"If this flag offends you, I'll help you pack"

I saw this bumper sticker on the back of a car this morning. There was also a "Army Veteran" sticker as well as "Combat Medic".

My first reaction was "oy, another Trump MAGA knucklehead". But as I was behind this car for a while, I was forced to think about it. Why is this even a sentiment on a political bumper sticker? Where did this person get the idea in their head that liberals / progressives / Democrats somehow find the flag offensive? (Yes, I am assuming this was someone on the conservative side of the political spectrum).

Is it just that we've all been associated with a handful of people who have engaged in flag-burning protests? Are there prominent liberals who engage in displays of anti-patriotism?

How is it the right has managed to co-opt the concept of patriotism in this person's mind? Who got it into their head? I for one don't have ANY problem reconciling my political beliefs with a love and loyalty for my country 

And the more I think about it, the more it leaves me dismayed. I never saw the driver, so I don't know the first thing about their gender or racial identity or age. But there are people who are buying this divisive and inaccurate rhetoric.


mrincredible said:


My first reaction was "oy, another Trump MAGA knucklehead". But as I was behind this car for a while, I was forced to think about it. Why is this even a sentiment on a political bumper sticker? Where did this person get the idea in their head that liberals / progressives / Democrats somehow find the flag offensive? (Yes, I am assuming this was someone on the conservative side of the political spectrum).

Is it just that we've all been associated with a handful of people who have engaged in flag-burning protests? Are there prominent liberals who engage in displays of anti-patriotism?

Good question, not just this person but a large portion of the country equating patriotism and love of country with conservatives. Maybe it was the flag burnings.

My feeling is the real patriots are those who question government, trying to see what is best for the country, instead of following like sheep at whatever is thrown at us.


BG9 said:

Good question, not just this person but a large portion of the country equating patriotism and love of country with conservatives. Maybe it was the flag burnings.

My feeling is the real patriots are those who question government, trying to see what is best for the country, instead of following like sheep at whatever is thrown at us.

 I'll bet you the person who's car I was following did plenty of questioning when Obama was President. And I'm sure they do plenty of questioning of Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress. And what the heck probably Hilary Clinton to boot.

I think that's part of the challenge ... easy to question the other guys.


it's not just flag burning.  It's that groups seen as liberal, like the ACLU fight for the rights of people to be non-patriotic, to not be forced to participate in patriotic rituals like the pledge of allegiance.  It's also that liberals tend to have nuanced views on these kinds of issues.  Personally, we fly the flag in front of our house all the time.  But I also hate the enforced patriotism on display at sporting events for instance.  Why are we forced to listen to the national anthem at a baseball game, or stand for God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch?  If I'm going to fly the flag, I want to do it on my terms, and not at the insistence of MLB or the NFL.  It's really kind of a weird ritual.  Imagine Microsoft starting a shareholders meeting by playing the Star Spangled Banner.  Or a Broadway cast singing God Bless America at intermission.  But somehow it makes sense at a Mets game.

So those bumper stickers are aimed at people like me, who aren't rah-rah about every patriotic ritual.


ml1 said:

it's not just flag burning.  It's that groups seen as liberal, like the ACLU fight for the rights of people to be non-patriotic, to not be forced to participate in patriotic rituals like the pledge of allegiance.  It's also that liberals tend to have nuanced views on these kinds of issues.  Personally, we fly the flag in front of our house all the time.  But I also hate the enforced patriotism on display at sporting events for instance.  Why are we forced to listen to the national anthem at a baseball game, or stand for God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch?  If I'm going to fly the flag, I want to do it on my terms, and not at the insistence of MLB or the NFL.  It's really kind of a weird ritual.  Imagine Microsoft starting a shareholders meeting by playing the Star Spangled Banner.  Or a Broadway cast singing God Bless America at intermission.  But somehow it makes sense at a Mets game.

So those bumper stickers are aimed at people like me, who aren't rah-rah about every patriotic ritual.

 This causes me to harken back to the days shortly after the September 11th attacks. Those little flag lapel pin started popping up, primarily on Republican lapels at first. But it became something of a de rigeur accessory for anyone who wished to seem patriotic. Ultimately it became an empty gesture. Like wearing a tie.

I suppose it's also reaction 2 the Colin Kaepernick. He was set up as a straw man by right-wing pundits, and it became a litmus test of your patriotism whether you outright rejected his actions or took a more objective and introspective view.


mrincredible said:

ml1 said:

it's not just flag burning.  It's that groups seen as liberal, like the ACLU fight for the rights of people to be non-patriotic, to not be forced to participate in patriotic rituals like the pledge of allegiance.  It's also that liberals tend to have nuanced views on these kinds of issues.  Personally, we fly the flag in front of our house all the time.  But I also hate the enforced patriotism on display at sporting events for instance.  Why are we forced to listen to the national anthem at a baseball game, or stand for God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch?  If I'm going to fly the flag, I want to do it on my terms, and not at the insistence of MLB or the NFL.  It's really kind of a weird ritual.  Imagine Microsoft starting a shareholders meeting by playing the Star Spangled Banner.  Or a Broadway cast singing God Bless America at intermission.  But somehow it makes sense at a Mets game.

So those bumper stickers are aimed at people like me, who aren't rah-rah about every patriotic ritual.

