Sunday, November 12

Flag Etiquette Lessons With Lenny

I stand and cover my heart for the pledge and the anthem. I think it's stupid to do otherwise. The US Constitution protects the right for a lot of people to do a lot of stupid things. I am a Constitutional Conservative, so I respect the wisdom of our Founders.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said this about flag etiquette, and it got me a bit worried.
I had learned somewhere along the line that it was OK to stand with my hands at my side during the National Anthem. I will admit that I was wrong, and I've read the U.S. Code all the way back to 1931 just to make sure I wasn't remembering something I'd read that was older. Therefore, I will follow the rules next time I rise for the song, and I hope I didn't offend anyone in the years I spent thinking I was right. 


However, I remembered some other rules I'd learned at Badger Boys State back in the day, and I thought I'd share some of those with the rest of Jacksonville. 


§6. Time and occasions for display
It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Light your flag or take it down at night. I have seen this one ignored over the years, even by some of my own relatives.
§7. Position and manner of display
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

The following photo appears to be an example of the flags displayed improperly, with the American flag at the same level and at the left (it's own), not centered. I assume Mayor Curry noticed the problem and had it fixed after the photo was taken.

§8. Respect for flag

i. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. 
j.  No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
I was always told you don't wear the flag or use it for advertising, or slap a big eagle on it. These fans at a soccer game in (not in Jax) don't appear to mind that they are seemingly breaking flag etiquette.



I'm not going to say these are all stupid people or people doing stupid things. I tried once to complain about a tattered flag flying day and night, and the local police told me there was nothing that could be done, so I kind of gave up being the flag policeman at that point. Perhaps the Constitution trumps the other codes on the books, but I'd like to think most of us would follow most of the rules if we knew them, which is why I appreciate Mayor Curry for reminding me.


I'm not sure that there's a hierarchy of sins against the flag or a rating system for what is more stupid than anything else. I guess me putting my hands at my sides instead of my heart for the past two decades might be seen as pretty stupid. My intent was not to offend, just as JaxShines and the American Outlaw soccer fans didn't intend to offend, so I won't call their actions stupid or offensive. Then again, name calling is for people who can't win arguments, so I don't tend to do that at all. I prefer to call them Americans.
 

Contact Brian

Name

Email *

Message *

Pennies From Heaven AKA Welfare for Writers

The reason why we have ads on this site is because that's one way writers make money online. Your presence on this site right now might make a penny for our family. Clicking on an ad might get us closer to $.50. Buying something online as a result of clicking on a link can make us a few dollars. We will not get rich from this money, but every penny helps out. Every like or share or re-post or follow. Please, make a donation to our family by clicking.

JAX Weather

Labels

Jacksonville jax money Florida crime housing activities vehicles economic development school home news transportation planning police Duval website design kids politics traffic research TV neighbor reviews sports taxes parks statistics East Arlington writing history environment St. Johns roads travel water employment fun men previous owner rankings Arlington weather women beach review business church jaguars pollution dating fashion football guns hurricane library race tourism fatalities health care zoning baseball music JEA Mayport restaurant summer animals games military unf Lyft St. Augustine education flooding pets spanish AC Halloween farms film french hockey noise ocean po radio Duval County Fletcher high school armada cats christmas controversy debate decision fall fort caroline style superhero 2021 AAA Roadside Assistance Advice Blowhard Cambridge AICE County Sheriffs Duval County Public Schools Easter FDOT FL Google Gyros Haretna Hilton Honors James jaeger Kernan Boulevard Lutheran Milano's Ocala Pressers SEO St. Johns County Starbucks T-shirts Tim Tebow VW acting ad of the week addiction again all balls arts asked avoid behavior belief best bi-polar boo celebration chances chump colleges column common comparison consequences councilmembers credit card cuisine difficult to use don't work doors driving games entertainment experience expression faith finding food frustration future gambling gaming gas station grass hack handles high school exchange homes housing market humor illegal traffic stops impact importance improve indians informed infrastructure insightful issue. killing language last chance light boat parade lights local dating scene lottery love made mascot meaning mental health merchandise mistakes mood swings no U-turn sign no brains notebooks opening opinion origins ownership party paying for hotels personal opinion pet ownership pitbull play players pooper popular pound sand program protect real estate reason reform religion request revenue rewards program rights road trip save school identity school pride school spirit service simple sketchy slang someone state struggle support system take down taste teachers thank you timucuan traffic laws traffic stop universities unpredictability usage vehicle pet peeves welcome workplace