What does your nation's flag mean to you?

[Diesel2NR]

First, I'm an American and I'm very proud of it and support our men and women who are currently overseas fighting in Iraq as well as other places. I just want to know what your nation's flag means to you. Here's mine.

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Our flag...it stands for freedom, not only in our nation, but world wide. As the stongest military power in the world, I feel that we have a responsibility and right to spread democracy and the freedoms that come with it. It stands for our men that are in the middle east fighting for the liberation and freedom of another nation's people, as well as the safety of our own. It stands for every hero, military or not, that has died or made other sacrifices fighting for the rights of another person(s).

The one thing that pisses me off most is when our own citizens are burning our flag. That flag is a symbol of their right to do such a thing. This act of disrespect is actually allowed? Why? Another thing that pisses me off is when someone whom doesn't even live here tells us that we have no right to do something. Like our actions towards Iraq. We have been told by many that we have no right to disarm any country. Why is this true if they are supporting the terrorist that have done so much damage to us? We were attacked on our own soil and thousands of our friends, neighbors, and family members died. Some went down like heros in a field. Some died as heros trying to save others in that inferno that collapsed on them. I guess when you live outside of this country, a loss to us like that is easy to forget. So I guess it's another thing that makes it easier to put a flag upside down on here with "Freedom???" written across it. Could you do that to my face?
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Sorry for rambling...got somewhat off track, but that's a shortened version. After getting mad about something I saw today, I just started typing. I had to remove some offensive parts, and others that just didn't make sense. Hopefully what is left does.

[arthur12187]

u come up with the most random threads ever!!!!

[corvettezman]

Mine is American Flag. It's suppost to mean Freedom, which we have less than most people think. People also think it stands for wealth, but there are a lot of homeless.

[TexasF355F1]

Our flag...it stands for freedom, not only in our nation, but world wide. As the stongest military power in the world, I feel that we have a responsibility and right to spread democracy and the freedoms that come with it. It stands for our men that are in the middle east fighting for the liberation and freedom of another nation's people, as well as the safety of our own. It stands for every hero, military or not, that has died or made other sacrifices fighting for the rights of another person(s).
The one thing that pisses me off most is when our own citizens are burning our flag. That flag is a symbol of their right to do such a thing. This act of disrespect is actually allowed? Why? Another thing that pisses me off is when someone whom doesn't even live here tells us that we have no right to do something. Like our actions towards Iraq. We have been told by many that we have no right to disarm any country. Why is this true if they are supporting the terrorist that have done so much damage to us? We were attacked on our own soil and thousands of our friends, neighbors, and family members died. Some went down like heros in a field. Some died as heros trying to save others in that inferno that collapsed on them. I guess when you live outside of this country, a loss to us like that is easy to forget. So I guess it's another thing that makes it easier to put a flag upside down on here with "Freedom???" written across it. Could you do that to my face?

Man I couldn't have said it better myself. Some American's just don't know how good we have it. I saw something on Fox News last night where this guy who had just aquired his U.S. citizenship and to show how much he loves America painted his house like the American flag. Now that's patriotic.

[Diesel2NR]

me?? I hardly ever make new threads in the Off-topic forums at all.

[TexasF355F1]

Mine is American Flag. It's suppost to mean Freedom, which we have less than most people think. People also think it stands for wealth, but there are a lot of homeless.

There are a lot of homeless people, but a large part of these people are those who choose to be and are too lazy to even attempt to work. I've feed many homeless at a shelter and it's very sad, but when I think that a lot of them just drink their lives away and don't even attempt to make their lives better I have no sympathy.

[Dorikin]

I am proud of the Canadian flag but its so damn hard to draw!!!!

[arthur12187]

well for the nations flag it reminds me of all the bad things happened in the world and our flags will be there to help!

[igor@af]

Originally posted by 94 Mustang GT
First, I'm an American and I'm very proud of it and support our men and women who are currently overseas fighting in Iraq as well as other places. I just want to know what your nation's flag means to you. Here's mine.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Our flag...it stands for freedom, not only in our nation, but world wide. As the stongest military power in the world, I feel that we have a responsibility and right to spread democracy and the freedoms that come with it. It stands for our men that are in the middle east fighting for the liberation and freedom of another nation's people, as well as the safety of our own. It stands for every hero, military or not, that has died or made other sacrifices fighting for the rights of another person(s).

