If you don't answer, no big deal, but I'd like to see what everybody thinks.

I was on facebook, and saw a profile pic of an American flag upside down. I ask the guy why. He gave some big long speach about me being a Veteran, I should know what it means. Duh!!!

Quote:"Well Tank Thomas, as a Veteran, and a former serviceman, you should be aware that the upside down flag means no disrespect to the flag nor this country. Now, you can google it, or i can tell you what it means, but as a veteran, i will give you the respect to look it up and understand the meaning of it. Yes I am an American, born and raised, and I do love this country. Now the great thing about this country and our founding fathers, is that we all have a freedom of speech and a right to voice our opinion. I have seen fellow veterans and servicemen do this to our flag, which again, means no disrespect.
If you feel that i have offended you, I am not sorry and will not apologize. This is one thing our arm service will not teach anyone, and that is not my fault. Now if you remember the movie " The Last Castle" with Robert Redford, maybe you will understand.
IT IS A SIGN OF DISTRESS, NOT THAT A COUNTRY IS TAKEN OVER. Now as a disabled veteran, i am sure you are not in agreement as you are treated by society and this government." Unquote

In your eyes, am I wrong to attempt to correct this issue, or just be apathetic, and let it go? Hot Damn, it's summertime, bring it on!!!

BBTank

Bigger issues to get your panties in a bunch over.

You may not agree, but it is his freedom of speech as well. Besides, it appears that his motive is well thought out, somewhat disjointed, but at least purposeful.

His voice; his choice; his consequence.

Move on.

I really do agree with you, but also respectfully disagree. I'm very disappointed in the American public and the sense they carry around. Just not respectful any more.

I agree completely.
The sometimes unfortunate consequences of maintaining the freedoms of our country are that it includes some freedoms you may not like or agree with.
It's his right to signal distress in that manner, it's your right to ignore it.

Or not!!!

Very true.

I'm not up in the air about it. I asked a simple question to him, and got this disertation (in the first post). I really think he needs a different kind of attention.

meh...Well, first I agree that this country is in a shizzpot of trouble. I feel the vast majority of our government officials are morally corrupt as a minimum, and the population is only too happy to allow it to continue as long as they get "free stuff" from the government. That is one of the signs of a society in deep decline.

That said, I don't think his expression of that by "displaying" the flag upside down is any worse than those who seem to find a need to express themselves by flying the flag of some other country.

I think I'd do the same thing with him as I would with others who choose to use that avenue express themselves....ignore it and move on.

BBT,

You are giving him exactly what he wants and hoped for. He is living rent free in your mind.

I have a small American flag for every dune toy i own, when ever i get a new whip it has to be a American flag. Other then that I do own one full sized flag, It sits in a case neetly folded by the Marines that folded it up that way while in Irac. The flag was a gift to me and to be honist when it was given to me was very hard to hold back and hide my eyes from watering. Yes right now our goverment needs a big change, but do not disrespect your contry or the ones that fight to give you that free right.

Danno

"I was on facebook..."
Biggest problem I see here!

I only asked him one question, he's been constantly sending messages for the last hour. I just blocked him, tired of looking at the msg. And I have no intention of any other comunication, now or later. I just wanted to see how my brethren from GD.com felt about his Weiner!!!

Noted, thanks.

Edit to add: this forum can be just as good or bad as facebook. Pends on what you put out in the public, or how you handle what's put out there.

Obviously, I feel this way too Danno.

Your starting to worry me dude.

Consider that you might be reading some defensive attitude into his reply and maybe there is maybe there isnt but probably not to the degree that should warrant whatever it is you mean by different kind of attention.

I being a vet, understand the meaning of it. This guy perhaps is trying to convey his own message as it relates to where he feels this country in his eyes is going. I think there is some difference in his meaning than those that flat out burn, piss on, or desecrete the flag as we know it. Those people need a real attitude adjustment. Much like those that prefer to fly a third turd nation flag instead of the stars and stripes.

I personally agree that the country as a whole is in distress, and has been for a dozen years or more. That said, I don't fly the flag upside down but I respect others' right to do so. The one that means the most to me is folded and framed, as it has been since a client/Marine reservist/friend sent it to me after taking it down after flying it at her base in Fallujah.

This guy sent me about 4-5 msg on facebook, before I got tired of his antics, and blocked him. Like I said, I just asked him a simple question, "would you mind telling me why you have depicted the US Flag upside down in a picture?", that was it.

