[NormsRevenge]

Maria Benitez and her dog Maggie ride in the Fourth of July parade held at Palm Valley, Texas, Tuesday, July 4, 2006. (AP Photo/Lynn Hermosa)

[BenLurkin]

BTW, anyone notice that GOOGLE actually has an American flag in its header today? http://www.google.com/

[Publius6961]

Intresting story, but here's the thing. I got a cheapo flag sticker for my bumper and it faded within 3 months.
I've been trying for two years to find a bumper flag to replace it which is high-quality non-fading one. No luck.

Any suggestions?

[NormsRevenge]

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito speaks in front of Independence Hall as part of the Let Freedom Ring Fourth of July celebration in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 4, 2006. (AP Photo/Mark Stehle)

[DennisR]

"It's a little strange, this obsession of the flag," French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country.

Note to Monsieur Levy: We are proud of our country, even though the liberals are trying to make us like your country. Not going to happen! Not now, not ever. Because Socialism decays - always has, always will. And some of us will fight that until it attains the very timely and appropriate death it deserves.

[torchthemummy]

Yo Frenchie! If you are going to tell me that France doesn't have their flag adorning almost every nook and cranny (muslim neighborhoods excluded) then you are a liar.

This is not an article - it is an opinion piece cloaked as informal journalism like the travel story in the NYT about Rummy and Cheney's houses, locations, roads leading to, hidden cameras etc.

Last - gag with a spoon about flag ettiquette - you have to love your country before you can ever show proper respect for the US Flag.

[Czar]

We fly a total of four flags, each and every day, at our home in Orange County. Two in front and two in back. Many of the neighbors fly at least one flag.

[Taiku]

G-d bless America......... long may Old Glory wave!!!!

[Right Wing Assault]

Even our national anthem is about the flag.

The other day, I was at an event where we were singing 'America the Beautiful' and I only got halfway through the first part and I was too choked up to sing. Yes, the Anthem does it to me, too. That kills me because I want to belt them out.

[wildwood]

"It's a little strange, this obsession of the flag," French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country.

interesting. my father was in the army during ww2 and when the AMERICANS liberated paris, a frenchie ran alongside my father's jeep, ripping open his shirt as he ran to reveal a french flag wrapped around his chest under his clothing, obviously a member of the resistance.

but apparently mr. levy is not familiar with the roots of such a "strange.. obsession."

[don'tbedenied]

One of the things I enjoy is taking a foreigner to an American sporting event. Doesn't matter if it's a Phillies game or a high school football game in Des Moines--everyone stands up and sings our National Anthem. Nobody makes us do it, we just love our country.
Not to turn this into an immigration thread, but if the Mexican-Americans at their rallies would wave the American flag and sing the National Anthem in English with gusto, we'd be handing them citizenship as fast as we could. All it takes to really be an American is accepting the concept. America is an idea not a place.

[hsalaw]

"It's a little strange, this obsession of the flag," French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country.

It's not strange at all. We are proud of our country. No wonder the French don't get it.

[fight_truth_decay]

Driving through little towns in Maine, I found a shortage of American flags flying from town offices and or other municipal buildings. Local historical landmarks as well flew empty flag poles. Where they once were mounted on bridges, those same bridges were minus flags this year. Some smaller fire departments were bare as well.

A patriot in one small town asked for donations to place flags on light poles in memory of loved ones. Private business or citizens donated, as the town said they could not afford to purchase flags. This patriotic town citizen plans to raise more money next year.

The Fourth of July parade I attended had the majority of
patriotic floats, but the Global Warming People were out with the "new winter runway dress" by LLBean (LLBean had not endorsed, so don't stop shopping)-one man in a speedo on cross country skis, women with fake fur tops sporting shorts and bra tops. Pedal Power instead of dependency on OIL.

Flags and banners appeared mostly on private residences and scattered stores and eateries within these hamlets proudly remembering our veterans and our brave men and women fighting in the Middle East.

[Billthedrill]

Here's the flag I've been wearing today:

[goldstategop]

Except liberals who tend to be put off by all that flag waving. Fortunately, its a minority sentiment. Long may the red, white and blue fly over this blessed land!

(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)

[Zippo44]

"The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that freedom of expression guaranteed by the US constitution includes the right to burn the flag, an act frequently observed during protests against the Vietnam War.

Last week, the US Senate barely rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that could have led to criminal penalties for desecrating of the flag."

I am convinced that a constitutional amendment is not necessary. The solution for the flag burning issue is simple and inexpensive. Each municipality or state should pass an ordinance, or add a law to the penal code mandating that physically assaulting a person who is at that time engaged in burning or otherwise desecrating the National Flag of the United States of America is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by no more than a $5 fine.

I and others of like mind would swiftly learn to gather at leftist protest sites with pockets stuffed full of $5 bills.

[festus]

"It's a little strange, this obsession of the flag," French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country.

Did he also comment on our strange use of things like soap and deodorant ?

[Notwithstanding]

What an assinine piece.

The author is jealous and envious that we have pride in our nation.

I contrast that to Europe where one rarely sees the natives displaying a national flag - except on their cars during World Cup like Packers fans do.