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Respect flag, follow code

With accusations of protesters “disrespecting the flag,” now seems like a great time to take a look at Title 36, Chapter 10 of the United States Code, also known as the flag code.

Among many other things, it specifies as disrespectful any use of the flag on apparel, advertisements and items designed for temporary use.

Just so we’re perfectly clear, the code covers all recognizable representations of the flag – not just the star-spangled banners that wave outside our homes and businesses. So where is the stream of letters to the editor railing against flag-printed Fourth of July napkins, or flag-emblazoned Memorial Day sale ads, or flag T-shirts and flag flip-flops? Where is the public outcry over the flags, available for purchase online, with “Make America Great Again” superimposed on them?

Standing for the flag, incidentally, is never mentioned in the section on respect. It’s considered an issue of conduct, and politically motivated violations of the code are protected by the First Amendment.

These sudden defenders of Old Glory would do well to display the same respect for the rights guaranteed by the flag that they claim to possess for the flag itself.

Birgitta Hendron

Spokane

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