This almost sounds like one of those fake news stories, it's so stupid.

Has political correctness run so amok that one cannot even express one's patriotism through Flag-Wearage? And since when should it ever have been correct - politically or otherwise - to prevent people wearing the American flag?

Gaaaaahhhh!

Hey, if you want to flood them with hate mail, I've got the links to that school district on my blog... you can't miss the post with the American flag.

I only wish I had a pic of that idiot superintendant lying under an old Ford pickup choking to death on his own blood and entrails.

"The superintendent of schools in Sampson County calls the situation unfortunate, but says educators didn’t want to be forced to pick and choose which flags should be permissible."

Didn't want to be forced!? Why in the hell would they need to be forced to "pick and choose" which flag? There's no "pick and choose" - The Stars and Stripes and no other option.

We had an American flag in every classroom when I was a kid, too. Our principal also led the entire school (over the PA) in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, the days those were.

This is literally making me feel like I'm going to throw up. That asshole superintendent can't go any lower. In-fucking-credible.

Will they permit the Stars & Bars ....this is not the flag of any country today but 145 years ago was quite popular in North Carolina.

People look around at conditions in their own country and decide to escape the poverty, the oppression, the brutality, the hunger, the constant fighting, the whatever, and go to a place where they can have freedom, security, plenty to eat, and equality under the law. Then as soon as they get here, they try to change the place into the same quagmire they just left by overlaying on it the culture, the language, the traditions, the habits, and all the other behaviors of the society they felt compelled to abandon. Doesn’t say a whole lot for common sense, if you ask me.

Now I like a little multiculturalism. I’d hate to live in a place where everybody thought exactly the same, ate the same foods, had the same attitudes, did the same things, all the time. Boring. I enjoy Spanish dancing, German music, English poetry, Italian art, French cuisine, Mexican fiestas, Filipino loyalty, Polynesian singing . . . . What’s nice about it is that I can have all that without being haughty like a Spaniard, anal-retentive like a German, stuffy like an Englishman, hotheaded like an Italian, arrogant like a Frenchman, and so on. I welcome diversity from other lands and other cultures, but who the hell said you can’t have both – the American freedom, security, organization, and all that along with other features at the same time.

A nation is defined by common borders, common beliefs, common purpose, and common language. Well, in today’s world, borders essentially do not exist. Beliefs change from day to day along with whatever talking head gets people’s attention first. Purpose shifts from moment to moment based on the latest explosion, hi-speed chase, stock market hiccup, or fad. And language shifts from place to place, day to day.

We no longer have a true nation, and definitely no true democracy. We have an association, and it’s run by an extremely small segment of the population. In any major election, well under 50% of the population votes, and generally speaking 45% vote Democrat and 45% vote Republican. The remaining 10% decide who wins, and normally the whole thing is nothing more than a popularity contest based on who has the most charisma and available cash. I remember as a child hearing adults say they had to go to the poll to cancel out their spouse’s vote. Wow, what a criterion for selecting a leader.

At any average time in America, fewer than half the people can name the Vice President. Generally, less than 10% can name their senators and congressmen. And only a dismally small number can name the Speaker of the House or the President pro-tem of the Senate, much less the minority and majority leaders in each house. How many people do you know who can name 5 judges on the Supreme Court, or tell how many elected members there are in the House, or name the 50 states?

We no longer have anything resembling Jefferson’s vision of an informed electorate. If it ain’t on MTV, half the young people aren’t interested, and half of the other half aren’t bright enough to put it all together anyway, even if they DID vote. We prefer to take it easy and enjoy ourselves until something happens, and then we react in very predictable knee-jerk fashion to put out the latest brush fire . . . . just as we did in 1941 and just as we did 6 years ago. But if you’ve looked around lately, people are comfortably back into their own ways. The flags are 99% gone, and people are bored, looking for something new and exciting to bitch about.

No, we don’t really have a nation --- we have a motley collection of self-serving, poorly educated, overweight crybabies whose favorite pastime is litigation, followed closely by whining. The only way to get us involved in anything, to take our attention away from our taste buds or our game cubes, is to bloody our collective nose by bombing us when we aren’t expecting it. Otherwise you can’t get us to agree on a damned thing. Never could. In 1789 when the framers were putting the Constitution together, it hadn’t been yet decided if we would speak French, English, or German. In fact, German nearly became the operating language in Philadephia and New York. We do not have an official language, despite popular belief that English is it. We’ve always had a hard time choosing up sides in wars. There was a strong movement in 1940 and 41 to side with Germany, and you surely remember the flap over VietNam.

