Comments on: The American flag http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Wed, 23 May 2012 20:32:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jay http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2270 Jay Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:29:49 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2270 I think Mr. Butler confuses the flag (as an actual object) with the concept of stars-and-stripes as a symbol of the US, and a lot of these pictures are of stars-and-stripey things, such as the propane container, which has too many stars and stripes to be an actual flag. As for wearing something with a flag on it, how else are you going to say "I am American?" I think Mr. Butler confuses the flag (as an actual object) with the concept of stars-and-stripes as a symbol of the US, and a lot of these pictures are of stars-and-stripey things, such as the propane container, which has too many stars and stripes to be an actual flag. As for wearing something with a flag on it, how else are you going to say “I am American?”

]]> By: disappointed http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2269 disappointed Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:18:19 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2269 I have enjoyed reading your blog, but the reverence you show toward this "dying for the flag" nonsense makes me question your intelligence. "The flag" is simply a piece of cloth. As a free man, I should have the right to do as I please with it, as I would with any other fabric. Grow up. I have enjoyed reading your blog, but the reverence you show toward this “dying for the flag” nonsense makes me question your intelligence. “The flag” is simply a piece of cloth. As a free man, I should have the right to do as I please with it, as I would with any other fabric. Grow up.

]]> By: botogol http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2268 botogol Sun, 23 Dec 2007 06:59:38 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2268 Grant - an intriguing and provocative set of the pictures. Thanks for the link. I think that to unpack [new word :-)] that project we need to compare the relationship that Americans have to their flag with that of other countries: how did the US Flag acquire a potent symbolism over and above that enjoyed in other nations? Grant – an intriguing and provocative set of the pictures. Thanks for the link.

I think that to unpack [new word :-) ] that project we need to compare the relationship that Americans have to their flag with that of other countries: how did the US Flag acquire a potent symbolism over and above that enjoyed in other nations?

]]> By: jkh http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2267 jkh Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:10:41 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2267 i better should have said: the inflationary presence of national symbols often goes hand in hand with its self-righteous abuse. i better should have said:
the inflationary presence of national symbols often goes hand in hand with its self-righteous abuse.

]]> By: jkh http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2266 jkh Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:52:45 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2266 all with helen. put yourself in my shoes, grant. i am german. the self-righteous abuse of national symbols often goes hand in hand with its inflationary presence. all with helen.
put yourself in my shoes, grant. i am german.

the self-righteous abuse of national symbols often goes hand in hand with its inflationary presence.

]]> By: Helen DeWitt http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2265 Helen DeWitt Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:21:16 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2265 "Even if we don't care about the flag, the fact that it is something for which people have given their lives, leaves us with no choice. We must treat it with respect." I am not sure what to make of this. The kamikaze pilots died for a militaristic Japan. The suicide hijackers of 9/11 died for Islam. I may respect the courage of someone who is willing to die for his beliefs in this way, but it seems to me that I am free to decide that he was mistaken in his beliefs and that the thing he died for has no claim on my respect; death for a cause does not trump all other considerations. It would seem to me very odd to say that I have no choice but to treat jihad with respect because people gave their lives for it. “Even if we don’t care about the flag, the fact that it is something for which people have given their lives, leaves us with no choice. We must treat it with respect.”

I am not sure what to make of this. The kamikaze pilots died for a militaristic Japan. The suicide hijackers of 9/11 died for Islam. I may respect the courage of someone who is willing to die for his beliefs in this way, but it seems to me that I am free to decide that he was mistaken in his beliefs and that the thing he died for has no claim on my respect; death for a cause does not trump all other considerations. It would seem to me very odd to say that I have no choice but to treat jihad with respect because people gave their lives for it.

]]> By: Carol Gee http://cultureby.com/2007/12/the-american-fl.html/comment-page-1#comment-2264 Carol Gee Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:10:58 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=368#comment-2264 Grant, great post and great exhibit. I felt many of the same things you talked about, as I looked at each of the photos. Some of them were poignant, some were suffused with sadness. Some hint at a profound story about the circumstances of the occasion. A few were flat offensive. I believe that those people whose hearts were in the right place can easily be forgiven for the spirit behind their uses of the flag. I will link to your post, as I sometimes do, in a subsequent post of my own. Hope your holiday season is a great one, and that 2008 treats you well. Regards from a longtime reader, Carol Grant, great post and great exhibit. I felt many of the same things you talked about, as I looked at each of the photos. Some of them were poignant, some were suffused with sadness. Some hint at a profound story about the circumstances of the occasion. A few were flat offensive.
I believe that those people whose hearts were in the right place can easily be forgiven for the spirit behind their uses of the flag.
I will link to your post, as I sometimes do, in a subsequent post of my own.
Hope your holiday season is a great one, and that 2008 treats you well. Regards from a longtime reader, Carol

]]>