Thread: Unfurl the Stars and Stripes

When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. The order of precedence for flags generally is National flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other.


Flag Code Violations in the News
"Deal or No Deal," the television game show, on Monday, February 12, 2007, featured a flag-shirted contestant. Section 8d. reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."
September 11, 2006, President Bush and first lady Laura Bush stand on a carpet of the American flag at Ground Zero in Manhattan, the site of the September 11, 2001 attack. Section 8b of the Flag Code reads, " The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground..." Click picture for enlargement. Photo credit: Reuters/Jason Reed
April 2006, protesters hold a US flag union down to protest pending federal legislation, in Costa Mesa, California. Section 8a. "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." Click picture for enlargement. Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images/David McNew
Super Bowl 2004, Janet Jackson's "costume malfunction" made international news; that same half-time show featured the wearing of an American flag by performer Kid Rock. He later removed the flag poncho and hurled it over his head. Section 8d. reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Click picture for enlargement. Photo credit: Reuters
In July 2003 President Bush autographed a small flag. This picture was circulated across the Internet noting its violation of the Flag Code: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." Click picture for enlargement. Photo credit: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak


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http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

Originally Posted by nittygritty

They should be burned!

Yep...that was my second choice.

God Bless America!

House backs made-in-USA requirement on U.S. flag sales
3/16/2007 10:08:47 AM
By Brian Bakst

Associated Press

ST. PAUL -- Red, white, blue -- and American-made.

A made-in-the-U.S.A. requirement for flags sold in Minnesota passed the House on Thursday in a bill that would bar foreign-made flags from store shelves. The bill, praised by backers as patriotic and panned by opponents as protectionist, awaits action in the state Senate.

"It's time to bring the flag home," said Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker.

In a speech before the 83-46 vote, Howes traced his family lineage to Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross, who was believed to have sewed the first American flag with stars and stripes during the Revolutionary War.

Legislative opponents, including several with military backgrounds, argued that it was wrong -- and possibly unconstitutional -- to close Minnesota's borders to foreign-produced flags.

"That flag should be made throughout the world because it is our message to the world that there is hope for freedom and justice," said Rep. Dan Severson, R-Sauk Rapids.

The bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Tom Rukavina, said he's aware of only two other states with laws covering the flag's origin. Pennsylvania and Tennessee place restrictions on flags purchased by government offices, he said.

"If anything should be made in the United States of America, it should be the American flag," he said.

The U.S. Census bureau estimates that $5.5 million worth of U.S. flags were imported from other countries in 2005, with China producing the bulk of those.

The bill passed after several amendments were turned back on procedural motions. They included attempts to criminalize flag burning and to require all legislators who voted for the bill to buy American-made cars.

The legislation doesn't spell out a penalty for violators. By Minnesota law, the default punishment for prohibited acts is a misdemeanor offense, carrying up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.

The American Legion opposes the bill for that reason. In a letter to lawmakers, a legion commander said the bill as it currently stands "could penalize someone who unknowingly sells a flag at a garage sale."

Brian McClung, a spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said the governor "appreciates the sentiment reflected by the bill, but agrees with the American Legion that the criminal penalties are too harsh."

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