 This causes me to harken back to the days shortly after the September 11th attacks. Those little flag lapel pin started popping up, primarily on Republican lapels at first. But it became something of a de rigeur accessory for anyone who wished to seem patriotic. Ultimately it became an empty gesture. Like wearing a tie.

I suppose it's also reaction 2 the Colin Kaepernick. He was set up as a straw man by right-wing pundits, and it became a litmus test of your patriotism whether you outright rejected his actions or took a more objective and introspective view.

Nah - it's been going on forever. Authoritarian types, like Mr. Bumper Sticker, always glom onto symbols or demagogues and then become aggressive about them.


Last night's "Trump's Worst Night at a Ballgame Ever" gives an example of how the bumper sticker guy is incorrect.

This tweet has video showing how the crowd cheers the members of the armed forces shown on the centerfield screen, switches to boos when Trump appears, and then goes back to cheers.


My flagpole snapped the day after the election. I took it as a sign. 


blackcat said:

My flagpole snapped the day after the election. I took it as a sign. 

 Can you elaborate? Did you put one back up?


ml1 said:

it's not just flag burning.  It's that groups seen as liberal, like the ACLU fight for the rights of people to be non-patriotic, to not be forced to participate in patriotic rituals like the pledge of allegiance. 

 

So where do I get my bumper sticker that says; 

"If the Constitution offends you I'll help you pack".


STANV said:

So where do I get my bumper sticker that says; 

"If the Constitution offends you I'll help you pack".

 buildasign.com


mrincredible said:

I saw this bumper sticker on the back of a car this morning. There was also a "Army Veteran" sticker as well as "Combat Medic".

My first reaction was "oy, another Trump MAGA knucklehead". But as I was behind this car for a while, I was forced to think about it. Why is this even a sentiment on a political bumper sticker? Where did this person get the idea in their head that liberals / progressives / Democrats somehow find the flag offensive? (Yes, I am assuming this was someone on the conservative side of the political spectrum).

Is it just that we've all been associated with a handful of people who have engaged in flag-burning protests? Are there prominent liberals who engage in displays of anti-patriotism?

How is it the right has managed to co-opt the concept of patriotism in this person's mind? Who got it into their head? I for one don't have ANY problem reconciling my political beliefs with a love and loyalty for my country 

And the more I think about it, the more it leaves me dismayed. I never saw the driver, so I don't know the first thing about their gender or racial identity or age. But there are people who are buying this divisive and inaccurate rhetoric.

 Twenty bucks says that bumper sticker was made in China. 


I’m more interested in the “help you pack” offer. Is there a fee, or does Offensive Flag Packing Company work for free? Was there a number or website for OFPC?  Do they have a good partnership with Exile Hauling Services and Inoffensive Flag Unpacking Company in the destination country?

I mean, it’s a great offer. But once your stuff is all in boxes then what? I mean, I’d still have to work through my job notice, there would be a ton of legal and real estate fees I’d also need “help” with, plus have you seen the UK recently? I don’t even know if they’ll let me back in.

Anyway, “I’ll help you pack” seems like a lame threat considering the history of what has actually happened to people who were offended by the flag, ranging from the systematic attempt to remove the indigenous population of the continent by force, to the enslavement of Africans, to minor events like setting fire to the city of Atlanta in 1864. Compared to that “I’ll help you pack” is a friendly, jovial gesture.


This thread reminds me of a t-shirt a friend of mine had made at the height of War Fever in 2003.  It had a French flag on the front of it and the caption said "Try to Burn This One".

To be fair, he was a 6'5" 300 pound SHARP. No one ever took a spin at it.


Yeah, i would find that bumper sticker really offensive.  But it's not a new sentiment, going back at least 50 years to "America - Love It Or Leave It," and probably farther.  argh, no progress!

Star-Spangled Banner at baseball games goes back as far as i can remember (a long time now) & probably a lot farther.  At the end of it, i still hear "play ball" in my head.  Well, imo, better than opening with a prayer (ducking for cover).

Patriotism (of the "good" kind, see STANV above) is one of the things i'd like to see Dems clearly claim for themselves in this campaign.


mjc said:

Star-Spangled Banner at baseball games goes back as far as i can remember (a long time now) & probably a lot farther. 

The custom of playing/singing it before every baseball game dates back to WWII which is ironic since that was a war against fascism.


mjc said:

Yeah, i would find that bumper sticker really offensive.  But it's not a new sentiment, going back at least 50 years to "America - Love It Or Leave It," and probably farther.  argh, no progress!

Star-Spangled Banner at baseball games goes back as far as i can remember (a long time now) & probably a lot farther.  At the end of it, i still hear "play ball" in my head.  Well, imo, better than opening with a prayer (ducking for cover).

Patriotism (of the "good" kind, see STANV above) is one of the things i'd like to see Dems clearly claim for themselves in this campaign.

 In the height of the Vietnam war.............when the country was divided but still lead by the World War 2 thinking..........I was kneed twice in the back at demonstrations.  The NYC police dept did the first honors.  Weeks later construction workers at Electric Boat in Groton Connecticut realigned it with their heavy boots.  The funny thing was that the Nuclear Sub the Will Rogers was being launched.  The thing I admired most about the man was his quote  "  I never met a man I did not like"

So with that the often time divided geniuses who led the Peace Movement came up with the slogan ,  "  My country right .....support it.  Wrong fix it"   I think Will would have liked that.



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