[bvw]

Again -- google "bring them home yellow ribbon". The evidence is there and not very obtuse at all.

[pollyannaish]

I have noticed there are three "support the troops" yellow ribbons. There are the ones that state "bring them home" there are some that say "support the troops" and there are some that don't say anything.

IMO, the one's that say bring them home are unambiguously in the Sheehan camp. But for most of the others, I don't think it's that clear. Most are displayed by good and decent people who are just trying to do the right thing, but are not as politically sensitive as your average activist.

So, I think we have to look at the motives of the people sporting them, and most of them are troop supporters. We need tocontinue the use of the symbol to support the troops, no matter the original intent or the co opting of the symbol by the left. Cede no ground.

[chudogg]

Your a moron and shouldn't be bringing your little arguement to such an important thread. The ribbon is a symbol, and it can mean whatever people want it to. Currently it is a symbol that represents supporting the troops and the mission, despite the fact that anti-war groups make their own ribbons with anti-war messages. However, if you can't see that most of society is using the ribbon as the former meaning go start your own vanity thread.

[raygun]

I did Google the yellow ribbon thing, and you know what? The origins of the symbology is actually somethwat obscure. Neverthelss, much popular opinion holds to the idea that the yellow ribbon phenomenon stemmed from the song popularized by Tony Orlando and Dawn. As far as your philosophy of the symbol being co-opted precluding its use, the opposition flies Old Glory upside down and burns it even (as if its something to be despised or held in contempt). Does that change what the flag stands for and should we change the flag (or refuse to fly it) because its been co-opted?

Yellow ribbon folklore