Angry Vet Cuts Down Mexican Flag, Steals American Flag From Business - FoxNews Calls Him A <i>Patriot</i>
By Logan Murphy Thursday Oct 04, 2007 1:40pm
This past Monday, veteran Jim Broussard became so enraged when he heard a news report of a business in Reno, Nevada flying a Mexican flag above an American flag, he drove there and cut down the Mexican flag and stole the American flag. When Broussard appeared on FOXNews with Neil Cavuto, who called him an American patriot, claimed it was his patriotism that moved him to break the law and steal an American flag that belonged to the owner who is a U.S. citizen.
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Download | play (thanks to Scarce for videos)
Note the manner in which Broussard wads up the American flag as he yells threats into the camera. Flying another flag above the American flag violates federal flag code - I'm not sure if it's legally punishable or enforced**, but the business owner says he was not aware of the law and was just happy the incident didn't become violent. Broussard may face charges for stealing the flag, you can watch local Reno coverage of the incident below.
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** Post corrected for accuracy
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Frist!
Makes me proud to be a 'Murrikan!
/snark
What's next? Is he going to go to the local IKEA and cut the Swedish flag down too?
I don't condone the way this angry vet did it. However, it is offensive to fly a mexican flag above the flag of the United States of America when your business is located here. Common sense would have told this business owner that.
Patriotic? Sounds more like the behavior of a dranged homeless person.
might have been a little easier to just go in and talk to the guy? As he says, he was not aware of the law. The owner might not have had a problem with re-arranging it to follow that law.
It seems to be a tremendous disrespect that this gentleman can not attempt a one-on-one level of discourse with another human being, instead immediately resorting to imposing his will at all costs.
Should he be charged? Sure, he STOLE property. Its on video, there is no question if this occurred or not. There is no question if stealing is against the law or not.
Hmm, this ZZ top wanna be could maybe ask the owner what the deal with the flag arragement is and tell him that it is illegal so the guy would rectify the situation. My god, these right wing freaks hate Mexico, they hate "socialist" Canada, they want to bomb Iran, Syria, North Korea, China and probably France! These people are ailienated, weirded out and ripe for indoctrination by nationalist/fascistic opportunist that need war to keep making money! Its quite sad really.
I would love to see Bill O interview this guy in studio. Now that would be fun.
Sounds like a good way to get on Fox News.
Reminds me of an art exhibit by Dred Scott years ago... had a flag reverently laid on the floor in front of a comment book. In order to read or write in the book, you had to step on the flag.
Vets groups came in over and over to steal the flag. Each time, a pro-rights group would replace it. It went on like that for a week.
It amazed me that these gentlemen went across the seas to fight for our freedom, only to come home and fight against it....
It is NOT Illegal to fly another flag higher than the US Flag.
REPEAT THAT: IT IS NOT ILLEGAL.
please correct that folks... its bad enough that MSM is spreading around that non-sense...you guys need to be better than that and fact check.
thanx.
You don't fly another country's flag above the flag of the country you are in.
That is basic international etiquette ask any diplomat.
was that a piece of chicken in his beard?
Patriotic? By violating someone's private property and abandoning the judicial process?
CD @ 12:
But is it ILLEGAL?
Funny how they gave Commander Codpiece a free pass when photos showed him standing on the US flag doormat.
Just more hypocrisy from the Fox Opinion Channel.
It's OK to break the law if you are a patriot.
Chris (and all those that take 'offense' at another flag being flown over the U.S. flag-
Why isn't their outrage on St. Patrick's day, or Columbus day, when Irish/Italian flags fly over the Stars and Stripes. Why isn't Faux News going after them? Maybe 'cause its Mexicans? White folk get to fly their flags, but not the brown? The bigger point might be that in the midst of a war, presidential election, health care veto, etc...all Faux news cares about is rabble rousing.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_...
He could have used diplomacy and informed the owner that the American flag has to be flown on top. The owner would have probably complied since I'm sure that many people are unaware of flag laws.
