My Flag Is Bigger Than Yours (and Other Pseudo-Patriotic Nonsense)

Take a look at the General's post at OYE about the Yellophant Command Vehicle spotted at the Crawford counter-protest. I myself wouldn't be caught dead driving that car. It's amazing how far some people will go just to prove that they are proud, flag-waving patriotic Americans. I guess it's a sign of these bizarre postmodern times when herd mentality is deemed virtuous and the slight bit of non-conformity is tantamount to treason.

I see it on my street everyday. At least one-half to two-thirds of the town-homes in my complex hang American flags outside their garages. I don't think there is anything wrong with this. People hang American flags for a variety of personal reasons and should be free to do so. I just see this act as part of the larger trend of non-thinking, non-questioning allegiance to authority. Do I get those odd looks from my flag-hanging neighbors because I have chosen not to conform to their Stars and Stripes aesthetic outside my garage? Maybe it's because I have a dirty garage door or maybe it's the Che Guevara and Bob Marley posters on the inner garage wall that produce those odd stares . . .

Note: This picture has not been photo-shopped. These are actual outfits.

After September 11 it was almost mandatory to hang an American flag. When people started taking down their flags toward the end of 2001 they were occasionally greeted with dirty looks for betraying their flag-flying neighbors. Are they any less patriotic than those who keep flying their flags? No. Then there's the case of non-white and foreign-born Americans. Why do they have to prove their patriotism more than white Americans? Why does the local Lebanese restaurant need to fly ten American flags just to prove that they like America? For instance, I occasionally frequent this dry cleaner which is owned by an Arab family. Inside the shop there is a large photo of the owner with George W. Bush surrounded by countless American flags. Do the owners happen to dig Bush or are they scared of being labeled terrorists if they don't prove their uber-patriotism?

Take the Yellophant Command Vehicle that is covered in "Support Our Troops" magnets. I have no idea how putting a magnet on one's car supports the troops who are currently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other spots around the world. It might foster awareness but it is an empty slogan that does not provide any tangible support for those serving abroad. There are better ways to support the troops like donating money, demanding the truth from a lying regime or helping veterans who return from the war (here, here, here, and here). I think the flag and ribbon-magnet phenomenon has mainly benefited the companies who produce them. Now there's ribbons for breast cancer, autism and even green leafed ribbons that read "Support My Habit".    

       

In all fairness, the left-wing, anti-Bush crowd knows how to pollute an automobile with propaganda much better than their right-wing counterparts. You know what I'm talking about--those ugly hippie station wagons that are covered with so many stickers that you can't tell the make or color of the vehicle. I saw a good one yesterday with a sticker that read "If Men Could Get Pregnant Then Abortion Would Be A Sacrament".

Patriotism is commonly used by the right to divide and conquer. Last November, I briefly held my nose and casted my vote for John Kerry. In the eyes of most Republicans that makes me an un-American, un-patriotic evildoer. (The far, far left would say I was duped). Although the tide is beginning to turn against Bush and his dirty war, criticism of the president is still considered to be treasonous in many areas. Funny, I can't recall anyone on the left calling Republicans un-American during their relentless attacks on Bill Clinton in the 1990's.

By claiming that one is patriotic, the other side is immediately cast as ungrateful, unworthy and even heretical. Since 9/11, patriotism has been used to create in-group vs. out-group scenarios. It's either black or white. There's no gray area in between. No nuance. You're either with us or with the terrorists.  I truly wish that we could reclaim patriotism from its current jingoistic incarnation and transform it into a positive force. Love of country does not mean blind allegiance to a regime. Love of country means that I as a citizen want the best for my country and all its people as well as the rest of the world.

Love, as in any relationship, is dependent on honesty, truth and openness. If one can't be honest and speak the truth in a relationship, then it is one-sided and unequal. Bush lovers resemble pathological masochists who currently thrive on the abusive relationship they hold with their president. He abuses them, they love it, and so he abuses them more. He sends their kids to die in a war predicated upon lies and they cheer for more.

Well, I am doing my small part to be different in my neighborhood. Last week I bought a California state flag. I intend to fly it outside my garage door. I know, it's nothing radical. But I guarantee you I'll be the only one flying it within a five-mile radius.

Comments

[Tom]

All this flag waving nonsense reminds me of my roots. I grew up in Northern Ireland, and in our equivalent of redneck areas people fly the union jack (British flag) if they are protestant-loyalist, or the Tricolour (Irish flag) if they are catholic-republican.

The whole phenomenon seems to be born of identity insecurity at best, or name-calling boorishness at worst.

Contrast that with life in Britain. Being a much older nation, British people are much, much more relaxed about their identity - (and probably too lazy and apathetic to do anything as strenuous as buy a flag, bury a flagpole and raise and lower the damned thing).

Good luck to you guys - flag waving can get out of hand very quickly - I've seen it at first hand. And to the people who fly dozens of flags I say this: For your own sake, loosen your underpants... they're probably on too tight - and try to get out more !

