Stars and Stripes Forever: A Revist

Where are all the (faux-)Patriots? Are they all racists?

OK, maybe it's not as bad as I thought. Or maybe it's worse.

Does anyone know what day it is, today? It is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday (observed). Is it not a national holiday? Are the government offices not closed today? I know I'm not getting mail today.

It is with that in mind that I ask the same question I asked two and a half years ago -- shortly after I started this blog -- Where Have All The Flags Gone?

Now, a few years later (with the colorful language behind me), as I look out my window, I can count the number of flags flying in front of houses (excluding my own) on one finger.

It seems to me as if this nation is showing one finger to history... to a race... to a great man... to what this nation is really all about.

Perhaps I shouldn't be upset with my neighbors. As I read about displaying the American Flag, today is not listed among the days for which to display the flag. But don't we all think it should be?

The days for displaying the American Flag are as follows: New Years Day, Inauguration Day (January 20, every four years), Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday (ok, I'm Old School: it's President's Day), Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day (September 17), Columbus Day, Navy Day (October 27), Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day. There are also five days during which the flag is to be displayed at half staff: Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), Memorial Day (before noon), Korean War Veterans Day (July 27), Patriot Day (September 11), and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7).

So, fine, there are a few days that are missing. The reality is, we should not have to be instructed to fly the flag on these days. It is something we should do as Americans. Something we should be willing to take five minutes to do on these days out of respect.

Why am I upset? (And take note, I am a Caucasian male.) I'm upset because with the exception of Christmas Day (which is a religious holiday), Dr. King's birthday is the ONLY Federal Holiday for which there is no provision for displaying the flag. In fact, if you go back and read through the list, we fly for non-holidays -- and yet we skip a Federal Holiday celebrating a Civil Rights Leader, a true American Patriot.

It really looks like a blatant case of institutional racism. The American Government is showing the back of their hand to over half of the nation. The lack of respect, by definition, is disrespectful. It is more disrespectful, and more absent-minded than President Bush (the second) forgetting that Patriots' Day is the third Monday in April and confusing us with (Faux-)Patriot Day in September. One day celebrates the beginning of the American Revolution, the other remembers the last time this nation was attacked directly. Only one of those days really involved patriots.

Perhaps we should ask the Presidential Candidates what their thoughts are on this. I'm sure at least one has a very emotional response. In the mean time, I ask you, the American people, to do the right thing. Display your flags for Dr. King. Show him the respect he was never alive to see from this great nation.

God Bless Dr. King.
God Bless America.