A Modest Proposal for the 4th: Take Back Old Glory
In Dr. Seuss's The Sneetches, there were two kinds of these odd beach-dwelling creatures -- those with stars on their bellies and those without. The ones with the stars saw themselves as inherently superior:
When the Star-Belly Sneetches had frankfurter roasts
Or picnics or parties or marshmallow toasts,They never invited the Plain-Belly Sneetches.
They left them out cold, in the dark of the beaches.
Then along came a stranger, one Sylvester McMonkey McBean, who had a contraption that applied -- for a price -- stars to the bellies of the decoratively challenged:
Then they yelled at the ones who had stars at the start,
"We're exactly like you! You can't tell us apart.We're all just the same, now, you snooty old smarties!
And now we can go to your frankfurter parties."
Then the snobby Sneetches had their stars removed -- yes, McBean's machine could do that, too -- and starlessness became the coin of the realm, after which it all descended into on-again-off-again chaos until it was impossible to keep track of who'd been who and they decided to just all get along as equals -- albeit impoverished equals, as they'd given all of their money to the con man who'd repeatedly applied and removed their stars.
But enough, for now, about Sneetches.
Of all the stupid things done by the anti-war crowd, the most gratuitously moronic was allowing the sanctimonious hypocrites of the right to co-opt the nation's most basic icon, its flag. The emblem of the country's highest aspirations was mindlessly ceded to the holier-than-thou zealots who used it as a bludgeon against the less fanatical.
Having unburdened itself of patriotism, the left proceeded over the years to also give away religion, national security and, finally, the elections themselves, but this devolution, into the pathetic puddle of unprincipled, acquiescent wimpiness that the Democrats have become, started with -- or rather, without -- the flag. It's hard to remember a presidential election in which that cavalier surrender hasn't exacted a serious price.
Eventually the lapel was established as the battlefield, and the degree of one's patriotic fervor is now presumed based on whether or not said lapel sports a flag pin. The flag pin wearer clearly loves his country -- for Christ's sake, he's wearing its flag! -- and as for the flagless, well, one can only wonder why they hate America so much that they won't allow its proudest symbol on their persons.
Republicans love to demagogue the flag, and this year that and fear-mongering are all they have. The presence or absence of the mini-Stars 'N' Stripes has the potential to erupt into a weeks-long October distraction, with the contemptible castrata of the media not just providing the stage but also trilling in the chorus. But we can prevent it, and so easily that there's really no excuse not to.
All of the conventional political wisdom of decades is mere rubble in the wake of the Bush-Cheney catastrophes. Whether or not they have health insurance or can afford the gas to drive to their jobs is more important to many past "values" voters than whether or not homosexual couples can call their unions "marriage." Significant numbers of previously intolerant evangelicals are now focusing on saving the earth instead of merely hating hordes of its occupants. Formerly dark red states are purple and may well turn blue. The right is reeling, they can't find a single thing to point to that's better than it was before Bush, so while they're busy dealing with issues of basic survival, let's just slip in there and take back the damn flag. Take it back from the war criminals and their apologists and enablers that have wrapped themselves in it even as they've been methodically destroying the republic for which it stands.
Barack Obama, who earlier took some flack for his empty lapel, is on the cover of the latest Rolling Stone with flag pin gleaming. We should follow his lead. Everyone who's voting for Obama -- and especially those who are public figures (i.e. Keith Olbermann, Jack Cafferty, Rachel Maddow) must immediately procure a flag pin and not be seen without it before November 5th. If you can't do it with pride, do it as an act of subversion.
When everyone's wearing the flag it will be neutralized. It will cease to provide cover, and then all those with a need to display their moral superiority will have to find a new symbol to set them apart. A new image to mount on a pin and attach to fabric that says, "I am, in my essence, better than you."
I suggest the Star-Belly Sneetch.
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The Sneetches was always one of my favorite Dr. Seuss stories because it perfectly illustrated the idiocy of the hypocrit. Touche!
Slansky Sez:
"Having unburdened itself of patriotism, the left proceeded over the years to also give away religion, national security and, finally, the elections themselves, but this devolution, into the pathetic puddle of unprincipled, acquiescent wimpiness that the Democrats have become, started with -- or rather, without -- the flag. It's hard to remember a presidential election in which that cavalier surrender hasn't exacted a serious price."
