I love you Mr. President! Please desecrate my flag!

July 26, 2003 10:09 AM

And thus, the new poster child for opposition to flag desecration amendments was born. (via)
posted by XQUZYPHYR (36 comments total)

Haw. That's rich. At least he didn't wipe his butt with it, like he did with the constitution. (Or maybe they just can't photograph that...)
posted by Busithoth at 10:13 AM on July 26, 2003

Typical. I think this provides an excellent metaphor for his whole Presidency.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:15 AM on July 26, 2003

From the Executive Office:

Mr. President,

Do not sign:
1) The American Flag
2) Democratic-sponored legislation
3) Panties
4) Breasts

Sincerely,

Karl Rove
posted by Frank Grimes at 10:17 AM on July 26, 2003

I wonder if burning a flag signed by Bush would be illegal if the Republican House had its way. (On preview: Frank Grimes, you're doubly cool in my book now - once for a clever username, and once for your last post.)
posted by UKnowForKids at 10:18 AM on July 26, 2003

Isn't that against flag etiquette? Seriously, aren't there rules about how to treat flags? No damage, no letting them touch the ground, etc.
posted by RylandDotNet at 10:19 AM on July 26, 2003

The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
posted by LimePi at 10:23 AM on July 26, 2003

I wouldn't worry too much about etiquette for that cheap knock-off that was made in china. By the time you could file charges for defiling it, the mini-staples that hold it to the kebob-skewer it's mounted on will have given way, and the fabric itself will have begun to unravel.
posted by Busithoth at 10:24 AM on July 26, 2003

You're also not allowed to drape yourself in the flag, so it's not like GW hasnt been breaking flag etiquette rules for quite some time now.
posted by Space Coyote at 10:24 AM on July 26, 2003

A bit legalistic, I know, but USC Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 176(g) says: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

on preview, what LamePi said, but with citation. :)
posted by RylandDotNet at 10:26 AM on July 26, 2003

36 USC 178:

Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable...

posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:36 AM on July 26, 2003

I wouldn't worry too much about etiquette for that cheap knock-off that was made in china. By the time you could file charges for defiling it, the mini-staples that hold it to the kebob-skewer it's mounted on will have given way, and the fabric itself will have begun to unravel.

So then people shouldn't complain if cheap knock-off flags are burned at protests? Because most flags that people own are in fact cheap knock-offs. Cheap knock-offs are now the standard.
posted by Hildago at 10:36 AM on July 26, 2003

Monju_bosatsu: Hahahaha, that's awesome. You win.
posted by Hildago at 10:37 AM on July 26, 2003

More flag desecration: Rocky IV, Gay Flag, Hank, Jr. flag, Bob Marley flag

Yeah, monju_bosatsu, you win.
posted by Frank Grimes at 10:39 AM on July 26, 2003

This is an interesting one as well:

(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any
manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles
as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise
impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed
for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be
fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

posted by Hildago at 10:40 AM on July 26, 2003

I think that's the most important one, Hildago. Most people treat the flag with basic respect, but never realize what they're doing when they wear flag clothes, or wipe their mouths on flag napkins.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 10:43 AM on July 26, 2003

butt what about stress balls?
posted by mcsweetie at 10:49 AM on July 26, 2003

Funny, it doesn't say anything about zuffling.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:53 AM on July 26, 2003

Shirts or balls with stripes and stars on them aren't actually flags c.f. Uncle Sam.
posted by Wood at 10:54 AM on July 26, 2003

"Do as I say, not as I do" in action. Monju_bosatsu, does this mean that I, too, can sign a flag - heck, can I write anything I want on it - because someone caught the President violating the rules to which he would like the rest of us to subscribe?

The point is that this chucklehead is OK with violating the rules - just not you. Using the flag as a cheap handout to push his campaign is OK for him, assassinating people because, after all, they're "bad characters" is OK for him, ignoring international law because you have some gimcrack form of pseudo-intel is OK him, etc.

Just not for anyone else.
posted by FormlessOne at 11:13 AM on July 26, 2003

I think we overemphasize the importance of the flag anyway. It's just a piece of cloth with a symbol on it. What the symbol stands for may be important, but the symbol itself (and certainly the worthless piece of cloth) are not important.
The fact that an elaborate legalistic set of standards exists for the flag is just a testament to the wasted efforts of humanity on frivolous pursuits if you ask me.

Regardless of that, it is very amusing that he was signing flags.
posted by Wingy at 12:38 PM on July 26, 2003

monju_bosatsu:

That rule goes on to say:

"... any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation."