Heck, this is Bush's America. Talk is cheap especially when we can pull out a gun or knife and solve the problem while breaking other laws in the process. The vet was probably just upset he couldn't torture or deport the poor guy.
Logan, you're wrong. Flying the mexican flagover the US flag is NOT ILLEGAL. Its against the flag code, which is a set of regulations covering respectful display and handling of the flag. It governs how flags are displayed at government buldings and events, but it is NOT criminal law.
Those guys could fly the mexican flag, the confederate flag, or the rainbow brite flag over the US flag. Its entirely within their rights and yours.
Where is this so-called patriot at our loss of constitutional powers? Isn't that a bigger crime than someone flying a piece of cloth higher than a nother piece of cloth?
Anyway, what the heck does identity theft have to do with the event? Why did they take up time talking about it? Was it a failed dig at blaming it all on foreigners?
I repeat there is no "FLAG LAW".
there is a "Flag Code" that is a guideline...but there is NO FLAG LAW. period.
thats it. it wasn't illegal.
Oh for pete's sake.
It is NOT illegal to fly the Mexican flag over the U.S. flag. In poor taste, yes. Offensive, probably to most people. A bad idea, certainly. And it's definitely contrary to the rules of flag etiquette that are, in fact, set forth in the U.S. Code.
But it's a voluntary code of ethics and there are no penalties for breaking those rules. And I don't see anything in Nevada's statutes that would prohibit such displays either.
On the other hand, this "patriot" definitely appears to have broken some actual laws.
There is something called the "flag code" . I thought it was simply good manners. It has been ratified by congress I don't see where it has been signed into law by a president (maybe someone knows more than I). I don't believe there are any penalties for violating it.
I seems crazy to have laws impinging on the freedom to do as we please to a symbol of freedom. That's why a "flag burning" amendment is so stupid.
I saw someone defaming the US flag by making it as a cheap bumper sticker. Can I go smash their bumper?
Thank goodness this real 'phony patriot' was taking his meds that day. He only ripped down somebody's flag but he probably had a gun and was thinking of shooting the owner for flying a freakin' flag.
That's why they call them right wing nutjobs.
Talking things over nearly always succeeds and yet it is so rarely thoght of. It's just bomb, bomb, bomb with these 'patriots'.
I'm sure the owner wanted to fly both to appeal to both sides - in having the American flag ripped off his property, he now has been effectively prevented from flying the US flag at all.
Fox is willing to make a hero out of someone who disrespects another person's property thereby violating the law. These people aren't patriotic - they're trash. The business owner was not compelled to fly anybody's flag over his business. He merely wanted to display is bi-nationalism. This maniac is so full of hate and contempt, he takes it upon himself to "correct" a situation that wasn't harming anybody? He didn't even conceive of just talking to the business owner like a human being. If it were that important why didn't the cops notify the business owner. For that matter, why doesn't this old buzzard run around every neighborhood in America and rip down flags of people who let theres hang outside their homes all night or in the rain. What an ignoramus! And Fox...they just make me spit!
ropo @ 15:
It is illegal (My local news ran the story) but fuck off old man. It could be considered free speech. It's a fucking piece of fabric, OKAY? Nothing more, nothing less. Anyone who thinks different has the mentality of a Jr High Schooler, rah rahing for the team. Grow up. You did NOT fight for the flag, you fought ostensibly, to protect the Constitution. And Constitution protection was not the name of the game in Korea, Nam, or Iraq.
Intrinsically, it doesn't mean shit, it doesn't feel shit and it doesn't care whether it's above or below another flag, on a pole by itself, of never removed from the bag. It's FABRIC.
Yea, but then he doesn't get his 15minutes of Faux News fame....and ZZ Top hasn't had a big hit in a while.
