09-30-2009, 11:51 AM
lawlerbation Wrote:ITS LIKE YOU READ HALF MY POST
if your power bill gets trippled and you call into the call center you dont get mad at the first level support guy you get mad at the account manager
if you get hit by a car you dont blame tires you blame the driver
if the armed forces are doing something you are morally against you dont blame the individual soldiers you blame those in control of the soldiers
Who's blaming the individual soldier, Lawler? Who here is saying that the missions those flags were flown on were immoral? It's possible that they were immoral missions, but even so, nobody posting has once insinuated that the pilot should be held accountable.
The issue in question here is the idea that owning a flag which has been flown in some cargo hold over a warzone constitutes patriotism. Even if we dismiss the idea of patriotism as short-sighted and jingoistic, as i feel Pathicus has demonstrated that it is, we can still consider the concept of owning a piece of war memorabilia as supporting the troops. The simple fact of the matter is that it does not, in any practical terms, support anybody except for flag manufacturers.
Yes, I understand how these flags might hold some sentimental value for the actual pilots involved in these missions. They are risking their lives for the mission, and a reminder of their potential sacrifice, and the sacrifice of their friends, for their country may well be a poignant and touching piece of their own personaly history.
Where people may find objection to these flags is where they are simply pawned off to what are essentially random and unrelated persons as a piece of war 'badass'ery. Of course, this may appeal to the, nation loving, 'support the troops and who gives a flying fuck who they're killing or why', patriotic, middle ground American. To the discerning observer, however, it simply rings of bloodlust.