I am your Flag

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by kublah

I think it was more referring to honoring and defending the principles that the flag stands for. I have no problem with that in theory, but it all means different things to different people in practice.

You are correct, that is what I meant. The flag itself is just a piece of cloth.
The concern I have is the propaganda voiced by some people use the flag as a representation that Americans should not question government policy or tactics, but to slavishly do the bidding of, as you say, the suits on Capitol Hill.

I believe this propaganda reduces participation in the political process. People either do what they are told because it's 'good for the country' (ie: invade Iraq due to fictional WMD's) or become so cynical about the government they fail to participate and produce change for the better ("Government is all a big conspiracy, man!!)