So I must ask...

[Ex-User (5841)]

I've lurked for a good 3 years now and periodically form a profile in order to post (largely because I can't remember my previous username/password combinations) and will likely disappear again soon enough, but I must ask the following while I'm here:

Why is it considered patriotic for a hairy fat man to wear a speedo patterned from a country's flag while it is highly frowned upon to burn the actual flag as a form of protest, something that, for example, is protected by the first amendment in the U.S.?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Wearing your country's colors is support, is it not?

How is burning your country's colors a form of support? That's one less American flag to hold high.


The Bill of Rights are meant to protect citizens from government; the First Amendment is not a call to action(e.g. Go out and arm yourself! Go out and say whatever you want! Practice any religion! ). They're just reactive/passive safety nets.

 

[snafupants]

So wearing the stars and stripes as a pair of trousers would be patriotic or no? The stars are in back in case you're wondering. Perhaps if Uncle Sam whirled around in time he would spot those ethnic freeloaders tromping on US soil...

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Wearing your country's colors is support, is it not?

How is burning your country's colors a form of support? That's one less American flag to hold high.

What if you the reason you're burning said flag is because you feel that the country is no longer a representation of what the flag symbolizes?

And on that note, how is wearing your country's colors on your hairy, sweaty scrotum not flag desecration?

These are the things that keep me up at night...

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

So wearing the stars and stripes as a pair of trousers would be patriotic or no? The stars are in back in case you're wondering.

I would argue that's less of a patriot and more of a clown suit lol.

My pyro tendencies are also focused on that left stilt...

 

[snafupants]

I would argue that's less of a patriot and more of a clown suit lol.

My pyro tendencies are also focused on that left stilt...

There's a difference? Look, a patriot is someone who questions unchecked authority, like the Founding Fathers tried to do in action and legislation; a patriot is not someone who wears a fucking button in July, that's an asshole.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

There's a difference? Look, a patriot is someone who questions unchecked authority, like the Founding Fathers tried to do in action and legislation; a patriot is not someone who wears a fucking button in July, that's an asshole.

So patriotism is by definition free thinking? If so, autonomy certainly has a lot of social manifestations to the point where it sort of boils down to equating patriotism to the right to exist, which somehow actually justifies wearing that speedo in a roundabout way if by wearing the speedo you're simply being yourself...

For the record, I only participate in speedo-related activities behind closed doors

 

[snafupants]

So patriotism is by definition free thinking? If so, autonomy certainly has a lot of social manifestations to the point where it sort of boils down to equating patriotism to the right to exist, which somehow actually justifies wearing that speedo in a roundabout way if by wearing the speedo you're simply being yourself...

For the record, I only participate in speedo-related activities behind closed doors

Well, I would call patriotism and free-thinking synonymous to the extent that free-thinking politically enshrines civil liberties, which the Founding Fathers certainly held dear. Although the third and seventh amendments are pretty much outmoded and ridiculous, respectively, the first and, say, fourth amendments are designed (and under attack, by the way), I believe, to curtail the power of government and prohibit the ilk of perceived tyranny that lead to the establishment of the United States in the first place. Ultimately, it's up to the people to make sure democracy does not devolve into fascism, you dig? The Bill of Rights is more like a blueprint, guiding principles so to speak, that steers the direction of government, law and order for posterity; the people (you and I) flesh out that reality.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

What if you the reason you're burning said flag is because you feel that the country is no longer a representation of what the flag symbolizes?

Okay, then it's a protest, and if the protest supports the country then it's patriotic. But there's a difference between conservative protesting(fighting for old ideals) and progressive support(blindly agreeing with the nation's/government's direction).

But really like snafupants illustrated, this isn't really patriotic, you should look toward people who put their lives on the line and actually attempt to get something done - not people who wear a shirt or put a flag on their car.

And on that note, how is wearing your country's colors on your hairy, sweaty scrotum not flag desecration?

Well, besides the typification that all males have hairy, sweaty balls all the time - clothes are meant to be worn.

These are the things that keep me up at night...

Did you watch Futurama before bed?

 

[Trebuchet]

Actually the US Flag Code (which is not and should not be law) says that it shouldn't be used on speedos. Not sure if that's an exact quote, though.

Burning the flag, a symbol of the country, is a symbolic attack on the country. However, as an expression of the importance and fragile nature of free speech, or as a statement of dissent, I'd have to say it is a very effective one. The mere fact that one can burn a US flag in public, and not be arrested, is a powerful statement. I think it can be patriotic, though mostly that isn't the message.

There is nothing in the First Amendment, or anywhere else in the US Constitution, that says you can't be insulted, accused of being unpatriotic, fired from your job, or ridiculed on television if you burn a flag. You just can't be arrested because it is protected as free speech and therefore is not illegal.

Some of my fellow US citizens, for example Sarah Palin, seem to be confused about this. Palin hasn't burned a flag, as far as I know. But she thinks that any criticism of her inflammatory language is somehow a violation of her right to freedom of speech. Lots of other public figures have made similar stupid arguments; it isn't just Palin. If you haven't been censored or charged with anything, your free speech hasn't been infringed.

 

[bds4206]

There's a difference? Look, a patriot is someone who questions unchecked authority, like the Founding Fathers tried to do in action and legislation; a patriot is not someone who wears a fucking button in July, that's an asshole.

That could not be more true. Well said.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

So yeah, I anticipated that some go-lucky gopher would take up the wrong position on this question somewhere and I'd have a decent yet rigged game of whack-a-mole and a bit of ego stroking in store for myself, but alas...

 

[Otherside]

I would think the intent of the person performing the act would have to be known. Neither have any real effect on anything.

 

[the_s_rabbit]

I am the hairy fat man in the star-spangled speedo. I am the 99 percent.