This will "tick" you off - or it should

[Hawks Feather]

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?”

[FOsteology]

Saw that video clip last year.... 

[Ladobe]

Jerry,
Whether she did or didn't... that's been a standard attitude of a large percentage of the population in this country for many years IMO.     Ever notice flag ceremonies at major league baseball games on TV now days?   Sometimes a team does get in the act, many do not, and very few of the fans ever do.   Rather it's a BS and laugh with someone nearby, or take a piss or food break.    Sometimes the cameraman pans in on a single soul at attention, hat over heart and mouthing the words, and it's usually a young boy with a team hat or shirt on carrying a mitt while his parents right next to him are laughing and joking away.   THAT really ticks me off at America's Game of all games with a long tradition of patriotism and respect.   Maybe more irritating to me as I played league baseball from the PeeWee's to Minors to Little League and in high school, city softball half my life and coached league teams when my son played.   As a Vietnam Vet who was treated like trash for decades by most in this country I feel patriotism pretty much went on hold back then.   It took 911 to finally see some outward patriotism again in this country by more than a few.   So if trash like the O's don't show it, it's really no big surprise to me.
L.