Watch a US Marine chase down a hippe with an upside down US flag

[Sluggo]

The line at the end just kills me.

Hey! Fuck Off!

 

[Genx87]

Ok, I'll play Devil's advocate. Have you ever fought in a war? None of that shit matters. What matters is coming back alive and the most potent symbol is the flag. When your life can be taken at any moment, you only care about those around you and the flag. That's it. So, I can see why these guys would take it personal, even forgiving them for not understanding the deeper meanings. But it can be distressing to see someone shit on something you take so seriously...

I haven't fought in a war. But that is irrelevant in pointing out the idiocy of a solder saying "I don't give a shit about civil rights, I fought for this country". He needs to review why it was he fought for his country and rethink his position.

 

[mmntech]

I don't have a problem with flying the US flag upside down in protest over current conditions. IMO, it's easy to defend the idea that this country is in dire peril.

The two "Marines" should have known better than to attempt to interfere in a US citizen's right to free speech.

They have every right to disagree with the "hippie," but NO right to interfere.

But, but, free speech has consequences so they had every right to interfere with this person's political expression. First amendment only protects you from the goverment, mannnn!

 

[Paladin3]

I smiled when I watched the video. Maybe people who want to fly the flag upside down should take a turn fighting for the right to do so.

I've never served, so I express my opinions via civil discourse and with my vote. I'd be hesitant to fly the American Flag upside down since that's such a sacred symbol to many who did serve. It's not because I don't have the right to, it's just a simple matter of respect towards people doing a job I'm glad I don't have to do. I've spent a lot of time working with veterans and have many good friends who have served.

I completely understand that scooter-duo had the legal right to fly that flag upside down. I'm suggesting it might have been bad form to do so, and I would expect an angry response from any Marine who spotted me doing so.

Then again, it's become much more fashionable to do silly things like fly the flag upside down than it has to actually work to change American Military Policy. We've got far more anti-war bumper stickers in this country than we do voters.

EDIT: And we might want to compare this to the free speech issue with the Mozilla CEO who had to step down because he donated money to the California Prop to ban gay marriage back in 2008 or 2009. These guys got chased and lost their flag. He lost his career. Who got it worse and which protected political speech was trampled more?

 

[JulesMaximus]

But, but, free speech has consequences so they had every right to interfere with this person's political expression. First amendment only protects you from the goverment, mannnn!

Even by assaulting them? I'm sure those guys were running up to the scooter guys to talk politely...:whiste:

 

[Rakehellion]

Ok, I'll play Devil's advocate. Have you ever fought in a war? None of that shit matters. What matters is coming back alive and the most potent symbol is the flag. When your life can be taken at any moment, you only care about those around you and the flag. That's it. So, I can see why these guys would take it personal, even forgiving them for not understanding the deeper meanings. But it can be distressing to see someone shit on something you take so seriously...

Yeah, but if I want to live in a wartorn country where people are chased down for expressing radical political views, I'll move to Syria.

 

[waggy]

ugh. both are fucking idiots. the guy with the flag and the Marines.

yes the guy had a right to fly it upside down. No the marines do nto have a right to do shit about it.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Stupid hippies drop the flag. Worst offense of all.

 

[Pens1566]

But, but, free speech has consequences so they had every right to interfere with this person's political expression. First amendment only protects you from the goverment, mannnn!

The govt protects the right to free speech without being assaulted for exercising said right. I think you and the marines in this situation both need to review exactly what free speech means.

 

[ThinClient]

That is such a good movie.

 

[Linflas]

The govt protects the right to free speech without being assaulted for exercising said right. I think you and the marines in this situation both need to review exactly what free speech means.

This. The time worn expression your rights end where the other fellows nose begins applies here. The marines are free to counter speech they disagree with with speech and symbolic actions of their own so long as those symbolic actions do not involve assaulting the persons or property of the persons they disagree with.

 

[waggy]

This. The time worn expression your rights end where the other fellows nose begins applies here. The marines are free to counter speech they disagree with with speech and symbolic actions of their own so long as those symbolic actions do not involve assaulting the persons or property of the persons they disagree with.

exactly. far to many forget that.

 

[slayer202]

I smiled when I watched the video. Maybe people who want to fly the flag upside down should take a turn fighting for the right to do so.

