Do you respect your country's flag?

[Biosophilogical]

I don't really like patriotism, or whatever it's called when you do that whole 'Die for your country' thing. I mean, I can understand dying for democracy, or freedom of speech, or your family and friends, but not for a chunk of land. I just think it is weird to worship (I can't think of another word, so I'm stuck with worship) a country when you should be trying to make it better, after all, that is what a true patriot would want; to push their country to new heights, but something like that flag stuff you talked about is beyond me .... I feel like I'm explaining myself badly here, regardless to say, I am not a 'patriot' in my understanding of the word, because it is not the "This great land thing" I'm praising, I just think democracy, and the Australian environment is something really good (admittedly with flaws), but it isn't the country, but rather its components I like ... is anyone following me here?

 

[Snarky Username]

I don't really care much for my flag. It's a piece of fabric like my underwear, and the difference is that my underwear's much more supportive of me than he American flag ever will be.

 

[DeathChairOfHell]

well, the swedish flag is like most of the scandinavian flags, but with different colours, so on 6th june (sweden's 4th July) we hang it out. but otherwise, no.

 

[SlasherX]

I respect it due to to the fact that it is the most physical representation of my country and the values it stands for I can easily see and since I still like America till it turns retarded or Socialist I get kinda sad to see a flag burned or defiled

 

[Harmondale2]

I don't really hold the irish flag as a sacred thing, but I do respect it to an extent. I've never liked the almost religious respect that americans hold for their flag, its like they are more conserned with the physical thing then what it represents. Just find it strange.

I would hardly go to war over the Irish flag being desacrated, but now that I think about it if I saw someone burning it or some such, I would have mixed feelings I'm sure. Very interesting question.

 

[copperflyingace]

As a future member (tentatively) of the US military, I have a deep respect for the flag. Not as a representation of the US Government, but as a symbol of the ideals my country was founded upon. To me, the flag isn't a representation of my country as it is now, but as a standard and ideal of what we could and should be.
I'm a pretty sentimental and old fashioned person and I love things like oaths, creeds, family crests, anthems, symbol, flags, etc. Pretty sure I'm the last of a dying breed :/

 

[copperflyingace]

I don't really hold the irish flag as a sacred thing, but I do respect it to an extent. I've never liked the almost religious respect that americans hold for their flag, its like they are more conserned with the physical thing then what it represents. Just find it strange.

Yeah, having an almost religious respect for our flag is a pretty distinctly American thing. I'm not entirely sure why either, but I really don't mind it. It kinda gives our ideals a physical manifestation to direct out patriotism toward, I guess. As I said in my earlier post, I guess I just really like that kind of thing.

 

[SensibleCrout]

You are born somewhere. You cannot even decide where you are born, in a p***-poor country or in the USA, in a democracy or in the USA, it's all random.

Consequently, it's utterly stupid to be proud of the country one happens to be born in. You can only be proud of something *you* achieved. So respect yes, because the political system gives some advantages. Pride? No, why should I? Why should anyone?

And flags? I really could not care less about those. Flags have been used as a means to unite people and most of the time for killing people flying a different flag. I'm prone to regard flags as something negative as such.

 

[muckinscavitch]

Of course I do.

ALL FEAR THE MIGHTY MAPLE LEAF!

 

[Sonic Doctor]

Hell no, why should I? My government gives me a reason to show respect I will. Until this day I have yet to see that.

American? Me too!

Unfortunately...

Yea it sux.... At least we have Obama now......

With the "..." I feel that you are probably joking. Because, if you really think things are better because Obama is in office, I will be putting my palm on my face.

Umm it is. At least he's a democrat. And he is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY better that George Dubya who said Nuculer instead of Nuclear.

If you actually read into what all the different congressman, senators, and other public officials have done in their careers, you would know that, what party that they belong to, for the most part, means absolutely nothing, both parties have been hijacked by crazy progressives and socialists.

I didn't care for Bush, but he was less of a threat to what America stands for than Obama is.

Obama is dragging this country down the path of Socialism, which will destroy this country and what it was founded on and stands for. You might get a few nice handouts in then beginning, but in the long run, it will turn into freedom and justice for none. The majority of the country is opposed to what Obama is doing, they are even peacefully marching against him. But what does he do, he talks to use with mentality like, "Listen children! I'm your father and you will do everything that I command!"

I can't wait till the midterm elections, the socialist and progressive Democrats and Republicans won't know what hit them, they will be rightfully voted out and replaced by true Conservatives that know how to bring this country back to its founding roots.

Obama and his congressional henchmen constantly attack the people that are opposing them, labeling the people wrongly, to try and get other people to stop listening to the truth that Obama and his henchmen are trying to take over and destroy this country.

What Obama doesn't realize is that trying to strike us down that way will make us more powerful than he will ever know.

 

[archvile93]

No, I respect what it stands for, not the flag itself.

 

[Soviet Steve]

Do you have something against crosses? a lot of flags (most of the northern european ones at least) have crosses but it's not like they say that the country is full of religious extremists. besides, the danish flag is the oldest state flag in the world and therefore my personal favorite.

btw as a side note, I like the fact that Sweden is a "monarchy" and I believe that our status in the world would diminish severely if we lost our "monarchs".

Yes, I have something against crosses. As I pointed out, the reason that it is our flag is because of a lack of reasonable thinking, and the cross itself is either a symbol of a class-based justice system with no regards for human rights, an opressive and unreasonable belief, or the unconditional and fanatical defense of childmolestors.

And yes, we would be much worse off if the mass murdering and genocidal dictators of old couldn't rest knowing that their children lived lives of decadence, raised above the law and society, using their power to ensure that noone dare voice dissenting opinions near them.

If they want to claim that their ancestors were kings that's fine.

If they want to claim that by tradition their title is king or queen that's fine.

I just don't want to pay for it and I don't want my civil rights infringed upon to satisfy their egos. Before you ask, yes this does occour in Denmark and it's the one thing that I dislike about my country aside from the flag.

Also this is fairly off-topic and we should both be shot for it.

 

[Pinstar]

I have endless respect for the flag itself, as it a symbol of those who created it and the ideals they held when founding this country.

I do not, however blindly respect every person that holds it, waves it or does things in its name. They are judged on their own standards, and not by the standard they wave.

 

[TheTim]

I pretty much feel the same way you do. The flag rivals the power of god in my mind.


Edit: If i see someone desecrate the Stars and Stripes in person i would desecrate their face.

 

[Voodoomancer]

Spoiler: yes, I do, because it's really cool

I do not, however blindly respect every person that holds it, waves it or does things in its name. They are judged on their own standards, and not by the standard they wave.

Good words.

 

[cryogeist]

i dont know red white blue....... yeah i guess i like it
qustion any country have a black and red flag

 

[Soviet Steve]

i dont know red white blue....... yeah i guess i like it
qustion any country have a black and red flag

Albania has a black bird of some sort on a red background.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg