General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat does a vehicle flying two flags say about the driver?
I occasionally see a car in my neighborhood bearing American flags on each side above the front doors. The windows are tinted, so I've never seen who's inside. But I tend to make certain assumptions about the car's owner:
* The owner is a male.
* He considers himself to be a patriot.
* He needs to make a very public statement about his "patriotism."
* He considers himself to be far more patriotic than others.
* He's a Republican and perhaps a MAGA.
It's possible that all of my assumptions are wrong. However I personally believe that anyone who has the need to fly two American flags from their car is a screaming asshole.
What assumption(s) would you make about the owner of the car?
(PS: Yes, I know this post is trivia. I just needed to change the topic from the guy on trial.)
samplegirl
(11,504 posts)has a huge American flag flying next to her garage
On a pole. And on her garage wall a huge American flag lit up on the wall!
The guy right across the street the same thing!
jimfields33
(16,006 posts)People put up flags they like. I dont understand the dislike.
NoRethugFriends
(2,343 posts)Tree Lady
(11,500 posts)Put up two American flags as soon as he moved in. I think they are proud and feel confident in their beliefs. I heard him ask his wife few months ago if she brought her gun with her to help me when dog attacked my dog, I was grateful of the help. His wife brought baseball bat but didn't have to use it because another neighbor got control of dog.
They seem like they have that I am tough and strong mentality.
KarenS
(4,088 posts)Also,,,, someone that I would consider to be rude, crude and socially unacceptable as well as misogynistic and racist. but these are my assumptions.
SeanHG
(15 posts)Over-compensating, much?
Clash City Rocker
(3,402 posts)Flying a flag from a car creates wind resistance. That means hell pay a lot more for gas.
RAB910
(3,515 posts)The Nazis considered themselves uber patriotic
Emile
(22,985 posts)617Blue
(1,282 posts)with the shit they bought from Cabelas but never served in either capacity.
Cyrano
(15,070 posts)617Blue
(1,282 posts)Emile
(22,985 posts)to play soldier.
PatSeg
(47,625 posts)They like everything military and police except doing the job OR the real people who actually do serve.
They are still eight years old playing cops and robbers or war.
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,808 posts)I saw a huge Pickup truck with 3 flags on it as I came to a busy intersection.
A CONFEDERATE flag on the front grill of the truck.
An American flag.
A Trump flag.
All I could think of was "What a fucking idiot! You are telling everyone who you are!"
Two years later, I have to assume the owner of that truck still is.
AllaN01Bear
(18,502 posts)unblock
(52,352 posts)Bennington flag has 13 Stars and Stripes and a "76" in the blue field.
Generic Brad
(14,276 posts)That way it frees them up to wave an American flag and a MAGA flag on either side, sport a Confederate flag bumper sticker on their tailgate and display a NRA decal on their rear window. Why be forced to choose when you can have it all?
PatSeg
(47,625 posts)Omnipresent
(5,724 posts)Im glad that they do this, to help the government to track them.
PatSeg
(47,625 posts)Wednesdays
(17,439 posts)...unless he croaked from COVID, due to being anti-vax and not taking precautions.
617Blue
(1,282 posts)Aristus
(66,468 posts)that are so popular with the toxic tribe right now.
God, those things are disgusting.
Celerity
(43,579 posts)Aristus
(66,468 posts)Ill bet they dont wipe thoroughly, either.
SWBTATTReg
(22,174 posts)bugs to fly out!
grumpyduck
(6,269 posts)Especially in bed. Yikes.
dalton99a
(81,635 posts)Kid Berwyn
(14,980 posts)While I dont know how the compliment would be taken, if expressed with a dash of contempt, the General wont like it.
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,808 posts)That is what soldiers of the 3rd Division called George Patton during WWII.
Kid Berwyn
(14,980 posts)The soldiers under his command were often ordered to do the impossible. They always rose to the occasion and accomplished the mission, even if it meant their lives.
Some who survived never forgave Patton for his strategy. From Pattons perspective, he wanted to end the fighting ASAP.
Porter B. Williamson wrote an excellent memoire of service with the general, Pattons Principles.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2068713M/General_Patton%27s_principles_for_life_and_leadership
I think its a history all Americans should know and appreciate.
Patton never asked his men to do something he wouldnt do or had done. And he was much more complicated than portrayed in popular books and movies. One for instance:
Gen. Patton was to assume command of II Corps. He arrived several hours early, as was his custom. Unaware of his arrival, the unit was not prepared and Patton found the men, officers and headquarters in disarray. He assembled the officers, told them what he expected of his staff, and asked them if they wanted to serve under his command?
