Musafir's Musings

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Their grand standing about banning French fries and French toasts bombed.

Now the super patriots are into another jingoistic act. They are going to retry passing the Flag Burning Amendment. I must be living on another planet. Don't recall flags being burned at random. But their minds work in strange ways. One would think that if they are seriously concerned about honoring the national flag they would act to enforce the etiquette described in U.S.History.org.

I quote:

• Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words written on it?

No, the flag should never be worn and no, the flag should never have marks or words written upon it. Section 8d (see below): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Section 8g: "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."


• Is it okay to use flag napkins or flag paper plates?
  No. Section 8i (see below) reads: "It should not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."

• Is it okay for an advertisement to use the flag?

  Capital One credit card promotion

  No. Section 8i (see below) reads, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.

• What does the Flag Code say about displaying the flag horizontally, as before a football game?

Section 8c. reads, "The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. "

• Isn't the American flag stamp in violation of the flag rules?

37¢ stamp

This question has been asked by dozens of visitors to this page. The answer appears to be yes. Section 8e. (see below) reads, "The flag should never be ... used ... in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way." Section 8g. reads, "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark ... of any nature." 8i. reads, "[The flag] should not be printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."
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Should keep them busy for a while---if they really want to preserve the sanctity of our national flag.