Are you flying the flag today? Some folks are.......

[CaliforniaPeggy]

But not me.........

This is not a holiday to be celebrated!

It is a national day of mourning, IMHO.......

Tell me what you think..........

[Broken_Hero]

1. No, no flag for me...

even when 9/11 happened my father flirted with the idea of putting out a flag...and we just looked at each other and "naw"....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear petersond...........

Yeah, this is how I feel too......

It feels wrong, somehow......

Thanks for coming by today.......:hug:

[Courtesy Flush]

26. It is wrong

When you stop flying the flag for reasons like that, you are ceding to the freepers who are making the American flag a symbol of the right. It's the symbol for America and the Constitution, and we should not let it become associated with narrow-mindedness. No American should be made to feel that the flag does not represent them (I can understand why some would legitimately feel that way, though).

Whose country is it, anyway?

[Left Is Write]

80. We ordinarily DO fly our flag. We chose to take it in today.

[Blue_In_AK]

18. I'm with you, Petersond...

On 9/11/01 we put up a flag for approximately 12 hours, and then had the same reaction as you -- "naw." Something felt suspicious right from the gate.

[NewWaveChick1981]

3. No.

You're right---it's a day of mourning. I have a flag, but we usually only fly it on July 4.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear NewWaveChick1981.......

I have a lovely flag too....

Where the stripes are sewn and the stars embroidered......

I just had it out for Labor Day..........

If I could hang it half-staff, maybe I'd do that.......

But I can't, since it hangs off the house.........no pole here......

:hug:

[ZombieNixon]

4. 1) I don't have a flag to fly

2) I wouldn't anyway, because every damn TV screen in the city has the 9/11 pornfest on it and I'm sick of it. There was an article in the paper this morning titled "Bush takes center stage for commemoration." I wanted to puke. This is not a commemoration. It is, as the article (perhaps inadvertently) suggested, a stage for Bush to exploit those who died in the name of "patriotism" and to cultivate fear in an already fearful and submissive nation. This is not a day to be celebrated, this is a day when I can't help but mourn for the country I was born in, because I don't know if it exists anymore. :(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Oh, my dear Zombie.......

You have said this so eloquently.......so much better than I could, sweetie.....

I don't know if our country exists any more, either.......

For your sake, I sure hope it does.....:hug:

[lost-in-nj]

5. I am not

but all the business's and public buildings are flying at half staff....



lost

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear lost_in_nj...........

Half-staff does seem appropriate to me, if anything does.......

:hug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

6. No. Im disguested enough by this

jingoistic, false patriotic BS. I don't need to particapte in it. :puke:

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear MAHNY........

Sweetie, I am so with you!

It is false jingoistic BS, isn't it? :hug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

14. I find it so sad that a day of loss

has to be used as political tool. The deaths of 3,000 innocents will forever be a pawn :(

:hug:

[LaurenG]

7. I don't have a flag up anymore but if I did it'd be half staff today

:-(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear OhioBlues........

Absolutely........mine would be too........:hug:

[Guava Jelly]

12. I will fly my flag when the criminals are out of the whitehouse

not one day sooner
:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Good morning, my dear GoPsUx!

I do fly mine on the national holidays.........

But that's to celebrate those days......not those criminals!

Thanks for your input today! :hug:

[Guava Jelly]

16. No problem. I have no problem with people flying theirs

My heart just isnt in it

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. I understand, I really do.............

:hug:

[petronius]

19. No flag for me - not even if I had a place for it...

Other people may feel differently, and I have no objection to that, but to me these big national commemorations seem so contrived, competitive, and false. To me, the public beating of the chest and donning of the sackcloth is very divorced from true grief.

Days like this just seem like huge festivals of politicians trying to wrap themselves in as many flag-scraps as they can, news-people striving to utter the pithiest and most-repeated comment, victims competing to out-victim one-another, and citizens trying to prove their membership in society by being more ostentatiously somber than their neighbors, while constantly looking over the shoulder to see if a neighbor has out-sombered them.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear petronius.......