Do you recall such a proclamation?

Signed, Mr. Pedantic
posted by jpburns at 12:46 PM on July 26, 2003

jpburns: I'm sure, if you give it a day or two, you'll find that Bush secretly signed such a proclamation a couple of months ago, just for this occassion. No, really. Your pal, Winston Smith.
posted by kaemaril at 12:59 PM on July 26, 2003

We have always been at war with Oceania...
posted by jpburns at 1:02 PM on July 26, 2003

Mr. Pedantic: Please notice that only "alter[ations]" and "additional rules" must be set forth in a proclamation. The "repeal[]" or "modifi[cation]" of the rules does not. Thank you, that is all.

Signed, Office of White House Counsel
posted by monju_bosatsu at 1:12 PM on July 26, 2003

"Can we start a war without Congress?"

"Here, sign this."
posted by the fire you left me at 2:02 PM on July 26, 2003

Frank Grimes: I'd argue that the "gay rainbow" flag isn't actually a US flag per se, and thus the rules don't apply to it (unless of course it started as a US flag and had the rainbow sewn or painted over the stripes bit) and the Confederate and Jamaican (!) flags in your Hank Jr. and Bob Marley examples aren't the Stars & Stripes either. You knew that though, right?

Oh well, only one proper thing to do with a desecrated flag:

(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a
fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way,
preferably by burning.
posted by arto at 2:19 PM on July 26, 2003

From the Music Man:

Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little, cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little, cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little,
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep cheep
Pick a little, talk a little, Cheep!
posted by Durwood at 2:46 PM on July 26, 2003

>So then people shouldn't complain if cheap knock-off flags are burned at protests?

They can complain all they want, just not to their congressman.

I think this is just the logical outcome of 'newstainment.' Politics is entertainment, there are contestants, or better yet its like a sport. This is no different than having your favorite baseball player sign a baseball for you. When Bush's term is finally up I fully expect to see this on ebay.

LQQK - Prez signed mini-Flag (No Reserve!!!!!!!!!)

Didn't anyone think twice about this? I believe Bush openly supports amending the constitution to "protect" the flag. Maybe its a high-brow prank to see if Bush would do it. Sadly, it probably wasn't.
posted by skallas at 3:01 PM on July 26, 2003

arto, you can argue that the rainbow flag with 50 stars is not actually an American flag, but it is sold as Rainbow American Flag. Since it appears that you live in Canada, I'll submit this rainbow maple leaf, and ask, would you consider this a Canadian flag?
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:31 PM on July 26, 2003

"... any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation."

Well maybe that's what he was writing on the flag.
posted by mathis23 at 3:38 PM on July 26, 2003

*signs "duhbyuh" on tiny flag, opens ebay auction.*
posted by quonsar at 7:01 PM on July 26, 2003

fire you left me Meta
posted by SuzySmith at 9:16 PM on July 26, 2003

Since it appears that you live in Canada, I'll submit this rainbow maple leaf, and ask, would you consider this a Canadian flag?

Well, it obviously *references* the Canadian flag (as does the US rainbow flag), but I for one wouldn't confuse it with the actual official symbol of my country.

S'pose I'm splitting hairs here, though. (shrugs)
posted by arto at 2:49 AM on July 27, 2003

Anybody notice the flag is more or less upside down (libertarian link) in that photo?

That's the beside the point.

Anyone notice the fact that this is the first over the shoulder autographing the flag photo of Mr. President we've seen yet?

--I betcha he's signed thousands. (Cult of personality)

But that's beside the point.

Anyone ever thought about the last time they heard the cacophany overlayed many times of "Mr. President! Mr. President! Mr. Resident?" And then the president would answer the question, right there on television?

'member when you were a kid? When Gee Duhb signed that there flag of yours?

Gee ain't the stars and stripes great?

Not anymore. They've been cheapened by the most domestically and internationally controversial American president in history--no matter what side of the aisle you reside. It's great for polls. It's great for intellectually beating down reason.

But that's beside the point too.
posted by crasspastor at 4:25 AM on July 27, 2003

the flag is always attached to the staff on the stars side, that's why it appears upside down
posted by ruwan at 7:27 PM on July 27, 2003

If you read the Code carefully, it's clear that these are suggestions, customs, or guidelines, not legal requirements. Kind of like "if you wish to show respect for the flag, then you should...." Lots of shoulds, very few musts or shalls (at least, not yet). If you don't wish to show respect, then, hey, go crazy.
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:49 AM on July 28, 2003