About That Flag and One Thing More…

You have heard it said in days gone by that all should stand for the flag and at the singing of the national anthem.    It was said in days gone by that if an NFL player took a knee to protest against injustice, the owners ought to say, "Get that son of a bitch off the field right now, out.  He's fired.  He's fired!"  The statement was met with cheers from the assembled crowd. You have heard it said that if you failed to stand for the flag and national anthem you were showing disrespect of our military.

But I ask you now, after seeing the flag at full staff above the White House yesterday, and only brought to half mast to honor Senator John McCain's death, hours later and after much public pressure (including the American Legion), just how that petty and childish behavior (with the White House flag) shows respect for our military?  Or, for that matter, the flag itself?  Using the flag to demonstrate one's personal disdain for an American military hero (and thus, every military member) is just more than I can take. I'm saying so now, just as loud and clear as I can.  Using the flag to crush First Amendment rights is unconstitutional and I'm saying so now, just as loud and clear as I can. 

While I'm ranting and raving (where is the ranting and raving from the representatives of the people?) I am obliged  to react to the dire suggestion by the President of the United States that should his chosen vassals lose in the up-coming mid-term elections, the opposition will become violent.  This is absolute stupidity.  It is fear-mongering.  It is his imaginary bogeyman. It is anathema to the American dream.  We are in serious trouble, folks.

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light 

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming; 

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, 

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? 

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, 

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: 

Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave 

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?