Flag flap may make us ugly americans

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It’s wonderful how the Olympics bring people of all nations together in the true spirit of annoying one another. 😃
 
Rich_Olszewski said:
Only in a military context.
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You are notorious for posting outragious statements. This is one of your better ones! As a former professional cadre military man and historian,I have never heard of such a thing.
What is your reference for this?
 
pnewton said:
I rather ask the reverse. Why would any flag dip to any foreign monarch. It seems an unreasonable request for the Olympic organizers to ask of any country.
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A recognition for hospitality.

I think the American patriotic attitude in general is a good thing, but sometimes I wonder when it goes a bit too far.

As a sign of that: it’s sad that many American adults today can’t even identify Great Britain on a map, or explain the difference between Great Britain and England.
 
torch621 said:
Of course, because only Americans can be arrogant, right?

Stupid
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That comment is out of line, big time. And it is arrogant, and petty. We’ve done it before, it’s what is done as a mere token of respect…unreal. We are saying with this move, essentially: We respect no one else, not even our staunchest allies.
 
Ah, that is true. There has been a few exceptions. I’m not taking a stance on it, I am merely presenting the fact that this is by no stretch a new thing. 👍
 
torch621 said:
But of course many would say that only applies to the military.

Apparently everyone else is exempt from having the moral apitude to show a little patriotism 🤷
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How is it “showing patriotism” to, on purpose, needlessly make oneself look like an arrogant jerk?
 
Indeed!:D. And you know the sad part? That incident was about a simple show of respect to the Japanese while being hosted in their country. I’m married to a Japanese, bowing is a common sign of courtesy and respect. Apparently it’s now unpatriotic for an American to be respectful in a foreign country…I need to renew my passport. Sometimes I dream about immigrating back to Scotland, whence my ancestors hail!
 
So, logically, next time it’s held in the USA no other country should dip their flag at the opening ceremonies to whichever representative of the USA is presiding, as a sign of respect or thanks for hosting the games.

They should all just hoist their flags higher as a sign of patriotism.

Just so we’re clear.:cool:

BTW - wouldn’t that be against the spirit of the games?
 
VeritasLuxMea said:
As a sign of that: it’s sad that many American adults today can’t even identify Great Britain on a map, or explain the difference between Great Britain and England.
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I do not want to be lumped with those. I know the difference very well, thank you.

In England that speak English and in Great Britain they speak British. There! Also Great Britain has an airline company. I think England has a leather company.
 
George_Stegmeir said:
You are notorious for posting outragious statements. This is one of your better ones!
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Thank you. I’m glad I’m appreciated.
As a former professional cadre military man and historian,I have never heard of such a thing.
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Your failure to have heard about something doesn’t mean that it is not so.
What is your reference for this?
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The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. It is Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq). This is a U.S. federal law, but there is no penalty for failure to comply with it. That’s why I said that only the military find it obligatory to not dip the U.S. flag. 🤷
 
To all those who wish to link this issue to the American Revolution.

Catholicism is the state religion in Costa Rica and Malta.
Should the flag-bearers of those countries refuse to dip their flags to the President of France when the Olympics are next held in that country, given the connection that exists between that presidential office and the anti-Catholic French Revolution?

I think not.
 
torch621 said:
I’m outraged that this is even an issue. The American flag dips to no monarch except Christ the King. Elizabeth is not my queen.

msn.foxsports.com/olympics/fencing/story/Opening-ceremony-flag-issue-make-US-ugly-Americans-at-London-Olympics
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It’s a flag. It’s tradition and it’s a sign of respect. This is when american “pride” becomes the sin of pride. The very nature of americas rejection of something other countries don’t have qualms with, is proof that america is too arrogant and too high and mighty. It’s little things like that, that we do all too often, that makes the world hate us. It most certainly is not because of our “freedom” as our government wants the hill people to believe lol
 
However: I’ve just remembered something.

The USA flag is revered as if it’s the Head of State, or as an almost “sacramental” sign of the country.

I don’t think any other country has the same reverence for their flag. In Canada the Queen is the Heads of State. Heads of States I believe do not curtsy or bow to one another.

If this is the case I understand why the US flag would not be dipped.
 
The only thing is it’s false. It is not only in a military context, it is part of the flag code, which is federal law. Therefore it is a breach for civilians to dip the flag.
 
Another note: Just found this here: telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9429085/London-2012-Olympic-ceremonies-through-the-ages.html
1908 London, White City Stadium
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The enormous White City stadium held 150,000 spectators, with seating for 68,000. However, with tickets priced at eight guineas for a box seat and two shillings and sixpence for a seat in an upper tier, it was not the most affordable show in town.
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During the ceremony, spectators were treated to a display by gymnasts from the London Polytechnic and a procession of athletes.
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Mild controversy arose when the US flag was somehow omitted from the display above the stadium, convincing the Americans that the British were biased against them and provoking the US flag bearer, Ralph Rose, to refuse to dip his flag to the royal box as an act of defiance.
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Rich_Olszewski said:
Thank you. I’m glad I’m appreciated.

Your failure to have heard about something doesn’t mean that it is not so.

The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. It is Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code (4 U.S.C. § 1 et seq). This is a U.S. federal law, but there is no penalty for failure to comply with it. That’s why I said that only the military find it obligatory to not dip the U.S. flag. 🤷
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Just because there is no criminal penalty attached does not mean it is not obligatory. Do you only do the right thing if there is a threat of punishment?
The US Flag code is legally binding on all displays of the Flag, military and civilian, despite the lack of criminal penalties.
 
pnewton said:
I guess my point is why? Why is it considered courtesy? Wouldn’t it be simple enough to substitute a more suitable form of courtesy that doesn’t involve such an importand symbol as the flag?
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I believe that the U.S. is the only country where the flag is an object of near worship. There were penalties if the flag were to be burned as a form of protest, e.g. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled (and rightly so IMO) that punitive enforcement of the Flag Code would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
 
stanczyk said:
Just because there is no criminal penalty attached does not mean it is not obligatory. Do you only do the right thing if there is a threat of punishment?
The US Flag code is legally binding on all displays of the Flag, military and civilian, despite the lack of criminal penalties.
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Then it is NOT legally binding as there are no penalties or even sanctions for failing to follow the Flag Code.
 
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