Come to find out, this guy is, obviously Mexican, and is still very upset about SB1070 from AZ. OK, it's his right to do as he sees fit, and post anything, within the parameters of facebook, that he desires. It's my right, to question him, or anybody else I so desire. Let's shoot a straight arrow, right now. I'm not questioning anybody about anything, unless i t gets into "my world". Anything to do with MY flag is in "my world".

I don't remember who said it, but, I remember it, "if you're gonna fly it, do it right and have the proper respect". I feel the same. I have spent my entire adult life, in or around the US military, and I freely admit that I'm "brainwashed".

Don't get upset about this, I just asked a simple question, to you guys, about this "dude". Nothing more.

Thanks for your views!!
BBTank

Quote
IT IS A SIGN OF DISTRESS
Unquote

I think what he meant to say was IT IS A SIGN OF MY DISTRESS. Meaning him. He has a problem with it and should not display and try and convey it to everyone else.

Like someone said already - he's looking for attention and GOT IT. I'd probably stop reading his messages, and then post a flag (properly displayed) as my profile pic. Then flood my page with postings that all coincidentally have the flag all over it Course I'm a PITA and I don't deny it! There's a lot wrong with our country but there's a lot right too. Ever hear of 'crying wolf' eh that's how I feel about the whole new fad of flying the flag upside down. There's better ways of displaying your displeasure, I'm gonna warrant a guess the whole flag upside down = distress was meant for bigger things than dissatisfaction of current gov't policies, I'm talking more along the lines of sh!t hit the fan, weird contagious disease going around, people dying, etc BUT that's just my opinion and obviously plenty of people would disagree with it. Good luck Tank and don't let him rile you up to much

He's Mexican meaning he's a Mexican citizen? If he's a Citizen of another country he can eat a big fat crank... if the USA is in such distress, why are so many of his fellow Mexican citizens trying to come here? But on the other hand... we shouldn't let people's actions bother us as jealousy is common when you're at the top.

But if he's an American citizen, he does have the "right" to be upset about whatever he wants. I'm not sure if it matters that he's Hispanic or not...

Either way... I don't like it. I wouldn't do it. But then again, I would also never have a bumper sticker on my car stating that the President is a "mistake" or a total tool. Even if I think so... I wouldn't undermine the White House like that. So there are a lot of people out there with metaphorical upside down flags... something to keep in mind.

But the biggest thing to keep in mind is that, like someone else pointed out, it's on facebook. People talk a big talk on facebook... in reality that dude is probably sitting in front of his computer wearing nothing but a jock strap and a T-shirt that says, "I'm a winner" and he's starting all kinds of internet riots so he can give himself a rub-down over the amount of messages and posts on his wall.

I don't think anyone is upset, for the most part the answers seem to be well thought out.

A couple of things come to my mind...

I am a veteran.

My skin is brown.

I don't need a flag to remind me about patriotism and love of country...the flag is an icon, not an idea.

About Facebook...absolutely the stupidest thing to ever exist on the internet. Forrest Gump said it best..."Stupid is as stupid does..."

This is how I would take it. If the guy is actually a patriot.
Hippies, illegals and anarchists have made the upside down flag into some kind of hateful emblem but I could see an honest lover of this country using it as a sign of caution that the country is getting f*cked.

I just learned something new on the meaning of the flag being flown upside down...
"a maritime signal used on the high seas to show a vessel is in distress."

It's funny (or sad) that it has to be stated that this guy "Is obviously Mexican" and "Still upset over SB1070".

Did yore "FB Friend" state those things? or are they merely yore assumptions because he has a differing opinion then yore's?



We still have Freedom of Expression here in don't we?



At least he did not have this on his FB page...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^l |^^^^^^^^^^| |P
| ♥~♥NO JUSTICE FOR CAYLEE MARIE ♥~♥ ||”"”;..\___.
|……_______________| l______________l _||__|…, ]P
“(@)’(@)”""""""*l'(@)l'(@)l """"""""""""""(@)'(@)""""'(@)
Put this on your status & Keep this Convoy Going.

And here it is:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/usc_se...08----000-.html

The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property


Whatever got your "friend's" pants in a bunch probably doesn't fit into the category of extreme danger

"Danger" is open to interpretation.

So did you google it?

