We attended a small local 4th of July Parade today. Everyone stood, took their hats off, etc. when the American Flag and color guard, went by starting the parade. Everyone remained standing as several vehicles with vets of varying ages went by.

I did notice that several of the parade watchers were wearing clothing made to look like the American Flag, shirts, blouses, etc.

Then I noticed that several of the folding chairs were made to look like the American
Flag , plus the carrying bags were made in the image of the American Flag. Guess where these bags were, thrown on the ground

The chair and carrying bag were like this:
http://www.graphicice.com/index.php/action/prodspec/itemID/921357862

With all of the recent discussions involving the flag, HOA issues and displaying the flag, law being passed so veterans can salute out of uniform, proper respect for the flag, etc. I found this disparty......well disgusting!

Without searching I am not sure where the chairs, and carrying bags were made, but have a pretty good idea and it isn't in the U.S.

Only damper on a glorious 4th of July here in Iowa!

We have these chairs. Bought them several years ago for $10 each.

I draw a distinction here. The depiction of the US flag on a chair, a t-shirt, or whatever is just that, a depiction of the flag. It is not a US Flag.

The US flag is what I have properly displayed from a flag pole mounted on the front of my house and you can rest assured, it will never touch the ground.

I'm with Fitz. Making a chair out of an American Flag is disrespectful. Making a chair that utilizes the red, white, blue, stars, and stripes that are simply similar to the patriotic flare of the American Flag is just fine.

+ 1 Fitz and mm6mm6.

United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag
Paragraph 3
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html#5

The words "flag, standard, colors, or ensign", as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

I'm happy to see the flag displayed almost any where in almost any form. Flag chairs, shirts, koozies, and the like generally speak more to patriotism than they do to disrespect...IMHO...

To me, an "image" of the flag and a flag itself are the same. They are a symbol of our country and should be displayed with respect, not cheapened by being used and discarded as you would some throw away object. But we are all patriots on the forum and each is allowed their own opinion.

my flag is flying today, as a matter of fact I just may leave it up permanently

quote:

Originally posted by gunsmith11:
my flag is flying today, as a matter of fact I just may leave it up permanently

There are rules for that as well. Must provide proper lighting for display between sunset and sunrise.

Each little step away is an erosion and eventually there is a big gully to step across.

Sort of like 2nd amendment rights, everyone (for and against) grouses about each little erosion in concern for losing the whole hillside!

BTW Thanks redlevel , I could not find that reference, appreciate it !

I consider chairs, shirts, etc., as bunting and not the flag of the United States. If people have their heart in the right place, then displaying such as these is ok in my book. I'd like to see more displays of patriotism, not fewer. I was invited to an Independence Day get together with some old friends. We were sitting around and I said, "Shouldn't we sing "Happy Birthday" or something? Nobody got it...well maybe it's just me.

Our local newpaper prints an American Flag on one of the pages, to both show patriotism and for people who dont have flags to still be able to show their American pride.

The paper boy folded our paper improperly, but I dont think he meant any disrespect.

Last year one of our neighbors had an American Flag doormat, I went to photograph it but it is gone this year. It was brown and black, but still the flag. I think the off-shore vendors would put our flag on anything if it increased sales.

I think you can take this reasoning too far and end up sounding like some extremist Muslim.

What is the INTENTION of the chair/garment/whatever? If the intention is not disrespectful, then you should let it go. And even if it is disrespectful, God Bless America. We tolerate a lot of a$$holes here....