Unfortunately the cross has lost much respect. If you color on it with crayons and markers, then yes. There is a difference between wearing/displaying and coloring/marking up. Yes they died for something more than a piece of fabric, but can we keep the fabric to help remind us of that, and keep it nice. We treat things like this with some respect, that's why you wear a cross today. If what really mattered was what the cross meant, then there would be no reason to wear it, right? You still wear it because it has some special place. It's a way of showing respect with some actions, not just keeping respect in the mind and heart. And like someone else posted, the boxers are not the full flag, there is a difference between the flag and stars and stripes decorations. I have no problem with stars and stripes adorning things.
the flag is a strip of cloth. a symbol. thats it. if someone modifies (or destroys, for that matter) said symbol it shouldnt make any difference in how you personally feel about the flag. its a protected right and by God I plan on using it!
If you're gonna argue the rules, I beg to differ. Don't apply them arbitrarily if you're gonna be a hard ass. http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html Flag Etiquette STANDARDS of RESPECT The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are: * The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. * The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top. * 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. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard * 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. * The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. * The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
Well I wouldn't be able to count the number of times I've seen those areas you have in bold violated... Actually most of the others too..
By that logic, you can do absolutely anything to the flag, as long as you say your heart and mind are in the right place. The flag is just a piece of cloth, but by displaying this piece of cloth you make a statement, and the way you display it affects the statement you make. If you put writing on it, you make the statement that you don't care about proper display of the flag. If you want to violate etiquette or even desecrate the flag as a means of protest, you have the right to do so, but don't do it as an attempt to demonstrate "support."
All Right. I'm probably looking at a few copyright infringements here, but I believe I've come up with a Flag/Banner that could be used at the World Cup without desecrating the US Flag, and that honors the contribution of MLS, and US Soccer. Background: 11 red and white stripes representing the 11 players on the pitch during a game. Foreground: From left to right the USL, US Soccer, and MLS Logos over top of the stripes representing the The governing body of Soccer in the US in the middle surrounded by the two major professional organizations emblems. Beneath the Logos: USA in blue Here it is: What do you all think?
I've seen other banners at games busier than that. Have you ever seen the La Barra Brava section at a DCU home game?
Not sayin' all of them are Bulldog, but when i see a telecast of a DC game you've got to admit some try cram a lot of sentiments on those even the rated PG ones.
y'know... if i can watch a group of "national socialists" walk down main street with U.S. flags and signs decrying the evil of jews and immigrants... and manage to not vomit in my mouth (just barely). i think i can stomach a US soccer flag. so long as its not shoddily done.
Unfortunately since red white and blue are the most common flag colors all flags look like other flags. And since we don't wanna use the american flag in full then most any flag will look like another country's flag.
I was trying to go for something that incorperated all the all the colors from the organizations emblems. Your looking at trying to combine Red, White, and Blue, Green, Black, yellow, etc. I thought it was just easier to put the emblems over a field that would be recognizable as being American without totally ripping off Old Glory. The American flag has 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies. My banner has 11 representing the 11 members on a soccer side. And since most players on the US squad that are going to play in the World Cup have played for at least one of those organizations I felt it just made sense to include those three as representing the major soccer organizations in the US. I'm working up another one right now that doesn't include the emblems, but incorperates elements from each one. I'll post it here when it's done look for it on Monday. Happy Easter all Frodo
only ones I can think of that look busy are small ones we have, but those are made to be banners, flags and 2 poles depending on what we want so you don't have inlimited space to work on - it has to be crammed on 4.5'x4.5' I know what you're saying tho, but fact that they're in black/red/white makes them look less busy since even if you don't see them up close you know they're there for DC. If I was American I'd make Maryland banner look like one of these http://bastaic.com/propaganda/amerbanner1.jpg http://bastaic.com/propaganda/amerbanner2.jpg http://bastaic.com/propaganda/amerbanner3.jpg