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Unconsciously Incompetent.
You don't know what you don't know and would have no idea to search for info.
If they were patriotic enough to fly a flag I would reasonably assume they had no I'll intentions.
If they knew better they would have shoved it down where it couldn't be seen.
Approaching with flag in hand and asking if you can have it to properly dispose of it according to the flag code would be the better approach IMHO.....
I have three three Eagle Scouts and have watched them participate in many flag retirement ceremonies over the years.
Unfortunately, the popularity of nylon flags have made the process that many civic organizations like the American Legion and Knights of Columbus use for flag retirement into toxic hazardous waste disposal events. A lump of molten nylon billowing black smoke for hours is generally the result of traditional retirement methods.
You may also read where flags that should not be burned should be disassembled in a dignified manner, but when an organization has collected hundreds of flags over a year between annual retirement ceremonies, the process of separation the flag parts is prohibitively labor intensive.
This does not excuse the improper treatment of a flag. There needs to be some consideration made to bringing flag code and flag retirement tradition up to date to better reflect the retirement of the modern flag.
I did some research years ago and there was at least one American Legion post that was collecting nylon flags for a dignified shredding ceremony. Not sure if they are still in the doing it, web site is old.
http://www.americanflagdisposal.com
Anyway, the point to keep in mind is that the traditional answer of giving your nylon flag to a civic organization can cause undue burden for them that did not exist when cotton flags could be safely and easily burned. Consider doing your own disposal at home by dignified disassembly...
http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/201...merican-flags/
-Richard
The answers to this thread reinforce my opinion that the flag is not a national symbol as much as a military one.
Ive never been in the military. But we were taught in grade school what the flag stood for, how to honor the flag and how to dispose of one. That was back when you were allowed to say the pledge of allegiance and pray in school. Long before the PC movement that stripped our country of common sense and created a nation of pansies that are afraid to say or do anything out fear of upsetting/offending someone. The flag also represent the 100's of thousands of men of woman that died defending it from the birth of our country to now as well as representing our country in its entirety. The two will for ever be intertwined.Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
Amen Suticat.:tu
Its a colored piece of fabric that when its usefulness is done should be recycled or tossed in the garbage. :shrug:
I wanna give them the benefit of not knowing how to properly dispose of an old flag. To be honest, a lot of people don't know that, sadly. HOWEVER, everyone who's feet touch this country knows you don't just chuck it in the garbage with the rest of your trash. They knew that was wrong. Everyone knows that's wrong. My cat knows that's wrong. Pathetic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
How do you dispose of an Australian Flag when it is past it's service life ????
Pretty much the same rules as the American one
Took 5 seconds to find
Proper use and disposal of the Australian flag | Australia Visa Immigration Information
The key words in both sets of rules are "With Respect" seems to be the common theme whenever you replace the country within this Google search parameter
How to Properly Dispose of a Tattered Canadian Flag
Just keep changing the Country and you keep finding the same type of wording regardless of country, "With Dignity and Respect"
Well see flag-flying/owing isn't a big thing here, at least amongst people I know. So disposing of one isn't something I ever ever worry or think about. To be honest, until I read this thread I'd be the guy with an old flag in the garbage bin if I ever had to get rid of one. And to be even more honest, if someone came knocking at my door wanting to commit violence against my person because of it, that person would be talking to the police pretty quickly.
In fact, to be brutally honest about it I am wary of people over here who fly the Australian flag because they are the ones who are likely to (try to) beat you up if you are not "Australian" enough for their liking. Usually the same kind of illuminated souls who think the Aboriginals should "go back to where they came from".
James.
In a country that gives you the opportunity to do things and say things that many but not all countries do not allow,is it really asking so much to show some gratitude for such freedoms at the very least by respecting the flag and pledge a little allegiance .Some would argue that but then again, when you give a child everything it wants and let it throw tantrums and have it's way all the time what do you end up with. Spoiled ! We may not be perfect and have our problems but their has to be a start somewhere. And other countries have their rules for patriotism too so what's our excuse ?:shrug: I should clarify,I'm not saying we should goose step down the street,Just show a little gratitude is all.