But seriously, the guy possibly committed a felony. I don't know fed law but many states have laws making it a felony to steal ANY flag from any biz or individual. I know this cause a group of friends of mine were busted stealing plain green flags at an apartment complex (many moons ago) and only got lesser charges cause they were juv'ies.
Interesting that Faux doesn't ask if he talked to the owner at all...just what the owners reactions to the mans actions were.
Which law breaking vigilantes are we suppose to let off scott free?
I
Patriotism/Nationalism is kinda reminding me of a country in Europe back in the late 1930's...hmmmmm, who was that? And, with Roger Ailes (aka Joseph Goebbels) leading the FOX Noise machine - what other analasys would you expect from them?
Wow. What a loon. And Faux is proud of him. Good, shows where Faux's head is.
Illegal or not, and disrespectful or not (as a non-American, I wouldn't fly my flag above the American flag if I was on American soil), the fact is you don't just go into another person's property and vandalize it and steal his goods. And this is pure vigalantism. No man has the right to take the law into his own hands, especially over something as petty and trivial as flag protocol.
When will get the FAIRNESS doctrine back? I know we will. And boy will I be celebrating the demise of the FAKE NEWS network.
I've never been to a crazy home. But man, those at fox sure are FREAKING lunatics to call this guy a "patriot".
The republicon defy logic. Let them bury themselves with their stupidness.
miss_kitty @ 29:
Agreed! Although, former soldiers who were trained to know how wrong it is and get in Zealot mode don't seem to care. I was taught that, BUT, I was also taught by my superiors to address an infraction such as that by talking first. Apparently Billy Gibbons had been drinking too much FOX Noise Koo-Aid.
Patriotic???? this guy's beard looks like Bin Laden's
Like I've said before. It's OK for rich, white republicans to stick those cheap, tacky plastic flags in their SUV windows where they wind up on the side of the road or in the garbage. AND it's Ok for the dumbass redneck here in Olympia to fly a huge flag from the back of his POS monster truck where it's getting torn to shreds, but HOLY CRAP this sends 'real patroits' into a rage? Uch.
What law? There's a U.S. flag code. But each state makes its own laws. And Nevada law would make the guy taking down the flag the criminal in this case: Any person who ..., or who tears down or willfully and maliciously removes while owned by others, or defames, slanders, or speaks evilly or in a contemptuous manner of or otherwise defaces or defiles any of the flags, or ensign, which are public or private property, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. -- http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-201.html#NRS201Sec290
The flag code is voluntary suggestions from the government.
It's not illegal to fly another flag above the American flag, in the sense that STEALING is illegal.
From
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/texasflag.asp
"The Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include any enforcement provisions, rather it functions simply as a guide for voluntary civilian compliance."
#6 You hit the nail on the hot head. 'nuff said.
I was confused by the lawyer on Fox News. He states that flying a Mexican flag over the Stars and Stripes is a question of identity theft, then goes on to state that identity theft is a problem that costs billions of dollars each year. WTF?
And I hate the chuckle that fat toad of a lawyer gives when asked what the store owner's response is.
No matter how far behind in other matters we get, America will apparently always be number 1 in the world when it comes to our supply of idiotic citizens.
Makes me wonder if this guy flies a flag in front of his house but never takes it down at dark and leaves it to get soaked in the rain.
Just when I thought Fox News couldn't sink any lower, Cavuto praises a knife wielding vigilante. If that weren't bad enough, Cavuto seems puzzled that brandishing a large knife and taking another person's property might get a man into trouble with the law. Apparently, Cavuto's legal knowledge is limited to flag related offenses.
WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED TO THE FORMAT?
Go to RedState and see how bad the RiechWingnuts are freaking out that THE SCARY DEMS WANT TO BRING BACK THE "FAIRNESS DOCTRINE" OH MY GOD SAVE US SAVE US PLEASE NOT FAIRNESS.
It's fucking HIGH larry Us.
I'm baffled.
There is a profound difference between a flag code and a flag law. To the best of my knowledge there is no flag law but almost everyone who has served in the military is aware of the flag code.
