View Full Version : All This Just for a Flag
I'd be interested to read the opinions of some of the liberals on this BB regarding this article...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/robbins-report/2011/sep/13/michelle-obama-all-just-flag/
The internet was buzzing this week with video of First Lady Michelle Obama apparently showing extreme disrespect to the American flag at a ceremony in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. As police and firefighters fold the flag to the sound of marching bagpipers, a skeptical looking Mrs. Obama leans to her husband and appears to say, “all this just for a flag.” She then purses her lips and shakes her head slightly as Mr. Obama nods.
Just for a flag? If that is what she said it is regrettable. Even with all her years being around those who hold high public office Mrs. Obama does not seem to understand the purpose and importance of ceremonies. They reaffirm the bonds of loyalty and fellowship that cement our national unity. Yes, at one level a flag is just a colorful piece of cloth. But it symbolizes much more. It is the emblem of our land and all its ideals. It has been present at every major event of any importance to the country, battles, celebrations, meetings, and the lunar landings. It is a symbol of unity that transcends party, faction and time. It is something uniquely and explicitly American. Men and women have fought and died for it. Our enemies hate us for it and burn it in the streets. All that should mean something.
Perhaps Mrs. Obama thinks that all the pomp and circumstance she experiences in her daily life has something to do with her, rather than the unofficial office she holds. If so she should disabuse herself of that notion quickly. The official gestures of respect shown to her are the same shown to any First Lady, and if she wasn’t married to the president she would be just another citizen. Ruffles and flourishes are not hers by right, but by coincidence of marriage. Yet this is the same woman who said she had never in her adult life been really proud of America before her husband ran for president, so it is no wonder she might dismiss a flag ceremony as just so much nonsense.
All this just for a flag? Has anyone said, “All this just for Michelle Obama?”
Snip
Hmmm. Recycled news: "By James S. Robbins September 13, 2011, 08:39PM" I'm pretty sure it was posted here back then, too.
Pat
Debunked long ago - here's just one of the sites who check on such matters...
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/Michelle-Obama-Damn-Flag.htm
...but people are gonna believe what they want to believe...especially in an election year.
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Scimitar
05-14-2012, 20:07
"I wonder if they flew that flag"
Can anyone elaborate on why she might have said this?
S
DaveMatteson
05-14-2012, 20:44
"I wonder if they flew that flag"
Can anyone elaborate on why she might have said this?
S
If I am not mistaken she is asking if they flew the flag over the White House before they used it in the ceremony. Thats what I was told but it makes sense especially for this ceremony.
Hmmm. Recycled news: "By James S. Robbins September 13, 2011, 08:39PM" I'm pretty sure it was posted here back then, too.
Pat
It was ...... http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35118&highlight=flag
:munchin
Scimitar
05-15-2012, 00:38
If I am not mistaken she is asking if they flew the flag over the White House before they used it in the ceremony. Thats what I was told but it makes sense especially for this ceremony.
Sorry, just like to learn...
So, for a ceremony like this they would normally use a flag that was flown over the white house, giving it greater honour?
However I digress....the lip readers say she said "I wonder if they flew that flag", but I fail to understand how it has context with the situation.
Never the less, I don't get the feeling that Barry and co are as anti as the Clinton clan was / is to tradition etc. However now I think about it, that's not saying much. :D
S
Sorry, just like to learn...
Never the less, I don't get the feeling that Barry and co are as anti as the Clinton clan was / is to tradition etc. However now I think about it, that's not saying much. :D
S
The gist of your point, to me, is that they were both "anti to tradition etc."
Badger52
05-15-2012, 09:08
The gist of your point, to me, is that they were both "anti to tradition etc."Current occupants have made it clear in many other ways that they dislike America and Americans. Recent activities are Virtual PowerPoint for the electorate, at a 1/4 million per trip minimum.
Current occupants have made it clear in many other ways that they dislike America and Americans. Recent activities are Virtual PowerPoint for the electorate, at a 1/4 million per trip minimum.
Too bad the conversations between Bernardine Dohrn and Michelle weren't recorded for posterity at Sidley Austin. Might be some insight...
DaveMatteson
05-16-2012, 10:54
Sorry, just like to learn...
So, for a ceremony like this they would normally use a flag that was flown over the white house, giving it greater honour?