We just sorta wander along, a huge, overfed, superficial, materialistic consumer group caught up in our own momentum making small corrections as we bump into things along the way. But . . . it still works pretty damned well so long as we do it our own way and not kiss Europe’s ass or mollycoddle 12 million illegal aliens, so I think we prob’ly oughta try to keep it together. Nobody else’s system seems to be better, and a helluva lot more people want to escape what they got and live here than want to bail outta the US and live someplace else.

Well, gee, wonder why they saw the error of their ways?! I see they have rescinded the rule. A day late, true. Must have been one hell of an outraged public letting these assholes know what they thought of banning our national flag.

My home state has disgraced me! Sure, it's only one county on the other side of the state, but regardless I still have been disgraced!

Another reason that public schools are THE worst thing you can do to your children.

Can you repeat that Eros?

Wearing a flag on an article of clothing is a violation of the flag code. Old Navy and such who make those, and people who wear them, are actually disrespecting the nation and the flag every time they do so. Old Navy is just trying to make a buck, and people who wear it don't know enough to know they're disrespecting it. The flag isn't something that should be paraded around at every turn. It's something solemn that should be respected and used with discretion. It shouldn't be put at half-mast every time a soldier dies or some no-name senator kicks the can.

The flood of emails and phone calls worked, the ban was lifted. This story hit Little Green Footballs as well...

I disagree. It should be put at half mast when a soldier dies... who has earned that privilege more? And as for the flag being worn on clothing as a violation of the flag code, check the uniforms of deployed soldiers. I wore one on my sleeve the entire time I was in Afghanistan.

Sniper, don't worry. Per Section 8, Item J of the US Flag Code, "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations."

Item D states "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." So you cannot take a flag and make a T-shirt out of it.

As to wearing its image on a T-shirt, Item I states, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." This becomes a gray area to me because if I wore that T-shirt, I'd be advertising the fact that I'm a proud American.

Maybe that item needs a proper legal interpretation?

"flag isn't something that should be paraded around at every turn. It's something solemn that should be respected and used with discretion."

Bull shit. The flag is not solemn, it is proud of it's heritage and wearing it on one's garments for the purposes of reflecting one's pride in what it stands for is very GOOD discretion.
Bob, are you a democrat per chance?

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

The people who actually made the flag code seem to disagree with you Ray.

The flag isn't something that should be cheapened by slapping it across your shirt. If you really are *that* patriotic, get a pole and hoist the flag daily.

I do hoist a flag up at my home and my office every day, but I also wear it on a few ties I have, a lapel pin when wearing my jacket and several of my Harley shirts have it on there to just to rub my patriotism into liberals dumb asses who hate the very thought of what the flag stands for. So bite me. BTW, I have my flag tie on today so now you must be really pissed off huh?

Ray-
Bob is a jerkoff. Probably one of Sally's pals. I commend you for your Patriotism. I live in an apt. so I can't exactly raise a flag every day, but I have them on my windows at home, have always had one on my truck (after 9/11 it doubled in size), one on my desk at work, and plenty of T-shirts with the American flag on them.

To say, "The flag isn't something that should be cheapened by slapping it across your shirt" is nothing short of ignorant.

So you violate the code of respect for our flag in the name of Patriotism? If you really had respect for the flag you'd respect its honor code and not just blow it off when it doesn't suit you.

Hey Bob, I read the honor code (followed your link) and it says the flag, not a likeness of the flag is not supposed to be used for apparel. I am a man of very specific words and my interpretation of that is that pictures, models, and other "likeness" do not qualify under that heading.

Bob is a Democrat of the Al Gore type -

Notice how he vigorously defends the flag code, but I didn't see him over in Iraq, correcting my obviously disrespectful mistake of wearing the flag on my right shoulder (backwards, no less!)

I don't recall Bob correcting the American Legion (who gave me a post cap with the flag on it) or the VFW (who gave me my flag pin). Surely, they should know they're wrong...they both had a hand in creating and publicizing flag etiquette!!

Hey Bob, have you written the Postmaster General's office to let them know that putting the flag on a postage stamp (where it will be defaced, possibly get wet, possibly dropped on the ground, and then discarded) ?

While I agree fully that the flag shouldn't be used in Advertising (damn Old Navy and Ralph Lauren), to imply that wearing a flag on your T-shirt is "blowing off" the flag code is nonsense.

I can't help but wonder how confused Bob would be at the doctor's office when he sees the handprint flag that the local second-graders made in art class....

Read the "Flag Code Violations in the News" section. People who wear what appears to be a flag are in violation. Under "What is a flag?" it says anything "that is recognized as a flag by the reasonable observer" is a valid US flag. It then has examples of what is considered a flag (and yes Greg, that stamp is there, there is controversy surrounding it, it's in the FAQ's). Of course everyone has at some point violated the code. Even old Georgie has and been photographed doing it a few times. If you bothered to read it Greg, or even the above comments, you'd know the flag patch is approved for use on military gear.