Was the act of flying the flag illegal? Perhaps not but maybe there is some local statute that says yes but that is unlikely.
Is there a law against appropriating someone else's property, certainly and the flag cutting nut should be so charged.
But I am completely puzzled about the comments about identity theft by the bozo accompanying him for the on camera interview. What the hell does identity theft have to do with the inicdent. It was a total non sequiter.
But I guess he got his fifteen minutes of fame. What a pair losers.
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
I didn't find any illegalites attached. I didn't watch the video, I just ate lunch, is one flag smaller or larger then the other?
It may have just been a visual thing.
The Flag Code is at Title IV, Chapter 1, of the United States Code.
Except as the Flag Code applies to agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, there is no means to enforce the code, and no penalty for violating it.
Neal Cavuto and Fox are wrong once again.
Flags (especially so-called sacred flags) are symbols of oppression, hypocrisy and hubris. As such, they are worthy of only being used as toilet paper.
I'm not clear on Reno law, and I don't know if flying a flag is illegal or protected free speech, but I would think it IS it a criminal act to brandish a nine inch K-Bar knife on a public street and challenge someone to fight you to take back private property you just stole. Actions like that will prompt police in some cities to shoot on-sight.
Vet or no vet...Cletus should count himself lucky that he wasn't carried away from there in a hearse.
I'm sure that this brave and honorable fellow was terribly upset when he saw George Bush autographing small flags at an event several years ago--right around the time there was such rabid support for an amendment to outlaw desecrating a flag.
What a friggin' Loop! Fox wants to make this loony John Brown-lookalike into a hero?
Off the deep end and sinking fast.
Leave the crazy old vet alone. He's probably got a PTSD that his government refuses to treat or recognize.
Whoa! Did the comments format just change?!?!?!
Dr. Matt,
That is what I was wondering - I thought I had too many beers at lunch :)
I'm in awe over the new look here. I go off to do a few chores and come back to a place I don't recognize . Oh no, the spell check thingie is gone. I'm gonna miss that a lot cause my spelling sucks.
What just happened? The old format is back!!!! I did have too many beers :)
Weird. Like an out-of-body experience.
I bet he listens to Rush...
What a p*ssy. Why didn't he just ask the guy? Why didn't he try to reason with the guy?
symbols over actual civil rights abuses
style over substance
that's how "far" we've come
Now the old format is on the front page but the comments page is like it used to be. Am I in the twilight zone of the internets? When I wrote my last comment the whole comment page was different too. ????? I'm lost :(
John @ 60:
That would be like using diplomacy! Real men don't use diplomacy, they act, then stay the course.
Scott @ 41:
I know what my response would have been - "There a homeless psychotic person with a huge knife outside vandalizing my business, I'm calling the police."
John @ 60:
[Deleted. If you want to insult posters here with lies, do it off site-Sitemonitor]
Ricky Bones @ 35:
Speaking to the owner first would indeed be the civilized thing to do.
Oh my god- a real-life Walter Sobchak!
"Angry Vet Cuts Down Mexican Flag, Steals American Flag From Business - FoxNews Calls Him A Patriot"
Man. If that's what a Patriot looks like...
I'm dying for them to have this 'Patriot' in the studio for an interview.
This issue will be a hot button issue later on when this guy is convicted of a misdemeanor and FOX heralds him as a "patriot being politicized by the legal system" Problem is, his potential conviction won't make sense to the "rule of law" conservatives...very sad.
pissed off patricia @ 62:
Whoa, than it's not just me....thank God...WHEW! I thought it was some form of early dementia or a bad cheese omelet.
wow, sorry, but some of you Americanos are waaaaay too nutty about patriotism.... twisted or pathological sentiments and behaviour don't equal love or respect of the fellow humans or institutions of said country.
Questioning power would probably be better. I thought that's what patriotism is about?
