get really excited about this such that you imply something about her - then you are really talking about yourself.

I'm sure she meant nothing. Simply tell her the right rules and then relax.