This is beautifully stated!

You have neatly skewered everyone...........

And I thank you for it.........

:patriot:

[tjwmason]

20. If...

1 - I were an American

and

2 - I had a flag-staff.

Then it would be at half-staff.

We English don't really do flags on private houses (except for football events), come to think of it...we don't normally fly them from police stations, schools, or private businesses either...it's only really C.ofE. churches, the Military and major government departments which fly them.

[Courtesy Flush]

22. Yes, it's definitely an American thing.

I imagine there are a few other nations that do it, but very few. Americans love flags.

[ForrestGump]

43. In most countries that I'm familiar with, flags are a rare sight

I was surprised, when I came to the US for the first time, at just how many flags I saw around. I kind of liked it, actually.

I don't like it any more, now that you can't move for US flags, most of them undoubtedly there more to ensure others that the flagwaver is a good, patriotic 'Murkan than for any real motive.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear tj...........

I am so pleased to have you speak on this today......

Because I was not aware of how other folks in other countries feel about flags.......

This is most illuminating, and I thank you!

I hear you about the half-staff.......that's where my flag would be, if I had a staff from which to fly it!



:hug:

[Courtesy Flush]

21. I fly my flag every day

I didn't rush out to buy a flag on 9/11/01 because I already had one on my house.

I don't see flag waving as a position on an agenda. I'm a proud American, even if I'm not proud of her leaders.

[jakefrep]

24. Our office is flying one today....

...the local American Legion Post provides a service that takes care of the flags for local businesses on national holidays and special days (for lack of a better term) such as today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear kdsusa.........

I think it's grand that you fly Old Glory every day........

Many people do just that......

And, as you say, it's not because you're proud of our "leaders."

:hi:

[petronius]

27. Props for "half-staff" usage!

I've just got to say - this thread has been going on for a while, and not one person has improperly said "half-mast" when they meant "half-staff"! One more small piece of evidence that DU is the most brilliant board on the interent (except maybe for some of those theoretical physics discussion boards...)

:toast:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. I've never heard the term "half-mast."

Only "half-staff" in terms of how the flag could be flown........

And, of course I agree about DU being the most brilliant board on the internet!

Thanks for your observation!



:toast:

[Courtesy Flush]

30. Well, I love sailing

So if, by chance, I say half-mast, it's an honest mistake :rofl:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

71. I imagine some thugs probably use flags for sails...

I doubt many Dems do...

[graywarrior]

31. I'm letting my freak flag fly.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear graywarrior........

And just what is a freak flag?

Whatever it is, you are free to express yourself any old way you want to, baby!

:hug:

[graywarrior]

39. From a Crosby, Stills & Nash song from the 70's

Almost cut my hair
It happened just the other day
It's gettin kinda long
I coulda said it wasn't in my way
But I didn't and I wonder why

I feel like letting my freak flag fly

Cause I feel like I owe it to someone
Must be because I had the flu' for Christmas
And I'm not feeling up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like looking at my mirror and seeing a police car
But I'm not giving in an inch to fear
Cause I missed myself this year
I feel like I owe it tosomeone
When I finally get myself together
I'm going to get down in that sunny southern weather
And I find a place inside to laugh
Separate the wheat from the chaff
I feel like I owe it to someone

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. Thanks, sweetie!

I appreciate it.........:hug:

[querelle]

33. I Live In Canada's Capitol

All flags (Canadian flags) are at half mast today. While walking to work this morning I noticed this and asked myself "I wonder who died?" Then it hit me......9/11. I don't have a probem with this. I think it's very respectful. 26 Canadians died five years ago today and I think that lowering our flag to remember them is the very least we can do.

I just feel so helpless and sad today.

Q

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. My dear querelle.......