I don't like vets attitude, but I believe this is patriotic.
But so is burning the flag.
It looks like theft to me.
Arrest. Try. Convict. Fine + short stay in detox facility.
VietVet8666 @ 48:
To add another wrinkle to this discussion, the U.S. military wears a flag patch on their right shoulder with the Union on the right. If one were to follow the Code, it would be on the left. One justification I heard was that it was leading them on into battle. Hoohah!
Reminds me of my military days when during Basic Training we learned there were 3 ways to do something: The right way, the wrong way and the AF way.
I visited Florida recently and driving down I-75 in the northern part of the state saw one of the biggest flags I've ever seen flying. It was a Confederate flag. Funny how the "patriots" don't have a problem flying the flag of a faction that went to war against America.
I can imagine if that flag was a Mexican flag, the Republican Propaganda Channel would be apoplectic about it.
You know...I dispise BushCo and his NeoCon tumbleweeds as much as the next guy on this site; however you wonder why this guy went off the deep-end...maybe it's because the store owner had the audicity to fly a foreign flag above the American flag...law or no law.
IMO, that situation is but a microcosm of the larger issue of immigration and assimulation...who in there right mind would fly a foreign flag above the flag of the country in which you are?....come on. "While in Rome do as the romans do"...
As an independent, when people start touting "personal freedom" yada yada...and get away from common sense...then those are the people that give conservatives fuel for their fodder.
In this situation, I don't think the guy was right (he could have asked that the flag be lowered below that of the US flag)...but, living in the southwest, I understand his frustration.
We are in the US...I don't care if you come from Mexico, Canada, Germany, or Mars...when in the US, respect [i]our[/i] language, respect [i]our[/i] laws, and respect [i]our[/i] colors (flag)...we shouldn't need to accomodate everyone else on [i]our[/i] land....they should accomodate us.
End of story.
Put the bastard in jail. This is not the time in our country's history to be supporting vigilantes who try to work outside of the rule of law. Of course, Faux supports this idiot - they think they are outside of the law.
Just one look at the guy tells me his IQ is lower than the usual temperature on a typical autumn day in Reno!
Why use reason when you can use force instead?
What an amazing coincidence that there happened to be a TV crew on hand to document the event. And Rambo McFreaky, in his patriotic rage, has the foresight to look into the camera a give his name (and a statement).
As originally pointed out, if McFreaky is *so* concerned about the flag, maybe he should have folded it up properly before walking away, as opposed to rolling it up into a ball like he was putting it in a stuff sack.
But I guess he just wants to be on TeeVee.
The owner probably won't press charges, but he should...
Simply pointing out the situation to the store owner respectfully might have rectified the situation...
I don't agree with this veteran's premptive strike. Diplomacy should have been his first option.
Okay, some annotated Flag Code language:
"Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night."
Can anyone sing The Star Spangled Banner: "gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." Apparently it flew all night, that night, with only occasional illumination by "rockets' red glare."
"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."
Oh, no, surely no Republican would ever use the flag for any advertising purpose. All those car dealers must be Democrats.
"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, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations."
Puts a different light on the current "flap" about Obama not wearing the flag lapel pin as part of his campaign uniform, doesn't it? And also puts "Uncle Sam' in direct violation!
JonJon @ 46:
The "Identity Theft" is Fox-speak for illegal alien crime wave. The business owner is Hispanic and has a Mexican national flag on display at his store. Therefore, anything done to him or his property is ok 'cause he's already commited the crime of not being born white.
As to the Flag Code, I have noted several businesses in my area that have flow the flag during bad weather, that left the flag up at night without having it lit, and have flown the flag at half-mast in honor of some local or state thing when it was not authorized by the President or Congress. Guess how many times I've stormed up to the flagpole, cut down the flag with a bayonet and took it? Yeah, they are doing it wrong, but it isn't worth get steamed up over. I can just politely call up the owner and point out the error of his flag usage.
"Off the meds" immediately comes to mind.
As both broke the law, punish both. Move on...
Grizzly Adams the flag thief.
He must have plum forgot how to fold a flag.
Wadding up a flag? That's almost as offensive as burning one.
dirty d @ 7:
They hate America too.
[deleted - over the top.]
First we have uproar over the fact that Obama wasn't wearing a flag pin, now this. Sounds like repubs don't want the focus to be on anything other than whether or not we're properly displaying our patriotism.
Seems like there were more important things going on before we got sidetracked. Too bad patriotism isn't evidenced by seeking out information about and caring about the issues that effect us as a whole.
Nick911 @ 86:
Flag hag.
Regardless of the motivations, wouldn't Neil Cavuto be guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime?
Flying a flag over the Star spangled banner illegal, however two wrongs don't make a right. He violated and stole private property. That also happens to be illegal.
Nationalism is a disease. A disease that almost destroyed Europe and has reached pandemic levels in the US since 9/11.
The only flags which I fly is that of The Holy See and that of The State of Michigan.
This was a Foto Op intended to incite those against hispanic immigrants.
and this foto op was brought to us by Fox news.
I'm telling you when the republican party is voted out, it will be folks like this vet who acted in an irrational manner intended to pick a fight, that are going to think its ok to blow up another murtha building, cuz they are getting their "OK messages" from propagandists like FOX and Gathering of Eagles.
Fox Presents: "The ZZ Top, Fascist of the Week" Show.
cetylovx @ 83:
WRONG...ONLY one broke the law....the bearded "patriot"...
Leave ZZ Top out of this discussion they would have no part of this Bullshit.
Does this guy suffer from that mental disease the troops who are returning fom Iraq with?
[refers to deleted post]
Hi there narrow minded bigot....Many of us have/did serve our country in times of
war/conflict; but that has absolutely nothing to do with the law broken by ZZ top.
Nick911 @ 86:
Shut up. It's fucking cloth.
.
Note to self:
It's not vandalism when it's done in America's name.
It's not torture when done in America's name.
It's not an occupation when it's done in America's name.
What is this 'America' that keeps people imune from illegal acts?
LOL... the law of the land is NOT in America, nor any longer a concept OF America. Instead, the badge of courage to defy the law is a badge called America.
.
Hey, I posted a comment here that appeared on the site but dissappeared. Is there some censorship going on? I posted that C&L was wrong to say Cavuto called the guy an American patriot. I loathe Cavuto, but he said that others have been calling this nut-case a patriot. C&L should be more accurate in its reporting.
OK, I'll bite - who is Walter Sobchak?
Once again Republican talk radio brings the worst out of people. All he had to do was talk to the owner or took the proper legal channels. He just wanted to incite his clan that sit around and say " these damn wetbacks and n****rs are ruining our country". I've heard with my own ears.
IB222 @ 100:
I hope that they wouldn't scrub your comment for that, seriously.
Matt in Texas @ 101:
John Goodman's character from Teh Big Lebowski :)
On one hand, our country is kind of founded on the idea that if you witness injustice that is going unchecked you take it upon yourself to correct it. On the other hand, if you steal private property you're going to go to prison.
It is a fact that Americans are constantly looking for heroes. But, fuck, how desperate is Foxnews to fall for this dumb ass?
I don't care who decides to come to America as long as they are legal. But to glorify a stupid little action like this asshole's, because of flags? These people are going to continue to invade this coutry no matter what. Their president said so a week ago. That's the issue. Who gives a shit that the flag is burned, or is lower than any other foreign flag? There are more pressing issues now days that this little ridiculous Fox patriotic inflammatory piece of crap.
Chris @ 4:
Well common sense did not prevail but a talk to the owner would have. Most legal Mexican-American are great patriots and are currently serving in Iraq.
