Posted on 07/24/2006 5:24:39 PM PDT by ml/nj
TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
CHAPTER 1--THE FLAG
Sec. 8. 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.(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 napkins 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.
ML/NJ
Was she actually wearing a flag? If not, then the law doesn't apply.
If it has a blue union with white stars, and red and white stripes, I would argue that it is covered by this law. Are you suggesting that, if someone makes a minor modification to the flag and wears it, that would somehow be respectful of the flag? The only way to tell if this woman was or wasn't wearing an official flag probably would have been to undress her.
ML/NJ
No, I'm saying that if she was not actually wearing a flag then the law doesn't apply.
Also... the Code uses the word "should not" rather than "shall not", a rather significant selection of words in legislation.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
How many candidates running for office break this one?
(You might also have pointed out that no penalties are prescribed for violations.) This makes it okay with you?
ML/NJ
You are a master of putting words into other people's mouths.
I didn't see the person you are referring to, but since it is a wife of a candidate I am pretty confident she was not wearing the flag as a garment, which is what the Code refers to.
I have several t-shirts with a flag on it. I also have a bandana that looks like a flag when unfolded. No, I see nothing wrong with it.
What if you sell flags???
Uh oh.
heh. Funny.
According to what you posted, I was wrong when i presented the folded American flag to the next of kin at the two funerals I was the Casualty Assistance Officer.
The rules state the flag shoule be aloft and free. I throw myself at the mercy of the court.
So it looks like a flag when it's unfolded, but I guess when you fold it up it stops being a flag? Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the wearing the flag as a bandana thing started with bikers in the 60s. Sorry, they weren't being respectful of the flag.
ML/NJ
I think you're being uptight and anal.
Also...looking at this clause:
(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.
Reminds be of the picture floating around of President Bush signing a mini-American flag. Should we impeach him for this heinous desecration?
No we shouldn't impeach him. But the disrespect for the flag that I am referring to started in the counter-culture and moved into the mainstream. It's too bad that some here do not recognize this for what it is.
ML/NJ
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