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Tattered flag by peppergrasss
I used to fly the American flag, on most days, not just on Memorial Day and Fourth of July. I used to make sure I had a light shining on it when it got dark, or else I would take the flag in.
I used to look at that flag and think how unique it was. I used to think it represented the idea of hope and truth and compassion. I used to think it represented the idea that if there was injustice, this flag would insure justice would prevail. In global wars, in diplomatic conflicts, in international oppression, in domestic civil discord.
I used to think the flag a statement that here, if not anywhere else, is where freedom lives, lives strong, lives long and is for everyone.
I was proud of that flag for those reasons.
But, I guess, I was naïve.
I stopped flying the flag. Something had happened. The United States changed. In my naïve eyes it did. To me the American flag represented something the United States no longer was. The American flag was a flag without a country. I felt I could not tarnish that flag by flying it over the nation as it was at that time.
That time? 2001, of course. Surely, the change did not happen instantly, surely it was long unnoticed by my naïve eyes. But the face-slap that was 2001 opened my eyes and naivety was peeled away. To fly the American flag then, meant to fly it as a belligerent and oppressive warrior, as a torturer, as a war criminal. A petulant, self-interested, hate-filled, greedy, oppprtunistic, unintelligent, lying, moronic hypocrite.
The American flag was not that, and so it remained in the closet. Every day, every holiday. Collecting dust rather than collecting the imprint of the abhorring traits the nation was developing.
In 2004, I was anticipating the re-emergence of the flag and of what it had once stood for. No, the closet remained un-opened.
In 2008, finally, I knew we had changed, we had come back, raised ourselves out of the new Dark Ages. Down but not out, the nation was back. Back, but with a long list of wrongs to be righted. Mistakes to be corrected. Tarnish to be polished. Injustice to be checked and corrected. Truth, justice, sense, compassion need no longer to hide. That was what my neo-naivety told me.
It was not long at all before I knew the closet would not open.
The dust grows thick on that old and faded flag.
I wish there was something to be excited or proud about today. Sorry to be so glum, and this, my first post. The hope is there, that some day my American flag will fly again, bright, shiny and renewed.
82 Comments
My jury is still out on flags. I regard them as harbingers of nationalism and rah rahs for one’s country regardless what its leaders do. Too often it is a propaganda tool to rally people to causes for the ruling class such as war.
A flag that I would like to see flown is a flag for humanity that supports a world where people don’t go hungry, where no one must drink questionable water, where everyone has the dignity of a job with safe working conditions that pays a living wage.
It may be different….restored in some way…but it will not be the flag of post-WW2 or the Kennedy years or the cleansing post-Watergate….but may be it can become a new symbol of post-2000 election, post-torture, post drones….only maybe.
Excellent diary. All our symbols are tarnished and gathering dust. I look forward to the day when we no longer have to be ashamed of what we have become. Thanks for writing – and do it again. Welcome to FDL.
In case you didn’t know, flying the flag upside down means ‘distress’; take it out and fly it upside down and when people ask about it,let them know why you’re doing such.
As my late father use to say, he didn’t fight in 2 wars for the flag but for freedom. He lived long enough to watch gwb the lesser take those freedoms away. It was a sad day for him:(
Rest his soul and thanks for his service….yes, sad days. Thanks for the note.
Excellent post. Recommended.
Yes, sorry to say, our government is nothing to be proud of.
The flag like the country or any country will have it’s deep dark moments and the times for the sun and breeze to take your deep disappointments away. There will always be bright moments of cheer, but history will also show when the brightest light is on the flag, there were dark moments during the same time period.
The key is realize that all countries are made up of people. They can act forward for the greater good or they can act greedy for their own purposes.
Your goal should be to hold those close to you with honor and dignity why streaching out you hand for others to join!
I’ve been tempted to do that. Maybe that should be done on a nationwide level, like on October 6th. If a whole lot of people did it, it would actually generate some discussion, esp. if the focus wasn’t on the Republican vs Democrat theme but on what we have lost as a nation, the things addressed in this post. (Not to mention jobs, etc). We truly are a nation in distress.
I’ve resolved this in my mind (my contempt for the flag goes back to the sixth grade, when I first began to refuse to stand for, or give, the Pledge of Allegiance) by characterizing flags in general as warrior-banners, no more mature than gang-signs.
I’ve never felt unpatriotic because of this (unless one tautologically defines patriotism as saluting a flag,) because what I can admire is a sincere Constitution. As flawed as ours is – its fawning over the right to property is offensive – it is at least a mature contemplation of the responsibilities of the social contract.
