The American Flag belongs to us again. Display it with pride fellow DUers

[NNN0LHI]

Just hung up the phone with my parents. Talked to my WW II veteran father who was pro-Bush, pro-war, and anti-Democrat his entire life. I asked if he had heard about the Democrat who has decided to run for president today. His answer was, "Do you mean General Clark"? I said yes, what do you think about him? His answer startled me. He said he liked him a lot and would not hesitate to vote for him next year. I responded that I thought he liked Bush. He said anyone but Bush, and that things will not get better with Bush in office. Only worse. I was truly amazed to say the least. Him and I have not been able to even talk about politics, or war since 9/11 because all either of us would get from it was hard feelings. He began bringing it up over the past few months and I have avoided discussing it with him because he is old and did not like seeing him upset.

I then spoke with my mother who is also a lifetime Republican who works for the party at the polls every election in her town. She has been wavering back and forth on the war but has not been happy with Bush since he stole the election and that did not set well with her. They must have been discussing the subjest of Clark because she said nearly the same thing about him as my father did. Except she seemed to like him even more than my father did. If that is possible? What a great day for America, I said to myself. Thats about it.

Don

[watercolors]

1. I have the flag displayed

right along side of my IMPEACH BUSH bumper sticker.

[ComerPerro]

2. That is definately encouraging news

Many Republicans are disgusted with Bush.

Now, will their votes count? Will ours? Time will tell.

[Richardo]

3. Hear hear! I'm calling my Korean War vet Dad and get his take...

...much like you, he and I have avoided politics since the impeachment, and he's pretty Hannitized.

After I talk to him about his (shrinking) veteran's benefits and Clark, we'll see if we can turn him. :evilgrin:

[Starpass]

4. Two things

First, I was just thinking about this last night. I simply have not been able either to display the flag or put on one of those pins because to me it was becoming a symbol of either idiocy or Nazism. If we elect a Dem president, I intend to be decked out in red, white and blue. It's the time to show them that it is, indeed, our country too and now a country that can survive this attack it's been under. Secondly, I told you how vets/military people 'sell' in this country. After wars, generals have been elected: Washington, Grant, Ike and Clark is ready to carry on the tradition.

[NNN0LHI]

6. Its because the Repugs had turned it into their flag. Flag=Bush

It ain't theirs no more. They are fucked now. And the nice thing about it is that they know it now too.

Don

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Our parents are wise

My dad is a WWII/Korean Veteran and DETESTS Bush (his pet name for Bush is son-of-a-b**ch) :-)....mom too. I will and do display my flag. I don't have to put one of those ugly flags on my car, do I? You know, the one that hooks on each window and flaps in the wind as you drive? Ack! :-)

[MissMillie]

7. I've been displaying my flag right along...

I refused to let the right hijack it.

I can understand your enthusiasm. I know a lot of people that have reached the "Anyone but Bush" stance, some of them were Bush supporters all along.

But my love of this country didn't end when Bush was sworn into office. My flag bumper sticker is right above my "Wage Peace" bumper sticker.

[maggrwaggr]

8. Displaying flags is silly

I grew up in the military as an Army brat and to me, a flag is simply a label to show American territory.

Why wave a flag? Unless you want to remind people they're in America. In case they've forgotten or gotten on the wrong plane.

Or you want to put a flag on your house to mark it as American? In case someone might be confused, or in case some Russian might mistake it for Russia and camp out there?

I don't get it. To me, any other display of a flag is naked nationalism.

[Zero Gravitas]

11. Agreed

I've always thought the same thing. I tend to remember which country I am in at any given time so I find most flag flying uneccessary.

Having said that, as soon as that silly, useless little man currently occupying the White House is de-selected next November I will put up a flag to symbolize the rescuing of our country from the fascists.

[TAH6988]

13. To each their own

I fly my flag most days as an expression of patriotism and yes, nationalism.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

9. Yep, please welcome back the Reagan Democrats, along with white males

If Clark plays it right the Democratic party will be the majority once again. The Republicans will only have the Fundie Taliban, Klansmen, and newly rich left.

I just hope Clark doesn't give us a bunch of free traitor pro-corporate nonsense. If he's a populist, he may as well start forwarding his mail to the White House.

[instantkarma]

10. same story here

My father's a Korean War vet, voted straight republican for 40 years. The last time I talked to him he said (regarding Bush), "I'm not going to vote for him again. Next time I'll vote democrat." Then he mentioned he likes Gen. Clark. I think he sees the runaway spending, our forces being stretched too thin, the general incompetence of this administration -- he also mentioned his distaste for Ashcroft and Rumsfeld.

[Piperay]

12. I agree....nt

:thumbsup:

[WesWing2004]

14. flag next to dem lawn sign

so there is no mistaking that i might be a stupid wing-nut.

[DemExpat]

15. What a fantastic feeling...thanks for sharing this.

My Republican Mom and Dad died in '95 and '97, but I am 100% certain that they would have reacted as your parents are now, Don.

They would also have liked Clark - a lot.
:kick:

DemEx

[Enraged American]

16. It'll be awhile until...

I can look at the flag without feeling sick again. It doesn't conjure images anymore of people who are curious about foreigners and who think the world loves them. Nope, now it belongs to people who burn French flags, hate anything that doesn't look or act like them, and have a "f--- what the world thinks" mentality.

In addition, I will never truly respect the flag until the gov't respects it and prevents car dealers from exploiting it.