MY VIEW
Don’t demand my
patriotism
President Donald J.
By Kathryn Ross
Trump is not the boss
of me. I do not work in one of his many businesses and while he is the
Commander In Chief, I’m not in the military. So regardless of how much
haranguing the man does, I am not required to prove or display my patriotism
for this country.
Do I want to?
Sometimes I do, but it is not a command performance dictated by a would be,
life-time President.
In March, after
learning that the Chinese Legislators passed an amendment allowing President Xi
Jinping to rule indefinitely the U.S. President remarked, “He’s now president
for life. President for life. And he’s great,” Trump said, “I think it’s great.
Maybe we’ll give that a shot someday.” Trump is now advocating for
unconditional patriotism. There are rules of etiquette pertaining to the flag
and national anthem, but they are not law.
The only law
concerning the flag of the United States is the U.S. Flag Code which
establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag.
It is Chapter 1 of
Title 4 of the United States Code. This is a U.S. Federal law, but failure to
comply with it is not enforced, yet.
I can burn the flag
in protest, but I cannot wear the flag or wipe my mouth on it.
In 1990, the U.S.
Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition of burning the U.S. flag conflicts with
the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and is therefore
unconstitutional.
The Flag Code law
states:
• No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or
athletic uniform. Flag patches may be affixed to the uniform of military
personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. A lapel
flag pin should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
And that the flag
should never be used for advertising purposes nor should it be embroidered on
cushions or handkerchiefs, printed or impressed on paper napkins or boxes or
anything that is designed for temporary use.
It also states: The
flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless responding to a
salute from a ship of a foreign nation.
• When a flag is so tattered that it is no longer fit to
serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified
manner, preferably by burning.
• And ever since we were little kids hoisting the flag on
the school lawn we’ve known the flag should never touch anything beneath it.
The flag should
always be permitted to fall freely.
Prior to June 14,
1923, neither the federal government nor the states had official guidelines
governing the display of the flag. On June 22, 1942, the Code became Public Law
77-623; chapter 435.
The Army Specialist
Joseph P. Micks Federal Flag Code Amendment Act of 2007 added a provision to
fly the flag at half-staff upon the death of a member of the Armed Forces from
any State, territory, or possession who died while serving on active duty.
The Duncan Hunter
National Defense Authorization Act of 2009 allows for the military salute for
the flag during the national anthem by members of the Armed Forces not in
uniform and by veterans.
Only etiquette requires
that civilians salute the flag.
There are no laws
regarding the Star Spangled Banner (national anthem) except for the military.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was recognized for official use
by the United States Navy in 1889, and by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in
1916, and was made the national anthem by a congressional resolution on March
3, 1931.
Military personnel
are required to salute or remove headgear when the national anthem is played,
but only if it is in conjunction with raising, lowering, or positioning the
flag.
At other times, such
as Olympic events or car races or whatever, military personnel are supposed to
stand at attention and face the flag if visible or the music if the flag is not
visible with headgear removed.
Since 1998, the
federal law, United States Code 36 U.S.C. § 301 states that during a rendition
of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present including those
in uniform should stand at attention.
However, the text of
the law is suggestive and not regulatory in nature.
Failure to follow the
suggestions is not a violation of the law. This behavioral requirement for the
national anthem is subject to First Amendment controversies.
So, Mr. President, it
is my firm belief that no one ever died or gave their life for a red, white and
blue piece of cloth. They fought, gave their lives and salute because of what
it stands for, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
We as Americans are duty bound to exercise those rights to
honor their sacrifice and in case you haven’t noticed, those rights include
freedom of speech, the right to peaceful protest, and oh yeah, freedom of the
press.
