Flag Day 2006 - Why I'm no longer flying my flag

[TriSec]

I posted this on my own blog back in September 2005, days after the Katrina debacle. At the time, I saw it as the beginning of the end, and an event that marked our departure from the world stage as a "Superpower". Since I'm new to DU....here it is again.

07 September 2005
I'm no longer flying my flag

There. I've done it.

With a heavy heart, I have taken down Old Glory, made the neatest, tightest triangle fold I ever have, and placed my flag reverently downstairs among my collection of other flags.

This is no longer the United States, and I am no longer flying the symbol of such a flawed, debased society.

I had a really nice setup, suspended horizontally and nicely backlit, my flag used to fly 24/7 except in bad weather.

Strange, what true patriotic symbolism means to me. I'm deeply, bitterly, angry at the incompetent, lying, bastard that has driven me to such dire actions.



But all hope is not lost. Rather than fly no flag at all, I've commandeered the nearby branch of a tree and hoisted an ancient symbol of rebellion, the flag of the Culpeper Minutemen, which itself is a variation of the Gadsden Flag. You know it better as the "Don't Tread on Me" flag.

Since colonial days, the rattlesnake has been used to portray the spirit of Americans. In 1751, Benjamin Franklin published a political essay describing the 13 American colonies as a snake divided reminding us of the danger of disunity.

In 1774, Colonel Gadsden of the Revolutionary Army emphasized this by printing the legend "DONT TREAD ON ME" on his flag.

The words swept the nation. The Culpeper Minutemen chose the coiled snake ready to strike and the words from Gadsden's flag, but then raised another defiant fist at the enemy by adding "LIBERTY OR DEATH"

The coiled snake might seem a strange symbol today, but it is effective. NO PERSON WHO EVER SEES IT FORGETS - AND THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF MESSAGE THE REVOLUTIONARIES WANTED TO SEND....

[LaurenG]

1. We actually have a flag pole in our front yard

but the flag has been gone since 11/3/2004. When the fascists are out of office I'll fly it again and proudly but not until then.

[liberal N proud]

2. I have not flown my flag for 5 years

Since the republicans have wrapped themselves in it and used it against the people, my flag has remained in the closet.

There is a house nearby that has flown their flag at half staff since the beginning of the Iraq war in protest and for the fallen troops. -- They are not bu$h supporters --

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I used to put my flag up every day. I took it down on 11/02/04,

and I haven't flown it since, except upside down on 1/20/05.

[USA_1]

4. Hate to Disgaree ...

True patriotic Americans need never fear about waving Old Glory as the Bush regime and its crimes do not represent what it stands for. Real Americans stand for Peace and international accord. That's what Old glory represents rather than Bush Hitlerian imperialism.

Why not fly a Peace symbol and MIA flag with it so as to show your real intentions?

[Nimrod2005]

5. I had a flag after 9/11, I took it down for good after we invaded Iraq...

No flags until we have something to be proud of again...