Some people "just don't get it." No matter what you say, how you say it, you're not going to get through their drug clouded mind what is and is not acceptable behavior. In this particular case, we're talking not just about a generation that grew up believing they were entitled to do whatever they want, and have responsibility for none of their own actions, but took that a step further and decided that their own lack of responsibility meant also that they could desecrate the very symbols of sacrifice others have paid in blood, sweat, and tears to provide them the prosperity and security to live their lives in Freedom. And when called on it, by those who are represented by that sacrifice, their response is: good, we wanted the publicity.
The group in question advocates for the legalization of pot. I'm not going to weigh into the merits of legalization vs. prohibition of marijuana. It is illegal, under current law, except in California, for "medical purposes." It is the right of every American to attempt to convince the rest of America or the states or their local governments that a law should or should not be enacted, including potheads.
"The PoW flag is not copyrighted and is open property. It is a gift for all Americans, to do with as they see fit."
And no, the POW-MIA flag is NOT "open property" for you to do with as you see fit. The designer of the flag purposely did not copyright it so no one would profit off of it, not so you could denigrate it.
"We love Veterans. And the PoW flag has just as much meaning to us as anyone else. ... It is because of our love of Veterans, and the flags that represent them, that lead us to making this site. What you declare a desecration, we declare exercising the very freedoms that Veterans fought for."
NO, you do not "love Veterans" by using the greatest symbol of sacrifice in America for your political causes. Veterans did not fight so that you could desecrate the symbols of their sacrifice. Part of what they fought for does include your right to use speech (not illegal or immoral actions) to convince others of your beliefs, religiously or politically, but not to make a mockery of their sacrifice. Negative attention may have been the only attention you've ever received, but negative attention does not create support for your cause.
"Because speaking against a politician, burning a flag, or using it to make a message is one of the most American things you can do, and we believe it is the best way to honor our veterans, who have made so many sacrifices for us."
Speaking against politicians, I'll grant you, but burning and/or desecrating a flag for your petty marketing efforts is NOT the "American things to do." It does NOT "honor Veterans" to belittle their sacrifice, for YOUR political cause. The "American thing to do" is to take responsibility for your actions, not to pretend that you can steal whatever you want, and abuse it as you see fit.
While the Supreme Court has ruled that burning or desecrating a US Flag is protected as "Free Speech," the Supreme Court is NOT a legislative body and has no authority to write laws, and burning anything is not speech but action. If you think burning something is "speech" and "protected," try burning your house or car, and find out how quick you are arrested and jailed for "Arson." Old Glory is considered to be "the living embodiment of the US Constitution," and if you burn it, you are in effect burning your own protections and rights guaranteed you by it.
"I will start off by saying we have no plans to remove this logo. The fact that you are here, angry by the message it displays, is the very reason we created this flag in the first place."
Well, I'm not going to send readers to their site. I'm only going to give you their email and post office box so you can give them a piece of your mind, without having to give them the site hits they crave:
Potheads Without Conscience (not their "real name")
P.O. Box 342393
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53234
Email: [email protected]
Drop them an email, send them a snail mail, and tell them that if they want to be taken seriously, they'll apologize for their bad behavior, and stop making excuses for it.
Jonn Lillyea at This Ain't Hell has joined the discussion.
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