Big Ol’ Flag

Originally Posted on March 9, 2005 Last Updated on December 12, 2006

Without getting too much into my views on patriotism or my love for this country (two completely separate issues) I just want to say that I realize that most Americans take their flag way too seriously. I can appreciate the symbol for what it stands for*, but not so much for the actual symbol itself. I mean, if the flag touches the ground you’re supposed to burn it or bury it or something. Shit, it’s just a piece of cloth.

I mean, if I make a cross out of two popsicle sticks, no one’s going to chastize me if I crack the thing in two later that day.

But when I see these huge, I mean enormous, vastly expansive, flowing in the wind flags, the ones that are like 50 feet long, riding the backs of the very winds that keep the winter blowing across the world, well I can’t help but be a bit awe inspired.

They’re just so massive and the way they flap in the wind is quite impressive. I feel like a fledgling Roller Girl at her first “big shoot.”

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Discussion

ClickNathan 9 Mar 2005

* By the by, the flag does not stand for things such as freedom, capitalism and democracy, but in actuality, the various parts of the flag had very real meanings.

Their are thirteen stripes which each represent one of the original thirteen colonies. (I think they were referred to as The Original Kick Ass Colonies, but I can’t be sure.)

As for the colors, I found this direct quote:

“The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness and valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.”

Oh, and then there’s this bit to think about.

Oh, but Lint from Rancid will tell you that the colors stand for “13 red and white stripes flyin’ white for skin and red for dyin'” which also seems to make sense to me in a way. I can’t believe Betsy Ross would have had that in mind at the time.

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olivia 9 Mar 2005

Please do get into your views on patriotism and your love for your country some time. I’m all eyes.

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olivia 9 Mar 2005

The comments thing took so long to open I forgot to mention what I was originally going to say:

Really well put together. I might have to post this on yummy.

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chad was marco 9 Mar 2005

i’m surprised you didn’t mention homer’s view of the flag. he told apu, “now everyone knows that the 13 stripes are for good luck, but what are the 47 stars for.” apu called him out by accusing homer of stealing the old flag that had been hung in the library, or something

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chad was marco 9 Mar 2005

that’s funny. i opened a new page while it was posting and it doubled my posts. the first mistake was somewhat my own. it told me page could not be displayed so i hit back and published again (making two times) then hit ctrl n once and it posted four comments. sorry, i hope you aren’t disappointed by how few comments are really here.

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olivia 9 Mar 2005

Fixed.

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