Asian Bastard provides a fine rant about mindless flag-waving — inspired by some doofus in a van, proudly festooned, who showed all-too-common disregard for approaching emergency vehicles, even though everyone else was pulling over.
I could never quite articulate just why all this flag flying bothered me, but now I know: when the display of the American flag becomes a fad, a mindless display, a pompous badge, it turns that act from something noble and purposeful to something as vacuous as wearing a t-shirt with a Nike swoosh. I have more respect for those who burn the flag in protest than guys like Minivan Man; the flag-burners at least recognize the importance of the flag, even if they reject what it stands for.
No one should display the American flag, or any other symbol, unless they mean it; and if they mean it, they should live by it. If we don’t, that flag might as well be a Jack in the Box antenna head.
Amen, brother.
Of course, valor in the face of defending the homeland doesn’t necessarily imply intelligence, or even politeness. But it does, on a higher level, imply a moral virtue — which is, in turn, squandered when you act like a frickin’ doofus.
This is certainly not the first rant I’ve read on this general topic — how there seems to be an inverse relationship between driving consideration/quality and the likelihood of the vehicle being decorated with a flag, a Jesus-fish, a “Baby On Board” placard, or something similarly implying special status. I don’t know if it’s true, or if it’s simply that such folks are more visible targets of ire. But in either case, it’s certainly rant-worthy.
If you’re going to make a point of declaring your civic, moral, or paternal virtue — then follow up your “words” with deeds. Otherwise, you not only deny your beliefs, but you do so in a very public (and therefore damaging to those beliefs) fashion.
Hmmm. Sort of a mini-rant from me, too.
(Via Xkot)