Worth a Thousand Words
Democrats often ask why Republicans “question their patriotism”. To the extent that they actually do (which is far more rare than the Dems would have us believe), it’s because of things like this:
The photo, from the Denver Post’s blog, is some of the “thousands of unused flags from the Democratic National Convention that were headed for the garbage.”
Perhaps if, in addition to simply using the flag as a prop for their convention, they’d learn and understand enough about it to know that there are proper ways to dispose of them, and that there are organizations such as the VFW who would be happy to take care of the disposal in a proper fashion (though clearly such a large quantity of flags would probably require some coordination. Sticking them in garbage bags is neither appropriate, nor respectful.
I am certain that most Democrats love their country, and consider themselves patriotic. I would hope that these folks are as dismayed as I am by the clear lack of understanding on the part of those responsible for the treatment of these flags of just what it is that the American flag represents. If you spit on it, you are spitting on our country. If you burn it as a political statement, you are likewise making a profound statement of disrespect for this country. And if you throw it in the garbage, that makes a statement, too. Whether it is a statement of simple ignorance, carelessness, or something more disturbing is impossible to know without peering into the minds of those responsible. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was simply ignorance or thoughtlessness but that's almost as disturbing, in its own way, as actual malice.
I fly the flag of our country 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (weather permitting), because I want to make a statement about how important what this country stands for is to me, and how blessed I feel to be a citizen of the greatest, most free country on the face of the planet. When my flags wear out, I make arrangements for them to be disposed of properly (the Veterans of Foreign Wars website has a good section on Flag Education, and many VFW posts provide proper flag disposal on request). That the Democratic party did not make such arrangements, particularly for flags purchased for their national convention, is simply shameful.
Thankfully, GOP officials in Denver have rescued the flags and plan to re-use them for a McCain rally in Colorado Springs.
And yes, if I find out later that the GOP did not properly dispose of the flags (or better yet, give them to folks who want to take them home and re-use them), I will be just as quick to criticize them.
UPDATE: Apparently the dems are now claiming that those wascawy wepubwicans stole their surplus flags, which were simply awaiting pickup by the vendor...in garbage bags...in and around the dumpsters. Uh-huh.
A photo from the AP illustrates another example of the care and respect with which the Obama-Biden ticket treats the flag.