Gadsden Flags Flying Off the Shelves in Support of the Tea Party Tax Protest

Marketwire ^ | April 16, 2009

[Comparative Advantage]

Waving signs with anti-tax slogans and carrying American flags, crowds gathered in support of less government spending and lower taxes in numerous cities yesterday. The "tea party" element of the gatherings was meant to reference the Boston Tea Party, a pre-Revolutionary War event in which colonists dumped tea in the Boston Harbor to protest the British king's tax on what was a colonial staple. Many of the flags flown yesterday were historical and reminiscent of the American Revolution.

"Tea Parties" Increase Sales for Flags

One of the flags seen in abundance at these "Tea Parties" is the Gadsden flag, an historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Positioned below the snake is the legend "DONT TREAD ON ME" [sic]. The flag was designed by and is named after American general and statesman Christopher Gadsden. It was also used by The United States Marine Corps as an early motto flag.

For many the "Tea Parties" are very political, for others the events are purely business -- and really good business. Flag companies and other retailers carrying patriotic items have seen these flags fly off the shelves. According to Kerry McCoy, owner of FlagandBanner.com in Little Rock, Arkansas, "I wish I would have thought of it sooner and bought all the Gadsden Flags on the planet. This week Arkansas' FlagandBanner.com along with every other flag dealer in America has sold out of Gadsden flags and First Navy Jack flags in protest of potential tax increases." McCoy further stated, "If the flag had a snake or cannon on it, we sold out."

[xmission]

I think it’s more than just tea parties.

[xmission]

Here's one I took of the USS Constitution's flag

[xmission]

So tell me, what does this fight look like?

It looks like this:

http://iwilldefendtheconstitution.com/node/893

If that doesn't work, it'll look much worse. Pray for a big win for Montana, or whatever state makes it to scotus first.

[postal patty]

like the ones you hook on your car window to support your football team. then everywhere you go it will be seen by all.

[RegulatorCountry]

For an amusing blast from the recent past, if you have the stomach to go DUmpster diving, that is:

“Are those who display the Gadsden flag traitors?”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x574183

[DeLaine]

I got mine on ebay

[Comparative Advantage]

The comments weren’t nearly as distateful as I expected.

[DeLaine]

I thought what you said was quite excellent. Must be something wrong with me. :D

[RegulatorCountry]

That was from 2006, when dissent was patriotic to the left. People who fly the Gadsden Flag now are apparently on some sort of codified “enemies list,” so it’s yet another prime example of “for me, but not for thee.” The hopemotized DUmmies don’t even bat an eye when they do a complete about face.

[Oatka]

Interesting, if true, from Wikipedia.

For instance, unofficial usage of the Gadsden flag by the U.S. Government has been seen, particularly in the wake of September 11, 2001, most notably by Customs and harbor patrol boats in U.S. ports and individuals serving abroad in the U.S. Military. The First Navy Jack, which was directly related to the Gadsden flag, has also been in use by the U.S. Navy, and since the terrorist attacks is flown on all active naval ships. The rattlesnake from the flag is shown on the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

[SoConPubbie]

You sir are a blithering imbecile!

I would concur.

Rush is one of the bright spots in the conservative movement and has done more to keep it alive than anyone else since Reagan.

That one statement of yours, warchild9, makes me distrust everything else you have to say.

[Politicalmom]

I wish we could document how many “young heads full of mush” Rush has educated and set loose.

I was always a conservative, but I learned a lot from Rush in his early days.

[bravotu]

How about the ‘Culpepper’ Flag Folks?

[Joiseydude]

[Joiseydude]

[bravotu]

In December 1775, “An American Guesser” anonymously wrote to the Pennsylvania Journal:

“I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines now raising, there was painted a Rattle-Snake, with this modest motto under it, ‘Don’t tread on me.’ As I know it is the custom to have some device on the arms of every country, I supposed this may have been intended for the arms of America.”

This anonymous writer, having “nothing to do with public affairs” and “in order to divert an idle hour,” speculated on why a snake might be chosen as a symbol for America.

First, it occurred to him that “the Rattle-Snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America.”

The rattlesnake also has sharp eyes, and “may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.” Furthermore,

“She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. ... she never wounds ‘till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.” Finally,

“I confess I was wholly at a loss what to make of the rattles, ‘till I went back and counted them and found them just thirteen, exactly the number of the Colonies united in America; and I recollected too that this was the only part of the Snake which increased in numbers. ...

“’Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are, and yet how firmly they are united together, so as never to be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly, is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together, is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living.”

Many scholars now agree that this “American Guesser” was Benjamin Franklin.

[bravotu]

Thanks,

[ViLaLuz]

You might like the Culpepper Minutemen flag:

[warchild9]

Limbaugh makes a fortune by pandering to fear and anger. (And, yes, I do occasionally listen to him. He convinced me years ago to join the pro-life movement. But, now, he just spews for hours to the head-bobbing “say it, brother” crowd.)

I urge everyone to think for themselves.

The hope/change crowd is winning, because liberals feel while conservatives are supposed to think. When they stop thinking and start feeling, the socialists win.