Where Is Patriotism???

[BigFish]

Just curious as to where this country's Patriotism is?? On my street I see only one flag......thats right.....one! Folks can spend hours and days decorating their homes for Christmas but they can't take a moment to honor this country and simply hang a flag in front of their home?! Its shameful!

[kevin d]

I don't feel that flying a flag is a sign of patriotism. I think patriotism is feeling pride in your country, trying to improve your country and abiding by it's laws. Who is more patriotic, they guy who only flies his flag on holidays but cheats on his taxes or the guy who never flies a flag but doesn't cheat on his taxes?
Of course, everybody will have their own opinion on what patriotism is. That's the great thing about this country, you can have an opinion and voice it!
I don't fly a flag, never have. I did spend 20 years of my life in the Marine Corps and paticipated in numerous raisings and lowerings of the colors. That sense of pride never waivered. I don't feel a need to fly the flag at my house but thank those that choose to.
Happy 4th of July!

[BigFish]

Check and mate Kevin! I just feel that a little more of a public display of pride given the times we live in might be in order! It just seems that when I was a kid, folks always had flags out and I feel as time has moved forward....these younger generations take things quite a bit for granted!

[BigFish]

As far as flying a flag as a sign of patriotism....what else could it mean?

[spence]

Really got schooled didn't ya Larry?

Well said Kevin, and thanks for your service.

It's like the debate over Obama not wearing a flag pin, what a crock!

-spence

[cb2fly]

I love flying my 2 American flags, I find myself staring at them.
After 9/11 I remember thinking how much and how different our streets looked, every day was like the 4th of July.
Bigfish have a great Independence Day!
cb

[Raven]

all year......... except in freezing snow or ice storms

because there's American's out there in battles

dying daily....and it flies to honor them

and those that have fallen before them.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Its kind of funny but probably 90% of the people who fly the flag don't do it properly. Not that I take issue with it, I apprciate that they do fly it, and they are flying it for all the right reasons, but most don't do it right.

How many who fly it take it down every night at Sundown....or have it illuminated with a light if they don't. Thats the proper way.

When we go to camp the boys raise the flag in the morning and lower it at sundown...with a proper ceremony.

i will tell you one thing that does drive me nuts are the people who have the multiple flags on their trucks driving around with them like they are the greatest american hero and the flags are all tattered and torn from them driving around like that.....the flag should never look like that....ever

[RIJIMMY]

7/3 - driving my 4 and 6 yr olds to school, I talked to them about the Declaration of Independence, the colonies, the British, taxation without representation, etc. They were really into it and asked a ton of questions. I am going to love when they take history. I think schools suck at teaching it, they make it boring. No teacher ever told me that the signers of the Declaration where basically signing their death warrant, treason against the king. You can disagree with everything this country does today, but you have to be in awe at the character of those people that drafted that document and their core beliefs.
Larry - I took my flag down years ago when we had some work done on the house, thanks for your reminder to put it back up!
Jim

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

7/3 - driving my 4 and 6 yr olds to school, I talked to them about the Declaration of Independence, the colonies, the British, taxation without representation, etc. They were really into it and asked a ton of questions. I am going to love when they take history. I think schools suck at teaching it, they make it boring. No teacher ever told me that the signers of the Declaration where basically signing their death warrant, treason against the king.
Jim

Good for you Jim taking on the resposibility of teaching them our history.
They won't learn the whole story in school.

Today's curriculum is written by a bunch of pseudo-intellectuals who leave out
the character, beliefs, values, bravery and morals of the founding fathers.

For a real education on our history, take them to the Washinton, Jefferson and Lincoln memorials
to see the history and thinking of these men etched in stone.

When in Washinton take them to see the original Declaration of Independence and stop off in Phladelphia
to see the Liberty Bell and the origin of the American Flag.

Enjoy.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Took my kids to Washington and Philadelphia 2 years ago on vacation. visited all the monuments and all of the memorials. Wanted them to see it not just from a book.

Here's the Pics if anyone is interested

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ad.php?t=33823

[RIJIMMY]

that was great DF, I will definitly take a trip with the family there, my wife has never been, I went on 8th grade trip. And by the way I think the fact that you made the trip answers BF's question, thats where patriotism is.

[Joe]

Don't forget to swing by Walter Reed.

[justplugit]

Very nice presentation,TDF.

I found the same feelings as you at all the war memorials,
with Vietnam hitting me the hardest.

Congratulations on your son making Eagle Scout.

[PaulS]

Visit the monuments at night for a totally different experience.

Patriotism is expressed by different people in different ways and means different things to different people. Some view a flag sticker on a car or flag shirt as patriotic when they do nothing else for the country. Some don't put out a flag, yet volunteer at the food bank, the homeless shelter, etc.

For me flying a flag yet throwing your garbage out the car window, always trying to get ahead by ripping people off (even legaly), disrespecting people (even those who look different or w/different beliefs) and institutions and looking out only for yourself is not patriotic. Describing it is sort of like pornography.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by justplugit

Congratulations on your son making Eagle Scout.

Hasn't made it yet....hopefully this time next year.

[PaulS]

One thing that is very unpatriotic is outing a CIA spy for political reasons. Someone should have a cell reserved next to Jonathon Pollard.

[Adam_777]

Remember all the flags after 911 ? They're all gone.It was a fad.

[Bishop169]

I've never owned a flag nor do I plan on buying one. I feel the flag is outdated icons no real use other then tradition that most schools don’t even teach the meaning of... I rather take a political stand and support groups to make changes to our country and try to make a better society for us all to live in..

I love my country because it is my home but I don’t respect the slobs running it...

That to me is patriotism trying to improve the place you call home….