(CN) – A sheriff’s deputy assaulted and locked up a musician for 13 hours, and threatened to throw him in prison for 3 years, because he didn’t like the way the musician treated the flag during a show, the musician claims in Tulsa Federal Court. The complaint does not state precisely what the musician did to the flag, but Rogers County sheriff’s Officer John Ketcher allegedly said while arresting him, “He is being arrested for stomping on the American flag. We take that very seriously around here.”
Marion Gooding says the Rogers County District Attorney refused to press charges, observing that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that treating the flag “with indignity” is a form of protected free speech, even in Oklahoma.

Gooding was arrested in July 2009 during his show at the Cherokee Casino as he performed with his band, Smunty Voje. Gooding says he owns the flag in question, and uses it in the show.
Ketcher interrupted the show to say he had “personal objections” to Gooding’s treatment of the flag, according to the complaint. Ketcher arrested Gooding on charges of “mutilating, treating with indignity or destroying flag,” a felony punishable by a $3,000 fine and 3 years in prison in Oklahoma.

Source: http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/03/10/25417.htm

Thou Shalt Not Modify Me!

Well I do love the Ten Commandments, but not sure I like them replacing the Union of the American flag. I must say this is one tacky flag, and if it’s not imported there’s something wrong with the designer. Funny thing is, the Ten Commandments are “moral” things to stand by, but shouldn’t respecting the American flag be moral as well?

In the U.S. Flag Code under Respect for the flag: “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.”

Thou shalt not destroy the design of the American Flag!!!

Just a bit worn....ya think?

I gotta say…sometimes enough si enough when it comes to your flags life! A reader submitted this photo to me and I think it fits perfectly with some baaaaaaaaad flag behavior. The Iowa State flag, American flag and Marine Corps flag are all just bet to death! Half the Iowa flag is missing! Where there is little flag etiquette down on paper for flags other than the American flag, I think it’s still safe to say ALL of these need to be replaced.

It’s somewhat disgraceful to fly this poor or an American flag next to a Marine Corps flag. I don’t think  quote about flag etiquette is truly necessary here, the photo speak for itself!!

Thank you to Grant for sending this over!

Flag Wearers Gone Bad

Last year the Casey Anthony doll made its way into headlines, right around the time she was being charged with murder of her daughter Caylee. On ebay, a doll came dressed up just like Casey Anthony was at a costume party, dressed in the American flag.

What was Casey doing wrong…besides the obvious that landed her in jail? Wearing an American flag. It is improper flag etiquette to wear the American flag, especially the way she was….as a costume. That’s not a printed costume either, that’s a full on American flag modified to fit around her. She’s even holding the end of it in her hand.

This falls under a few areas of the “Respect for the American flag’ part of the flag code, covering both “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel” as well as “No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume”.

Ohhhhh Casey, ya failed those flag rules…just like you failed your lie detector tests.

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It’s not every day that you see a life sizes hot dog man pouring ketchup on his head, wearing vivid makeup colors….and being wrapped in an American flag. You can actually buy this statue for around $999 around the web, in case you were wanting one to take home, prop up in the backyard and admire it for many years to come.

I guess this doesn’t fully violate the flag code any more than other patriotic trinkets. It’s more the fact that someones proud enough to wrap an American flag around this dude that freaks me out.

Get em patriotic while you can

Start em young in their patriotic growing up. There’s no better way that the Little Patriots diapers. From what I found these diapers were a hot commodity after 9-11 but no longer in production. Smart way to entice the American people after a terrorist attack by becoming more patriotic eh?

The U.S. Flag Code under Respect For The Flag:

“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.”

Change? Not sure I believe in this change.

I’ve written in the past about Obamas face showing up on our American flag. This time, the blue union of the American flag has been replaced with Obamas face. Granted, as always there’s a high possibility this is an imported flag, or at least from someone who doesn’t know how the flag code works. You really just shouldn’t change up anything ont he blue union of the American flag unless it’s an actual flag authorized by the American Government.

President or not president, I think it’s about time we stopped modifying the American flag with Obamas face. “Change we can believe in” shouldn’t really apply to the American flag. I really can’t recall any American flag with Bill Clintons face on it, but I’ll keep looking.

This could kick you in the ass

World, I’d like you to meet the most patriotic donkey on the planet. Not only is he dolled up in the American flag, but his eyes light up. Bet of all, he’s a hood ornament. Roll down the street with this stubborn donkey on your hood and nobody will think you’re not patriotic. Did I mention it has illuminated eyes?

According to the U.S. Flag code:

“The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.”

Well boys, you succeeded at great music. But you failed at American flag etiquette. Oh yeah, and for all your Beatles fans out there you can buy this at Hot Topic =)

Bad bad bad....

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. If your American flag is looking bad, take it down, retire it properly, and give it some respect with a proper flag burning ceremony. Don’t just leave it on the flagpole to flap around in a horrific manner. Take it to your local VFW, contact an American made flag manufacturer, or if all else fails send it to me and I’ll make sure it gets put to rest properly.

U.S. Flag code states “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.”

Don’t be naughty this year with your flag etiquette. Santa won’t bring you squat.