[winds-of-change]

What's with all the upside down flags in the avatars lately? I know there are many here who fought bravely and sacrificed a lot for that flag and I know it offends some to see the flag flown upside down. I know it is a universal sign of distress and particularly that our country is in distress but I have received a comment from a well respected veteran who is a member here and a good family man and great friend. It kind of hurt him to see that flag used that way. He fought for this country during a time of war and it hurt me to see him hurt. I approached a member here who was displaying an upside down flag and explained the situation and he politely and readily changed his avatar. I was thankful to him for not putting up a fight about 'it's his right to post that avatar, freedom of speech, 1st ammendment, etc.'

I know many are upset about Obama winning the election and I know our country isn't in the best shape. I know it is 'your right' to post that avatar. But I don't like hurting even one war vet over that use of the flag.

Feel free to post it as your avatar. I'm just voicing an opinion and the opinion of a war vet.

[texaswoodworker]

The ones you are seeing here represent the distress that America is going through as we continue to go downhill economically, and as we continue to loose more rights.
When used as a distress signal, they are not meant to be seen as disrespectful.

THE FLAG CODE
Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10
As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress
Approved July 7, 1976

§ 176. Respect for flag: No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

[winds-of-change]

Originally Posted by texaswoodworker

An upside down flag is used as a distress signal. The ones you are seeing here represent the distress that America is going through as we continue to go downhill economically, and as we continue to loose more rights.
When used as a distress signal, they are not meant to be seen as disrespectful.

I understand that and I expressed that in my OP. Did you read what I posted?

[texaswoodworker]

Originally Posted by winds-of-change

I understand that and I expressed that in my OP. Did you read what I posted?

lol, sorry, I did read it after I posted. I fixed it. Read it again.

[winds-of-change]

Originally Posted by texaswoodworker

lol, sorry, I did read it after I posted. I fixed it.

Thanks.

A war vet who fought and watched at least one friend die is offended by this. He knows it's a distress signal. He knows it's someone's 'right' to post this avatar. Is there no other way to express how we feel about the state of our country other than an upside flag?

[Balota]

I think the point they are trying to make with the flag flipped is that they feel the nation is in distress. But the code says "(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. "

I have serious concerns about the potential risk that Obama represents for damage to our way of life. But those concerns are not as immediate and extreme as what the highlighted wording suggests.

Respect is something that must be earned. I think our flag and our veterans have earned it. I wish that those using the flipped flag avatars would find another way to express their distress. Perhaps they could photoshop a picture of Obama on a white flag and fly that upside down!

[willfully armed]

I don't wish to offend, but NO servicemen present or past should be offended by a citizens feeling of distress.

They "fought for our freedom", well, they fought because they were told to
But generally understood to be for OUR freedom.

I don't know any current soldiers who are offended by a sign of implied distress.

All of my "forever" flag stamps will be affixed upside down until I run out, or the president runs out.




It comes down to personal freedoms, and no one should be allowed to infringe upon them.

[Balota]

Make no mistake, I do feel distressed by Obama's reelection. And your right to express the degree of your distress is not being questioned. Just pointing out that some folks are offended by the flipped flag being used as social commentary.

The only valid reason for me to draw my gun for real is if I believe there is imminent danger to life or grave injury to myself or another. My interpretation of the code mentioned above is that the "extreme danger to life or property" should be of the same degree as that when I would draw my weapon.

[Shihan]

Well, it does bother me. I just feel the dire distress clause is being misinterpreted much as the Bible gets misinterpreted.
You can display it as you like, as for me I do feel it is a sign of disrespect.
I have carried caskets that The Flag has draped, I will honor it as I honor my fallen brethren.
You do as you wish.
That's all I got to say about that.

[winds-of-change]

Originally Posted by Shihan

I have carried caskets that The Flag has draped, I will honor it as I honor my fallen brethren.

That made me cry.