Patton told the officers he planned to begin training his staff with a five-mile run, in uniform, carrying weapons, and with a full equipment pack. He also offered them all transfers to other units. At that, most officers got up and left. He then ordered the interested officers to prepare and to assemble in front of the Mess Hall in 10 minutes.
Dressed in full combat gear, Patton met the remaining officers for inspection. He thanked them for wanting to serve with him. He then said, Drop your packs. Well run another day. Right now, lets have some breakfast. Weve got work to do.
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,808 posts)It was said that it took George Patton 5 years to get through the Point because his excuse was..."I could could never find the Library."
When his statue at West Point was erected, it was put across the way of the Library. The guide said, "So General Patton would always know where the Library was located."
True story.
maptap22
(70 posts)I am very proud of my service and love my country but I dont feel the need to worship a symbol. To me it is like religion. It should be a private matter.
If anyone doubts my patriotism I have a DD214 that I can display. ☺️
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,808 posts)Ananda62
(258 posts)No flags on display, although my license plate has a veteran designation.
Aristus
(66,468 posts)I have my DD-214. Thats enough. Any idiot can flail the flag.
paleotn
(17,989 posts)Did my 4 years in the Navy but have never felt the need for overt signs of patriotism. To me that's hollow fetishizing. They love the symbols supposedly but are quick to trample on the core ideas the Republic stands for.
Permanut
(5,654 posts)The cult has more or less hijacked the flag.
I have flown mine on my front porch 3 times in the last 20 years - November 2008, November 2012 and November 2020.
I hope to fly it again this November.
Wonder Why
(3,266 posts)the Confederate battle flag did. Most Confederate soldiers were honorable men, even if they fought for the wrong side. It was their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and others that turned it into a sign of hate. Now that's all it's worth - hate and discrimination - so it needs to disappear.
hadEnuf
(2,217 posts)strung over their trailer hitch on their Ford F-150.
Real patriots don't need to wear the over the top paraphernalia on their sleeves.
Ping Tung
(723 posts)I don't fly or salute the flag and haven't since I walked out the gate for the last time.
AllaN01Bear
(18,502 posts)dont tread on me flags . very anti social and so fourth.
pfitz59
(10,398 posts)likely go to a church preaching hate.
magicarpet
(14,181 posts)... an in your face hyper-nationalism. As the Fascists were eager to display their undying devotion to the motherland of Nazi Germany and the Third Reich via the swastika. Plastering it everywhere, parading up and down the streets, and using it as a backdrop at all public events. A nationalistic propaganda tool,.. worship the Third Reich, worship the motherland, worship Fascism, and with blind loyalty - worship Hitler.
Much the same is being done with the American flag lapel pin (made in China). And the American flag backdrop on the stage at trDUMP Nazi political rallies.
With all these American flags constantly around trDUMP the hidden propaganda message is - trDUMP is far more patriotic than anyone else. He craftly surrounds himself, it might be said drowns himself with the symbols of American patriotism.
The more stupid ones buy this propaganda hook, line, and sinker.
All symbolic of rabid patriotism but in reality devoid of one iota of substance.
Cyrano
(15,070 posts)that video clip of Trump hugging a flag on a pole near the side of the stage. I guess he was trying to wrap himself in it. (Pig in a blanket?)
NewHendoLib
(60,024 posts)So they have to remind themselves with the flags.
It is common here in western nc
dlk
(11,578 posts)patphil
(6,225 posts)Ping Tung
(723 posts)Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap peoples minds & then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.
― Arundhati Roy
marybourg
(12,639 posts)but they dont take them down at night, nor do they light them at night, the 2 ways we were taught in my childhood to respectfully handle flags at night. So I think theyre dumb clucks.
Sky Jewels
(7,154 posts)USA! USA! Seems so silly and juvenile and jingoistic and cringey. The sentiment of: "We're better than those foreigners because we were smart enough to emerge from our mothers on U.S. soil!" is moronic to me. If I ever flew a flag it would be that photograph of the world as seen from space.
Cyrano
(15,070 posts)Did they think people would mistake them for Bolivian or Turkish police?
Sky Jewels
(7,154 posts)Ace Rothstein
(3,192 posts)Sky Jewels
(7,154 posts)Last edited Sat Apr 20, 2024, 05:39 PM - Edit history (1)
And here U.S. flags are also on shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, you name it. People from other countries always remark on it. Its embarrassing.
marybourg
(12,639 posts)LauraInLA
(428 posts)LeftInTX
(25,595 posts)I always keep my distance when I see these on the road.
