Major veteran organization weighs in on upside-down American flags

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

June 13, 2024, 5:39 PM EDT


WASHINGTON — The veteran organization the American Legion weighed in on the upside-down American flag controversy Thursday, noting that flags should only be flown this way if there is "extreme danger to life or property."

The potential implications of flying an American flag upside down have been the subject of debate since reports emerged that an upside-down flag flew outside Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's home in early 2021. The justice said the flag was raised by his wife, Martha-Ann.

Some supporters of former President Donald Trump have also reportedly flown upside-down flags in support of the former president falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen, leading it to be interpreted as a "stop the steal" symbol.

"The American flag is a symbol of courage, strength, freedom and democracy," said the American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer in a statement to NBC News. "American Legion members swore with their lives to protect all that the flag stands for." Seehafer pointed to the Flag Code, a detailed set of guidelines laying out how the American flag should be displayed, as evidence the flag should not be inverted unless to signal distress.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/american-legion-weighs-upside-american-flags-rcna157086

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Trumpers don't care. The American flag means nothing to them. Only Trump does.

[tom_kelly]

3. They don't... it's a prop to distinguish themselves

That disappoints me a lot. In my opinion, they have hijacked the significance of a flying/hanging flag. Also, I will never wear a red hat, no matter what is on it.

[Bluethroughu]

11. They wear the flag as a trump diaper with gold trump sneakers.

The Supreme Court Justice's wife spit at the President of the United States SUPPORTERS!

THINK ABOUT THAT.

[plimsoll]

14. That's not completely accurate.

They care a great deal about the flag, they just don't have any actual respect for the flag. The flag is so important to them that they've used it for decades as prop and stand-in for GOP. Anytime you see Republican they're bedecked in their American flag pin. They display it on everything. That said, they'll also turn it into clothing, leave it flying unlit after sunset, leave it flying when it's in tatters. They've tried to co-opt the flag as a GOP symbol for decades, the fact that they can't just do what they want with it may no longer register.

They're like Humpty Dumpty's in Through the Looking Glass:

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.”

But other people may remember the actual intent of the symbol, and view their attempted perversion as the insult to the nation that it is.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

2. Anyone

If anyone should be flying Old Glory upside down it's the anti-Trumpers who realize the "extreme danger to life or property" that Trump and his MAGAt hordes represent.

[uppityperson]

4. I used DU provided upside down flag avatar during trump years

Supreme court should be held to more neutral standards, and I hate that the RW has Co opted this.

[Harker]

5. I remember republicans in the 60s stammering with disgust that anyone would wear clothing featuring a US flag motif.

Now they and their descendants think it's fine, so long as they're doing it.

[SeattleVet]

7. I remember the night that they censored Abby Hoffman's flag shirt on TV.

Huge wingnut outcry about that, but the very next night Roy Rogers and Dale Evans wore flag-themed outfits and nary a comment.

[Harker]

9. That figures.

They think they own it.

[Skittles]

6. IOW, no fucking repuke should EVER fly it

THEY are the DANGER

[onecaliberal]

8. They wipe their ass on that flag.

They wear it, step on it, disrespect every thread of it. I can’t even. My dad’s generation fought these fucks in Europe, it’s all disgusting.

[Bluethroughu]

12. They literally wiped their ass on it 1/6 ...

Crap all over the Capital. Sickos.

[JMCKUSICK]

10. I'm sorry fornthe colorful language,

But what took so fucking long?
I've never served, but I had no problem confronting my Maga neighbor who of all things is a fully disabled veteran, or as tfg refers to as a sucker and loser.
To his credit, it cane down within a couple of days even after he defended it to my face.
He had about ten different flags flying, including the don't tread on me flag amongst others.
None have been flown since.
God bless him.

[LeftInTX]

13. Yeah, it's been flown upside down as a sign of protest.

I used to see it during Vietnam.


I think the upside down thing was originally reserved for sinking ships and pirate warnings. (IOW: Get help)

The only groups who adhere to flag codes are the military and US govt. etc


Now even car washes display flags so huge, they can't lower them at night. Then you've got businesses with huge flags which display them half mast 24/7/365.

"You wanna a flag? I'll show you a flag"

[SomewhereInTheMiddle]

15. Part of me wishes ...

... and I'll admit it is a silly part of me ... but it wishes that the police, military, and emergency services would treat an upside-down flag a s a cry for help, a signal of emergency and distress. And any house or business that flies a flag upside down would see a large group of responders answering that cry for help - guns drawn and sirens wailing.

And if the person flying the flag said there was no emergency, they would be treated like anyone else that made a fake 911 call.

If responders do not respond to that distress signal every time, then it is meaningless as a call for help thereafter.

But that is not likely to happen.

All that said, I agree that it pains me to see flags disrespected for trivial or commercial purposes. Burning a flag can be different. It can be a serious protest for serious issues. And it is the only proper way to dispose of a flag when its time has come to an end. But wearing flag clothes, flying it wrongly, or changing it to make a statement - these all bother me.

[70sEraVet]

16. I'm proud to be a Legionaire!

Commander Seehafer risked drawing the ire of MAGATS (including MAGAT Supreme Court Justices) by calling out the disrespectful handling of the U.S. flag for political stunts.

[FakeNoose]

17. Even though I'm a loyal American, I never put my flag out anymore

... not for the 4th of July or anything.

I don't want my neighbors to think I've become a MAGA-idiot. This is what they've done to us.

[Gator.Veteran]

18. Disgusted Veteran

I am disgusted by these acts of so called Americans. I will tell you that I fight my demons everyday because of serving this great country. These clowns that claim to be Americans, I call BS. I have sacrificed so much to keep old glory right side up to include blood, sweat and tears. These maga-maggots have no freaking clue what the flag means. And that draft dodging orange tyrant sure as hell doesn’t give a damn either. You just can’t fix stupid.