Mary Lou Seymour is a long-time libertarian activist and author. She lives in South Carolina. CLICK HERE FOR RATIONAL REVIEW NEWS DIGEST CLICK HERE FOR THE LIBERTY ACTIVIST BLOG SUPPORT OUR
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of the Week Last year this time, when I wrote a column for Flag Day ("Fly the true Flag of Freedom"), recommending that folks fly one of the rattlesnake flags, the true "flag of freedom," instead of "Old Glory" as a protest against the increasing police state , I had no idea that by Flag Day 2003 the American flag would not only be commercialized and debased at home, but would be seen as a symbol of tyranny and imperialism, not freedom, worldwide. This has been a bad year. Patriot I wasn't enough for the police state morons now infesting our government, oh no, they had to come up with Patriot II, to strip away what remains of our civil liberties at home. And the neocons who are controlling our foreign policy, started their march to spreading the "New American Way" worldwide, with a War of Aggression against Iraq, occupation of that conquered nation, and veiled threats to "liberate" the hapless denizens of other countries who don't meet their standard of approval, which appears to be bowing down before, you guessed it, the US Flag. Not to mention the chilling reincarnation of Nazi Germany's "good Germans" in the mindless enthusiasm with which the sheeple in this country are sporting flag label pins and waving flags (made in Taiwan) in patriotic jingoistic fervor similar to that of brainwashed members of a religious cult. Discuss this
article at Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877, the centennial of the U.S. flag's existence. After that many citizens and organizations advocated the adoption of a national day of commemoration for the U.S. flag. It was not until 1949 that President Harry Truman signed legislation making Flag Day a day of national observance. In a Joint Resolution on June 9, 1966, the Congress requested that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week and calling upon citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week. I'm not alone, of course, in my visceral distaste for continuing to "proudly wave" Old Glory. Jay P Hailey, in a wonderful column "Why I took down Old Glory," explains : "Any of the promises or principles that I used to feel were attach to that red, white and blue rag have been obliterated. It's just the gang colors of the meanest batch of monkeys on some random patch of dirt. I had to take it down. I looked at Stars and Stripes but instead I saw Swastikas, Hammers-and-Sickles, red flags, Jolly Rogers and maybe a crusader's cross or two." And Adam Engel in "Flag in the Rain" explains how the sheeple who are flying Old Glory are apparently just doing it as a matter of "political correctness," without even honoring what it purports to represent. Last year, I pointed y'all to Don Hull's "The True Flag of Freedom" as an introduction to why flying one of the rattlesnake flags on Flag Day would send a message that some of us, at least, have not forgotten the true meaning of freedom. So, for flag displays by freedom loving Americans, may I suggest the three most familiar "Colonial Rattlesnake Flags:" the Gadsden Flag (the familiar yellow one with curled rattler and the "Don't Tread on Me" slogan), Culpepper (the white one with curled snake and Liberty or Death slogan as well as DTOM), and the First Navy Jack (striking snake). This year we have another good choice for Flag Day, the Peace Flag, a wonderful new American "stars and bars," with the stars in the form of the peace sign, for those who "love their country but don't want war." If you don't have, and can't acquire, an alternative flag, another way of registering your feelings is to copy an old sea tradition: a flag flown upside down is the international symbol for "ship in distress." If you only have the Stars and Stripes, invert them. But wait ... there's more. On June 20, 1985, the
Ninety-Ninth Congress passed and President Reagan signed
Public Law 99-54 recognizing the PAUSE FOR THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE as part of National Flag Day activities. The
National Flag Day Foundation says "No matter where
you are on Flag Day, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. please stand
and face an American Flag and say just thirty one words
-- The Pledge of Allegiance." "I pledge my honor to the Bill of Rights, our precious national treasure. "As the Bill is a fortress against tyranny, I will battle all tyrants. "As the Bill protects liberty, I will live free. "As the Bill guards rights born within all humanity, I will defend the freedoms of future generations. "With my life, my words, and my daily deeds, with a vision of what can be, I honor all of the Bill of Rights for all mankind." Aaron and Claire say the Freedom Pledge is NOT supposed to "replace the Pledge of Allegiance," but this year, on Flag of Freedom Day 2003, I think it's appropriate. So, for this Flag Day,
June 14 ... let's all fly the "true flag of
freedom," or the American Peace Flag, or, fly Old
Glory upside down as a sign of distress, and, at 7 p.m.,
proudly proclaim the Pledge of Freedom. Last year, I was
the only person on my block doing this. I may be the only
one again this year. But next year? Who knows. It may
just catch on. We can always hope. Til next week, For Freedom Mary Lou PS: With the help of my wonderful friends at Rational Review, The Liberty Activist Resource Directory is up and running! This is a "premium" available to supporters of LAotW; If you'd like access to this ever expanding resource, just send in a donation of $15.00 or more (PayPal, E-gold, check or even FRNs) and I'll send you the login info! (If you've already donated $15.00 this year, I've already sent you the info.) The Directory is also available to Rational Review Premium subscribers. The actions and resources in the Directory include those I've compiled working on the column, including the alternate actions and resources mentioned in the columns, as well as additional resources, in a handy database format, divided into Actions and Resources and organized by subject. I'll continue to expand and maintain the Directory, and I hope it'll be a valuable tool for Liberty Activists. (And why isn't it free? Well, hey, I gotta eat and pay my ISP bill and all that; plus, this is my "thank you" to those of you who ave been kind enough to support this column since February and those who will contribute in the future.) PPS: On Monday June 16, I'll be a guest on Ernie Hancock's radio show "Declare Your Independence" 7am-9am (MST) on Independent 1310 KXAM or live on the Internet at www.ernesthancock.com. This should be fun (I hope!) Give us a call: Call-in Numbers: (480) 874-1311, (888) 437-7660. |