And this can all be fixed, Slansky suggests, by further capitulati
And once the let does capitulate again the right finds another dogwhistle technique. . If we try to be like them, the right will find another little, shallow way to distinguish themselves, while riduculing the left for copying them.
Why would I want to be just like a Republican anyway. I won't wear a Flag lapel pin, first of all because I work for a living and don't have lapels. Maybe a "we the People " feed cap.
"Why would I want to be just like a Republican anyway. I won't wear a Flag lapel pin, first of all because I work for a living and don't have lapels. Maybe a "we the People " feed cap."
You know, I don't have lapels, either, now that I think about it! But hey, if you don't want to wear the made-in-China lapel pin, you can always wear the $5 made-in-China flag t-shirts from Wally World ;-)
They are making another law another LAW to make flags in the USA to be more patriotic, instead of made in China ( COMMUNIST) Any chance a congressman get to be in the limelight they will take it,
So make sure the flags you fly today re made in America., or at tleast take the tags off as they do in EUROPE!
Ban flags made in china. Now fewer people will have them since the rich will charge ten dollars for a lapel pin and 25 for a piece of colorful cloth. Money fpor the ricj, tahnk you congressman.
Well, I suggested a "We the People" lapel pin up higher -- but why NOT a cap -- for the circumstances you describe.
You can always tell the sanctimonious hypocrites at the gym as they all have clean sneakers and never sweat
You can always tell the "sanctimonious hypocrites" at the gym, they all wear clean sneakers and never sweat.
You can say that again!
:) thanks for morning funny. great start to the day.
You can say that again!
Well ... I sure can't do it with pride. So I won't.
An excellent analysis and anology with the Dr. Suess. I too used to be holier than thou on the left about symbols, but my many years in small business has taught me that actions speak so much louder that words (or mere symblols). Credibility is king and if shallow people won't grant you that because a mere symbol (or lack thereof), then the means does not justify the end.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel"
I laughed when I remembered the Sneetches.
Having said that, I can't bring myself to wear a flag pin. A cheap little piece of unidentified metal, does not a patriot make, and 'confusing republicans' isn't a strong enough benefit for me. Patriotism is massively overrated as a virtue. The country's strongest advocates of 'patriotism' are the ones that have sold it down the river for a few oily bucks.
The last time I got a traffic ticket (failure to make a full stop coming out of a parking lot) was in the 70s and I am sure it was because I had a dove American flag bumper sticker on my car. How dare I associate being against the war with the flag! Now our best friends, whose car sports a Proud Democrats sticker, just put up a flag pole and are flying the flag at home. Now I'm wondering if I should do the same.
Was that cop wearing a huge flag pin?
Also have you noticed flag toilet seats, underwear, shorts etc and they think it is Very very patriotic. No bans against them. Hey cogressman please pass another law or two banning these abominal acts against our flag
The Stephen Decatur quote made in the Barbary Coast Wars of the late 1700's early 1800's ought be changed from "My country, right or wrong, my country" to "My country when right I will fight with all my might, and when wrong I will fight with all my might to rectify those wrongs."
That quote was changed by the Archie Bunkers of the world into the shortened version - What was forgotten was the original ending of "when right, keep it right, when wrong, make it right".
I am finally flying our flag, not only on the fourth but, the third as well, as that was the day of the signing, However, I have made one change - I am now flying it right side up and not in distress - This, of course, is in anticipation of the coming removal in November of the flotsum and jetsam at 1600 Wilhelmstrasse.
But, why stop at flag pins - Hell, show them you are even more of a patriot - Carry a shield on your left arm. Onward Democratic Soldiers.
Listening to a right wing radio person on cspan this AM he made the statement to the effect "what part of supporting the troops is difficult to understand?" "Never mind why they were sent there". That is the crux of the problem, that is why so few conservatives are not educators. Every war I ever studied was divided into 3 parts, each part having a cause and effect. Part I dealt with the causes of the war and the efffect those causes brought on. Part II dealt with the actual fighting of the war and the effect of turning point battles. Part III dealt with the aftermath of the war and its effect. This rightwing radio talkshow would have us go immediately to the battles of the war without any discussion as to the causes of that war being just. Yes they would have a war just pop up without any justification. The thought never crosses their mind that if our justifications are wrong we ought rectify the errors this administration used to lead us into war. There is no making friends with a former enemy when our justifications for war are wrong. There is only anger, resentment, and the willingness to avenge by our supposed former enemy. If you don't believe that ask any Southerner his take on the Civil War even today.
