Pledge Allegiance to the Flag (Whatever flag they offer)

    The Flag of the United States of America, also known as ”The Stars and Stripes”, “The Stars and Bars”, “Old Glory”, “The Star Spangled Banner” and simply “The American Flag” has been the symbol of our nation almost from the beginning.  In one form or another it has been present at times of our greatest achievements and our darkest moments.  It has led our troops into battle, it was left behind on the moon (6 times), it stood guard over the rescuers as they searched through the rubble of the World Trade Center.  Even at a time of division, during the civil war both the Union and Confederacy marched under stars, bars and the red, white and blue colors of our nation.

    On June 14, 1777 the first version of The Stars and Stripes (13 stars) was adopted as our national flag.  It has changed only slightly over the years to include additional stars in the blue field as new states joined the union.  Then on July 4, 1960 the current version (50 stars) was officially adopted (executive order Aug 21, 1959).  Each part of the flag has a significant meaning.  The seven red and six white stripes represent the original thirteen colonies, the blue field represents the union and each star represents the members of the union.  Over the years meaning has also been attached to the colors themselves. White signifies purity and innocence, Red for hardiness & valor, finally Blue represents perseverance & justice.  Beyond the official description of the significance of each part of Old Glory, to the people of the United States, the people of the world it has been a rally point for principles, ideas, safety and hope.

    For twenty years in the military it was my honor to wear the flag on my sleeve.  It was my honor to face it and salute at the beginning and end of each duty day.  Now I take pride in displaying it in front of my home.  To this day, anytime I walk pass the Flag of the United States of America I pause for a moment to reach out and lightly touch the pole that supports it.  I do this to remember the ones who have given something in its service, to remember the ones who have given all in its service.   

    All this being said, I found it curious that the Obama re-election campaign would choose to take such an iconic symbol and mutate it into their image.

The Obamanation (spelling is different but sounds about right) and the Obama Banner.

I’m sure when the idea was first considered they thought their adaptation would be harrowed by the masses.  Copies would hang upon the walls of classrooms.  Families would display the treasured print in a place of honor in their homes.  Men like Chris Matthews would stare longingly at its magnificence while reliving the moment of the “tingle up the leg”.  THEY couldn’t have been more wrong.

    For all their belief that the American public lives for the thought of Obama, their adaptation of the American Flag was met with scorn and ridicule.  They failed to realize the iconic symbolism of the Stars and Stripes was built over a couple of hundred years of trials, action, deeds and bravery, it could not be replaced by a couple of years of narcissistic hype.  No, the Obamanation print will not replace the American Flag in the classrooms.  Very few families if any rush home to gather around the Obama Banner to sing songs of praise.  They may have gotten the Chris Matthews part right, he’s likely spending some lonely time with it right now (sorry about that mental image).  They did however, spark a firestorm of creative adaptations that I’m sure they never dreamed of…  (or saw coming). ENJOY.   

There are some funny folks out there.  The next design was my first submission, featured in last weeks posting and also appeared on www.thepeoplescube.com 

    Like the original Stars and Stripes, I have attached meaning to the sections and the colors of this poorly thought-out monstrosity.  The red and white stripes stand for the categories the American public has been divided into. The blue circle represents the insulation of the administration (and friends) from rules and regulations placed upon the nation at large.  White signifies the absence of transparency and leadership, Red for the blood spilt due to the administrations dereliction and indifference, finally Blue represents the mood of the American public after they realize they have followed a charlatan and scoundrel.

 

    Shortly after the prints initial offering (for $35) they were quietly removed.  Was it because of the backlash or the creative mockery?   Myself, I’d like to think word came down…

My Final Offering.     The TOMCAT