The United States flag represents our country - it is a living breathing symbol of America - and should be treated with respect. But borrowing a famous Gershwin song from Porgy and Bess, "It Ain't Necessarily So."
There was, for instance, a homeowner who displayed his flag - and then forgot about it. Several storms later his flagpole drooped and his nice American flag was hanging in the bushes. The flag should always stand alone and never touch the ground or anything below it.
Most flags of course never touch the ground but over time become torn and tattered. The flag may be the symbol of our nation, but is made of material that eventually shows its age. When it gets to that stage, when it is faded and its ends have come undone, it should be replaced.
In Hillsboro, Oregon a "tribute" for a beloved deceased K-9 took an unflattering turn. What better way to "honor" the dog than to use a fake fire hydrant complete with United States flag motif as his personal grave marker. No disrespect was intended, town leaders declared, but it says here the American flag, or even a picture of one, isn't to be used as a mock K-9 bathroom.
We've all seen images of the American flag used in advertisements. Companies always want to get on the good side of consumers, and what better way than attaching whatever they are shilling to the Stars and Stripes. But sometimes advertisers go too far. A currently running show about cars placed automobiles directly on a massive American flag. Not only was the flag on the ground, but shiny cars were driving across it!
And then there is the question of putting the American flag on clothing. This is a question of taste best left to each and every one of us. So we vote yes on T-shirts, especially if the image of the flag is relatively small but a large no on bathing attire using the flag to cover up so little. For modesty sake, aren't solids, stripes or even checkered patterns the way to go?