New Found Patriotism?

Two reports on how patriotism and the proper treatment of the flag of these United States is suddenly important to the left side of the aisle.

From Jawa report:

With new-found patriotism, Seattleites want to wave the flag, hang it from their homes and stick it on their cars.

"The thing that's kind of astounding to me is I never ever would have cared to own a flag," said Rosemary Garner, 42. "This is the first day in my life I actually feel this funny sense of pride about my country. It's a very foreign feeling, but it's a good one."

Gateway reports on the same phenomena in New Mexico:

Veteran Lou Schrader of Las Cruces, New Mexico flew his flag upside down on Wednesday in protest of Barack Obama winning the presidency.
This alarmed his liberal neighbors.
The Sun-News reported:

"Now that there's an African-American president, he's protesting the U.S., and I think it's funny because, if you love your country, you love it no matter what."

Kollaros said he backs freedom of speech, but flying the flag upside-down shouldn't be done lightly because it could send the wrong message.

"We've got to be careful about how we do that, because we don't want to offend people," he said.

I cannot say what I would like to say because it would turn this blog blue.  Men and women of this nation have been dying under that flag and for that flag for seven long years.  Their sacrifice, the sacrifice of those who came before and the existence of this free nation are all that is necessary to consecrate that flag and instill a sense of patriotism for it's symbolism.  A man elected to the office of president, however historic, is not the purpose, cause or definition of that flag.  It has and always will be first and for most the flag of a free and democratic nation. 

As for offering offense to somebody, I am offended by these very people and their presence on this soil.  The idea that it is suddenly fashionable to wave a flag due to an election when thousands of flags have draped the very bodies of those who have been defending it this many years fills me with unutterable disgust.  Now we must fear offending some class of people by not properly hanging the flag, when we have witnessed the worst sorts of behavior with this flag, including burning it with effigies of President Bush and US soldiers, while these same people crying foul now stood by silently.

Let them go back into the holes they were hiding in and remain silent. 

I am nearly tempted to go out, fly my own flag upside down and drape it in black crepe to signify mourning for this once great republic and the very loss of true patriotism.  . 

I recall three or four years ago that it was the Democrats that largely tried to push through some law protecting the flag and we here opposed it on the grounds of free speech.  I still oppose any such laws.  As I noted at the time, I reserve the right to protest our government in the same manner that our founders opposed King George and Britain prior to the Revolutionary War being declared official: burning flags and effigies.  However, now that Hope and Change have entered the White House, I am looking forward to a new found attempt to stifle free speech with new laws prohibiting the burning of the flag or other acts.  I am certain that the new government will be wanting to express their patriotism and assure the people that they are on the case now.

As noted at the time, while it would pain me to no end, the first time any such law is passed, I'll be burning my first flag in the fire pit out back.  I'll be recording it for posterity.

Then you will know the world really has turned upside down.