Thread: Down right Un-American...

I have lost blood, sweat, & tears, I have lost friends & family for this great Country. Through my eyes, the Stars & Stripes represents their sacrifices to keep this country the way it is right now. Their sacrifices give you the right to make a statement you wish without fear of persecution, there are quite a few countries you do not have that right...it's called Freedom. Thank a soldier and/or a veteran for what the U.S. Flag represents (if you live here of course)...and show the Flag that represents such freedom with the respect it deserves.

https://www.vfw.org/Flag/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s_Constitution

A flag is the national symbol of one's country and as such demands respect, I agree. However, I hardly think threatening violence against those who don't show that respect in a way you deem acceptable (or who are not aware of how to show that respect) shows any respect for any of the values those who fought for your country lived and died for. Or do you think veterans past and present fought for your right to threaten to beat up a fellow citizen when you feel like they've annoyed you?

I get that the OP was upset, and that the flag means a lot to them. That's great and I respect them for that. But I will never respect the threat of violence against another person. You might feel that is too PC, but I feel that it is *precisely* the reason why our soldiers past and present went to war on our behalf.

James.

Edit: And I am out of this fiasco.

Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

I have lost blood, sweat, & tears, I have lost friends & family for this great Country. Through my eyes, the Stars & Stripes represents their sacrifices to keep this country the way it is right now. Their sacrifices give you the right to make a statement you wish without fear of persecution, there are quite a few countries you do not have that right...it's called Freedom. Thank a soldier and/or a veteran for what the U.S. Flag represents (if you live here of course)...and show the Flag that represents such freedom with the respect it deserves.

I agree with all except what I put in bold. The wisdom of the founders of the Constitution, and the strength of the Constitution, is the recognition that the Constitution needs to be able to change as the circumstances of the country changes. That is why there have been amendments added to the document. It is a recognition that this country will not always be the way that it is right now, whether we want it to change or not. The right to make those changes is also something that our loved ones fought for.

I too am gonna jump this ship now as I have said my peace. I thank all the vets who served us and are currently serving. You gave/give the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless the flag and all it's tenets. I respect it and know how to treat it. If you or yours don't that's your gig I guess. You live with your own conscience. Have a great day to all in whatever country you reside and peace to you. Peace is rarely free and usually but not always has to be fought for at some point in time whether it's a nation or a village...don't forget it.

I've thought about posting or not. Currently I am really not in the best frame of mind to interact with people over political issues. I should probably just withdraw into my basement for the next couple of weeks and make knives and pretend the world doesn't exist. However I think I can explain my point properly enough without making things worse so here goes.

You obviously feel very strongly about your flag. That is not a bad thing. There is protocol surrounding something you hold dear, and the protocol matters. I can understand you stopping, and getting it out of the bin. I can also understand you would want to talk to the occupant and explain why you think that it was inappropriate. Up to there, I think everyone can agree.

We all believe different things, and we all have different protocol surrounding the things we hold close to our hart. Whether the topic at hand is how we treat a flag or bible or koran, or any cultural or political controversial issue really, disagreement over cultural values should happen within the confines of the law. And usually a reasoned approach yields the best result anyway. In your case a positive approach might have educated the owner of said flag, but hammering the door, scaring his family and possibly assaulting him most assuredly would not have achieved anything positive.

Physical violence or physical intimidation over a violation to the protocols surrounding something you hold dear, that is something the world has too much of already, no matter what the actual topic at hand is. Adding more of that will not make things better for anyone.

I sat back in shear disbelief and watched you guys go off on a tangent that was entirely created by a few of you. At no point did I ever say that I was going to get physically violent with anyone. Thats just not my style. Never has been and never will be.

I have to admit that is was both fun and scary watching a few of you create that topic and run with it like you were experts on me. Might I suggest that next time you have an issue with how I word something that is unclear to you, or causes you pause, ask my to clarify my meaning or intent before you jump off that bridge like a tribe of lemmings.

The flag was in our shirt pockets, next to our bibles our family pictures while we were sent out to do violence to our enemies, the flag was also something to look at and feel like there was something to look forward to at home, we fought , we bleed , we lost friends and comrades, for the very rights we have. The flag stands for that freedom, the same freedom that an inconsiderate person has because of the men who swore an allegiance to the flag. When I come across someone who doesn't understand the disrespect, I like to see if they will go to a national cemetery, in particular the Wall at Arlington to see all the headstones who fought for that same flag that flies high at the gates. I won't condone violence to the ignorance of some, but see what me and my brother soldiers have seen, bleed the same blood in the same mud, and maybe then you will see what gets a lot of us riled at the disgrace shown to a national banner for the freedoms we have because of those of us that have served it. End of rant, please if you don't feel the respect for the flag, remember someone else bled so you can disrespect it. Very respectfully US Army Ranger 71-72 combat wounded for country and flag. Tc

Originally Posted by Suticat

I sat back in shear disbelief and watched you guys go off on a tangent that was entirely created by a few of you. At no point did I ever say that I was going to get physically violent with anyone. Thats just not my style. Never has been and never will be.

I have to admit that is was both fun and scary watching a few of you create that topic and run with it like you were experts on me. Might I suggest that next time you have an issue with how I word something that is unclear to you, or causes you pause, ask my to clarify my meaning or intent before you jump off that bridge like a tribe of lemmings.

Well, you did mention freaking out, slamming the brakes, making an illegal U-turn, banging on the door for a couple of minutes and that it was a good thing that no one answered given your state of mind at the time.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Well, you did mention freaking out, slamming the brakes, making an illegal U-turn, banging on the door for a couple of minutes and that it was a good thing that no one answered given your state of mind at the time.

Well. There is that .......... maybe it was all just for dramatic effect?

Originally Posted by Suticat

I sat back in shear disbelief and watched you guys go off on a tangent that was entirely created by a few of you. At no point did I ever say that I was going to get physically violent with anyone. Thats just not my style. Never has been and never will be.

I have to admit that is was both fun and scary watching a few of you create that topic and run with it like you were experts on me. Might I suggest that next time you have an issue with how I word something that is unclear to you, or causes you pause, ask my to clarify my meaning or intent before you jump off that bridge like a tribe of lemmings.

I can't comment on who you feel has created an imaginary idea that you're intent was violence or went off on tangents based on your original post. I certainly did neither. I did however follow what ultimately ended up being your suggestion above and asked for your clarification on comments made in your 3rd post. I was surprised you choose not to "clarify your meaning" as you suggested here. You certainly have a right not to respond but you seem to suggest a willingness to rationally discuss issues.