I agree......half-staff is appropriate, as today is a national day of mourning......

And not just for us, either......

Many countries lost people in the WTC destruction.......

I hear you on being helpless and sad, too.......:hug:

[SaveElmer]

34. Well I fly my flag every day...

People can see my Democratic bumper stickers and my flag at the same time. Our side is more representative of the values embodied by the flag than the other. You know the ones, those that wrap themselves inthe flag while trashing everything it stands for.

I will not be embarrassed to fly the flag because I know what it truly represents.

As to whether to fly it today, I can see both sides of it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. My dear SaveElmer.......

A great many folks fly the flag every day, and I respect their choice.

And I certainly agree with your points on our side being more representative of the values embodied by the flag.........

People who wrap themselves in the flag while simultaneously shredding our rights are the worst hypocrites, IMHO.....

:patriot:

[bandb 88]

37. NO

i was flying the flag all weekend but at 8:46 i took it down. i want to fly the flag for the firefighters and for solders past and present who fought for and died for this country.
but since this day has been hijacked by politicians and pnacers i wont be flying it today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

38. My dear bandb 88...........

I really think you have put your finger on it........

We want and need to mourn the good people who died on that day!

But not the politicians.......they don't deserve our respect.......

:patriot:

Thank you for coming by ....I appreciate it so much!

[ForrestGump]

41. No way

I don't even have an American flag where I am now (and never have had a flag of any size to display outside) but, even if I did, today is not a day I'd elect to air it out. The reasons are that the US flag has been too firmly co-opted by the unAmerican Right, and never more so than when flown at such moments as the anniversary of the day that Saddam (possibly assisted by John Kerry under orders directly from The Clenis) ordered his men to fly aircraft into American landmarks.

The US flag has flown over some shameful scenes, but it's still worthy of basic respect (though not as a holy relic unto itself) and, to my mind, too many people flying the flag today in doing so disrespect the flag and those who have and do now die to protect the country it stands for. A few days ago I got a Muslim-bashing, hate-filled piece of crap e-mail forwarded by someone who recently started forwarding me random e-mails (it was one of those "pass it on" ones...it said something like you were a bad person if you didn't pass it on, a sentiment that elicited from me a big "f*** you" that I mentally sent to every person before me in this chain letter's chain) and that, alone, would've solidified my reluctance to join the cluelessly jingoistic types who choose to unfurl Old Glory on a day like today. Not that everyone who flies a flag today is so, and I don't disagree with those who say that they won't let the attempted seizure of the flag by the US' worst internal enemies affect their own desire to show the colors, but it just does not excite me. Besides, like I said, I don't even have a flag handy -- if I did, I'd fly it upside-down, if I flew it at all.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. My dear Forrest.......

I appreciate your thoughtful remarks.....

In fact, my thread was inspired by an email from a fundy lady I know....

Her email said today was a day to fly the flag.....Patriot's DAy or some such garbage.......

It got me to thinking, and then to posting this thread.......

I hear you about flying it upside-down.......that would work, as would flying it at half-staff.

Thanks for contributing........:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

42. My Freeper neighbor is

He flies it 24/7, rain or shine, from its 25-foot pole. :eyes:

I've been thinking of printing something on flag etiquette and leaving it on his doorstep, but he probably has a brazillion-dollar security system that'd taser me. :scared:

[mvd]

46. I'd like to know if that flag remains up if..

a Democrat (like Gore or Hillary Clinton) wins in 08. I think it would go pronto.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

54. My dear Oeditpus Rex.........

I have neighbors like that too........We don't speak to each other....

It's too bad, since they are directly across the street.....

*sigh*

:hug:

[Blue_Tires]

44. one of my neighbors is flying the Union Jack

not sure what to make of that....maybe a call to DHS is in order! lol

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. My dear Blue_Tires!

Maybe they wish we were still part of Great Britain!

