See: Magritte -- Treason of Images
"This is not a pipe."
See: Magritte -- Treason of Images
"This is not a pipe."
You said:
"Admittedly it doesn't seem very respectful, but isn't there a difference between a flag and a picture of a flag?"
Not in my eyes, it's not... People died and are dying to defend those colors..
Regards,
Joe
Kids could use your post when they get in trouble at school for having pictures of guns,gun magazines,etc. :)
My first response was to agree with you, but it always helps to look at a pathological case, too: What if he stopped in the middle of his talk and urinated on it? Would we still think no insult to the flag had occurred?
That is a superb observation. There must be a definition of what is the "Flag of the United States" is if someone is to be accused of desecration.
The 1971 issue of "The American Patriot's Handbook" includes an explanation of the proper manner to display the Flag of the United States under all situations and venues. It also describes how law defines the Flag of the United States.
The nation's flag laws state that "Flag of the United States" include any flag, or picture of any flag, in which the colors, the stars, and the stripes may be shown in any number which, without careful examination or deliberation, the average person may believe to represent the Flag of the United States.
Each American can view the picture of Kerry and decide if Kerry is showing disrespect for the Flag of the United States by ignoring either the law or the etiquette regarding, or both.
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.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
"This is not a pipe."
Of course it is not a pipe; it is an image of a pipe.