American confederate flag

[Gandalf]

I would normally agree with you as a matter of principle, but what if you were Jewish and your neighbour insisted on flying a Nazi swastika flag on a huge pole that you could see from your house?

Or if you were black, ditto with a National Front or KKK flag or something?

These things are not easy to make blanket statements about ......

It would make no difference if the were black or jewish, if they are causing/inciting fear and distress they would not be allowed to put up flags that are not allowed.

Where would you draw the line on that though? Isn't the British flag similar in that it can conjure up images of war, corruption, and inequality which are of course extremely distressing and scary things? Or how about the US flag to native Indians put on reservations? Or Palestinians who have to see the Israeli flag? I don't see anyone calling to ban those. Personally, I believe you should have whatever flag you like and that flag should be a reflection of who you are. If it is something abhorrent like a Nazi flag, then that is pretty obvious, but it should be a choice. As long as the Nazi is a peaceful one who doesn't impose upon others, then it is really none of my business. The same for anyone who wants to display the confederate flag or the Union Jack. You have to accept that different people see different things and they will express themselves accordingly. I think flags are silly and so you won't see me with one, but that is my choice too.

[Master]

I would normally agree with you as a matter of principle, but what if you were Jewish and your neighbour insisted on flying a Nazi swastika flag on a huge pole that you could see from your house?

Or if you were black, ditto with a National Front or KKK flag or something?

These things are not easy to make blanket statements about ......

It would make no difference if the were black or jewish, if they are causing/inciting fear and distress they would not be allowed to put up flags that are not allowed.

Where would you draw the line on that though? Isn't the British flag similar in that it can conjure up images of war, corruption, and inequality which are of course extremely distressing and scary things? Or how about the US flag to native Indians put on reservations? Or Palestinians who have to see the Israeli flag? I don't see anyone calling to ban those. Personally, I believe you should have whatever flag you like and that flag should be a reflection of who you are. If it is something abhorrent like a Nazi flag, then that is pretty obvious, but it should be a choice. As long as the Nazi is a peaceful one who doesn't impose upon others, then it is really none of my business. The same for anyone who wants to display the confederate flag or the Union Jack. You have to accept that different people see different things and they will express themselves accordingly. I think flags are silly and so you won't see me with one, but that is my choice too.

Peaceful Nazi seems like a contradiction in words.

You would need someone to complain because they feel intimidated, then an authority to inquire about the persons intention who put the flag up and if it is found they did it maliciously they would be asked to take it down.

[Gandalf]

I don't think most Nazi's were kicking people in the face. In fact I would guess that many did not even realise the extent of the savagery in the system they were living because of ignorance and propaganda. You could look at the foundations of America and its behavior since WW2 and say that peaceful American is a contradiction, but I think most Americans see themselves as peaceful people and would stand by their flag. Same with the British. I just think it is just as fascistic to be telling people what they can and cannot believe. Just as long as you don't turn violent (funny how the state can never resist that temptation), then you should be able to express yourself. Where does it lead to? Banning books? Punk rock records? People shouldn't so readily consent to the loss of expression. If somebody wants to be such a turd that they need to associate with a Nazi flag, then that person should be the billy no mates of the street. You don't need to ban things in order to change attitudes.

[Beanflicker]

It's gotten ridiculous. I just read they took reruns of Dukes of Hazzard off the TV because of the General Lee. What a fucking joke.

[El Kabong]

It's gotten ridiculous. I just read they took reruns of Dukes of Hazzard off the TV because of the General Lee. What a fucking joke.

Hogan's Heroes is still running even though it has Nazis and Swastikas everywhere.

Coexist bumper stickers piss me off...but somehow some way I cope without murdering anyone

[walrus]

I don't think most Nazi's were kicking people in the face. In fact I would guess that many did not even realise the extent of the savagery in the system they were living because of ignorance and propaganda. You could look at the foundations of America and its behavior since WW2 and say that peaceful American is a contradiction, but I think most Americans see themselves as peaceful people and would stand by their flag. Same with the British. I just think it is just as fascistic to be telling people what they can and cannot believe. Just as long as you don't turn violent (funny how the state can never resist that temptation), then you should be able to express yourself. Where does it lead to? Banning books? Punk rock records? People shouldn't so readily consent to the loss of expression. If somebody wants to be such a turd that they need to associate with a Nazi flag, then that person should be the billy no mates of the street. You don't need to ban things in order to change attitudes.

I burn the South Korean flag everyday in protest of its genocide of Christians, marching them off that cliff and what not.

[Gandalf]

I don't think most Nazi's were kicking people in the face. In fact I would guess that many did not even realise the extent of the savagery in the system they were living because of ignorance and propaganda. You could look at the foundations of America and its behavior since WW2 and say that peaceful American is a contradiction, but I think most Americans see themselves as peaceful people and would stand by their flag. Same with the British. I just think it is just as fascistic to be telling people what they can and cannot believe. Just as long as you don't turn violent (funny how the state can never resist that temptation), then you should be able to express yourself. Where does it lead to? Banning books? Punk rock records? People shouldn't so readily consent to the loss of expression. If somebody wants to be such a turd that they need to associate with a Nazi flag, then that person should be the billy no mates of the street. You don't need to ban things in order to change attitudes.

I burn the South Korean flag everyday in protest of its genocide of Christians, marching them off that cliff and what not.

Eh, Walrus?

I don't mind the Korean flag as it is a badge of honour against oppression, which you cannot say about the more violent nations in this world. I'm not a flag person, but the SK flag is one of the least offensive. At least the way I see it anyway.

[walrus]

Yes, you also defend the Nazi flag. Thank God for Winston.

[Gandalf]

Not at all. I am defending the right to freedom of speech which is something you should be into. I do not like flags of any sort. Some are simply more tolerable than others. Silly things really.

[Beanz]

If my neighbour were a Nazi I would much rather he flew a swastika so that I knew who he and his friends were. Give them enough rope and all that. The trouble is that most of those who are intent on being offensive and parading how outrageous and free they are by flaunting conventions are often the same people who whine like pussys when you confront them. Trying to ban them is the attention they want. Feeble cunts.