DBoon
(22,401 posts)do not get behind them if you drive a Prius
RobertDevereaux
(1,858 posts)jimfields33
(16,006 posts)oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)jimfields33
(16,006 posts)I am a let people do what they want. I actually dont think its a great idea to put the window flags on as I think it weakens the seal. Big to each their own. And an American flag? Why not. That definitely shouldnt be looked at negatively. We should be proud of where we live.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Sure, SOME may be, but why wouldnt I fly one if I wanted to?
ancianita
(36,146 posts)Borrowed from John Henry Newman, who wrote The Idea of a University (1854) where, as almost an aside, he describes attributes we might all strive for to be considered decent members of society:
"Hence it is that it is almost a definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain...
The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to make every one at his ease and at home.
He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring.
He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort; he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best.
He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp saying for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out.
From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.
He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny.
If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds; who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean, who mistake the point in argument, waste their strength on trifles, misconceive their adversary, and leave the question more involved than they find it.
He may be right or wrong in his opinion, but he is too clear-headed to be unjust; he is as simple as he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive. Nowhere shall we find greater candor, consideration, indulgence: he throws himself into the minds of his opponents, he accounts for their mistakes. He knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province and its limits
He is a friend of religious toleration, and that, not only because his philosophy has taught him to look on all forms of faith with an impartial eye, but also from the gentleness and effeminacy of feeling, which is the attendant on civilization
Such are some of the lineaments of the ethical character, which the cultivated intellect will form, apart from religious principle."
Thanks, Cyrano, for your springboard for further thought that reminded me to look up more about a saying I learned from the days when men reasoned about their civilized selves.
https://classyaf.substack.com/p/the-definition-of-a-gentleman
zanana1
(6,132 posts)Ocelot II
(115,879 posts)I was behind it so I couldn't see the driver, but I can pretty much guarantee the truck was driven by an especially stupid white male Trumper.
Joinfortmill
(14,474 posts)twodogsbarking
(9,834 posts)This is a big time exception.
sop
(10,274 posts)I know this because they've made a point of telling me so.
mymomwasright
(304 posts)I have no doubt some folks mistake me as some MAGAT asshole. I don't fly them on my truck, I think that's a little overboard. My neighbors fly the Fuck Your Feelings and Fuck Biden flags, it's their right to show ignorance. Please keep in mind that not all are who they seem sometimes.
AverageOldGuy
(1,546 posts)"Semper Fi" brother.
sarisataka
(18,792 posts)Semper Fi
AverageOldGuy
(1,546 posts)I live in a very red rural VA county where the Potomac joins the Chesapeake Bay; retired here 17 years ago.
Built a nice house, nothing McMansion, just good solid house with all we need. BIG front and back porches because we are both from the deep South where everyone sat on the porch and rocked or swung (swing, swung, swung) in the porch swing. My porches measure 48 ft wide X 16 ft deep . . . lots of room.
I mount flags on two of the front porch columns -- 3X5 American flag and Ukrainian flag. I fly the American flag because I served 28 years in the Army, 1967-1995, including tour in Vietnam. I fly the Ukrainian flag to show my support for people fighting for their freedom (and to piss off my two MAGAt neighbors).
My best flags, though, are the small "garden flags" out front along the road, 12inch X 18inch. I have two MAGAt neighbors -- these flags drive them crazy(ier).
beaglelover
(3,495 posts)Silent Type
(3,003 posts)onecaliberal
(32,916 posts)Sky Jewels
(7,154 posts)Penis size may or may not be a factor. But it's someone who wants everyone to think he's important and powerful. He's not very bright. Toxic masculinity seeping out of his pores. Probably a gun humper. He's also likely a misogynist who hates cats. (Insecure males can't stand that kitties don't play their "obey me" game. Misogyny and cat hatred are closely linked. I told my daughter to RUN if she ever started to date someone and found out he despises cats.)
gulliver
(13,197 posts)In general, the American flag and the state flag are the good flags. They're best when displayed according to protocols and in ceremonies. That's where they most clearly mean what they actually mean.
Doodley
(9,142 posts)flashman13
(679 posts)Gore1FL
(21,155 posts)Demsrule86
(68,703 posts)medal awarded in peacetime for keeping the latest plane being constructed (F15 I think) when her commander died and a replacement wasn't sent for two years. She was one of the first women Marines in the 80's. Both have two flags on their cars...and Marine license plates too. Both are Democratic to the bone.
Richard D
(8,785 posts). . . joking
Rebl2
(13,571 posts)town I usually see a Royals window flag on one side and a Chiefs window flag on opposite side. Used to see, several years ago, a pickup go by my house (I am on a busy street) with a regular size US flag flying from the back of his truck.
lonely bird
(1,689 posts)In some ways it tells us nothing.