However I digress....the lip readers say she said "I wonder if they flew that flag", but I fail to understand how it has context with the situation.
Never the less, I don't get the feeling that Barry and co are as anti as the Clinton clan was / is to tradition etc. However now I think about it, that's not saying much. :D
S
Traditionally a Capitol flown flag has been used to cover the caskets of military members and can be requested by Law Enforcement Officials. A bill is currently in the works "The Fallen Heroes Flag Act".
Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2010 - Allows the Representative of the immediate family of a deceased fire fighter, law enforcement officer, emergency technician, or other rescue worker who died in the line of duty to provide the family, at their request, with a Capitol-flown flag, together with a certificate, signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Representative providing the flag, which contains an expression of sympathy for the family.
Traditionally a Capitol flown flag has been used to cover the caskets of military members...
Based upon my experiences with military funerals, I find that difficult to believe and am curious as to the source for your information. :confused:
Richard :munchin
Based upon my experiences with military funerals, I find that difficult to believe and am curious as to the source for your information. :confused:
Richard :munchin
+1
longrange1947
05-16-2012, 15:57
Based upon my experiences with military funerals, I find that difficult to believe and am curious as to the source for your information. :confused:
Richard :munchin
I have spent more than my share of time on funeral details. From firing squad, pall bearer, to NCOIC. I have never used a Capitol flown flag. I retired in 90 so things may have changed, but I have not heard of it.
Red Flag 1
05-16-2012, 17:38
Traditionally a Capitol flown flag has been used to cover the caskets of military members and can be requested by Law Enforcement Officials. A bill is currently in the works "The Fallen Heroes Flag Act".
I don't know about the "Capitol flown" flags as a pall for caskets. I did get one when I retired in '90. Joe Biden, of all folks, made sure I got one.
The information I have is that they are run up the flag pole, and flown for "a period of time"; I don't think it is for very long.
RF 1
The Reaper
05-16-2012, 19:27
Traditionally a Capitol flown flag has been used to cover the caskets of military members and can be requested by Law Enforcement Officials. A bill is currently in the works "The Fallen Heroes Flag Act".
The one that draped my father's casket had no indication it had been flown anywhere before, nor did anyone mention it.
TR
longrange1947
05-16-2012, 20:02
I don't know about the "Capitol flown" flags as a pall for caskets. I did get one when I retired in '90. Joe Biden, of all folks, made sure I got one.
The information I have is that they are run up the flag pole, and flown for "a period of time"; I don't think it is for very long.
RF 1
Watched a vid of the Capitol Flags, goes up the pole, hits top for on second, comes down. The guys running that sucker is fast! :D
Scimitar
05-16-2012, 22:05
http://www.capitolflags.gov/
S
DaveMatteson
05-17-2012, 12:26
Based upon my experiences with military funerals, I find that difficult to believe and am curious as to the source for your information. :confused:
Richard :munchin
Sir, I'm not trying to ruffle feathers here.
When both of my grandfathers passed away (one a WWI vet and the other a Merchant Marine in WWII) my grandmothers each received capitol flown flags with letters of condolence and other paperwork. A few years back when a close family friend and a WWII US Navy veteran and retiree passed away his family received a capitol flown flag for his services. I have participated in several Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies where capitol flown flags were presented and the way they were presented (a presenter explaining the flag) I assumed that this was tradition.
When it was pointed out earlier in the thread that this "I wonder if they flew that flag" is what was said, thats what I thought.
Understand.
The flags you're talking about were most likely requested through the office of the appropriate Congresscritter - it's a customary courtesy they'll do upon request for honoring something like a veterans funeral or a constituent's family member achieving something like the rank of Eagle Scout, etc.
Just understand that it's not an 'automatic' function of the government to do that.
Thanks for the response.
Richard :munchin
DaveMatteson
05-17-2012, 13:00
Understand.
The flags you're talking about were most likely requested through the office of the appropriate Congresscritter - it's a customary courtesy they'll do upon request for honoring something like a veterans funeral or a constituent's family member achieving something like the rank of Eagle Scout, etc.
Just understand that it's not an 'automatic' function of the government to do that.
Thanks for the response.
Richard :munchin
Sir, thank you for correcting the information that I had. Greatly appreciated!