[ThomH]

Mebdh Sings has good related post on this: TOXIC FAITH CHARACTERISTICS.

Your analysis of when love for nation goes horribly wrong matches well with her's on religion.

Indeed, many of us hold that some on the right have corrupted both patriotism and faith.

[Diane]

The irony is that in the 60's, these same people were probably the ones cheering against the guy who was hauled to court for wearing a flag.

[HelenWheels]

Man, that picture of those freaks in flag garb always pushes me over the edge. I just had a laugh attack that scared my dog!

I hate jingoism and I loved this post. Very insightful, and hilarious as well. that Yellowphant truck also gave me a huge case of the giggles (and a bit of spewage as well).

I was horrified that the entire Sikh Temple's congregation next door felt they had to hang a huge American flag after Sept. 11th. They also felt they had to hold a rally explaining their religion because of the bomb threats and firecracker attacks they were subjected to. They also felt they had to have their own candle light vigil for hours lined up along the street.

Bigotted idiots around here think if you wear a turban you blew up the twin towers.

[HelenWheels]

Also, I wonder how "patriotic" that idiot who ran over the crosses at Camp Casey thinks he is? WTF?!?

[Agi T. Prop]

Helen,

Remember the elderly Sikh man who was beaten in New York shortly after 9/11? These idiots don't know the difference between Sikhism and Islam.

Oh yeah, the asshat that mowed down the crosses also ran over a bunch of American flags. Can we punish him for desecrating the American flag?

By the way, he's also a realtor in the Crawford area:

Northern, Realtors
Larry Northern
303 Crossroads West
Waco, Texas 76712
254-772-8200
254-751-0449 fax
Lnorth8980@aol.com

[el s]

ya think it would be possible to get a picture of the YE command vehicle? i've been thinking of posting pics of my idiotic neighbor's stickers and so forth, and i'd like to see how Orange stacks up against Irvine.

[Agi T. Prop]

My favorite are the big SUVs with W stickers and yellow ribbons here in Irvine. Thanks to those gas-guzzling SUVs, our soldiers are dying in Iraq.

[Neil Shakespeare]

Yup, you can't burn it, but you can fart through it.

[el serracho]

my personal fave is the SUV with a yellow ribbon turned sideways (shout out to the jesus and all that) whose patriotic jesus loving driver flipped me the finger last week after i, on a bicycle, shook my head in their general direction.

my other fave is the harley (with extra loud pipes of course) that had an oversized (like 10 feet long) flag jury-rigged to the back so long may it wave... or something that i saw while riding (again on a bicycle) in santiago canyon the other day).

i like bicycles, i guess that makes me a bad american.

criminy.

[Pepper]

Oh - I used to live in Orange County, and I SO HEAR YOU right now. The bigger the car, the more likely there will be a W bumper sticker on it!

[Mannion's Mother]

Very nicely done, Commandante.

[Lloyd Drako]

The best one I've seen: a yellow ribbon with "Support the war--oppose the troops."
I think it comes from a vintage Doonesbury.

[BQ]

Lloyd, I love that line, too.

Not *certain* it originated with him (but can't imagine him knowingly co-opting anybody else) but I just heard it on a Bill Hicks CD (Vol I of the UFO or Abduction Tour, sorry, it's in the car)

His line was something like "During the last war I was in the awkward position being for the war and against the troops."

The worst thing I've seen around here was a oversized pick-em-up truck with a HUGE (probably 4'x6') Confederate flag on a staff so it waved proudly as he tailgated at well over the speed limit in a residential neighborhood. The yellow ribbons just get dirty looksfrom me, but this guy got a finger (outside the window so he couldn't miss it). Mind you, this is in NW OHIO, fer Chrissakes!

[Tiffany]

Totally agree with you on this one. Especially the part about how speaking out against Bush is considered treasonous and unpatriotic. Since when was it treasonous and unpatriotic to have an opinion? What are we all supposed to be - brainwashed idiots that blindly follow our leader?

[LJ]

SO...you do not support BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. What a sexist thing to comment on. Your ass is showing.

[LJ]

No TIFFANY the brain washed idiots are those that follow the HOLLYWOOD types blindly. I think you know the type!! Since when does the fact that you have had your face and other body parts on screen make you a political expert?

[LJ]

Hey EL SERRACHO...those Harleys with the flags are most often driven/ridden by Vietnam vets that are very proud of their country.

[el serracho]

hi lj. guess what. loud pipes=inconsiderate asshole. the flag just makes it funny.

[Agi T. Prop]

LJ, check out this sentence:

Now there's ribbons for breast cancer, autism and even green leafed ribbons that read "Support My Habit".

There's nothing sexist about stating the fact that there are ribbons for breast cancer. I would suggest looking up the definition of sexism before you start accusing people of it.

By the way, I'm shocked that you can see my ass from your computer screen because there are no nude pictures on this site.

Yes el serracho, loud bikers are obnoxious show-offs.