I am offended by this picture of Christine Agullera holding her baby wrapped in an American Flag. The American Flag is not an article of clothing, nor is it a blanket in which to wrap a baby. The American Flag is supposed to fly free and wave in the breeze.
My other pet peeve are people who put a flag up in their yard then just leave it their until it it is all tattered an torn and then continue to leave it there. Please folks when the flag is worn you take it down fold it respectfully and take to an American Legion or VFW post and they will dispose of the flags in the prescribed manner in a respectful way. The only time the flag should be a cover is the casket of a President or a Veteran , or military personnel killed during their time of service.
The flag is to be revered and honored. The colors are not to be treated disrespectfully, nor is it to touch the ground. It is to fly high and free unfettered, and to be shown the respect that would be shown to all who served in the uniform of this great country in order to protect the flag.
2 comments:
As soon as this photo appeared on my computer screen -- before I could read your post -- I was actually taken aback by the use of the flag here! I was preparing to agree with you wholeheartedly -- and, for the most part I still do -- about the inappropriate use of the flag as clothing. Then, I got to thinking about the shirt my nephew Jesse was wearing for a video where he sings the national anthem. Now, granted, he's singing about the flag, but he does have a VERY large flag emblazoned on his shirt. And it got me to thinking, what's the difference between literally wearing the flag and wearing the IMAGE of a flag on one's clothing. There IS a difference, but it may be one that's largely attitudinal. The first instance largely seems to be a symbol of rebellion (although I completely miss the point of the whole flag-as-baby-blanket thing unless it's just for shock value), whereas the second is most often used as an act of pride (although not always).
I know my nephew has done this out of respect (and, as an Eagle Scout, I'm sure he could tell me a thing or two about the flag's proper handling!) ... and I agree with you 100% regarding it's correct display and disposal. Still, I'd be interested in your viewpoint on the use of the image on clothing. I'm taking the liberty of including the address where Jesse's video can be found. I think you'll like the song he's singing ... but see what you think about the shirt!
http://www.jessedonner.com/news.html
Brenda,
I looked at the video, and by the way he is very very good. There is a difference. He is wearing a shirt with the likeness of the flag on it. He is not wearing an actual flag as she is using in the picture, or as in pictures you see of protesters from the 60's and 70's. In the case of the picture of Ms Agullera it I believe it is total ignorance of the meaning of the flag. I have also attached a copy of the flag code as it pertains to the situation. In short your nephew was very appropriate in his wearing of that shirt.
Standards of respect
* The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless it is the ensign responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. This tradition comes from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, where countries were asked to dip their flag to King Edward VII: the American team flag bearer, Ralph Rose, refused, teammate Martin Sheridan famously proclaiming that "this flag dips to no earthly king."[1]
* The flag should never be displayed with the union (the starred blue canton) down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. [2]
* The flag should not be used as "wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery",[1] or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general (exception for coffins). Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
* The flag should never be drawn back or bunched up in any way.
* The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
* The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
* The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. (Note that on Army uniforms, where the flag is put on the sleeve of the uniform, the flag patch is displayed with the stars facing forward, in the direction the wearer is facing. This is done to give the impression of the flag flowing in the wind while being carried forward across the battlefield. This is known as the "Reverse Field Flag." Also note that many athletic teams appear to have ignored this rule, notably, Major League Baseball placed the flag on the back of all uniforms following the 9/11 attacks, and the US team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic wore a flag patch on their left sleeve. For Independence Day and 9/11 2008, with the exception of the Toronto Blue Jays, All MLB teams will wear navy-blue versions of their hats, with an American flag imposed inside their own logo.) Flag lapel pins may also be worn.
* The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
* The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
* The flag should never be stepped on.
A flag painted on the side of a dumpster, a violation of flag etiquette.
A flag painted on the side of a dumpster, a violation of flag etiquette.
* The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, railroad train, or boat.
* When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
* The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
* If the flag is being used at a public or private estate, it should not be hung (unless at half mast) during rain or violent weather.
* When a flag is so tattered that it can no longer serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. The American Legion, Boy Scouts of America[3], Girl Scouts of the USA[4] and other organizations regularly conduct dignified flag-burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day, June 14.
* The flag should never touch anything beneath it. Contrary to an urban legend, the flag code does not state that a flag that touches the ground should be burned. Instead, the flag should be moved so it is not touching the ground.[5]
* The flag should always be permitted to fall freely.
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