Taking back patriotism, taking back the flag

[wellstone dem]

As I've been scraping old paint off the garage, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how the anti-war camp in Crawford has been labeled "patriotic" by some media outlets.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4412585

We need to take back our language, as we take back our country. Everytime we describe Camp Casey we need to use the words, "the patriotic camp supporting American Gold Star Mother, Cindy Sheehan...." We need to use the words patriotic, american, freedom as often as we can. The media won't do this for us, like they do for the pro-war foces, but if every time we talk to the media, write a letter to the editor, post on a blog, we use these words to describe the patriotic efforts of Cindy and others, we can make a difference...and we'll be telling the truth.

[wellstone dem]

1. shameless self agrandizing kick

[kentuck]

2. Very important point...

Take back the flag. Why should only war-mongering Republican wave the flag and wear it so proudly on their lapels? I am not into flag-waving and nationalistic symbols but the Repubs beat us over the head with the flag and we have nothing to defend ourselves with. Why not take it back? Why are we ashamed of our flag? Why do we let them shove it in our face like they are more "patriotic" than we? In my opinion, we should find the biggest American flag we can find and take it down to Camp Casey and fly it high...

[Burried News]

3. You are positively absolutely on the money. We don't have to

outflag them but we should not exclude the flag which we sometimes do.
Those who burn it - I don't like it but it is their right. Maybe if we put it to better uses they won't feel the need to make that kind of statement.

I suppose one could argue that a mature civilization should be able to do away with all symbols. I don't think we can (speech itself is symbolic) and refer readers to the writings of Joseph Campbell, Jacques Lacan and Carl Jung for the reasons why.

To remove the flag is to remove possibilities from the discouse. By that very fact we deny common ground with those who display. If you think about it that explains why the most radical may want to burn it.

[Al-CIAda]

4. !00% correct -and sing Jeffersonian praises from the rooftops! nt

Shout our founding fathers' words at every turn. Give us Thomas Paine, Embrace their words of expanding domestic liberty and liberal ideals toward a common good.

[hwmnbn]

5. heres another thread regarding this...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4407338

[wli]

6. Democratic version of "guns, gays, and god?"

1. Guns: pro-2nd amendment, pro-regulation (with NRA/etc. advising on marksmanship standards, effectiveness of child safety devices, etc.)
2. Gays: pro- gay marriage, 100% equality with heterosexual marriage, zero tolerance for anti-gay discrimination.
3. God: Religious freedom. Zero tolerance for discrimination against Christian sects, Islam, or atheism.

Wave the flag, declare it all-American.

Nah, it'd never work.