"to imply that wearing a flag on your T-shirt is 'blowing off' the flag code is nonsense."

People violate the flag code in order to honor that same flag. And I'm the one not making sense?

Why did Sally change her name to Bob?

I, in fact, did read it. AND the above comments.

Wearing a T-Shirt with the flag on it, and wearing a T-Shirt made out of a flag, are 2 different things (I guess I could assume that you didn't bother reading the above comment by Ray...nahh).

Section 8j states "... a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing."

Section 8j failed to mention my American Legion hat...and so did you. So the Legion must be disrespectful, no ?

"Political Organizations", folks like me who wear flag images (I have a flag tie and several T-Shirts, myself) are disrespectful, but a Political Organization (you know, VFW, Elks, Neo-Nazis, Communist Party USA) is OK, if the Flag Code is taken literally to the letter.

"to imply that wearing a flag on your T-shirt is 'blowing off' the flag code is nonsense."

Maybe it's not worded perfectly, but I'm quite sure you know exactly what I meant. Say whatever you want.

By the way, you should see the flag snap-bracelet the VFW (yep, those VFW folks just gotta keep blowing off the flag code) gave my daughter at the Labor Day Parade. I'm sure you'd like it.

The VFW falls under Patriotic organizations, they have nearly a carte-blanche with it; if they decide it isn't disrespectful then it's not.

"Wearing a T-Shirt with the flag on it, and wearing a T-Shirt made out of a flag, are 2 different things"

According to the site:

"The flag of the United States is any flag of the United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, accurate or not, that is recognized as a flag by the reasonable observer."

That is the definition of an American flag. The code states:

"The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery."

Therefore, anything that can be recognized by a reasonable observer as a flag should not be used as "wearing apparel". It's right there in black and white. How much more obvious does it have to be?

"Maybe it's not worded perfectly, but I'm quite sure you know exactly what I meant. Say whatever you want."

I think I will. I know what you're saying, and I think it's a ridiculous stance you've taken. You're blatantly going against the flag code yet somehow have this notion you're doing the honorable and patriotic thing.

Fly the flag all you want, especially when lisping liberals are approaching. They will be frightened and run away : )

Bob-

OK...you're right. You got me. Every single time I decide to wear anything depicting the flag, the deciding factor is "How can I blatantly go against the flag code"?

Um, whatthehellever.

And, since you seem to follow doctrine to the letter, I am a member of VFW....does that give me carte blanche ?

Seeing as to how you're quite the nit-picker, let me point out (again) my American Legion hat? Does the Legion have carte blanche? The flag code doesn't explicitly say so (nor does it say the VFW has carte blanche either, for that matter).

I still don't quite see you climbing up the flagpole in front of your City Hall in the rain to make sure the flag is weatherproof, either. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to think that you're about 15-years old and want to join the debate team in high school.

By all means, keep saying whatever makes you feel rightous. The "ridiculous stance" I've taken won't change.

If the hat is specifically VFW it's fine. Look I'm not about to sit down and figure out for you whether every article of clothing is technically a violation or not. You're zeroing in on intentionally ambiguous cases. All I'm saying is the rule is you don't wear clothing made from the flag. If you want to try and justify it go argue with someone on the committee. Obviously someone *even more* patriotic than you disagrees.

All I'm saying is the rule is you don't wear clothing made from the flag.

Actually Bob, that is not what you were first saying.

First you said this:
Wearing a flag on an article of clothing is a violation of the flag code.

And then this:
The flag isn't something that should be paraded around at every turn.

And this:
The flag isn't something that should be cheapened by slapping it across your shirt.

Now you're saying this:
All I'm saying is the rule is you don't wear clothing made from the flag.

Wearing clothing made from the flag and having a flag on your shirt, truck, hat, etc. are two completely different things.

Wearing clothing made from the flag and having a flag on your shirt, truck, hat, etc. are two completely different things.

Well put. I don't think I would like it if I saw any organization post colors using an Old Navy T-Shirt...even if it were the "same thing".

But anything resembling the flag is the flag. It's not just those fancy silky cloths you can buy. It's the stamps with it on it in the post office, the drawing a kid makes, the Bank of America logo, and anything printed on a shirt that looks like it. Those are flags on it as far as those who made the code are concerned.

Can't we all just agree we hate Old Navy?

Can't we all just agree we hate Old Navy?

Yes Bob, I can agree that I hate Old Navy, but I didn't expect you to throw in the towel so soon. Your original comment as Flag Monitor had nothing to do with Old Navy now did it?