Thank you for a wonderful diary. In addition to profound sentiments, it’s beautifully written.
Welcome to FDL. Hope to see more of you.
Amen for your post and for the comments.
Lots to grieve over; lots of work to do to reclaim our nation for the people, by the people…. etc.
There was a great article at HuffPost yesterday by Escrow (?) essentially entitled the New War for Independence from Corporatism.
The think that most impressed me was his assertion that those who dream of change must not settle for change a kind of “throw the bums out” for that get’s us nowhere. We MUST have not only a vision for the nation/society/polity/economy we long to have, but also a way to create/implement it. Sorry I don’t have link to the article…
Blessings
If you are so distraught by the actions of our government in protecting us from tyranny and terrorism, perhaps there are other countries where you would find refuge, and whose flag you would much prefer to fly.
In hope, I fly a peace flag!
I’m at novice at the Constitution, so please enlighten me on this “fawning” over the right to property. Do you believe that the right to one’s property is somehow illegitimate and/or unfounded?
I’d like to learn more from you, Petro. Please elaborate.
The old “love it or leave it”….How clever and simply stupid. No debate for you, I guess.
It does take thinking out of the equation…perfect for the jingoistic tea huggers.
Our government is NOT protecting us from tyranny, it is moving towards real totalitarianism.
As towards ‘terrorism’, everything that the U.S. government is doing is creating more ‘terrorists’, whether they be domestic or foreign.
Please just remember that over 50,000 of my generation were killed in Vietnam for absolutely nothing, not to mention all those who were disabled mentally or physically as a result of this government’s lies.
You should read at least these two books: All Governments Lie by I.F. Stone and A People’s History Of The United States by Howard Zinn before casting aspersions upon those who would seek to have the experiment in democracy find their efforts fruitful.
Just go look at who had the right to vote when the Constitution came into effect.
See, you learn things. When he said “is”, I thought he meant the present Constitution.
Property is theft – more specifically, private property.
All deeds to “property” came from the barrel of a gun, so to speak. Look at how North America was apportioned.
Just to mention: Tribal territorialism is not property. There is an innate logic to territorial proscriptions as regards strangers or foreigners, but these are negotiable in the face of further behaviour/integration with a tribe/people.
When I went to Vietnam, the flag went.
I have used American flags for tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads and rugs.
I will admit that I am an American, not happily, but I will admit it.
I was just suggesting that perhaps there is a place he would be more comfortable. It must be terrible to seethe, each and every day, at the utter repression that this country forces on our author, and not know of a single place where he can seek refuge.
But he’s certainly free (odd, that word) to show his disdain by keeping his flag closeted. I’ll fly a second flag today just to reinforce my support for those freedoms.
Saluting a flag, reciting some pledge, standing for a national anthem, screaming USA, USA, USA at a sporting event are all one and the same. Mindless, thoughtless, obeisance to propaganda drummed into young minds that know no better and reinforced by a government that desires to keep the population subservient to their wishes.
Actions, however, are a true test of ones feeling of pride in ones culture.
Nothing wrong with the Defense of Country against enemies foreign and domestic.
It is perverse to suggest that America’s illegal wars of aggression in the ME have anything to do with the defense of the US against tyranny and terrorism.
Those who would surrender liberty in exchange for security get neither liberty nor security. Drones, Torture, Black ops, Military Contractors, Crusades, Eric Prince, Gen Boykin, Religion as Propaganda Tool, Complicit Media, Complicit Faux Liberals. House to House Patrols, Rape, The Slaughter of Innocents.
Tax Cuts for Billionaires. Rebates for Bankers. Fraud. Massive Foreclosures. Corporate Subsidies for Big Oil and Giant Agribiz – Pollute At will. Poison our air and water. Global Warming Deniers.
All done in our name and aganist our will. Democracy? Freedom?
I shared all of the same sentiments but I can add one. When I was in Madison WI for the rallies the flag looked beautiful and charged with hope and even righteousness. There was an Egyptian flag flying next to Old Glory and the Wisconsin flag. It brought tears to my eyes. It is clear to me that when we stand up for our country and our fellow citizen,s we own the flag and its meaning.
And I will piss on one to keep the balance.
See, I’m learning. Then taxation, which also comes at the barrel of a gun (so to speak), is also theft? Then we are all in receipt of stolen property, eh?
Yep…and clearly my remark was not very tactful….I am always taken aback by anyone who has it all figured out about very complicated issues.
I would like to move but the other countries do not want me. I have been contaminated with the slime of corporatism.
I’ll ignore the taxation snipe (this really is getting a bit OT here), but I will state that yes, we are all in on it for sure.
The reckoning cometh.
LOL.
Well, I’ll tell you this: I’ve just been making my way through the two miniseries, The Pacific and Band of Brothers–both based on fact and as realistic as could be. And while I see only faint outlines of the country those men fought and sacrificed so much for, I personally think we all could be mindful of the depth of their sacrifice particularly in times like this, when it seems our country is in the process of being looted out from under us, indeed by some of the very characters who so sanctimoniously wrap themselves in the flag as they destroy our, and our grandchildrens’, dreams.
I think in some ways we’re being asked to do what previous generations did, when called to service: fight our war, in our way, however we can, against the totalitarianism of big money and kleptocracy; and to do it with a degree of selflessness that is like theirs (although light-years apart from it; after all, we are not being shot at).
I suppose for me, this translates into an admonishment not to sink into cynicism or smoldering inertia or resignation. Easy to do with so much slipping away so fast. But all the folks who fought for that flag in the past, unambiguously and wholeheartedly, did so one objective at a time: one life saved, one hedgeline taken, one patrol made into hostile territory. I hope to find a way to do the same, here where it matters.
Happy Fourth, everyone.
Then I guess it will come down to who has more fags – and I’m guessing this site will win that battle.
Selah
Did I say “fags”. LOL. I meant flags, of course.
Rec’d
Very well said.
I hereby pledge allegiance to The Flag
no not to the star-spangled forgery
no not to a striped shroud saturated with
shame and innocent blood no
I pledge allegiance to the True Flag
The People’s Flag
the red and black banner of love and revolt
of peace and dissent
of rebellion and human kindness and
righteous self-defense when necessary
the flag of Rudolph Rocker and Emma Goldman
the flag of Fred Hampton and the Panthers
the flag of Allende and Arbenz and Ho Chi Minh
the flag of Crazy Horse and Leonard Peltier and
Malcolm and the Yippies
the flag of Earth First! and ALF and
the Wobblies and Rachel Corrie
the flag of all my brothers and my sisters
those who cry alone in prison
those who fell at Kent State and Attica
at Tlatelolco and Chicago and Pine Ridge
in Fallujah in Gaza in Mississippi
in Kabul in El Salvador in Vietnam
I pledge allegiance
to a flag that is mine
to a flag that is ours
to a flag that is really
everyone’s
until that glorious dawn
that new day
when we burn them all
because we don’t need one
I pledge allegiance
Here’s more info on the above noted article with my apologies for misspellings, etc. Sorry I don’t have a link.
The New War of Independence – Against Corporate Politics
This July 4th, politics is too important to be left to the politicians. The stakes are too high and the system is too broken. Citizen action is everyone’s job now. READ MORE
By RJ Eskow / AlterNet
to the flag
of the United Staes of America
and to the Republic
ed note (not Democracy)
for which it stands
One nation, Under God
With Liberty and justice for all
ed note (even the ones who don’t pay for it).
http://www.alternet.org/economy/151506/the_new_war_of_independence_-_against_corporate_politics
The stars and stripes are evidently intended to symbolize American ideals. A flag that symbolizes out nation’s history would have to be checkered.
Why are some people commenting so ugly and hateful.
This was a wonderful piece, can’t these people just leave this piece alone?
It’s sad. Sad and pathetic.
I hope whatever trinkets they are paid is worth it. Because hate and violence do more damage to the source than the victim in the the long run.
You mean even for the mega-corporations, who not only don’t pay their way AT ALL, but get tax incentives paid to them by YOU and ME… and then off-shore tens of thousands of US jobs to third world countries??? You THOSE filthy mega-rich CEOs, who find tax havens for all the filthy lucre that they ripped off of YOU and ME, the average US tax payer? If that’s what you mean, why then we have common ground … somehow I doubt it, though.
Thanks for the link….
Howard Zinn said it best: “There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.”
My dad said the same thing. Salute to your dad.
the good thing about American ideals is that they live on without America or Americans. Some day, some people will embrace them again and embody their greatness and boldness. Who knows, maybe even Americans will some day know once again what they mean.
Amen.
I would add a world where money..that artificial construct no longer holds sway along with those who control it and us through its ill use.. I served my country but came to the realization of just what we did and continue to do.
