It is a testament to this nation’s disregard for its flag that the government and conservative faux-patriots give more weight and personal regard to religious holidays than the symbol they claim inspires fealty to America and devotion to the military and its Veterans. If only the conservative patriot class regarded the U.S. Constitution with the same enthusiasm as they do Bronze Age mythos and superstition, this pathetic nation would still be a storied representative democracy.
It is probably true that the same religious fanatics and xenophobic racists who claim to be the “real patriots” in America, including dirty Don Trump, are unaware that today is the day set aside to honor the Stars and Stripes. It is certainly true that June 14th was set aside by an act of Congress in 1949 as national “Flag Day” to celebrate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. As an aside, the day also commemorates the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of "the American continental army" on June 14, 1775.
Since Independence Day is a little over two weeks away, and the start of the National Football League’s season is not far off, it seems apropos to utilize the day commemorating adoption of the Stars and Stripes to comment on exactly what is, and is not, considered “disrespecting the flag.”
The phony patriot Trump has taken pleasure in pitting his fake patriot supporters against real American patriots who support the Constitution’s guarantee of free speech - including “taking a knee” in protest of the injustices targeting American citizens of color. Trump has, in fact, stated that ramping up animus toward civil protests at athletic events is a rewarding means of “shoring up” his base of support.
Trump does not care one iota about the American flag any more than he does the U.S. Constitution, and it is almost certain he is unaware and could not care less that his base of support, like far too many Americans, are guilty of regularly “disrespecting the American flag;” something that never engenders cries to America’s employers to “fire the sons-of-bitches.” However, if he was any kind of consistent, that is precisely what he would do; because according to the U.S. Flag Code, his acolytes, like far too many Americans, are guilty of “disrespecting the flag” regularly – especially while they claim to be the real flag-waving patriots.
It is noteworthy that there is no place in the “Flag Code” demanding that athletes stand during the playing of the National Anthem at sporting events. The actual wording is that attendees “should” face the flag – there is nothing whatsoever in “the code” claiming that exercising one’s constitutionally-guaranteed free expression is disrespectful to the flag, the song, the military, or Veterans.
What the code is abundantly clear about, though, is what “should never” be done to the nation’s flag that many Americans, corporations, and sporting organizations do on a regular basis and almost always as a profitable endeavor. For example, according to the U.S. Flag Code, Chapter 10.176C:
“The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.”
Still, it is a regular occurrence at National Football League games to hold the flag, typically a really big flag, in a “flat or horizontally” without any complaints from the counterfeit patriot in the White House targeting American citizens for exercising their 1st Amendment rights.
Also noted in the U.S. Flag Code, Chapter 10.176D:
“The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.”
Chapter 10.176l of the Flag Code:
“The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.” In part 2 of Chapter 10.176I it plainly states:
“It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like...”
Part 3 of Chapter 10.176I is regularly violated by individual Americans and businesses alike - particularly during the Independence Day celebrations put on by communities and especially at church-sponsored 4th of July picnics.
“[The flag should never be] printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.”
And, regarding athletic events such as college football games, the U.S. Flag Code Chapter 10.176J states:
“No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”
It is worth reiterating that according to “§176. Respect for flag,” there is nothing whatsoever covering sitting, standing, or kneeling during the National Song as a sign of “disrespect” for the flag any more than it does the military or Veterans. That bit is from dumb Donald Trump as an annual cause célèbre to incite his base of support. However, there is no shortage of respect violations perpetrated by no small number of Americans, corporations, and organizations using the nation’s hallowed symbol for profit – often times using a symbol manufactured in foreign nations.
Obviously, most Americans are unawares that they disrespect the flag regularly, and that would not be the case if the puke in the White House took the time to help Americans understand exactly what “disrespecting the flag” entails. However, that would mean that Trump actually knows what “disrespect” constitutes regarding the flag – he certainly knows how to disrespect the document he swore an oath to uphold and he has never wavered from that feat since before his poorly-attended inauguration.
Happy Flag Day!
