Comments on: I love you Mr. President! Please desecrate my flag!

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

XQUZYPHYR — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:09:43 -0800

And thus, the new poster child for opposition to flag desecration amendments was born. (via)

By: Busithoth

Busithoth — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:13:04 -0800

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...)

By: monju_bosatsu

monju_bosatsu — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:15:14 -0800

Typical. I think this provides an excellent metaphor for his whole Presidency.

By: Frank Grimes

Frank Grimes — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:17:54 -0800

From the Executive Office: Mr. President, Do not sign: 1) The American Flag 2) Democratic-sponored legislation 3) Panties 4) Breasts Sincerely, Karl Rove

By: UKnowForKids

UKnowForKids — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:18:56 -0800

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.)

By: RylandDotNet

RylandDotNet — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:19:14 -0800

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.

By: LimePi

LimePi — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:23:27 -0800

The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

By: Busithoth

Busithoth — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:24:15 -0800

By: Space Coyote

Space Coyote — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:24:53 -0800

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.

By: RylandDotNet

RylandDotNet — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:26:21 -0800

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. :)

By: monju_bosatsu

monju_bosatsu — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:36:12 -0800

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pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be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

By: Hildago

Hildago — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:36:32 -0800

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.

By: Hildago

Hildago — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:37:08 -0800

Monju_bosatsu: Hahahaha, that's awesome. You win.

By: Frank Grimes

Frank Grimes — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:39:32 -0800

More flag desecration: Rocky IV, Gay Flag, Hank, Jr. flag, Bob Marley flag Yeah, monju_bosatsu, you win.

By: Hildago

Hildago — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:40:01 -0800

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.

By: monju_bosatsu

monju_bosatsu — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:43:24 -0800

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.

By: mcsweetie

mcsweetie — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:49:24 -0800

butt what about stress balls?

By: George_Spiggott

George_Spiggott — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:53:12 -0800

Funny, it doesn't say anything about zuffling.

By: Wood

Wood — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 10:54:06 -0800

Shirts or balls with stripes and stars on them aren't actually flags c.f. Uncle Sam.

By: FormlessOne

FormlessOne — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 11:13:05 -0800

"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.

By: Wingy

Wingy — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:38:23 -0800

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.

By: jpburns

jpburns — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:46:28 -0800

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

By: kaemaril

kaemaril — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 12:59:37 -0800

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.

By: jpburns

jpburns — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 13:02:18 -0800

We have always been at war with Oceania...

By: monju_bosatsu

monju_bosatsu — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 13:12:08 -0800

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

By: the fire you left me

the fire you left me — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 14:02:22 -0800

"Can we start a war without Congress?" "Here, sign this."

By: arto

arto — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 14:19:28 -0800

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.

By: Durwood

Durwood — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 14:46:14 -0800

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!

By: skallas

skallas — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 15:01:20 -0800

>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.

By: Frank Grimes

Frank Grimes — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 15:31:55 -0800

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?

By: mathis23

mathis23 — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 15:38:57 -0800

"... any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation." Well maybe that's what he was writing on the flag.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 19:01:29 -0800

*signs "duhbyuh" on tiny flag, opens ebay auction.*

By: SuzySmith

SuzySmith — Sat, 26 Jul 2003 21:16:38 -0800

fire you left me Meta

By: arto

arto — Sun, 27 Jul 2003 02:49:39 -0800

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)

By: crasspastor

crasspastor — Sun, 27 Jul 2003 04:25:19 -0800

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.

By: ruwan

ruwan — Sun, 27 Jul 2003 19:27:37 -0800

the flag is always attached to the staff on the stars side, that's why it appears upside down

By: MrMoonPie

MrMoonPie — Mon, 28 Jul 2003 07:49:39 -0800

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.