:rofl:

[borlis]

45. Not me. I can't remember the last time I did fly it.

It's rolled up in the garage somewhere. Maybe I will fly it again when we have a Dem President someday. Right now I am just too fed up and ashamed. How's the weather there today? Us in Chicagoland have damp all day rain. Yucky! It's a good day to just lay under a blanket and do nothing. :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

56. My dear borlis.......

I understand completely........ :hug:

It's a gorgeous day here.......sunny, mild, temps in the 70's......low humidity..........

It's as close to perfect as you can get, here.....

Sorry your day is yucky........:pals:

[borlis]

67. I just love California!

mr borlis has relatives in the San Diego area and every time we visit I plead with him to find a job there. Although we could probably just afford a shed to live in (ha ha.)

[mvd]

47. No - no flag

Just marking the occasion with little moments of meditation.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

57. My dear mvd.........

That seems like such an appropriate thing to do......

No commercialism, no exploitation..........just meditation.

Good for you.

:hug:

[cwydro]

48. no, but a guy

in my office is wearing a FDNY cap...

He usually doesn't wear caps to work. BTW, We're not in NY.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

58. My dear cwydro........

Now that doesn't seem like such a bad idea..........

A quiet way to honor the dead........

And I don't think that you have to be in New York to wear one of those.......

:hug:

[cwydro]

60. oh I quite agree

and he is a very quiet low-key guy...I noticed his cap right away, as has everyone I assume. Everyone has commented with a "nice cap!"

[Ariana Celeste]

49. My apt complex has a flag

we took it down to half staff for the day. I thought it was appropriate.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

59. My dear Ariana Celeste......

A flag at half-staff seems appropriate for today, to me........

:hug:

[anarch]

50. while some may have been flying the flag, others were stomping on it

grinding it under their boot heels, even:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. My dear anarch........

Now that just makes me sick!

And these are the people who want to ban flag-burning?

But they think nothing of treading on it?

:puke:

[Left Is Write]

51. After serious consideration, we decided not to fly our flag today.

While I understand there are those who wish to or feel a need to, I believed that, for us, it would send a message that we are supportive of our government and its actions in the so-called War On Terror, and that was a message we did not want to send today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

63. My dear Left Is Write......

I applaud not only your decision to not fly the flag....

But also how you came to that decision.........

And, oh boy, do I hear you on the war on terror....so-called, indeed...


:hug:

[huskerlaw]

52. Nope.

Sadly, I view the flag as a symbol that has been hijacked by BushCo and would be viewed as a show of solidarity with them.

I'm lighting a candle instead.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. My dear huskerlaw.......

Candles sure as heck are worthwhile symbols!

And, yes, the flag is a symbol that has been hijacked by our so-called leaders.......

:hug:

They do not deserve our solidarity, ever....

[Love Bug]

61. Nope. Haven't flown my flag for a few years.

I know it's supposed to be "Patriot Day" (gag) and all that, but I have to wonder what would happen if we had another attack that was worse (I take that out of the law)than on 9/11. Would "Patriot Day" be moved to that day or would they come up with yet another meaningless "day" designed to give us a patriotic thrill? Just wonderin'.

On edit: Actually, I did fly my flag when Wellstone died.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

65. My dear Love Bug........

I would not label today "Patriot Day."

It is a day of national, or even international, mourning for sure......

Who knows how they would label another such day.......it boggles my mind...

Flying it for Wellstone's death was highly appropriate, IMHO...... :hug:

[Love Bug]

83. I did not label September 11 as Patriot Day, Congress did

Congress designated September 11 as "Patriot Day" in December, 2001. It's even on my desk calendar. x(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

84. I'm sorry!

My dear Love Bug, I had no idea....Please excuse me for my error......

Ick......shame on them!

