I am terribly afraid of revolution. I think we all fear revolution, in our own way, regardless of our stance on the particular revolution. I am a bit of a liberal, and my wife is a certified hippie. I know, because I’ve seen her Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez vinyl collection as well as all of her clothes that are older than she is. Needless to say, our house is NOT a Bush House. We weren’t even all that much of a Kerry House, truth be told, but then like most (yes, I know what the “final election count” was, thanks) people that voted, we wanted the giant douche to win.
We’re many months older and wiser, and now our country is in distress. I want to revolt more than ever, but I am paranoid that “The Man” will put me on “The List.” So I have decided to carry on my revolution my own way. Bumper stickers. I appreciate a sticker that will make people stop you in a parking lot to ask you what it means. The fact of the matter is that I have also been having a problem with this new wave of faux patriotism. These car flags in the windows make me want to vomit.
I am an Eagle Scout. I was an employee of the Boy Scouts of America. Twice. I have been on dozens of training teams in Scouting. While I don’t agree with all of their politics, I do have a deeper understanding and reverence for the United States flag. I do believe that burning it in protest should be allowed, however I would hope that the people doing it show the level of respect it deserves while doing so. You are burning an effigy, and a powerful one at that. When people in other countries burn our flag, they get it. They burn it in utter anger and disgust, which are feelings that are on par with the significance of the effigy. But I digress…
People have forgotten flag etiquette.
You don’t write on the flag either, George.
The fact of the matter is that our country is in distress, as I said before, and there is a way to convey this to everyone. Fly your flag upside down. At this particular moment flags are at half mast around the country for the New Orleans folks, and that is understandable. This crisis, however, will be surpassed like 9/11 was. The constant is that our country has been in distress, and will continue to be, while Bush is in office. So, if your flags aren’t at half mast, fly them puppies upside down.
You should be warned that you are going to be asked questions. As long as you know your flag etiquette (which I have just let you in on), and you understand why our country is in distress, this person should recieve an earful. I find that an intimate conversation with someone can often be more productive than shouting your opinion at them from a TV/billboard/radio/etc., and this is an effective way to make such a conversation take place.
Now, you could fly a flag in front of your house upside down, but then the only people that are likely to come up to you are neighbors. While I encourage you to do this, I would further encourage you to get a sticker of the American flag and put it on your car upside down. Most modern day “patriots” will try to correct you on this, and I hope that you can set them straight.