I am proud of humanity that persists and hope someday in the future the world realizes just what the hell is important.
The blind will only hold sway for a time, and like all things their thousands of years history will be over.
Flags are for a false ideology that only points to our differences and then they lead us to slaughter.
Thanks, orcatjf, for expressing sentiments about our flag that are similar to my own. I, too, folded and put away the flag during Bush’s first term after I saw with horror and disgust what we were becoming. In addition, I can no longer sing “God Bless America” without changing the words to “God Forgive America.”
Irony on this thread is thick with each reply punctuated — Flag this comment as inappropriate.
Flag this flag as inappropriate:
http://kathall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/corporate-flag2.jpg
Under God
Not in the original, a McCarthyite add-on.
-stewartm
With Liberty and justice for all corporate “people”
Fixed that for ya.
-stewartm
See, I’m learning. Then taxation, which also comes at the barrel of a gun (so to speak), is also theft?
If you knew anything about the development of the state, you’d know that governments were created by the rich, to protect the property of the rich against those unwashed poor, and that taxes were imposed on everyone else in order to fund that purpose. The libertarian argument that “the government” and “private property” are somehow opposites historically absurd. Historically they’ve been bedfellows.
Only in relatively recent times did governments do much of anything for those not rich, or look to the rich as a source of tax revenues. Even with that, even today the government does far more to protect the property of the rich than it does to advance the welfare of those not rich.
-stewartm
I have a friend who actually does do this. I wish that more did.
-stewartm
thank you
Black with a skull.
So many choices.
O’er the Land of the Three (percent)
And the Home of the Slaves
and with our money
now we TORTURE them first…stars and stripes…keep em
Good Night…OR….This was a special and interesting post.
“Property is theft – more specifically, private property.
All deeds to “property” came from the barrel of a gun, so to speak. Look at how North America was apportioned.
Just to mention: Tribal territorialism is not property. There is an innate logic to territorial proscriptions as regards strangers or foreigners, but these are negotiable in the face of further behaviour/integration with a tribe/people.”
It doesnt take much brain power to figure out which tribe that you learned that from.
BTW property is not theft, that assertion is a lie, that originated from a fool that lived in and owned his house.
Go figure, a bunch of wannabe Socialists hate America. Didnt see that one coming…
Dont act as if you used to be patriotic, face it you never were truly American.
BTW you dont have to support the status quo to be patriotic. I would say all you have to do is keep the dream alive, but you guys think that America has been evil form the start, so I say if you want to change it bring it on. Remember that freedom of speech is an two way road, and our rights are mutual. So when your dreaming about destroying this country to make it the way that you think it should be, there will be resistance. Your revolution is futile…
Justice Jackson wrote the following opinion…
“Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order. If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion.”
I fly the flag everyday…no official dictates to me what the flag has stood for over history. Perhaps the officials in Washington need to fly a different flag and not our American flag. It does not represent them it represents our country and our people.
To decide not to fly the flag would be just as bad as turning the Constitution on it’s head, keeping it in the closet, and allow the Washington establishment to rob us of our freedom. 4% of Americans put their wealth over the American flag and the Constitution, what that means is the other 96% are going to roll over and capitulate to a small minority, I don’t think so.
To the author I would say fly your flag, it represents the real America, the many who died for this country, the 13 colonies and the 50 States. It does not represent corrupt politicians in Washington. We need to make it for the nation it stands for and it won’t happen if you close the door to it.
They were european first, perhaps another immigrant will reimport them…
It doesn’t take much brain power, just an awareness that others have been here before us and we can learn from them.
What is property?
Thank those nasty French Socialists, (but they also gave us the Social Contract).
Under which you will find…
Edmund Burke: “Thosewho don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” … “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”
You’re not free from arrogance , “Freedom From All”.
Bellamy Salute?
During WW2 it was realized that the salute resembled the Nazi salute, so it was changed to put the right hand over the heart.
“The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth’s Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
In its original form it read:
In 1923, the words, “the Flag of the United States of America” were added. At this time it read:
In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God,”…”
anarchist peasants or those loosely democratic pirates?
Here’s some more property rights good patriotic ‘merikuns have been deprivd uv.
You’ll be keeping the dream alive?
Don’t think they are commenting on the piece more on the corperate takeover and the phony promo.
Fuck you, I have never been an racist. And the fact that you would spew that relation to what I said just shows how much kool-aid that you are drowning in.
Im tired of defending myself against bigots like yourself. I am proud of this community called America. Now hold your tongue that isnt support for any status quo bullshit or support for any elites or the obvious mistakes that this country has done and still is doing.