Section 8a of the United States Flag Code states, "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

Seems to me he is pointing out in his mind, the country is in dire distress. I have no problems with it.

unless you are independently wealthy, and have no need for a job, then go right ahead and clown that guy...then the guy behind him, and the assklown behind him, and the douchebag to the right..............

my point is, turn on the light, and there are a million roaches talking shit.

don't waste your time. You will lose your mind dealing with all the doooooooches out there

x2

OK, I didn't clear a few things before I typed them.

I said obviously he's a Mexican, I was thinking his name, and never put it on here (his name is clearly Mexican heritage). That's what was in my head at the time, and I forgot that I never did put his name on here. I'm not downgrading Mexicans, Hispanics, etc., I intended to say he's upset about SB1070, I think due to him being a Mexican. Is that oned cleared now?

I found out from my FB friend (in a PM) that the guy has been like this for over a year now. This person I'm talking about is not my friend, I just saw his picture, period. My FB friend said he's been upset about SB1070 and that's when he put the upside down flag picture on FB. Cleared?

We do have "rights" in this country. But, and I mean a big BUT, when you start messing with the flag, it's against the US Code that covers the flag, and that's illegal, as in, against the law.

Where do my rights start to infringe on yore rights? When do I have to stop, because I'm going against the law? It's my right to say and do what I want in this country, right? Murder is wrong, and is illegal. Flying the American flag upside down is wrong, covered in the US code, and is also illegal, even if a few think it's somebodys right to do it.

I don't just sit back and bitch about his kinda stuff, I act on it. I took a flag down from my neighbor, because he had the Mexican flag above ours (he's a citizen, born and raised here in the US), so I went and asked first. The next day, it was the same, flying all thru the night, unlit. The next day, I knocked on his door, and took the US flag down, and still have it. That's just 1 example, I have a few, that are unclaimed by the previous owners.

If you're going to fly the American flag, please it the respect that all nation's flags deserve. If you fly the fly the American flag in front of me and you don't give the respect our flag deserves, I'll do something about it, not complain and say it's your right to do it.

I did not Google about the flag, I've known what it meant for many decades now. I think it's a piss poor excuse to "show" your displeasure. He's probably a non-voting American, that complains about everything that's messed up.

No offense, but you make a lot of assumptions and I have not found any statute that states it ILLEGAL to fly the flag upside down. Nor have I seen who is supposed to declare the "distress" or even define it. 250 years ago, distress meant physical, as in war or being attacked i would presume. These days,some people may feel we are being attacked from within, from bankers, politicians etc etc. Personally, I would find other ways to protest, but I like to bring facts into emotional discussions.

And your last sentence is somewhat contradictory. "He's probably a non-voting American, that complains about everything that's messed up." Are you saying he doesnt have the right to complain (since he probably doesnt vote), or that hes un-American if he does complain?

I assume nothing. It's your right to type anything you feel like. I'm cool with it!!

just call 911.. Say a man is flying his flag upside down which means distress. Send anything and everything you have to his house :P

He will flip it over after that lol

If someone came on to my property and stole my flag, would I be within my rights to kick his ass while in the process of stopping said theft?

I think he's being a little b*tch and needs to put his big girl panties on.

Whaa....I'm not getting my way.

I wonder if he's even registered to vote and if he is...actually votes.


People like this piss me off more than the freaking demon-crats and liberals...because they claim to be for America and against the other side...while employing their tactics.


As far as being a "Vet", I could write novels on this. Just because you served...did you serve honorably? Were you a problem child? Did you ever "LEAD" people? Do you still conduct yourself and hold yourself to that standard?

Don't wrap yourself in the flag and claim to be a great American if you're only part of the problem.

Interesting contradiction here.
You're concerned about rights and respect, but only the one's you agree with and are in line with your sense of right and wrong. All others be damned apparently.

I'm not going to fly my flag upside down or another nations flag above it, but I can't understand how you can justify breaking the law to stop a legal activity you don't like.

Even though I agree with your thinking, your actions are narrow minded.

I knew you'd chime in on this one. And it goes without saying, we agree on this one too.






This is good, maybe I'm stirring the pot, maybe I'm telling the truth. Either way, you guys are thinking hard about what you write.

Bb tank did you go to college?

That is a very weird question, to me, on this topic. Just curious why you would ask that? And, does it really make a difference?

Just a question.

Then just answer, yes

Is this not an assumption?

"He's probably a non-voting American, that complains about everything that's messed up."