Bill would put flags in all Ariz. classrooms by 2007
Well, here's my flag:
I love my country, but I abhor how some would have us marching lock step and worshipping some idealized image of what patriotism should be. Thankfully we have a pretty decent Democratic governor here in the state who I can't imagine would sign such a ridiculous bill. And at least a few Democratic legislators sees the folly in such a bill:
- "Rep. David Bradley, D-Tucson, said he appreciates patriotism, citing his own eight years of service in the Navy. "I just don't think you can legislate patriotism," he said. "It has to come from inside their hearts and minds. For us to say, 'You will do this,' has the stench of another era." He explained later he was thinking specifically of Nazi Germany's "programmed loyalty" policies."
- " ... Rep. Ted Downing, D-Tucson, said patriotism is not like religion, where someone saying eight "Hail Marys" may be more penitent that someone who says only one. "We could fill the United States with flags. That wouldn't make us any more patriotic than if we had only one flag," he said. "
5 comments:
I find the whole thing about the US flag rather strange. Over here if a person flew the Union Flag every day from their house they would be seen as rather 'odd ball' to say the least. Even our government buildings don't fly the flag every day!
[Note - the Union Flag is only called a Union 'Jack' when flown from the back of a ship... unless anyone else knows otherwise]
Cyber: Didn't know that about the "Jack". Interesting. Any idea why?
I think it's silly. Someone who flies a flag isn't more patriotic than someone who burns one. It all depends on the context. And what is patriotism really? It's different for different people. I used to have an image I created with the American flag where the stars were Microsoft logos and it had Mickey Mouse on it. There's also a flag for some anti-corporate group with logos for corporations as the stars. I'll have to dig those up.
The issue of whether it is acceptable to use the term "Union Jack" is one that causes considerable controversy. Although it is often asserted that "Union Jack" should only be used for the flag when it is flown as a jack (a small flag flown at the bow of a ship), it is not universally accepted that the "Jack" of "Union Jack" is a reference to such a jack flag; other explanations have been put forward. The term possibly dates from the early 1700s, but its origin is uncertain. Even if the term "Union Jack" does derive from the jack flag (as perhaps seems most likely), after three centuries, it is now sanctioned by usage, has appeared in official usage and remains the popular term. The term "Union Flag", on the other hand, is more politically correct and this is the term preferred in official documents by vexillologists and the BBC (whose linguistic usage generally carries some weight as an unofficial standard of 'correctness'). The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c. 21) section 4(1)(a)(ii) refers to the national colours of the United Kingdom as “the Union flag (commonly known as the Union Jack)”
I fly the flag on Independance day, Memorial day, and Veterans day. However, as soon as my flag display becomes interpreted as a Patriotism test, I'll quit.
I don't know anyone, regardless of their political persuation, who doesn't love their country. I refuse to turn patriotism into a elementary school game of one upsmanship!
Kitten,
Thanks. Interesting. The whole notion of flags seems silly to me. Groups of people spending countless hours and tax dollars coming up with legal rhetoric for appropriate use and disposal of a piece of fabric astounds me.
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