It is always striking the way both parties' ideological priorities shift depending on whether they are in or out of power, but rarely more so than in the right's abrupt embrace of dissent--until recently widely considered a misdemeanor form of treason--as the highest of civic virtues. Still, I was rather stunned to see conservative celeb Chuck Norris openly advocating flag desecration in print:
I suggest you fly some revolutionary flag in lieu of your 50-star flag over the next year. Post the 13-star Betsy Ross flag, Navy Jack or Gadsden flag ("Don't Tread on Me") or any representation that tells the story of Old Glory and makes a stand for our Founders' vision of America. Of course, patriots know that the 50-star flag truly represents one nation under God and our Founders' republic, but modernists simply don't get it. So what do you say we make a statement by flying a different flag and educate our neighbors when they ask us, "Why are you flying that flag instead of the contemporary Stars and Stripes?" (If you insist on posting a modern USA flag, too, then get one that is tea-stained to show your solidarity with our Founders.) [emphasis mine]
Now, a more cynical person than myself might suggest that this presents a perfect opportunity for the Democrats to take a page out of the GOP playbook and put Mr. Norris and his ilk on their heels by passing an anti-flag-desecration resolution of some kind. But, like most liberals, I support the speech rights even of those who disagree with me. So, do what you will, Mr. Norris. Wrap a bushel of Darjeeling in Old Glory and dunk it in a scalding tub if it will make you happy. All you're doing is revealing just how pinched and provisional your vaunted love of country truly is.
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COMMENTS (8)
The House of Representatives is a fucking freak show. With a few notable exceptions, the members of the House are the lowest form of mediocre numbskulls this country can produce.
The House of Representatives is a fucking freak show. With a few notable exceptions, the members of the House are the lowest form of mediocre numbskulls this country can produce.
Shit - wrong article.
Maybe Chuck should run for a House seat. He would fit right in with all the other morons in there.
Shit - wrong article.
Maybe Chuck should run for a House seat. He would fit right in with all the other morons in there.
Chuck Norris' ideological flexibility is quite impressive. There he is, self-righteously defaming those who just don't get the glorious vision of the Founders' republic, not six months having passed since he advocated a second American Civil War, after which he might run for President of Texas.
My other question: since he is declaring that the flag is the true representation of our union and ideals, exactly what statement is he asking people to make by flying a different one?
Chuck Norris' ideological flexibility is quite impressive. There he is, self-righteously defaming those who just don't get the glorious vision of the Founders' republic, not six months having passed since he advocated a second American Civil War, after which he might run for President of Texas.
My other question: since he is declaring that the flag is the true representation of our union and ideals, exactly what statement is he asking people to make by flying a different one?
So burning a flag is wrong, but staining it with tea is good? OK....
At this point, conservatism has ceased to be a political philosophy, and has become a collection of random and contradictory beliefs and prejudices.
Much like Nazism.
So burning a flag is wrong, but staining it with tea is good? OK....
At this point, conservatism has ceased to be a political philosophy, and has become a collection of random and contradictory beliefs and prejudices.
Much like Nazism.
"My country, right or wrong", is how the tea tote-lers once greeted the protesters in "the 60s". Now that they are the protesters it's, "my country, right or else".
Right wing, for example.
For years Chuck Norris played cartoon characters on the boob tube. It's in his blood. Give him a script and he's a robot. God's, Mike's and now Sarah's.
And he's an old man running out of time.
If you know what I mean.
gw
"My country, right or wrong", is how the tea tote-lers once greeted the protesters in "the 60s". Now that they are the protesters it's, "my country, right or else".
Right wing, for example.
For years Chuck Norris played cartoon characters on the boob tube. It's in his blood. Give him a script and he's a robot. God's, Mike's and now Sarah's.
And he's an old man running out of time.
If you know what I mean.
gw
Come on, janus. Expecting a wingnut to make sense, and eschew self-righteousness is a bit much. Chuck Norris has been slowly getting unhinged since he aligned with that pretentiously amiable kook, Mike Huckabee.
Come on, janus. Expecting a wingnut to make sense, and eschew self-righteousness is a bit much. Chuck Norris has been slowly getting unhinged since he aligned with that pretentiously amiable kook, Mike Huckabee.
scrubby, I know that sense is a bit much to expect. One set of contradictions I can deal with, like Reagan being anti-government and expanding it, or a parade of other conservatives wanting limited government everywhere except the bedroom and the gynecologist's office. People say one thing and do another all the time.
Norris is different, though. He isn't a professional politician, so all he does is advocate and present his views-and he appears to be basically simultaneously presenting himself as a crazed nationalist and a crazed separatist, and believing both very passionately. It's mind-boggling.
scrubby, I know that sense is a bit much to expect. One set of contradictions I can deal with, like Reagan being anti-government and expanding it, or a parade of other conservatives wanting limited government everywhere except the bedroom and the gynecologist's office. People say one thing and do another all the time.
Norris is different, though. He isn't a professional politician, so all he does is advocate and present his views-and he appears to be basically simultaneously presenting himself as a crazed nationalist and a crazed separatist, and believing both very passionately. It's mind-boggling.
I have long been offering to conservatives the following bargain: I'll support your amendment to ban flag desecration, provided it also bans the display of flag raised in armed rebellion against the United States. I've never found a conservative willing to take the deal -- which is to say, conservatives love the commemoration of treason against the United States more than they love the American flag.
(I sometimes almost wish the flag-burning amendment had become law, because mistreatment of the flag really pisses me off, and by far the worst violators are rightwingers. These colors do run, pal, when you leave them out in the sun all day for years at a time, and the U.S. Flag Code is quite cl ... view full comment
I have long been offering to conservatives the following bargain: I'll support your amendment to ban flag desecration, provided it also bans the display of flag raised in armed rebellion against the United States. I've never found a conservative willing to take the deal -- which is to say, conservatives love the commemoration of treason against the United States more than they love the American flag.
(I sometimes almost wish the flag-burning amendment had become law, because mistreatment of the flag really pisses me off, and by far the worst violators are rightwingers. These colors do run, pal, when you leave them out in the sun all day for years at a time, and the U.S. Flag Code is quite clear that it's disrespectful to leave that pink, yellow, and baby blue sticker on your bumper or that unhemmed stars and strips over your front door. Were the Flag Code criminally enforceable, I'd be a one-man informant squad turning these people in for their ubiquitous disrespect for the flag. Got a flag on your car, or flying outside your house all the time? Then you need to replace it at least twice a year. If not, you might as well just burn the damn thing for all the honor you show it.)