Flying the flag

[TallahasseeGrannie]

My husband and I have flown a flag in our yard since we were married. It is something my dad did and I inherited the flags and they have a lot of meaning to me.

I was getting out of my car on the way home from work today when a nice looking couple approached me with a petition and Republican literature. I was nice; they were nice. I was polite; they were polite. I declined. They handled it just fine. (they are southerners, you know..) They asked about the next door neighbors, whether they were home or not yet. I replied I didn't know and asked whether they were going door to door. They told me they chose our house because we fly a flag and were obviously patriots and lovers of our country.

WTF? I AM a patriot. I do love my country. And I am a democrat. Since when are the two mutually exclusive?? I wonder if anyone ever mentioned this to Clinton and Gore? Carter? Kennedy? LBJ?

So I am wondering, am I like the only Democrat in the world or something that flies the flag? I find that hard to believe. The people I have met here on DU are passionate in their love for this country.

Rant off. Grannie back on the couch. Quiet now. Breathe...breathe...

[stopbush]

1. I flew the flag for years, but took it down shortly after

* took over in 01. Haven't flown it since...and won't until it stands for something besides facism.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. And I respect your

opinion and your actions and believe you are every bit the patriot I am.

[madmom]

10. I have done the exact same thing for the exact same reason..n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I think it is a shame the right wing has

tried to "take over" the flag. It is for everyone. Lately, though, I've seen the right wing treat the flag with less than respect, like leaving it tattered and dirty attached to the back of a pickup truck. Or, worse yet, attached to a sign saying how proud they were of Americans killing millions of Iraqi scum. To my mind, both instances showed a desicration of the flag.

[DistressedAmerican]

4. I Reclaim It From The Fascists Every Chance I Get.

Sadly, I frequently am mistaken for a freep at rallies because I have flags. If people want to give the flag over to the blood and guts crowd that is their choice. Not me though!

[Mr_Spock]

5. I'm as patriotic as anybody else.

What was the question again? :+

[alphafemale]

6. We fly the flag. Republicans have tried to Hijack it in recent years.

We also follow flag code.

Light on it or bring it in at night.

Bring it in during bad weather.

Nothing makes me angrier than seeing a tattered, gray flag.

And 99.99% of the time, I'd be willing to bet those tattered flags belong to republicans.

Edited for typos and clarity.

[Mr_Spock]

8. How about the rednecks that decorate bridges with a dozen flags!!

Do they have any idea about flag code or that it's not a decoration. Fools.

[BlueJac]

7. I was flying the flag too.....

but after a year in Iraq I took it down.....I want to put it back up but I can not support the fools in the White House, when they are gone it goes back up. I love this country and I want it back.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

9. I understand you emotion

but to me the flag is not the administration. I feel badly that you are estranged from that because of these people. That is sad.

[BlueJac]

11. Don't blame, blame the man behind my reasons!

I want him gone, he has done more damage to this country than 10 Cat 5 Hurricanes.

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. If there were a 'liberal' flag

or some other recognized symbol of liberalism, I'd fly it beneath the stars and stripes to show that a person can be both liberal and patriotic (as if flying a flag proved patriotism, but y'know).

But I won't fly the U.S. flag on its own. Since 9.11, it's become a symbol of asshattery, and I will not have anyone assume I'm with Them.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. Gosh, I just haven't picked up on that

I know this is a pretty much dead thread, but I'll answer anyway.

I know a lot of people started flying the flag after 9/11 but I'd been doing for years before that...

I'm not going to let THEM take my flag from me!

But I like the idea of another symbol underneath. Maybe a peace sign??

[Eurobabe]

13. I flew it daily in Virginia, but declined to fly it in Southern Ohio

where the Bu$hBOTS breed quicker than rabbits. It's still everybody's flag despite what the wingers think.

[AlwaysDemocrat]

15. Absolutely I agree - it is everybody's flag

I don't fly a flag at home but if I am somewhere where the flag is presented and the National Anthem is sung I participate. I don't think we can give up the flag or our patriotism to the Repugs. If we do then they have won - they have diminished our love for our country.

[MrSlayer]

14. I fly my flag all the time. They can't take it from me.

I fly my Democrat flag right underneath the Stars and Stripes as well.

[Berserker]

16. This is what you should have said to them

WTF? I AM a patriot. I do love my country. And I am a democrat. Since when are the two mutually exclusive?? I wonder if anyone ever mentioned this to Clinton and Gore? Carter? Kennedy? LBJ?

[sepia_steel]

17. *sigh*

I can relate. Maybe I'll start sticking flags everywhere so i can enjoy correcting these smug Bushbots. It's our flag, too. Let's NOT let them take over the flag! At least SOME of the people flying them shouldn't be phonies, right?

[kool kitty streblin]

18. I fly the flag

because i am priviledged...
i look forward to coming home and giving thanks for the priviledges i enjoy... :patriot:

i love it !!!