tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696335.post111951450933793605..comments2020-06-13T03:22:05.789-04:00Comments on The New Skeptic: Conservative Hangup?Vernunfthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16652751092085432868noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696335.post-1119633633640112332005-06-24T13:20:00.000-04:002005-06-24T13:20:00.000-04:00Iconoclasm is savage beats, just offering a reason...Iconoclasm is savage beats, just offering a reason people are so adamant about respect for the flag.Vernunfthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16652751092085432868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696335.post-1119619440236937002005-06-24T09:24:00.000-04:002005-06-24T09:24:00.000-04:00No complaints here. I understand its meaning, and...No complaints here. I understand its meaning, and the weight the flag carries, especially in contrast to the rest of the world's nations.<BR/><BR/>200 years ago we didn't have the anthem, pledge, holiday, or etiquette standards - yet the flag was just as important then as it is now. All of these things have been added to the repetoire of flag worship as it becomes a greater symbol of a greater country.<BR/><BR/>I'm curious to see how far this goes, though. In another 200 years, what new worship methods will be added considering the current debate to ban any desecration? I have no desire to desecrate a flag, but I certainly don't care if some dirty hippie does, and I'll be upset if he's not allowed to.<BR/><BR/>Also, I would have presumed my iconclastic views would have been welcomed at The New Skeptic. I enjoy your writing, and just want to add to the thought process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696335.post-1119568210825794282005-06-23T19:10:00.000-04:002005-06-23T19:10:00.000-04:00If I may defend American "flag-worship" against yo...If I may defend American "flag-worship" against your iconoclasm, Scott...<BR/><BR/>The American flag is a symbol for us more than it is for any other nation, for the flags of other nations are tainted by their feudal origins. Our flag represents, by contrast, the fight for freedom and the creation of an independent nation founded on the noble ideals of individualism and liberty. I think the flag deserves the respect we accord it and the virtual worship we accord it is commensurate with its value as a symbol of all American ideals and American history. But that very freedom of which the flag is a symbol requires that we not imprison someone for desecrating it, since, ultimately, freedom is superior to its symbol. I can call a hippie flag-burner a hypocritical, tasteless, worthless asshole, but I still hold that he has a right as an American to burn the flag that represents his freedom.Vernunfthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16652751092085432868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696335.post-1119548589083232302005-06-23T13:43:00.000-04:002005-06-23T13:43:00.000-04:00I agree this whole effort seems misguided. As I r...I agree this whole effort seems misguided. As I read <A HREF="http://www.alternet.org/story/22268/" REL="nofollow">here</A>, this country's attachment to its flag is quite high.<BR/><BR/><I>The evidence that we literally worship the flag is overwhelming. Unique among all nations, we have a Flag Day, a Flag code etiquette, a national anthem dedicated to the flag and a verbal salute to the flag. Twenty-seven states require school children to salute the flag daily.</I><BR/><BR/>That being said, (all of which I don't 100% agree with) it stands to follow that our freedoms will be limited to protect this idol of a flag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com