American Flag Lapel Pins

[Cyrano]

It was Nixon and his thugs who started wearing American flag lapel pins to say to liberals and other dissenters, "I'm a patriot and you're not."

Bush and his band of Huns have resurrected the lapel pin. Some democratic politicians have caught on and have started wearing one, but for the most part, the GOP has again seized the flag as the symbol of their party. And it's a silent symbol that's always visible on TV, even if you have the sound off. (A Karl Rove principal: Images matter. Words don't.)

Those of us on DU know that Bush wrapping himself in the flag is the embodiment of a pig in a blanket. But those damn lapel pins appeal to people who buy into cheap symbolism and end up casting their votes for "Real Americans" like Bush, DeLay, et. al.

The GOP has mastered symbolism and language. And we're doing a lousy job of countering them. Suggestions? Comments?

[candy]

1. Fight fire with fire.

Start wearing flag lapel pins.When did the flag become the property of conservatives?

Nothing wrong with displaying the flag,it belongs to all of us.

[Cyrano]

3. In theory yes...

...in practice, the GOP has seized the flag and they're "More American" than we are. Ask anyone who owns a flag and flies it from their house or car.

[Atman]

10. Wear your flag pin upside down

The symbol for "under siege" or "under occupation" or "help!" (not sure exactly, but you get the idea).

[Cyrano]

12. Upside down American Flag

It's a symbol of distress, in effect, SOS. (edited) And as an additional thought, wingnuts will probably believe anyone flying a flag upside down is some kind of commie scum and feel it's okay to beat you to a pulp, or maybe even kill you. Sound extreme? Well, maybe. But would you really want to find yourself wearing an upside down flag in some GOP neighborhood confronted by a band of dittoheads?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. I have a flag lapel pin-I wear it right next to my No Bush pin

:D

[Cyrano]

4. Beware Ashcroft

Anyone who wears a flag pin next to an anti-Bush pin probably belongs in Guantanamo by the definition of our lunatic attorney general.

[MajorFlaw]

7. I have a flag pin too. It's been on ice since election day

2000, but I'm planning on shining it up and wearing it proudly this November.

[riverwalker]

5. when all the flag pin crap started

and the drumbeats for war began, I wore a little planet earth pin for a while (which was impossible to find) as a protest. They are dishonoring the flag by using it as a political slogan, or a bumper sticker for your lapel. People fought and died for the flag, and it means more than being Rove's campaign button. Real patriots don't need no stinkin' badges.

[Cyrano]

6. Right on

"We don't need no stinkin badges", Bogie, but they've got em and it's been working for them for thirty years. (For those of you too young to get the badges reference, rent a copy of "The Treasure of The Sierra Madre." Great flick, great dialogue and it still holds up today.)

[markus]

8. I have a Donkey-shaped flag pin

Take that! and That!

[whistle]

9. Kind of like the fish symbol...

...on the back bumper of automobiles. I love it when they have little feet and the word "Darwin" inside the symbol. These people who worship symbols like the flag and the fish need this to see themselves as better, self-righteous, more patriotic. Nazi Germany used such symbols to whip up emotions and control the masses of the German people through fear and intimidation. It also became law in Nazi Germany for inferior human beings to wear visible symbols that made them stand out like the Star of David on the outer clothing. Yes, this can happen in a right-wing dominated America if no one cares. :grr:

[Cyrano]

11. Exactly!!!

The fascists in this country have been incredibly successful at seizing the symbols of democracy and freedom. I always wondered how the German people, a highly intelligent population, were conned into going along with Hitler. Watching what's happened in this country in the past 3 1/2 years, I've stopped wondering. About half the American public is buying into the dung being shoveled by this administration and somehow, they just fail to see what's really happening. My biggest fear is that by the time they "get it," it will be too late.

[fudge stripe cookays]

18. I saw a great NEW fish the other day!

Inside was the word "Gefilte." I'm not even Jewish, but I'd put it on my car just to piss of the bleeping fundies where I live.

I'm fearless. If one gets in my face, they'd better be prepared to face a poked badger. I don't suffer assholes lightly.

[stopbush]

13. I bought a tri-colour (French Flag) pin...

and wear it to functions where I know rwingers will be in attendance.

[yellowcanine]

14. Here was John Prine's answer to Nixon's Flag pin

Flag Decal Heaven, by John Prine

While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I'd tell her how good I feel.

Chorus: But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
They're already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reason's for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.

Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
"If you join the Christmas club
We'll give you ten of them flags for free."
Well, I didn't mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife's forehead.

Repeat Chorus:

Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn't see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I'll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said...

Repeat Chorus:

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Abelman]

16. What's more patriotic than the flag?

If only we could think of something more patriotic than the flag, we could wear that?

[amber dog democrat]

17. Maybe the Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

We the people, in order to make a more perfect union.....

This is very patriotic in my books.

[fudge stripe cookays]

19. How about someone create a little Constitution pin...

It doesn't have to be SUPER detailed, but a little enamel pin with that famous yellow brown looking paper with those lovely scripty words "We the People" at the top could probably sell really well on cafepress or ebay.

Okay DUers! Get to it! Send me some royalties when you get em, okay?

[cornfedyank]

20. i have a flag question??

i understand that the flag properly displayed on a wall is to have the field in the upper left.

Why then do the flags on our soldier's shoulders have the field on the right?

[ithacan]

21. flag pins: typical of authoritarian regimes

really, the only ones in the rest of the world to do this kind of thing have been authoritarian and totalitarian leaders.

It's so Soviet to war a flag pin in your lapel.

And that does indeed tell us all we need to know about the Bush regime.

[struggle4progress]

22. Ever notice how all the patriotic flag noise is often associated ...

with actual DISRESPECT for the flag. I remember about a year ago, George II was signing flags, in direct violation of the flag code; today, there's a picture of George I showing off his flag coat:

Former President George Bush reveals the lining of his blazer after his speech at the dedication of the Golden Knights' new headquarters.
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=military&Story=6345871

Guess he never read the Flag Code, either: USC 4 Chapter 1 Sec 8

"(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel ... (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume ..."