ANGRY AND DISGUSTED!!!

[alicia-w]

I am SO mad right now, I dont even know quite what to do. I was taking Nick to work and when driving by the house at the end of our street, noticed that they had an American flag wadded up in the trash. This guy is a USAF officer!!! I was so furious, I couldnt see straight. Florida has a law but I dont know what to do about this. Should I let it go? Do I turn him in? I dont even dare talk to him. I dont trust myself to be civil right now. HELP!!!

[gtalum]

I seriously doubt Florida has a law about disposing of the flag. they may have an official method of doing so, but I doubt there's a law against disposing of it improperly. I never understood why people get so upset over a piece of cloth anyway.

[chadtm80]

I never understood why people get so upset over a piece of cloth anyway

Im going to try my best and do the right thing by not responding to such disrespect..

[sunny]

I never understood why people get so upset over a piece of cloth anyway

Im going to try my best and do the right thing by not responding to such disrespect..

I'm with you Chad

[alicia-w]

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=CH0256/Sec06.HTM

The 2004 Florida Statutes

Title XVIII
PUBLIC LANDS AND PROPERTY Chapter 256
FLAGS View Entire Chapter

256.06 Mutilation or disrespect of state or United States flag.--No person shall publicly mutilate, deface, defile, defy, trample upon, or by word or act cast contempt upon any such flag, standard, color, ensign or shield.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 7819, 1919; s. 1, ch. 9325, 1923; CGL 8117, 8118.

So wadding a flag up and throwing it in the trash doesnt qualify here?

[alicia-w]

I seriously doubt Florida has a law about disposing of the flag. they may have an official method of doing so, but I doubt there's a law against disposing of it improperly. I never understood why people get so upset over a piece of cloth anyway.

it's obvious you never spent one day in uniform...

[Pebbles]

We ran into this problem! Our neighbors did the same thing. My hubby went and got it out of the garbage and took care of it himself... probably the easiest thing for you to do. He also was mad to see the flag in the trash so decided to do something about it, but in a way that wouldn't cause problems.

Christine
I smile because i have no idea what's going on!
2005 guess: 15/10/6
<----- Feel free to Rub the cute LUCKY Pebbles belly!

[gtalum]

Im going to try my best and do the right thing by not responding to such disrespect..

Too bad, you already did.

That said, I'm as patriotic as the next guy. I'd probably beat up someone if I saw them actively disrespecting the flag. What I dislike on the other side though is attempts to make such activity illegal (ie the flag-burning amendment), or to disparage someone who is just getting rid of an old flag. When it comes down to it, the American flag is merely a symbol on a piece of cloth. Damaging it doesn't damage our nation or our patriotism.

[gtalum]

it's obvious you never spent one day in uniform...

I've worn plenty of uniforms, but no military uniforms if that's what you mean. On the other hand, I have plenty of military friends who feel the same way.

[GalvestonDuck]

Ditto the above.

My best friend calls me the "Flag Police" (too much of a story to explain, but you can guess ). I'd take it out, march up the steps to his front door, and confront him about it...nicely at first. Ask if he knows the proper way to dispose of a flag and maybe had him a copy of the flag code. http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title4/chapter1_.html

Then, if he doesn't want to do it, I'd take it for proper disposal to a BSA troop or VFW hall.

[chadtm80]

You have a lot of growing up to do (I dont care how old you are)

[sunny]

Im going to try my best and do the right thing by not responding to such disrespect..

Too bad, you already did.

That said, I'm as patriotic as the next guy. I'd probably beat up someone if I saw them actively disrespecting the flag. What I dislike on the other side though is attempts to make such activity illegal (ie the flag-burning amendment), or to disparage someone who is just getting rid of an old flag. When it comes down to it, the American flag is merely a symbol on a piece of cloth. Damaging it doesn't damage our nation or our patriotism.

There are proper ways to dispose of old flags.

[gtalum]

There are proper ways to dispose of old flags.

I'm aware of that. I was a Boy Scout.

I would never dispose of a flag improperly. But it's silly to make it illegal to dispose of one improperly.

[gtalum]

Ditto the above.

My best friend calls me the "Flag Police" (too much of a story to explain, but you can guess ). I'd take it out, march up the steps to his front door, and confront him about it...nicely at first. Ask if he knows the proper way to dispose of a flag and maybe had him a copy of the flag code. http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title4/chapter1_.html

Then, if he doesn't want to do it, I'd take it for proper disposal to a BSA troop or VFW hall.

This would be a good way to handle it. Better than "turn him in".

[sunny]

There are proper ways to dispose of old flags.

I'm aware of that. I was a Boy Scout.

I would never dispose of a flag improperly. But it's silly to make it illegal to dispose of one improperly.

It is disrespectful, talum. You know that.

[Aslkahuna]

There is a Federal Code governing the Display of, Respect towards, and the care of the US Flag. What you observed is a distinct violation of that code as when the Flag becomes worn and no longer suitable for display, it should be burned in a specific manner.

To gtalum, National Flags around the World and not just here are symbols of the individual Nations and to dishonor a National Flag is considered by many around the World as dishonoring their Countries. Now, while the Courts of this Country have watered down the rules for disrespecting our flag allowing for all forms of desecration, in other countries oif one disrespects their flag one is likely to end up in jail after being severely beaten by the locals (and probably the Police as well)-certainly wouldn't want to disrespect the flag in the PRC.

Steve

[gtalum]

It is disrespectful, gtalum. You know that.

Yes, I do know that.

[Pebbles]

P.S. My bro was in the airforce along with many other members of my family were military.... I can see peeps that are not in the military may NOT know, and willing to forgive that... but if your in the military, specially an officer, you know better.

Christine
I smile because i have no idea what's going on!
2005 guess: 15/10/6
<----- Feel free to Rub the cute LUCKY Pebbles belly!

[gtalum]

You have a lot of growing up to do (I dont care how old you are)

No thanks, I prefer to stay "young at heart". It seems to be working out well for me so far.

[chadtm80]

I can't decide who is more disrespectful.. The guy that threw it in the trash or you for saying the flag is just a "piece of cloth" Why don't you come over and tell some of my AF friends that its just a piece of cloth.. I would be interested in seeing that