It had everything to do with:
Wearing a flag on an article of clothing is a violation of the flag code.

and...
It shouldn't be put at half-mast every time a soldier dies or some no-name senator kicks the can.

and...
The flag isn't something that should be cheapened by slapping it across your shirt.

and...
All I'm saying is the rule is you don't wear clothing made from the flag.

and, the latest...
Those are flags on it as far as those who made the code are concerned.

Sorry, Bob, I didn't realize you were in on devising the Flag Code. My bad...

Maybe when you can make up your mind what stance you are trying to take, someone here may just take you seriously. Until then, how about you have a nice cup of STFU?

I don't see how I've contradicted myself in any way CD. I've maintained that wearing a flag (yes, it's a flag on your shirt) is wrong, end of story.

"Sorry, Bob, I didn't realize you were in on devising the Flag Code. My bad..."

What the fuck? They've laid out guidelines for what a flag is; I've used those guidelines. Please, explain how that's being over presumptious.

"Your original comment as Flag Monitor had nothing to do with Old Navy now did it?"
Jesus CD, I don't know about you but I don't plan on laying out a manifesto in every one of my first posts.

Bob-
Read the above comments and then get back to me when you can decide exactly what you really mean to say.

Jesus CD, I don't know about you but I don't plan on laying out a manifesto in every one of my first posts.

If you can stick to one manifesto in any one of your first posts, that would help...

How about you do one better and tell me where I've contradicted myself. Tell me where I've strayed from my stance that you're wearing a flag, and that's wrong.

I've said wearing a flag is wrong unless its the VFW gear and that the flag shouldn't be cheapened by having it everywhere.

I've said wearing a flag is wrong unless its the VFW gear and that the flag shouldn't be cheapened by having it everywhere.

And that is what separates bed-wetters like you from myself. What is your problem with Americans flying the Flag EVERYWHERE?

You don't need to answer that question, Bob. I already know your answer...

My answer is that I think the flag represents a helluva lot, and having it all over the place makes it such a common sight no one even thinks about it when they see it. I barely even notice them now. But having them somewhat reserved leaves a bit of shock value, for lack of a better term. Using them in excess, though, wears out their effect on people.

You're misinterpreting what I say to mean I think we should outright say "No you can't fly the flag there," and that's not what I believe. I mean when you see it in every building and on peoples clothes it gets a bit much. And you're a liar if you say you always stop and really think about the flag every time you see it.

It shouldn't be put at half-mast every time a soldier dies or some no-name senator kicks the can.

I kinda took that as you saying "No you can't fly the flag there"

The flag isn't something that should be cheapened by slapping it across your shirt.

I kinda took that as you saying "No you can't fly the flag there"

And then you provided me with this:
Look I'm not about to sit down and figure out for you whether every article of clothing is technically a violation or not.You're zeroing in on intentionally ambiguous cases.

Why not? You're the one championing the Flag Code. If "it's right there in black and white", then how can there be so many "intentionally ambiguous cases"?

Your panties got all bunched up when CharlieDelta apologized for not knowing that you were in on devising the Flag Code...why? You sure as hell are acting like it. I asked you about the VFW gear, you stated the VFW has carte blanche. The Flag Code doesn't state that, you did, remember? "Black and White"!!

If you want to try and justify it go argue with someone on the committee. Obviously someone *even more* patriotic than you disagrees.

I'm not sure how obvious it is. I think I'm a pretty patriotic guy, and most people who know me would agree. Hell, there's a few people who don't know me so well that would agree.

Oh, and are you ever going to answer the email I sent you, Mr. "bob@hotmail.com"?

The first one is just about half-masting it, not general display.

The second is just my general opinion, that it's cheapened by having it on your shirt and all over the place. I'm not saying you're completely wrong and I'm right, I'm just stating that I personally feel that way.

You're taking my quotes out of context. When I said "It's right there in black and white," I was referring to what a flag was. When I said he was going for intentionally ambiguous cases I was talking about what clothing violates the code and what doesn't. Two completely seperate situations.

"I asked you about the VFW gear, you stated the VFW has carte blanche. The Flag Code doesn't state that, you did, remember? "

It says the flag can be put on gear for a patriotic organization. I'm willing to bet they were thinking specifically of the VFW when they said that. How much more of a patriotic organization is there than the VFW? It doesn't outright state that, but its pretty clear that if they make it with a flag on it's ok. I can tell I'm dealing with people who like to narrowly interpret important documents...

"Oh, and are you ever going to answer the email I sent you, Mr. "bob@hotmail.com"?"

Of course not, that's a fake email address :P

Of course not, that's a fake email address :P

OK, now I'm pissed. I'm pissed that I actually DID waste a total of about 1 hour of my life arguing with a cutesy-pie little kid.

I'm through with you, junior. Run along and do your math homework.