Arius Collingwood @ 104:
That is what we call "Vigilanteism"
Next time you see someone who doesn't take off their hat duing the National Anthem, kill them and be a Fox News hero.
ropo @ 15:
No, however, cutting them down and taking them without permission is.
nick @ 108:
Made me laugh out loud....thanks..
miss_kitty @ 98:
No actually it is call the flag for our country. Are you really that sick with liberalism that you do not know that? I guess because I DO care about this country and think it is important that I must love my government and I must love this war.
It might be just cloth (I bet it was made in China though) but you are just sick. If you really do believe that you might want to try out another place to live, really what does the US have to offer you? Is there anything about this nation of ours that means something to you?
I would love to hear about it...come on just one good thing. Anything?
Oh! And there is nothing illegal about one flag flying higher than the other. It's just plain fucking goverment protocol.
Wow, I know how to get air time. I'm a vet and I need to get a big ass knife, grow a long beard and get a flea collar.
For Fox it's a twofer: Not only do you get to hate flag denigraters, but you get to hate Mexicans. Hate hate hate.
Thanks, Ricky Bones!
And, I don't really give a rat's ass about flags! How many millions of people have died because of them?
If you want to fly a Mexican flag higher than any other, you are totally welcome to move to Mexico to do so. I don't think anyone here will try to stop you. If you want to come to the US, you should respect this country.
Nick911 @ 111:
Tho not directed to me, my answer would be strawberry cheesecake..
miss_kitty @ 98:
It is just cloth, but it's cloth that represents our country; it's cloth that has led our soldiers into battle; it's cloth that has covered the coffins of our troops...it not only symbolizes who we are as a nation (and these days I can understand the embarrassment); it represents our history...yes, the bad...but the good as well.
It may be just "fucking cloth"...but it's our "fucking cloth."
Smack_dab @ 117:
And if you are a citizen, respect the laws and try talking before committing a crime.
Doggiebobo @ 118:
Now that is funny! Good answer! :)
garcia @ 116:
What about the Confederate flag or the Nazi flag? Does it mean nothing for someone to fly those?
Nick911: (nice handle - I guess you're voting for Rudy)
I believe the point you're missing is that the very people that get all worked up over the *symbols* of the country don't seem to care that the country itself is being destroyed under Bush.
dirty d @ 7:
In the words of Ed McMahon (a la Phil Hartman), "You are CORRECT, sir!"
Court Jester @ 123:
Bingo, and I do remember him saying that he wanted to unite the country and start some healing....something like that. Where is the unificator when you need him most?
I've had bowel movements more patriotic than this guy.
Scary when the material symbol becomes more valued than the people it symbolizes.
F Chucklenutz @ 119:
So? People are imbuing it with magical and mystical properties. I know where it's been. It's not worth fighting over. It's cloth. Nothing more, nothing less. If it is representative of anything, it's s that people in this country are idol crazy. The divisions of the brotherhood of humankind. Of "We're better than you"
We are all the same on this earth, no one is better than another, no one is more entitled than another. And we have a fucking piece of material that runs in the face of that, that is used as an instrument to ENCOURAGE divisiveness, hate and violence against our fellow humans, to treat them as underlings, less than we are. How stupid is that?
Jeez, CHILL, nick911! Miss Kitty was merely making the (very good) point that a flag is just cloth, but our Constitution is what we should be worried about with this crew in power.
And,yes, the Constitution is a piece of paper, but it is more than that - it's the rules on how our government acts. If the actual piece of paper Madison, et.al. wrote somehow got destroyed, we still have a Constitution (although it would obviously be a shame such a historical artifact was gone.) Our governing principles wouldn't perish with the destruction of that one piece of paper (OK, five pieces of paper for you anal retentives out there!)
So destroying a piece of cloth (nylon, whatever) means nothing. Repeatedly violating our Constitution as this administration has is treason, and the bastards should pay.
I love it when these so-called "patriots" take the law which they claim they love so much into their own hands and attack another person's freedom of expression. A person is not a partiot if they do not respect the First Amendment and its guarantee of freedom of expression. I guess they don't want silly facts to get in their way if it interferes with their stopping someone else's freedom of expression.
