General Discussion

MineralMan

(150,484 posts)

16. The point is that many, many people do see it as a more or less

Tue Jan 31, 2012, 07:53 PM

Jan 2012

sacred symbol. Those many include many who are part of the 99%. To alienate that group by burning a flag is just plain stupid. Without the support of millions of people, OWS will not accomplish the many valid goals they are trying to accomplish.

Why would anyone alienate the very people they want standing with them?

That's the reason that flag burning was so badly thought out. It's not the flag, per se. It is the impact the act has on so many people who might otherwise make common cause with the Occupy movement.

Like it or not, the flag has a strong emotional meaning for many people. Not all of them are right wingers, by any means. Everyone who has lost a father, son, or daughter in the military. People who still revere what this country is supposed to stand for.

Burning the flag is a bad idea if you hope to convince the 99% to join with you.

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I have never considered the flag as something holy [View all] quinnox Jan 2012 OP

Whether a person has the right to burn a flag or not is irrelevant think Jan 2012 #1

yes indeed, let others determine your course of action for standing for what you believe nt msongs Jan 2012 #3

You can completely disregard the people to whom you are sending your message to think Jan 2012 #6

What are your thoughts of flying the American flag in "distress" think Jan 2012 #11

Yes, when I posted that it was a mistake that is what I was thinking about. Having lived through jwirr Jan 2012 #9

Just A Symbol TheMastersNemesis Jan 2012 #2

I think it goes back to ancient times when destroying an enemy's banners and standards, when Cleita Jan 2012 #4

Of couse it is bahrbearian Jan 2012 #5

So if you want to burn it, I guess you have that right. And I on the other hand have the right to cherokeeprogressive Jan 2012 #7

I spent a decade of my life defending the Constitution...that's what was in the oath I took, Skwid Jan 2012 #25

All I can say to that is I would NEVER tell a Fellow Veteran how they should feel about the flag... cherokeeprogressive Feb 2012 #32

Thank you, I'm glad to know you wouldn't ever call a flag burner a piece of shit. Skwid Feb 2012 #33

Once upon a time, before modern communication, the flag marked the presence of a king or other jody Jan 2012 #8

Then what meaning does burning it have for you? frazzled Jan 2012 #10

Shame on you for implying that a few of the 99% view burning the American Flag with distaste. nt jody Jan 2012 #12

Same what? frazzled Jan 2012 #28

And wraping your self in it means your a Patriot bahrbearian Jan 2012 #14

No. frazzled Jan 2012 #29

Tierra y Libertad posted this quote from Arundhati Roy: backscatter712 Jan 2012 #13

Excellent summation by Arundhati Roy. marmar Jan 2012 #21

+1 Luminous Animal Jan 2012 #30

It is amazing how many people who are opposed to burning the flag support flying the libinnyandia Jan 2012 #15

There's a flag that absolutely needs to be burned and defiled. backscatter712 Jan 2012 #20

The point is that many, many people do see it as a more or less MineralMan Jan 2012 #16

The only people perpetuating the alienation are those making a big deal out of it. joshcryer Jan 2012 #27

There are plenty of those who will see the trees instead of the forrest. Luminous Animal Jan 2012 #31

It is a symbol of this country like a corporate logo identifies Shell, Chevron etc rustydog Jan 2012 #17

But burning is the official, approved way to dispose of an old one. So whether it's 'good' or 'bad' Skwid Jan 2012 #26

You are right. I also associated this obsession with the flag with rightwingers. Certainly was sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #18

It's not only associated with right-wingers, though. MineralMan Jan 2012 #22

Did I say I 'hold it in disregard? No, didn't think so, but thanks for trying to put words sabrina 1 Jan 2012 #24

People's feelings are important. nt gulliver Jan 2012 #19

It isn't - well, unless you have mice or moths. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #23