If you are proud of your nation and wish to fly the flag, you ought to do it respectfully.
There are a number of rules about it which are readily available online, although most are common sense. Oh, right. We did away with that.
People get all sorts of hysterical about flag-burning by those who protest government policy, yet you hear nothing about the many flags that are flown or displayed incorrectly or disrespectfully.
Where are the flag police? Who, indeed are they?
.
Flags are something else I’ve become very aware of since moving to the country. I’m not sure whether it’s that more are displayed here, or just that I just started noticing things more.
For starters, I realised was that flags were being left up around the clock. Was I not right in thinking they are supposed to be taken down at sunset? I remember as a child seeing the flags outside US Embassies lowered with much solemn ceremony.
Maybe things had changed?
No, it is still in the rules, – if flown after dusk, the flag must be illuminated.
There are no lights on most of the flags I’ve noticed flying in the dark.
.
Another rule dictates that flags should not be flown in bad weather unless specifically designed to withstand the elements, yet I see flags all the time thrashing about in savage winds, rain and snow.
Flags are flown at half staff when the country or state is in mourning as decreed by the president, or state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia.
But on any given day, as we drive around, some flags are up and some halfway down, so it seems people do just as they please.
This has turned into an age of doing as you please. No accountability.
But what really, really annoys me are those people – and they are many, here at least, – who fly a flag that is dirty, or in tatters that could not be more disrespectful.
If you care enough to fly the thing, have the decency to look after it!
If you fly a crappy flag, it says you are a crappy human being, not a patriot.
Seriously. It makes me wonder what people use for brains.
.
Saturday was another of those very changeable days. Looking from the kitchen window, the sky was clear, so when I happened to go out to the garage and turned round, I was somewhat taken aback.
Moments later, snow was falling but only very briefly.
.
The cloud blew over and disappeared beyond the horizon.
Of the several places I have lived, I don’t think any offered weather like New York, especially the part where I am now, although I believe it is true of New England.
.
We are not a New England state, but Cambridge is just a few miles from Vermont which is.
They say of New England that if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.
.
As the days draw out, I must remember to keep an eye on the sky in the evening, as that is when I am often compelled to go outside and revel in those last wonderful moments of light.
.
Thank you so much, Carolyn, for the delightful post! I love your essay on flags, and your wonderfully fruity language when some people don’t do things respectfully. As always, your photo study of the sky and clouds is uplifting in its beauty! I admired the house with two flags, framed by hydrangea and with a display of various pumpkins!
Joanna
It has always seemed to me that America is a nation obsessed with its own flag. It was once rare to see Union Flags or St George flags flown here on domestic and non-government premises in England. But more recently, both have become associated with Far-Right politics and race-hatred in the UK, and some neo-Nazis are roaming around tying them to motorway bridges and street lamps. Those of us who oppose such populist right-wing politics and racism have adopted the derogatory name ‘Flag-Shaggers’ for such people.
Best wishes, Pete.
Quite apt!
I don’t think there is a single house in South Africa where you’ll see a national flag – it’s just not a ‘thing’ here. At the hospital where I worked, the flag would be hoisted early in the morning and lowered again before sunset. And we had storm flags that had to be used on days of heavy rain and wind… you’re right, that’s the rule. Oh well, how times (and people) have changed. At least you can still go out and take beautiful photos!