I've never served, so I express my opinions via civil discourse and with my vote. I'd be hesitant to fly the American Flag upside down since that's such a sacred symbol to many who did serve. It's not because I don't have the right to, it's just a simple matter of respect towards people doing a job I'm glad I don't have to do. I've spent a lot of time working with veterans and have many good friends who have served.

I completely understand that scooter-duo had the legal right to fly that flag upside down. I'm suggesting it might have been bad form to do so, and I would expect an angry response from any Marine who spotted me doing so.

Then again, it's become much more fashionable to do silly things like fly the flag upside down than it has to actually work to change American Military Policy. We've got far more anti-war bumper stickers in this country than we do voters.

EDIT: And we might want to compare this to the free speech issue with the Mozilla CEO who had to step down because he donated money to the California Prop to ban gay marriage back in 2008 or 2009. These guys got chased and lost their flag. He lost his career. Who got it worse and which protected political speech was trampled more?

it's a piece of colored cloth, get a fucking grip on reality

 

[Golgatha]

I don't have a problem with flying the US flag upside down in protest over current conditions. IMO, it's easy to defend the idea that this country is in dire peril.

The two "Marines" should have known better than to attempt to interfere in a US citizen's right to free speech.

They have every right to disagree with the "hippie," but NO right to interfere.

Ah yes, because the right to free speech should come with no consequences whatsoever.

 

[waggy]

Ah yes, because the right to free speech should come with no consequences whatsoever.

sure it can have consequences. it should not have a assault.

 

[master_shake_]

I just think people need to respect the government and authority.

yep thats the kind of talk that lets governments get warrantless wire taps and record all of your data.

 

[Golgatha]

sure it can have consequences. it should not have a assault.

I agree and most people would too with regards to being assaulted. Doesn't mean they shouldn't expect to get their asses beaten when expressing themselves in public without a police, or ironically military, escort. Consequences is probably the wrong word. How about negative repercussions, such as getting your ass beaten?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

why do military dudes always think that having gangbanged for the us gov and corporate america makes them super patriots/captain america. if they care about america so much they should protest the wars or mass gov surveillance.

"hey you put that flag back up!!" freakin' dumaxed brownshirts, lol. whats even more disturbing is that there were cars honking in support

that some amusing schitt tho, i love watching people fighting on the street. a few days ago i was in the post office and some crippled dude cussed at the clerks and some dude with a 5 year old daughter told the guy he was going to beat the schitt outta him for using foul language in front of his kid. he ended up punching the handicapped guy

 

[moonbogg]

Well, above all else they are young men. Their behavior is similar to that of other young men.

 

[MtnMan]

Marines need to grow up.

Their brainwashing is complete.

Upside down flag is a sign of a nation in distress, and we are in serious distress. The economy is circling the drain, and all the leaders are concerned about is eliminating freedoms and rights of citizens.

 

[dougp]

it's a piece of colored cloth, get a fucking grip on reality

It's a lot more symbolic than that.

 

[Imp]

EDIT: And we might want to compare this to the free speech issue with the Mozilla CEO who had to step down because he donated money to the California Prop to ban gay marriage back in 2008 or 2009. These guys got chased and lost their flag. He lost his career. Who got it worse and which protected political speech was trampled more?

Naive hippies protesting with a flag versus someone providing organized, financial backing to support a law to limit the rights of others.

Hippies chased down and threatened with violence versus large scale protest and disapproval causing the cessation of one's employment contract.

Hmmm....

 

[AznAnarchy99]

 

[thraashman]

Even by assaulting them? I'm sure those guys were running up to the scooter guys to talk politely...:whiste:

According to certain regular P&N posters had the hippie had a gun he'd have been fully justified in shooting them both dead.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I agree and most people would too with regards to being assaulted. Doesn't mean they shouldn't expect to get their asses beaten when expressing themselves in public without a police, or ironically military, escort. Consequences is probably the wrong word. How about negative repercussions, such as getting your ass beaten?

No one in a free society should ever "expect to get their asses beaten" for their speech or symbolic displays. You never know what someone else might find offensive enough to resort to violence. For me, you could do basically anything to the American flag, and I'm relatively unaffected; these Marines obviously felt quite differently. I think that pants with "Saucy" written across the butt in sequins represent everything wrong with this country, but that doesn't mean I get to start cold-cocking any jackass I see wearing them. Being offended isn't a valid justification for assault.