The one thing that pisses me off most is when our own citizens are burning our flag. That flag is a symbol of their right to do such a thing. This act of disrespect is actually allowed? Why? Another thing that pisses me off is when someone whom doesn't even live here tells us that we have no right to do something. Like our actions towards Iraq. We have been told by many that we have no right to disarm any country. Why is this true if they are supporting the terrorist that have done so much damage to us? We were attacked on our own soil and thousands of our friends, neighbors, and family members died. Some went down like heros in a field. Some died as heros trying to save others in that inferno that collapsed on them. I guess when you live outside of this country, a loss to us like that is easy to forget. So I guess it's another thing that makes it easier to put a flag upside down on here with "Freedom???" written across it. Could you do that to my face?
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Sorry for rambling...got somewhat off track, but that's a shortened version. After getting mad about something I saw today, I just started typing. I had to remove some offensive parts, and others that just didn't make sense. Hopefully what is left does.

I agree with you on a much more conservative level.
However, your view poses some problems-

"Our flag...it stands for freedom, not only in our nation, but world wide."
This is the typical American arrogance (mixed with ignorance). American flag is a flag of a country, not the world. Democracy, is an ideal in the United States, not the world. If you try to mix-up these things, many, many, MANY people around the world are insulted, and that is one of the main reasons why 9/11 happened. Before you say anything outloud, think about it for a second..... the world is made up of well over 200 countries, all with different histories, different cultures, different societies. And here, you just said that American flag, a flag of one of those "well over 200 countries," stands for freedoms worldwide and gives Americans the right to 'spread' democracy. Democracy cannot be spread, as you will see in post-war Iraq; just watch. Democracy is an ideal that peoples of a society come up with, because that is what they believe is right. If you come to my door and start preaching to me about how I should become a believer in Christian God and should follow the 10 commendments, when I am a Budhist, I will simply shut the door on you. (just an example ) However, I will not be able to do this IF you are much stronger than me and I have NO choice but to comply with your preaching.

If you believe in freedom of the people, then you should believe in people's freedom to CHOOSE their governmental systems and ideals. Otherwise, you're contradicting yourself.

Again, I would love to see myself in the wrong here, but you will see in the rebuilding of Iraq EXACTLY how 'liberating' other countries and imposing your ideal of government on them is NOT GOING TO WORK. This will only cause bitterness and hate, even though you are doing it with honest and good intentions. This is because of natural human nature of hating to be "told what to do"; it causes resentment.

[T4 Primera]

Thank you Igor, that means so much more coming from a US citizen than if someone from another country had said it.

[Toksin]

Originally posted by 94 Mustang GT
First, I'm an American and I'm very proud of it and support our men and women who are currently overseas fighting in Iraq as well as other places. I just want to know what your nation's flag means to you. Here's mine.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Our flag...it stands for freedom, not only in our nation, but world wide. As the stongest military power in the world, I feel that we have a responsibility and right to spread democracy and the freedoms that come with it. It stands for our men that are in the middle east fighting for the liberation and freedom of another nation's people, as well as the safety of our own. It stands for every hero, military or not, that has died or made other sacrifices fighting for the rights of another person(s).

The one thing that pisses me off most is when our own citizens are burning our flag. That flag is a symbol of their right to do such a thing. This act of disrespect is actually allowed? Why? Another thing that pisses me off is when someone whom doesn't even live here tells us that we have no right to do something. Like our actions towards Iraq. We have been told by many that we have no right to disarm any country. Why is this true if they are supporting the terrorist that have done so much damage to us? We were attacked on our own soil and thousands of our friends, neighbors, and family members died. Some went down like heros in a field. Some died as heros trying to save others in that inferno that collapsed on them. I guess when you live outside of this country, a loss to us like that is easy to forget. So I guess it's another thing that makes it easier to put a flag upside down on here with "Freedom???" written across it. Could you do that to my face?
----------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for rambling...got somewhat off track, but that's a shortened version. After getting mad about something I saw today, I just started typing. I had to remove some offensive parts, and others that just didn't make sense. Hopefully what is left does.