It can not be legal to make flying another flag higher than the American flag illegal. That is political speech covered by teh first amendment. that law would never be upheld if challenged.
Patriot!! He doesn't wear a flag pin!!
If people want laws legislating how to to treat the flag, I hope that they include using the flag for lapel pins, neckties, hats, and paper napkins.
I'm not sure if anyone touched on this already, but what was the identity theft comment about?
Court Jester @ 124:
So then conversely, the one's that do care that Bush is destroying the country don't get worked-up over someone disrespecting the symbols of this country? That's a good example of left/right devisiveness....why are they mutually exclusive?...IMO, we, as a nation, should be angry about both.
It might be just cloth to you, but to others it does mean something. Was it just accident that this person put the Mexican flag above the US flag? Was it just accident that he bothered to put up a flag in the first place? Did he just pick the Mexican and US flag at random?
Smack_dab @ 123:
Oh, how about "Skull and Bones" or the "Iranian" flag...Come on, anyone can come up
with theorectical, but NOT logical, examples...
Nick911 @ 112:
You have no right to tell me to go somewhere else because I disagree with the status quo. Heard of the First Amendment? It's some fascinating reading.
I am not obliged to share anything with you, as far as my feeling on the 'good' of this country.
And I am not sick or 'Sick with liberalism' as you label it.
I happen to think for myself. I know that's frightening to people like you, but that's it.
Court Jester @ 124:
Rudy...I can't stand the 911 liar.
911 stands for the state of emergency that we are ALL in. It also stands for the "symbol" that started it all. The start of the big lie.
I do know the flag is just a symbol and some hide behind it; I am not blind to that. But I am also not blind to the fact that I have never had to serve this country, I have never had to see my best buddy get his arms, legs or head blown off so we CAN FLY THIS SYMBOL. So would I rip the flag down myself? NO. I would have put the American flag on top and the other flag on bottom, raised them both up and then went in and talked to the store owner.
But who is to say what this man has gone through to serve his country, we all laugh and joke about the mental state of our soldier when they get back, but you try and kill another human being or see your best fried killed and see how you turn out. If it wouldn't affect you then how much different are you from that which you hate? (This isn't directed toward you Court Jester)
VietVet8666 @ 48:
They don't care if they are wrong. Remember, they won the right to lie to their audience.
Smack_dab @ 137:
Maybe it was a marketing move so that people would know it was a Mexican resturant from a distance away.
Is it legal to brandish a knife like that in public in Nevada? Wonder how many Vietnemese ears the guy has in his ammo-box?
Smack_dab @ 137:
Read the OP. yeesh. Why bother with all those words in the OP if we just have to re-explain them all over again?
You tell them Mis Kitty!!
Smack_dab @ 137:
Try reading the entire thread and you will find answers to each of the dumb ass questions
you posed....
Cavuto is so amazed. Who would have ever known than stealing something would be illegal????
Cavuto says "Good job, my friend" or "Everyone should take the law into their own hands... for America!!!!"
[Accusing everyone here of hating America is over the top.]
Sitemonitor--
What exactly was "over the top" about this comment?
F Chucklenutz - no, I care MUCH MORE about our actual country and its laws than I do a flag - ANY flag. I know it's a symbol, but people put WAAAAYYY too much meaning and power behind it. If you were fighting in a war and you had the chance to save a fellow soldier or "the flag" - and you could ONLY save one, I'm sure you'd save your buddy. At least I hope so.
And I always find it sadly ironic that most of these flag freaks are the same neocons who don't give enough of a shit about the environment to save another of our country's symbols - the eagle. It was them damn libruls and all thur wacko enviro-rules what had to do that. (And yes, I value ALL species of organisms on this planet more than I do our flag.)
mmmmmmm blind nationalismmmmm........
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