patriot project
THE PATRIOT PROJECT
I have been talking to friends lately about the disconnect in our country between flag waving and understanding (or lack of) the rights and freedoms represented by the symbol.
I decided to turn this into an 'art project' and gather as many comments and photos as possible. A wise friend decided that this really called for a blog...so here it is!
What does the flag represent to you?
I am looking for responses and would also love to see photos of some of the best/weirdest flag displays that you've seen.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public" Theodore Roosevelt U.S. President 1901 -1909
posted by dee | 7/11/2006 06:59:00 AM
3 Comments:
I'm sure we can find some great photos up around here and we'll be carrying the camera with us.
Great quote from Teddy by the way.
Flags represent signatures of opinions and stances of ideas... What first comes to mind with me is the standing of flags when groups organize for battle, that one horse rider carries a flag into battle marking the territory of an area. This might not be the best visual, but many times flags represent opinions upon which people disagree.
But flags are cool, they can mark positive feelings too. But for some reason, i feel like flags are an expression on one's particular
"stance" that they are "committed" to certain ideals.
The identifying flag of amsterdam of red & black stripes and the
"triple X's" has multiple meanings. Not only is the flag a signifier of a ship's home port, but it has come to mean other things such as the triple "X's" of adult pleasures & and also of possible "warning signs,"
or "X" marks the spot..!!!
Flags are in your face signs of opinions. In many cases, opinions can offend another person. We fly flags for many reasons. By just writing a little here off the top of my head, im coming to the idea that flags are a warning signal of a territorial opinion of someone, like a warning sign of communications, and in cases where you agree with the sign(opinion), the flag is a safe haven destination.
A final flying of flags i really cherish also has to do with sea
travels. There are flags signifying weather conditions: fair weather sailing, stronger gail winds not so favorible for sailing, and storm warnings of extreme high winds & tides: "maggies drawers" that the dual square flags are of "underwear" hung out on the flagpole, noting that the double red "now square" flags flying straight out are an obvious sign of visably strong winds & bad weather. Indeed in this case of flying flags, one must take note & warning of current weather conditions, and use some common sense in determining, that it might not really be a good time to set sail into the oceans.
So what Patriotism you feel, for me, becomes a warning of
opinion(s) which many times are not of your own feelings. (I still like flags, it's just a realization of what they mean...!!)
micknight.com
I once was arrested in St Joseph Missouri for wearing a flag patch on the back pocket of my jeans. At the time I thought it was a good expression of patriotic feeling, there was no thought of disrespect by putting it on my butt. The local authorities thought different. Why should an expression of patriotic solidarity be treated as a criminal act?
Isn't the flag just a symbol of a belief? Should it be the belief itself? If the "flag" is so sacred, why do so many ignore the protocol of flag displaying? How many people even know that protocol? I confess that for years I did not. My arrest made me research the flag. I am wiser and fortunately not a criminal because of local law enforcement zeal; the case was thrown out.
Must we be so touchy about how another expresses their beliefs? How extreme do we become in out patriotic fervor? Everytime I sketch a flag while doodling on a note pad, must I take it to the local authorities to have them burn it as is the proper disposal for an old flag? Am I disrespectful because I wad the picture up and throw it in the trash?
The flag is not the country it symbolizes. It is merely a piece of material displaying a recognized "symbol". Altering a picture should not be considered treasonistic. Why is that more horrid than destroying a print of the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence? Are they not more accurate symbols of what our country is about?
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