Well, it's pretty obvious that this thread is aimed at me.

Personally I don't feel I have to justify myself to anyone, but here goes.

To answer your question first John,yes, I could do it to your face. I am not ashamed of my beliefs, and I will not back down simply because someone challenges me. I was shocked when I saw the WTC go down, it took about three days for it to sink in. I still find it hard to believe that something that big could be destroyed and so many lives taken in an instant.

Spreading democracy? Like Igor said, it can't be spread. America is trying to ram it down people's throats. Now, I'm not against the people, I am against the government. Like I said in another thread, an upside down flag is a sign of distress. The way America is carrying on makes me fear for freedom, and I feel it is hypocritical that the US goes on and on about freedom this and freedom that (freedom fries ), while it is working to disrupt the freedoms of its own citizens (Code Red terror alert, the acts allowing the government to read everyone's emails etc. Digressing for a bit - okay, I believe that if you have nothing to hide then there's no problem, but it's the principle.). Ever read 1984? That's where the term "big brother is watching" comes from. An all pervasive government that knows everything about its people. You say anything contrary to the status quo,and the "Thought Police" come get you and you disappear. The same thing that happened in Iraq and other places will start to happen in the US if this is the way things are going. You say anything against the government,and you'll disappear.

I used to be very pro American, until I realised what the government was doing to its citizens and how it was trying to enforce its will on the rest of the world. Once again I will say that I am not against the American people, I am not going to start slagging an American in the streets or call him a murderer or whatever. Two very good friends of mine are from Seattle, and I am not about to stop talking to them because of what their government is doing. They are ashamed to be Americans now because of what is going on. And no,they are not crazy liberals, and neithe am I. I have merely paid attention to what is going on and formed my opinion of it. I respect everyone else's opinions on here, even if I don't agree with them.

I have a lot of pride in both my nation's flags, but if I was as angry about what their governments were doing I would hang them upside down too.

That is all the explanation I am going to give, I hope that helps.

Dave.

[TexasF355F1]

Toksin, I do understand what you are saying about the U.S. trying to cram democracy down peoples throats. However I do find it very disrespectful and offensive of you having the American flag upside down on your sig. I think I speak for all Americans when I ask if you would remove it, please.

[Toksin]

Tex, I respect your opinion and thank you for at least asking politely for me to remove it, instead of ranting on and calling me a Saddam lover or whatever as I don't doubt some people will do, but like I said, I won't change my beliefs because someone challenges me. I'm sorry you're offended, but I'm offended by what your president is doing, therefore I am not going to change my sig.

[GTStang]

The U.S. flag means a lot to me. I have one that is hanging over my bed. It has only 48 stars on it. It was the flag that was draped over the coffin of my Grandfather. It's a reminder of an ideal and the price paid for it.
When I see an American citizen burning a flag in protest... It makes me smile. I think look at that idiot burning the symbol of a country that gives him the right to do that and not get a bullet in his pea-size brain. If that person thought about it that way I bet you they would show the flag more respect.
But people from other countries who disrespect flag are very ignorant and stupid people. If you have a problem with a leader or a country there is a much more respectful way to show it. Your every bit as bad as a Nazi paintng a Swastika on a Synogogue.
It's like you can make fun of your family but no else can type deal.

Toksin you can use whatever justification you want but that flag in your signature is disrecpectful to every American. That is the symbol of a country and all the citizens of who live in it. You can be agianst the war and that's fine but learn the difference between something that is anti-war and anti-country.

[1985_BMW318i]

The display of the Flag of our country is very disrespectful. You many not agree with our president but that Flag stands for much more then our governement. It stands for a people that came from all walks of life from many other countries to found one that allows freedoms that no other country allows. To display our flag in that manner shows your spite against all americans regardless of their beliefs or support for what our government is doing. While I support the war there are some Americans that do not and that is their right. But you displaying our flag in that matter says to them that you disrespect their country even though they may agree with you.