So by right wing logic, when the Germans invaded Poland, they were justified in saying "My country right or wrong" and "Support the troops" and wear that swastika lapel pin proudly.
Oh, enough already with the flag-bothering, America.
Only the US and a wide variety of totalitarian dictatorships do this thing of plastering every surface in sight with their national flag. Internationally, you could go all year in most free democracies without seeing the national flag. The only times you see it in most countries are a) at State occasions or flying from State buildings, and b) at international sporting fixtures (largely irrelevant to the US, since it barely participates in the international sports everyone else plays).
The obsessive insertion of the flag into everyday life is weird and unnecessary. And frankly, more than a bit creepy.
I agree. It is just a symbol. An important one, but a symbol nevertheless. Obsessing about the flag seems a bit pointless. We've got bigger issues to be obsessing about.
A British born lady made a point to me that Americans show a devotion to their flag similar to the devotion people from far east nations show to their flags & other national symbols. Thanks, AC.
Now, I'll order some fried rice to celebrate the 4th of July.
In one of the lives I live simultaneously, I am a painter in 3D, hence the moniker. I am an old hippy, an authentic habitue of the Haight Ashbury, back in the day. An anti-war activist and demonstrator who was tear-gassed in Berkeley and San Jose. A draft resistor who went through two pre-induction physicals and emerged a civilian. Laughing.
I am also a Patriot raised in the afterglow of WWll, keenly aware that his parents' generation had literally saved the world, who saw the ideals of the nation he loved hijacked by profiteering fascists who exploited decent, hardworking Americans - ripping them off of their money, power, and sons. I see these crimes continue to this day.
I am anti-war, but no pacifist. I am a pot smoker who honors the service of every law enforcement officer I encounter (I make a point of thanking them personally) and everyone who has worn the uniform of our armed services - I know that my good life is the gift of those who sacrificed when it was necessary.
Now I paint - one of my favorite motifs is flags - American flags. In 3D. Because they are powerfully graphic. Because I love the colors. Because I love my country. Because in my own way, I am reclaiming it from the fascists and a$$holes who tried to steal it.
What did Heston say? From my cold, dead hands - yeah. that's it.
I don't need no stinkin' pin.
You rock!
Excellent post 3dtrix! Live long and prosper!
Well then Happy Canada Day 3dtrix.
Does a draft resistor who went through two pre-induction physicals actually and emerges as a civilian get to stay home instead of serving?
Yeah, I got to stay home. I'm still at home. Most of the Viet Nam vets I know think I did the right thing, and since I felt strongly enough about the war to get tear-gassed or smacked with a billy club, they consider me sort of a comrade-in-arms and a vet of the struggle too.
For my part, I never equate my modest service with theirs. A friend of mine says about his days on patrol "a lot of really smart people spent an awful lot of money trying to kill me - after that, it's hard to get too worked up about the little stuff..." Nobody was trying to kill me.
I believe now, as I believed then, that military service is honorable, but carrying a weapon isn't the only way to serve your country.
I have spent my life serving my country.
The only reason I would do this - and I find it tempting - would be to confuse the poor idiots who think this is proof of anything at all. It would be fun to know that their poor over-taxed brains would be jumping trying to figure out what had happened.
The left has been saddled with being unpatriotic because the right said we were unpatrioti
I've never been unpatriotic, even in conventional ways--we fly the flag on holidays, I actually have a flag lapel pin and and other patriotic jewelry, our family room is decorated in Red, White and has all kinds of Flag and Patriotic artwork most of the year! We also hold the Constitution close to our hearts. It is not just window dressing..
The left has also been saddled with being irreligious because the right said we were...
I am a practising Catholic with a degree in Philosophy and Theology and worked for the Church and non-profits most of my life. I believe my religion informs my politics..
I am a 60 year old liberal Democrat--
No one defines who I am except me.
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