:hug:

[Love Bug]

99. Yes, shame on them! Pandering morons.

[Jamastiene]

66. They did it completely wrong at RCC today.

There were a bunch of plastic flags on the lawn of the campus as you drove in, but there weren't really that many and they were all different sizes. It was a pitiful display. We were supposed to have a moment of silence this morning at 8:46 A.M., but my calculus teacher didn't even stop to take a breath at any time between 8:10 and 9:00 A.M., much less let us have a moment of silence. That disappointed me because normally I think he's an ok guy. He just talks too damn fast for first thing in the morning. :(

To me, flying the flag is something you do on celebratory days as well. The moment of silence means so much more because it lets you reflect a little and remember, which is what this day should have been.

I was wondering who else besides me has thought of eating Subway as a form of protest today? They were the sponsors of the Fox cartoons last night. I know we don't normally like Faux News, but those cartoons on regular Fox took some damn fine jabs at the Bushes and repugs in general last night. I thought maybe it would be a good idea to bring up the idea of a protest based on sponsors. If we can find out who sponsored the alernatives to the ABC crap and support them instead, who knows? Maybe we can make some difference that way. Any ideas? :shrug:

We recorded that and watched the 9/11 thing on CBS. Personally, I thought that was much more respectful and insightful than that politicized crap ABC aired for the Republicans only last night. Plus, CBS had Nelson Mandela on afterward talking about how hatred based on skin color, creed, etc. was just plain evil. I thought CBS did a fine job giving us an alternative the the ABC Republican ass kissing festival. Btw, the CBS 9/11 remembrance documentary had no commercials either. CBS made a damn good impression on me last night. That is all I can say.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

68. My dear Jamastiene......

That moment of silence seems like a very good idea to me, too.......

Plastic flags do not!

I hadn't thought of eating Subway as a form of protest....good for you!

It's always good to support the sponsors of the programs you approve of......

They do pay attention to such matters.......

Thanks for your incisive comments.....:hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

69. As we were returning from Cleveland last night,

I saw fireworks going off in Western MD. It might have been belated Labor Day festivities, as it was pretty rainy last weekend. But it seemed awfully odd.

Last year, I remember there was some country singer who was scheduled to perform a 9/11 concert on the Mall in DC. I can't remember all the details; but the whole schmiel seemed terribly tacky at the time. Are we going to have parade and fireworks on 9/11 now?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

73. My dear GoddessOfGuinness........

Fireworks? That is tacky........

I agree......it seems odd......and folks will turn out for these things...

Without even thinking what it's all about......

:hug:

[buddhamama]

70. nope

the flag is a symbol that has little meaning to me today. to truly honor those who lost their lives today five years ago, we need to get those fascist bastards outta the white house and behind bars.

[Guava Jelly]

74. Here Here!!!

I agree 100%
and :hi: buddhamama

[CaliforniaPeggy]

76. My dear buddhamama..........

I agree about getting those fascist bastards out of our White House.....

And behind bars, preferably at the Hague!

I still fly the flag on holidays, real ones!

:hug:

[SoyCat]

72. No. Until the flag is for all Americans--not just Republicans, I won't

use the flag.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

77. My dear SoyCat.........

I respect your position entirely, even if I don't agree......

I do fly it, but not on "fake" holidays like today....

:hug:

[SoyCat]

79. I understand completely.

[Joey Liberal]

75. I'm with you CaliforniaPeggy

No flag today.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

78. My dear Joey Liberal........

You got it!

Thanks......:hug:

[Fox Mulder]

81. I don't have a flag.

And if I did, it wouldn't be flying it until it's meant for ALL Americans...not just Republicans.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

82. My dear Fox Mulder........

You are not alone in this sentiment......

And I respect it.........

Even though I feel differently......

Mine isn't flying today, but it does on real holidays.....

:hi:

[chat_noir]

85. all flags should be flown upside down (distress signal) because of

……….