Instead I believe in what this country is supposed to be. And that is the direction that i promote. Despite what you and the rest of you will assert, I am not promoting anything that you may say I am. But people like you are too busy being haters to see any of that reality.
Just because I have my own individual mind with its own separate reasoning does not mean that I embody everything that you hate. I am not a racist like your dumbass just accused me of, Iam not a Rightwinger never have been never will be no matter how many stupid fucking assholes try to tell me that I am.
What I am is just an human being. No better than any other human being. My beliefs dont change that fact, nor does yours. My financial situation has no bearing on who I am. My choice to not be affiliated with any political party has no bearing on being an human being. The fact that I do not like Socialism does not make me an racist.
People like you disgust me with your bigotry, with your scornful accusations that try to set your faction above the average human being. It is such behavior that has dictated to me that Socialism isnt a political system that humans need. Socialism only breeds intolerance and wars. Socialism claims to be for the people, but if anyone disputes that claim the promoters attack and try to squash that voice and lie about the person expressing their freedom of speech.
For the record flags are only colorful rags. But they can represent hope, if one is the type to believe in hope as opposed to propaganda. People died in the name of flags, not the colorful rags but the symbol of freedom and liberty for all. No one is forcing anyone to fly an American flag and no one is forcing any citizen to remain within America. You can try to emulate the Mexicans and just go outside of the law and move to another country. But the hardest countries to illegally immigrate to are Socialist countries, The Netherlands will arrest and deport you before you could launch an complainant. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14028112
“Police in Amsterdam have evicted a seven squats in the capital today. Out of the 150 squatters and sympathisers arrested, 67 are to remain in custody according to a police spokesperson.
Riot police arrested a group that was rounded up after barricading a squatter’s stronghold called Schijnheilig (sanctimonious) earlier in the day. ‘Sanctimonious’ was used by the squatters as a cultural centre. Many of the other squats were found to be empty when police arrived according to local television newss station AT5.
The police drafted in busses to take all the arrested squatters to the police station. Seven people were arrested for acts of violence in a public place. They are accused of throwing bottles and other objects at riot police. The others are being kept in custody because they refuse to give their identity.Squatting rights in the Netherlands were curtailed in 2009, when new legislation was introduced banning squats. Up to then squatters were allowed to occupy buildings that had been vacant for at least one year.” http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-police-arrest-67-squatters
The question should be: ‘Why are there squatters in a supposed Socialist utopia nation?’
I will tell you why, its because Socialists are lying about the Netherlands. The Netherlands is not an Socialist country, it is mixed. The claims that things are better in the Netherlands asserts that the cause is Socialism, but the lie is that its totally Socialistic. While the reality is that its only part Socialist and mostly Capitalist. How come things are so good then?
I wish enough Americans of my generation would wake up and realize how true your words are.
I remember the United States of America that I inherited from my fathers generation before we became the red and blue states and before the rich and powerful sold our chrildren and grandchrildren out to the communist athiest nation that supplied the arms to kill our Troops in Korea and Vietnam. I remember when we had a Democratic Party that represented the less fortunate and a Republican Party that represented the more fortunate. I remember VE and VJ day when our Flag Stood Tall. No generation of people ever had as good as mine. I am Proud to have served under our only Commander-in-Chief, President Kennedy that showed he had the courage and wisdom to Honor our Constitution. I was told by a republician I was just in agony because the republicans are in control. He is particaly right. I am in agony because my generation gave up control to the red and blue dogs in congress. Everyone should know that a dog will catrer to the hand that feeds them. In this case it is the corporate World that is feeding them. How could any open minded, common sense American of my generation not be in agony? I have to admit I still get tears inmy eyes when I hear the pledge allegiance to our Flag when it is not made in China.
I dont really care what an French Anarchist thinks about property.
But it is interesting that you equate property with slavery.
That is some fucked up fallacy though, if a person defends the right to own their own property you scream racist. Asserting that the support property rights is also a support for slavery is way beyond the pale. It may work on fellow anarchists but the rest of just think that attempt to villonfy the debater is pathetic and very dishonest tactics.
Try a new tactic that one failed miserably.
“I am not a racist like your dumbass just accused me of…”
“You can try to emulate the Mexicans and just go outside of the law and move to another country…”
“So when your dreaming about destroying this country to make it the way that you think it should be, there will be resistance…..”
“Instead I believe in what this country is supposed to be….”
Shorter FFA