How come Im the only one left in my neighborhood

[bl4ckfl4g]

I remember when they were selling patriot packs on tv with all this flag stuff in them and everyone was trying to out patriot their neighbor.

Sorry kids...flying a flag and putting a stupid banner magnet on your pickup does not = patriotism.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: eits
probably because after 9/11 and iraq, all the neo-cons inadvertently changed the popular view of an american waving the flag from being american to being ignorant white trash claiming to be patriotic... people probably don't want to be viewed as ignorant white trash, so they stash the flag.

People that view others who display the US flag as "ignorant white trash" need to take a look in the mirror.

He's right. The Neo-cons did turn patriotism into agreeing with them, but not inadvertently. You're either with them or against them, remember? America bought into it- if you disagreed with the president, you were unpatriotic and unamerican, like the Dixie Chicks.

Color me unamerican then. Can't wait until our baboon-in-chief is out of office.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: sandorski
A Patriot doesn't need a Flag.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: eits
probably because after 9/11 and iraq, all the neo-cons inadvertently changed the popular view of an american waving the flag from being american to being ignorant white trash claiming to be patriotic... people probably don't want to be viewed as ignorant white trash, so they stash the flag.

<--- P&N is that way

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
Personally, I've never understood American patriotism. I guess I'd have to experience it firsthand; down here in Australia we don't really have an overall sense of patriotism/nationalism (except when it comes to sports). It's pretty rare to see an Australia flag on someone's lawn.

Two words: penal colony.

The pseudo-patriotism that took off after 9/11 in the US has gone out of style.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: leftyman
After 9/11 everyone had one..on the front of the house, on a flag pole, in gardens, on the mailbox, on their car antenna..everywhere you looked you saw a flag.
Everyone was patriotic and loved America.

Especially when the Iraq war started everyone felt the need to show how patriotic they were and everyone bought new and bigger flags to fly.

I was, and still am against the war, but I still displayed my flag.

Then I really noticed the last couple of years that there arent nearly as many flags flying as there used to be.

Now with the nice weather and the Memorial Day weekend here I still dont see any flags.

I hope that changes this weekend.

All your neighbors are communists who hate freedom. If you love America, you'll report them.

 

[GPett]

I think we all still know where we live.

 

[flyfish]

I am going to buy some flags today.
Thanks.

 

[blackllotus]

Flying a flag is about as patriotic as buying a "support our troops" magnet for your car (ie: its not). Patriotism is not defined by how much country related merchandise you buy.

 

[PingSpike]

Patriotism? I thought they were to keep Jehovah's off your property.

 

[manowar821]

I don't fly flags.

Also, if I ever DID at one point, I would've stopped. I don't want to be associated with nationalists.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper
All of your neighbours are terrorists! :Q

That was my thought.

 

[natto fire]

My guess is that being Americans, the looked for the cheapest American Flag they could buy, which was made in China, of a petrochemical which "is sensitive to UV radiation". It became sun faded, and then disposed of. That is the American way, after all.

 

[bersl2]

The messy reality of government has upstaged the trauma-induced bubble of patriotism in the majority of people.

I'm not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, only that it is what has happened.

For members of the affected group, to show solidarity via shared symbolism is a natural response to a traumatic event.

 

[HamSupLo]

is your American flag made in China?

 

[Saga]

Around here there are more Mexican flags than American.

 

[Kelemvor]

We don't have a flag pole in our yet but we want to get one. Once we do I'll be finding a nice big flag and flying it proudly. Gotta get a light for it too so I don't have to take it down at night.

How to properly fly the American Flag:
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Sc4freak
Personally, I've never understood American patriotism. I guess I'd have to experience it firsthand; down here in Australia we don't really have an overall sense of patriotism/nationalism (except when it comes to sports). It's pretty rare to see an Australia flag on someone's lawn.

It's pretty difficult to be proud of your country's founders when they all came from penal colonies






(I kid I kid!)

 

[Gunslinger08]

I hate how people think patriotism is bad or displaying a flag makes you an idiotic piece of white trash. Oh how far we've sunk.

 

[ViviTheMage]

i never saw that many American flags...

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: bersl2
The messy reality of government has upstaged the trauma-induced bubble of patriotism in the majority of people.

I'm not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, only that it is what has happened.

For members of the affected group, to show solidarity via shared symbolism is a natural response to a traumatic event.

Agreed. The meaning of symbolism (ie coding) is changing all the time, and I don't think I've ever seen it change faster than did the symbolism of the american flag. One minute it means national solidarity in the wake of a crisis, the next it means loyalty to the Republican leadership. That coding of the flag doesn't bother me particularly, because nationalism is terribly dangerous anyway.

What bothers me is how Support our Troops stickers now no longer mean support our troops, it means support our president's illegal war. It of course doesn't REALLY mean that, but to the vast majority of people who see that sticker, that's exactly the meaning derived. The political spin machines have polarized people to the point where they think that if you don't support the war then therefore you don't support our troops. And people just eat that sh!t up. WTF does "support our troops" mean anyway? It's not like there's a disability compensation or soldier college funding bill up.

Urgh... daily rant at Orwellian newspeak.

 

[VTrider]

If I decided to fly a US Flag, I would at least make sure it was made in the U.S.A

I love pointing out that little 'MADE IN CHINA' emblem which is so ironically sewn into most of the "U.S.A Flags" which people seem to have flying in their yard, stuck on a window, etc.

If you have to question if your flag was made in the US or not, chances are it wasn't - If you think that flying a US flag makes you a patriot then at the very least go out and buy a 'REAL' US Flag.

 

[iRONic]

My Dad's a vet and we've always had one on his house. He went as far as teaching me proper flag etiquette as a kid. I bought my first house and promptly put a flag up. I've had one on every home I've owned since. Him and me save our old ratty flags throughout the years and have a proper burning ceremony on occasions, this weekend being one since they're driving over.

 

[PepePeru]

how else are you going to 'support the troops' if you dont put a magnet on your car or fly a flag in front of your house?!

 

[MrWizzard]

What really ticked me off was when those "immigrants" took the American one down and put the mexican one above It, it was that or they raised the mexican one instead of it" :|

The flag is more than just a flag to me. Maybe it shouldn't be but it is.