WWW.AWOLBUSH.COM






DESERTER: THE STORY OF GEORGE W. BUSH AFTER HE QUIT THE TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD http://www.glcq.com/bush_at_arpc1.htm















$10,000 reward was never collected




Cheerleader action doll hahahaha

[CaliforniaPeggy]

89. Upside down is certainly an option........

And one that I respect....My dear chat_noir......

:hi:

[chat_noir]

86. all flags should be flown upside down (distress signal) because of

……….


WWW.AWOLBUSH.COM






DESERTER: THE STORY OF GEORGE W. BUSH AFTER HE QUIT THE TEXAS AIR NATIONAL GUARD http://www.glcq.com/bush_at_arpc1.htm















$10,000 reward was never collected




Cheerleader action doll hahahaha

[Joe Fields]

87. California Peggy, you are very nice, but I would have different plans

for a flag, if I got my hands on one.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

88. Tell me, my dear Joe Fields..........

What would you do?

Via PM if it's inflammatory..........

:hi:

[wain]

90. That's a wonderful picture

When I worked in the city I would take the Path to the WTC. What a wonderful, vibrant atmosphere. The two towers were simple in design, yet so beautiful. I remember one evening taking the Staten Island ferry for a relaxing ride (25 cents each way!). The nighttime view of NYC and the WTC from the harbor was spectacular.

I sure do miss the old New York. And I think how the pols are playing the designs, rebuilding and memorial site is disgraceful. Five years and still a hole in the ground. Didn't it take less than a year to put up the Empire State building?

I wore my US flag tie to work on Monday. I do that occasionally as a sign of support to those serving (a couple are friends from work).

:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

92. Thank you, my dear wain......

Wish I could take credit for that pic, but I can't. I don't even remember just where I saw it......

I like your tie idea! I've seen them before, and they are cool.......

And I agree that the hole in the ground is a disgrace......

:hi:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

91. I never fly the flag anymore...

And even if I did, it'd probably be upside down. I did take some pictures of the local pseudo-patriotics having a ceremony over at the OKC National Memorial. They turned out pretty good, even though it was pictures of what seemed to be a creepy celebration.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5615423&mesg_id=5615423
Duckie

[CaliforniaPeggy]

93. My dear YellowRubberDuckie........

I still fly it, but not on false holidays like yesterday........

I never know what to think about these celebrations....

Nice pics!

:hi:

[lgn19087]

94. Never have flown a flag before

Will CERTAINLY not stop now. When this country stops being a beacon of hate and oppression to the intolerant peoples of the world, I might THINK about it.

I'd much rather put out an Iranian flag. Who have they invaded lately?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

95. You know, I don't remember just who started the Iraq/Iran war...

It would certainly get you a lot of attention if you did fly an Iranian flag!

Thanks for commenting today....

[lgn19087]

96. That was what, 20 years ago?

For all that guys bluster, * has killed far more innocents in the last 8 years than Iran has.

Maybe my facts are off, but I thought Iraq invaded Iran.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

97. I think you're correct on the dates........

And yes, Iraq invaded Iran........and Iraq lost...

Something for our current dipwad to consider....... :grr:

[lgn19087]

98. "consider"

There's an action our dear leader never mastered.

[Kajsa]

100. Hi Peggy, I'm glad I found this thread.

Yes, I did put my flag out on Sept. 11th.

When the first tower was hit on that day in 2001 my next door
neighbors( at my former residence) put up their flag, immediately.
What's so remarkable about that? They are a wonderful couple, two
openly gay men who showed more true patriotism than
any of the Repubs in the neighborhood.
Oh yes, they are Democrats.

Up went my flag and it comes out every 9-11.

It's the flag of our country.
It belongs to all of us, even if our current
administration is doing everything in their power
to divide us!

It blows the minds of my Repub neighbors.
They all know I'm a progressive Dem. in a
Republican stronghold and I fly our flag
to show this is my country too!

Our country was attacked that day.
If you're an American, it's very personal.
I honor those who died.

It's defiance and patriotism, rolled into one
:patriot: