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merican Flag fad has become retailers’ drea m
Irom the ragged banner with stars and
stripes that distinguished separation from
British oppression, to the modern 50-
larred standard born by representatives of our
[ation, Old Glory has represented a nation char-
tterized by pride, bravery and resolve.
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on
lew York City and Washington, D.C., the flag
is become an all-encompassing emblem of the
elings among citizens of this nation.
It shows the strength of a
people to face each day, and to
support whatever
measures may
be necessary to
prevent these
atrocities from
happening again.
U signifies the
honor and
louming for those brave souls
silling to give their lives for the
pallest possibility that others
Vijhtbe saved. Most important-
ii,it represents the unity and res-
|teness of a nation that, in the
ace of crisis and adversity, takes
deep collective breath and
spends in a w ay previously
[tumaginable and consummate.
Bui why now? Certainly,
|toe times call for a show of
iccordance and harmony
pveen people of all nationali-
ing contests. Often, fans and athletes do not
show the patience to stand still and respectfully
throughout the entire song. Televised games are
notorious for showing fidgety athletes, whose
eyes wander the field, eager to find something
of interest. Is three minutes too much to ask to
pay respect to those who have willingly put
their lives on the line for the defense of the
United States?
There is nothing wrong with the newfouind
desire to fly the flag from every possible loca
tion. There is no problem with putting a flat;g in a
Flags only intended to promote pairioticism
S
ince Sept. I l, Americans have responded
with an amazing display of patriotism.
Flags have been placed in front of count
less homes since the terrorist attacks.
Although the increased demand for American
flags has risen dramatically within a short
period of time, that does not mean that flags
have become merely a fad of popular culture.
It is indisputable that the demand for
American flags has reached a level far sur
passing that before Sept. 11.
Local stores have sold out of U.S. flags so
Flags
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imperative reaction atter
|heattacks was to show the
|wldand, most importantly,
those who would seek to threat-
nus, that the foundation of our
ountry cannot be destroyed. Of
ourse, the easiest and most
ccessible way to show unity is
bththe ubiquitous and globally
enownedred. white and blue.
But is our country only great in
times of misfortune?
Absphtely not.
Since the attacks, the econo
my has taken a huge hit.
Consumer sales in every major
ctegory have dwindled. The
firing exception has been sales
oflhe American flag. Major
tlailers scrambled to keep their
felves stocked.
Production companies are
liswamped. Across the
lation, flag sales after the
»eek of the attack were 1500
lercent higher than the same
»eek last year.
America have a sub-par
performance as a country in the year 2000?
Again, no. Unemployment continued to slow as
he U.S. stock markets set growth record after
word.
American business significantly contributed
and supported the major financial networks of
he world. And who could forget about the first
Olympics of the millennium, where U.S. athletes
garnered the most medals?
The national anthem is played before sport-
John Bodnar, chairman of the Indiana University
history department and an expert on patriotism
and its symbols, told CNN that this flexibility is
what is allowing the American flags to become
so widespread in patriotic displays.
“For some people, the flag expresses a
desire for a safe and secure home,” he said.
“For others, it is a plea for peace and still oth
ers can view a flag display as a command to go
out and destroy evil in the world.”
Does this sudden jump in
demand for American flags
qualify as a
fad? Of course
not.
The recent
stir of patriot
ism is a prod
uct of the war
against terror-
Flags
for
freedom
window, a car or any other place that displays the
stars and stripes in an acceptable manner. But
allowing the fervor, pride and patriotism to dwin
dle will do more harm than merely being apa
thetic. If those who wish to harm us see us grow
ing to care less and less about our country, it
gives them the idea that we are susceptible to
attack. Let Americans not give that irmpression.
— I..- '' ' f * ^-----
Nathan Rogers is a junior
international .studies major.
quickly that newspapers across the country
printed copies of American flags to help allevi
ate the overwhelming demand. Online suppliers
of American flags, such as Flags Unlimited and
USFlags.com, have posted warnings to cus
tomers that orders have been backed up four to
six weeks due to the sudden demand.
A large part of the American flag’s popularity
now is the flag can mean whatever the bearer
wants it to. People of opposite ideologies can
wave the flag with an equal amount of pride.
ism. The propensi
ty of flags is simply America’s
way of preparing for war.
Anyone who has seen
Braveheart can remember the
blue war paint Mel Gibson
wore in portraying Scottish
hero William Wallace in battle.
American flags are similar to
the war paint worn by the
Scottish clans - they are our
way of preparing for war.
Referring to our increased
display of American flags as a
fad does no justice to the ideas
inherent behind the raising of
those flags. American flags are
not simply rectangular pieces
of cloth colored with red,
white and blue. The physical
nature of the flags is not the
reason why Americans are dis
playing them. As Bodnar said,
the reason Americans are dis
playing such patriotism is
because of what the flag sym
bolizes for each American.
In the weeks following Sept.
11, the flag has come to stand
for even more than the freedom
it had previously signified. It
now represents the courage and
the selflessness of the firefight
ers and rescue personnel who
gave their lives helping others in
a time of confusion and tragedy.
It represents the determination
of those who have lost loved
ones suddenly and violently.
More importantly, it represents
the unity of Americans in the
face of tragedy and honors those
who died.
The very term “fad” denotes
a certain meaninglessness and
insignificance. Considering just
a few of the many things the
American flag represents, the recent display of
American flags does not seem at all insignificant.
We simply are not talking about a brand of cloth
ing or a new accessory. The display of the
American flag is about the assortment of emo
tions that Americans have felt since Sept. 11.
Those underlying emotions and quiet, unyielding
anger are simply far beyond a fad.
JOE PEDEN • THE BATTALION
Richard Bray is a junior
journalism major.
CARTOON OF THE DAY
More tolerance is needed for gays
bllijation Science
[JEDHEAffii
-3220 or
lu/pagevalli
R S I T Y _
mmsm
JESSICA
CRUTCHER
WHEN THE
WGIES PLAY IN
AFGHANISTAN
tiysNwt-
with a valid
Ihe Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 300 words
or less and include the author’s name, class and phone number.
The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style and accu
racy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014 Reed McDonald v
student ID. Letters also may be mailed to:
The Battalion — Mail Call
014 Reed McDonald • MS 1111
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX
77843-1111
Fax: (979) 845-2647
Mail Call: mailcall@thebatt.com
ay Awareness week, sponsored by
Gay, Lesbian:., Bisexual and
Transgendered Aggies (GLBTA),
seems to be a divisive
issue on the Texas A&M
camnpus. As most people
already know. Gay
Aw areness week began
Monday and will continue
thirough Sunday afternoon.
The main goal of the
program is to educate
others and promote toler
ance of the gay community. These goals
badly need to be re;.ached in the A&M
community, a place where anti-homosexu
al epithets seem to be a part of daily life.
GLBTA should be applauded for their
uphill battle to emsure equal treatment for
everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.
However, there iis at least one group on
campus who seemf; determined to deny
non-heterosexual Aggies even minimal
courtesy: the Youn g Conservatives of Texas
A&M (YCTAM). In response to Gay
Awareness Week, YCTAM is simultaneous
ly sponsoring Traditional Family Values
Week. They will also be at the MSC all
week, and will be; sponsoring a “traditional
wedding” at 1 p.m. Thursday, to show what
marriage was “intended to be.” YCTAM
members said that this effort originated
“out of a desire t o prevent pro-homosexual
values from being forced on people that do
not agree with them.”
However, GLBTA members are not
even approaching people in the MSC —
interested persons must approach them. In
contrast, YCTAM is actively approaching
people in order to get rid of their quota of
5,000 white ribbons, which are supposed
to symbolize that it is okay not to accept
homosexual values that are being pushed
on the A&M campus. Those participating
in Gay Awareness Week are not trying to
force their foes to become their best
friends. They are simply asking for
These goals badly need to be
reached in the A&M commu
nity, a place where anti-homo-
sexual epithets seem to be a
part of daily life.
respect for their rights and equal treat
ment. YCTAM members have just as
much of a right to voice their beliefs as
GLBTA members. But by refusing to
admit that gays deserve at least this, the
members of YCTAM are showing a big
otry that should have died during the race
riots of the 1960s.
Considering their behavior, one might
find it paradoxical that YCTAM chairman
David Rushing said of family values week,
“Our message is not a message of hate or
intolerance, but rather one of conviction.
Any group that assumes it can educate us
and make us more accepting and open to
their values is very self-righteous. The
homosexual community needs to stop
being so closed minded ...”
If the matter was not so serious, this
quote would be laughable. Surely he is not
serious. Those who feel it necessary to
preface their statements with “I’m not
intolerant, but ...” are generally the most
intolerant of all. If it is self-righteous and
closed-minded to expect gays and other
minority groups to be treated like human
beings, then may I be the most self-right
eous and closed-minded of all.
The people involved in “traditional fam
ily values week” need to take a step back
and listen to the intolerance that is coming
out of their own mouths before they start
accusing other groups of being intolerant.
YCTAM members should review their own
tactics of spreading their beliefs before
being too critical of the beliefs of others.
And most of all, everyone espousing ani
mosity toward the gay community, and
other minority communities, should
remember that everyone is a human first,
and their rights and beliefs should be
respected accordingly — no matter how
different they are from one’s own.
Jessica Crutcher is a senior
journalism major.