In other ways it does. Flag waving is meaningless. It does not imply patriotism. It does not imply MAGA although it may be likely that MAGA waves the flag as some sort of symbolism which confers on the waver membership in the tribe.
It does not imply racism, in and of itself. That the country was founded upon racism due to the failure of the founders to address slavery is obvious.
We have other concerns which are more pressing.
EX500rider
(10,874 posts)Sympthsical
(9,127 posts)So, a useful exercise.
I have a former Marine as a neighbor. He's a bit flaggish with his house and truck. It's fine. Nice guy, talk to him and his son now and then. I have no idea precisely why he's a flag person. Not particularly relevant to our idle relationship.
I grew up in a Democratic area where people flew flags to varying degrees. Had one old WW II vet who had a full-on twenty foot pole with a spotlight and everything. He was chill. Gave out full boxes of popcorn for Halloween.
My dad used to have a small flag on his car antenna. Don't recall why or why he stopped. Never asked. Vietnam vet and union Democrat.
But sharing this feels like crashing a party, so.
sarisataka
(18,792 posts)I will have to tell my 80 year old aunt, a life long Democratic voters, all the things I have learned about her.
Martin Eden
(12,876 posts)Your suspicions are most likely correct.
The self-professed "patriots" who vote for a fascist would-be dictator desecrate the flag they so ostentatiously display, and spit on the graves of every true patriot who gave his or her life to protect our Constitutional democracy.
Those who used flags on poles as weapons against police officers as they violently tried to overturn our democracy are at best useful idiots doing the bidding of treasonous criminals.
Like so many good citizens appalled at what's happening, I want my flag back!!!. It is so disheartening to experience disgust and dread when I see a pickup truck flying the Stars & Stripes. The driver is almost certainly a MAGAt intent on destroying the highest ideals that flag is supposed to represent.
LauraInLA
(428 posts)sometimes Mexican flags, sometimes Armenian flags. Ive seen South Korean, too. Trying to remember any others. People also put up their college sports teams or the Dodgers or Angels.
oldsoftie
(12,622 posts)Unless you're flying trump flags or "FJB" flags or the like, it really doesnt mean anything bad. Thinking that flying a US flag on your car says something BAD about you is sad.
Mordred
(154 posts)ecstatic
(32,737 posts)I saw someone had mentioned that it's likely a white male, which I agree with, but I can't rule out the possibility of a non-white male who is trying really hard to be maga / rightwing.
MineralMan
(146,336 posts)Just saying...
phylny
(8,390 posts)an SUV with two Canadian flags. Maybe its not a uniquely USA thing.
grumpyduck
(6,269 posts)the bench in my garage workshop until we sold the house. It reminded me of why I live here.
northern light
(7 posts)I entered basic training on 4July 1965 and retired 31 December 1994. I see these uber patriots, and occasionally get a chance to ask them where they served. I also see people that are serving the country in many other ways. The last couple of years I have been volunteering in election precincts. There are people doing a myriad of small tasks the keep our way of life going. I think volunteering at a food bank is a sort of nation service. When I saw Trump wrapping himself in a US flag it made me sick, after I got done laughing. I served under 7 presidents, from LBJ to Clinton. I am only ashamed of Trump squatting in the oval office.
TexasDem69
(1,850 posts)Everything else is utter (and childish based on some posts here) speculation. Maybe the individual is a veteran, maybe they have children serving. But thats no less bullshit speculation than anything else in this thread. But as others mentioned, the fact that anyone thinks poorly of someone just because they fly the American flag reflects poorly on those individuals. No flags on our cars, but several around our house. I served in the military, my father and several uncles fought in Vietnam and I fully support veterans and the American flag.
rsdsharp
(9,208 posts)b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
4 USC §7(b)
a) It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(c) The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
4 USC §6(a),(c)
Bucky
(54,087 posts)Attilatheblond
(2,224 posts)Those flags can come loose, get airborne, land across someone's windshield, blinding them in traffic and putting a lot of others at risk of injury/death in a car accident.
Really think those flags on moving vehicles should be illegal. The way to get legislation thru would be to have the Automobile Insurance Lobbyists push for it.
Thunderbeast
(3,424 posts)I am a life long liberal.
The American flag and the Oregon State flag fly on:
National holidays.
When the nation mourns a true leader.
Any time Donald Trump is indicted (and hopefully will when convicted and jailed).
maxrandb
(15,362 posts)but he's been unable to find the local recruiting station.
Chainfire
(17,656 posts)You can just about be sure he is MAGA. Where I live it is popular to fly Old Glory with Old Shitty.
Skittles
(153,212 posts)meets the criteria
oh, and he NEVER SERVED