Would like your opinion RE: Flag Respect

[pyrofxguy]

Hi, I would like your opinion. Is this picture from the Carbon Motors Website disrespectful? In my opinion it is, but I would like to hear from others. It apears the flag is dragging on the ground.

[american_flag_uk]

Well in my personal opinion, I dont find it offensive at all..

If I was to change anything I would have her switch the flag the right way up, then wrap it around her

[Robin Hickman]

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Greetings, pyrofxguy !

Welcome to the USA-Flag-Site Forums !


In my humble opinion, the the muted (10-15%) representation of the American Flag in the background of the ad "may" be "okay". Unfortunately, it is being used in a "commercial" situation, so there may be others (more than a few) who might object to it.

Having the girl wrapped in an American Flag is, in my humble opinion, NOT okay. I render that opinion NOT simply because the Flag is upside down (NOT good!) or dragging on the ground (NOT good either!), but because the American Flag is being used as an article of clothing (VERY BAD!).

you can read up on it HERE :

United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm


FURTHER MORE (Sub-Section 8) :


§8. Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
2. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
3. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
4. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
5. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
6. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
7. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
9. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
10. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
11. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning

Aside from the Flag Code subsection cited above, this is just my own personal opinion.


Robin Hickman
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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[NAVA1974]

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Unfortunately, it is being used in a "commercial" situation, so there may be others (more than a few) who might object to it.
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In line 9 of Robin's excerpt from the Flag Code we find:

"The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."

The Carbon Council ad could certainly be accused of violating that prohibition (and I do NOT believe that the code was referring only to actual flags, but to images of flags used in advertising.)

During WW II there were some fairly good guidelines that most commercial concerns followed, but we have fallen away from that, and nearly "anything goes" today.

At least the ad isn't as flagrant as 19th century flag use in advertising:
VTCGarfieldCloth.JPG

Nick