[Imc] Re: [Imc]fly the flag article

[editor at 8am.com]

I just came back from a four-day tour of NYC.

Flags are displayed quite promiscuously throughout Manhattan.

Rather than there being any sense of ire or angry retribution in the air, 
the sense is one of sorrow and comradeship.  It is the first time that I 
have seen this single symbol, the flag, used in such a unifying and 
positive way.  I could harbor no resistance to it.  Believe me, this was a 
first for me.

Subways, like most corners of this tight little island, are too crowded and 
too diverse ethnically for anger to thrive comfortably.  Gentler emotions, 
helpfulness, hugs, tears and prayers are much more in evidence.

It is a remarkable thing.  It seems petty to be bickering about the flag, 
saber rattling, and counter-saber rattling here in the heartland when in 
the epicenter of ground zero, the tone seems to be set by the peace 
imagination of the likes of John Lennon, for example.

I don't think I imagined it.

Greg Springer

At 07:54 PM 10/3/01 -0500, Paul Mueth wrote:
>At 1:04 PM -0400 10/3/01, bowednotbeaten at yahoo.com wrote:
>>Hello,
>>
>>Tim Gotsch wanted to share an interesting article with you.
>>It can be located at:
>>http://www.commondreams.org/views01/1003-06.htm
>>
>>Tim Gotsch also added these comments for you:
>>
>>In light of last month's tragedies, many people are a mix of angry, sad, 
>>and confused.  As the Viet Nam vet said at last week's peace rally on the 
>>Quad, displaying the flag is a symbol of unity.  It is not ours to judge 
>>if this is faux-patriotism or not.  We must not eliminate potential 
>>allies in our quest for peace.
>
>
>I agree we shouldn't alienate people by stridently opposing flags, but 
>there is an intrinsic commitment to expansionism in the American (that is. 
>. .US) flag .. .
>
>Start with the 13 stripes, get a star for each territory "bought", grabbed 
>or added in whatever fashion.
>
>At some point one needs to question our fellow citizens' kneejerk 
>identification with the imperial project. . . .
>
>Again, one should be careful with something that is fundamental to a 
>person's identity
>
>cheers
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