Forget Nipplegate, Prepare for Ponchogate

Zap2it.com ^ | 02/04/04

[Pokey78]

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The Veterans of Foreign Wars have had it up to here with all of the fuss about the exposure of Janet Jackson's bejeweled breast during Sunday (Feb. 1) night's Super Bowl halftime show. Nudity is one thing, but messing with the American flag is a whole other kettle of fish. Hence, the VFW is taking aim at the unofficial Pimp of the Nation, Kid Rock. While a statement from the 104-year-old organization only describes Jackson's pastie flaunting as "nearly lewd," the VFW takes umbrage at Rock's even less revealing attire. The singer and "Biker Boyz" star took the stage at the halftime show clad in a poncho fashioned either out of an American flag or to look like an American flag.

Either way, the distinction is irrelevant to the VFW, which calls Robert James Ritchie (Mr. Rock to the overly obsequious) out for his "blatant and disgusting desecration of the U.S. flag."

"While MTV and CBS have issued apologies for the Janet Jackson incident, they have yet to address Kid Rock's disgusting use of an American flag as a costume prop," says VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward S. Banas. "The 1.6 million members of the VFW agree that Kid Rock's stunt was in poor taste and extremely disrespectful to the members of our armed forces who everyday pledge their allegiance -- and their life -- to our flag. I find it unconscionable that the entire news media, along with CBS, the NFL and MTV, have yet to address this." It is true that the media has certainly dedicated more time to Jackson's so-called wardrobe malfunction. Miss Jackson has been made into the designated scapegoat by MTV and the FCC is threatening an extensive investigation.

While it's unlikely that the FCC would find much to investigate in Rock's poncho (well, maybe in the pockets), but the VFW web site is happy to provide a lengthy discussion of the proper flag etiquette that has been breached in this case.

[Phantom Lord]

Mr. Rock meant no disrespect and poorly tried to show his patriotism and support of our country. Mr. Rock loves America and our proud military.

[Paradox]

Kid Rock is something of a libertarian/republican. He supports the Iraq War and the troops 100%. Whats next, they gonna go after the Asian fella who works at JPL too?

[Semper Vigilantis]

I was wondering when someone would get po'd about that. My wife and I were shocked when we saw that. Whatever happened to Citizenry classes in school?

...oh yeah, I forgot about that. What was I thinking...?

[anonymous_user]

Judge his intent, not his actions?

"Mr. Rock" needs some basic training in flag ettiquette. He looked like a damned fool.

[humblegunner]

Mr. Rock loves America and our proud military.

I'll bump that!

[OneTimeLurker]

I agree. Judge his intent. I have seen a photo of the President signing a flag with a Sharpie.

[joesnuffy]

I forgot...which branch of service was 'the kid' in again?

[George W. Bush]

He's going to catch flack on this. Ignorance of the flag protocol is no excuse. And he didn't have to wear it, he could have displayed it properly instead as a backdrop or found another way to display.

Casually demeaning the flag can be considered as worse than burning it outright.

I'm with the VFW on this one.

[Columbine]

I didn't like it and I hope the message gets through to Kid Rock and that it doesn't happen again.

But, he is not a military or US basher like so many of these guys.

For that reason, I won't bash him.

[Constitution Day]

Thank you.

[dwilli]

Anybody who thinks Kid Rock, Toby Keith, and that crowd loves this country more than they love selling records
is a little on the gullible side.

[mcg1969]

That's right, wearing a flag for show is just abominable. We should immediately speak up whenever it happens.

Wait a minute, are we talking about this year's halftime show, or the one that U2 headlined when Bono's jacked was lined with an American flag? I forget.

[HELLRAISER II]

I agree, I think in his own way he was trying to be Patriotic.

[Stew Padasso]

What is wrong with celebrating capitalism?

[johnb838]

Mr. Rock is not anti-American, he's just an idiot. He truly makes me want to vomit, but I will grant that he supported the troops and the war.

[George W. Bush]

From the VFW web page:

VFW Seething Over Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment

Kansas City, MO, Feb. 3, 2004--The commander-in-chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is outraged with U.S. media organizations for ignoring the blatant and disgusting desecration of the U.S. flag by rock singer Kid Rock during Sunday's Super Bowl Halftime Show. During the halftime performance, Kid Rock slit a hole in the flag and wore it as a poncho.

Edward S. Banas Sr., Voluntown, Conn., said the media have made much of Janet Jackson's raunchy and nearly lewd act, but they have ignored Kid Rock's inappropriate and disrespectful use of the American flag.

"While MTV and CBS have issued apologies for the Janet Jackson incident, they have yet to address Kid Rock's disgusting use of an American flag as a costume prop. The 1.6 million members of the VFW agree that Kid Rock's stunt was in poor taste and extremely disrespectful to the members of our armed forces who everyday pledge their allegiance--and their life--to our flag," Banas said. "I find it unconscionable that the entire news media, along with CBS, the NFL and MTV, have yet to address this."

[HELLRAISER II]

That may be, but I'd much rather buy a CD from some one saying "I love America" than one who constantly bashes America.

[Constitution Day]

12/20/2000: Kid Rock Show To Benefit Victims Of USS Cole Attack

2/24/2003: War talk from Kid Rock (He Backs Bush!!)