Don't Demean This Flag!

Andy Rooney On Why He Thinks People Shouldn't Wear The Flag

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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There's a silent little war going on in this country. It's between people who wear the American flag in their buttonhole and people who do not.

Every night on the evening news, you see people - politicians mostly - being interviewed or giving speeches wearing a little metal American flag. Are they suggesting they love America more than I do?

If a politician running for office has an opponent who wears a flag, he usually thinks he has to wear one too. He's afraid people might say he isn't as patriotic as his opponent is.

President Bush always wears an American flag. Would we think he was un-American if he didn't? His father wore one sometimes, didn’t wear one other times.

I think politicians wearing the American flag are a fairly new phenomenon. Politicians weren't wearing them as much just a few years ago not as much as they are now.

President Bush didn't wear one when he was governor of Texas. I don't remember seeing Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy or Dwight Eisenhower wearing one. We did come across a picture of Nixon in the 70’s wearing a flag. Maybe he started it.

I've always wondered if a politician, who wears a flag when the cameras are rolling, wears one on Saturdays when he's home alone in his old clothes. Or is he only patriotic in public.

Women politicians don't seem to use the flag as decoration like men do - maybe that's because they have no good place to hang a flag. Or they don't want to put a hole in their dress with the pin.

I suppose it isn't a very popular opinion I have but I don't like to see a politician - or anyone else for that matter - wearing an American flag. Using the flag as decoration is demeaning to it as a symbol.

The American flag may be the best symbol ever designed. It's perfect. It represents our current 50 States and the 13 original colonies. It's both attractive and meaningful and it stands for who we are. That's a lot to ask of a piece of cloth and the American flag does it magnificently.

It should not be used as a bumper sticker.

[cmbrown99]

I do agree with you about the politicians and such wearing the flag. It's all about getting votes. Most certainly can't get elected upon their veracity, however, the rest of us, might, care to display our patriotism. The flag is our national symbol and as such, I don't see a problem with displaying it anywhere that is not direspectly. Forget your underwear. Lapel is OK, in my mind a tee shirt is OK. SHOW YOUR PRIDE. We as Americans, have been beat up for years.

[lrobertsonmicro]

I agree with Andy and am offended by people using it causually. When I asked for a distinctively colored key a sales rep offered an American flag. I told him I did not demean the flag by using it as a clothing article or on a key. In the 60's we used the flag on clothing as a form of protest. What is wrong with people? They put plastic flags everywhere, toss them in the garbage, but want to pass an anti-flag burning ammendment.

Linda

[expressedito]

ReadyRooney,

When I was in First Grade, or was it Kindergarten?, I was taught the Pledge of Allegiance which we recited saluting the flag of the United States of America. Being almost as old as you are I have been through much of the same allegiance as you to our country, including war. I still stand up in public when the flag is being honored, I sing the Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America (remember Kate Smith?), America The Beautiful whenever it is called for, I am still thrilled when I see the flag, wherever it is, including my front porch on occasion and I am proud to have small flag in my lapel. And if you don't like it, meet me in the alley! ;-)

P.S. I haven't missed your show as long as you've been on 60 minutes. Some of the foregoing comments from others are on target, some aren't worth reading three times. Just keep on being ReadyRoooney! I would like to say this: we were both better looking in 1945!

[michst_texas]

Mr. Rooney, I don't mind people wearing an American flag as a pin. I do mind people with flag t-shirts, flag flipflops, flag earrings. Can't these yankee doodle yo-yo's figure out that wearing those items doesn't make you a better patriot or a patriot at all? Being a good American makes you a good patriot. Doing the right thing, treating other people as you want to be treated, being honest, taking personal responsibility, caring about your fellow man...that's being an American. Every time I see someone with flag apparel, it just makes me sick. The only reason those items are out there is because someone knows they can make money by appealing to people's sense of Americana. Those folks aren't any more patriotic than the rest of us. Apparently, they just like to spend their money on cheap t-shirts and other nonsense so we'll think they're oh-so-wholesome and American. I guess that's one of the downsides of capitalism. You can product almost anything and some yo-yo will plunk down his or her hard earned cash for it.

[jsys1030]

Andy, I agree with you to some extent.

Those wearing country's flag do not really indicate they are any more patriotic than those who do not and public should not judge people based on whether the flag is worn or not.

I have an idea, why not try to wear flag of our beloved Earth? People around the world should start wearing Earth pin and try to live in peace and harmony while respecting and protecting all the wonderful thing we have here on earth.

[jsys1030]

Andy, I agree with you to some extent.

Those wearing country's flag do not really indicate they are any more patriotic than those who do not and public should not judge people based on whether the flag is worn or not.

I have an idea, why not try to wear flag of our beloved Earth? People around the world should start wearing Earth pin and try to live in peace and harmony while respecting and protecting all the wonderful thing we have here on earth.

[jab3739]

Andy, it is OK to call you Andy? You can call me John. I just wanted tell you that I was surprise about your opinon on wearing a flag pin. To me the flag is a symbol of this country and what it stands for. I like to see it regradless who is wearing it or where it is displayed. I like your part of 60 minutes, you give us food for thought, take care and have a nice day.
John Burton

[howsay]

Andy: I usually switch channels when you come on but I watched your put down on Americans being proud to display the flag on their lapel. I was not surprised as it was about what I would expect of a Left Wing Democrat.

[mutt929]

Mr. Rooney, I appreciate your service to our country as a veteran but I think you are short sided when it comes to your personal bias. It's amazing that you pick out a pin of the American flag and call wearing it demeaning. It's not like they're wearing it as a bandana, or a pair of shorts. Some people actually have boxer shorts made with the stars and stripes. I've seen a dog sweater that looked like the flag.
I just wonder if you would be as upset if you saw someone burning the flag in protest, or would that just be free speech?

[cleewag]

Mr. Rooney, I highly respect your opinions, and am in complete agreement with you on most things you share with us on 60 Minutes --- until this one. As a Vietnam Vet I, for one, am most proud to display Old Glory in any mode I can, and as often as I can. I wear flag pins on my clothes, I have a flag license plate on the front bumper of both cars, and I have flag stickers on my front door and on the back and side glass of both cars. I also display a 8"x10" flag continously above my garage door. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, but please expect some flak over this one. Respectfully, CW from Wichita.

[doxart]

Mr Rooney, I have been a fan of your curmudgeonly humor for more years than I care to admit to. However, it seems that there is less and less humor and more and more vitriol in your comments. Come on now, you can speculate on why someone wears the flag all you want to, but when you imply that the people who DO wear it are disrespectful of it, you crossed a line you shouldn't have crossed. That is just plain mean-spirited on your part. Many people wear pins on their dress clothes they don't wear on their work clothes so what relevance was that remark supposed to have? Maybe you should retire before you destroy the happy memories of your humor that some of us have. This granny will say to you what my granny would have said, "That was just plain tacky, Mr Rooney. Shame on you!" doxart

[pabk42]

Dear Mr. Rooney,
I completely disagree with you. When I wear my flag pin I feel very close to the father I never knew; he was MIA in WWII when I was just two years old. I love my flag pin, and I thank God for my father's gift of freedom.
Gold Star daughter

[reb721]

Mr Rooney,

Normally I agree with you but last night I completely disagreed with you. In these days where our sons and daughters are fighting for the freedoms that we take for granted I think that Americans should be more willing to show their patriotism and love of our country and our flag by wearing it or flying it outside their homes. I wear an American Flag pin which is joined together with a Blue Star Flag in support of my son who serves our great land int he United States Army. I will wear it every day and no amount of negativity from you or anyone else will make me think twice about doing so. I also wear a yelllow ribbon with an Army emblem that symbolizes my son being depolyed to a foreign land. He was not drafted, he did not join because he was too stupid to do anything else as a politician recently stated but he joined because he wanted to serve our country. My pride for him and for our flag will be worn on my lapel and flown outside myhome every day!! Mr Rooney.........shame on you.

Proud Mother of soldier serving in foreign land!!!

[anomalous4--2008]

"Women politicians don't seem to use the flag as decoration like men do...."

I seem to reacall reading something about Madeleine Albright owning a collection of custom-designed US flag pins. You never saw her in public without one.

[yakadnerb]

In 2006, an American flag pin worn respectfully brings a visual reminder to the beholder that we are Americans. I think Mr. Rooney has exercised poor judgement in focusing on positive support of the American flag...in any form at this time of
war and terrorism in a negative manner. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day....too few days to see the stars and stripes waving in the wind. Mr. Rooney's age should have given him the wisdom to know somethings are profoundly simple...and should be received with such wisdom. I applaud the trend setters proudly displaying the American flag on their personal attire. What a beautiful combination...the United States Flag adorned on a gift from God. It is truly in the eye of the beholder to accept the visual reminder of our country with pride.

[yakadnerb]

In 2006, an American flag pin worn respectfully brings a visual reminder to the beholder that we are Americans. I think Mr. Rooney has exercised poor judgement in focusing on positive support of the American flag...in any form at this time of
war and terrorism in a negative manner. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day....too few days to see the stars and stripes waving in the wind. Mr. Rooney's age should have given him the wisdom to know somethings are profoundly simple...and should be received with such wisdom. I applaud the trend setters proudly displaying the American flag on their personal attire. What a beautiful combination...the United States Flag adorned on a gift from God. It is truly in the eye of the beholder to accept the visual reminder of our country with pride.

[yakadnerb]

In 2006, an American flag pin worn respectfully brings a visual reminder to the beholder that we are Americans. I think Mr. Rooney has exercised poor judgement in focusing on positive support of the American flag...in any form at this time of
war and terrorism in a negative manner. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day....too few days to see the stars and stripes waving in the wind. Mr. Rooney's age should have given him the wisdom to know somethings are profoundly simple...and should be received with such wisdom. I applaud the trend setters proudly displaying the American flag on their personal attire. What a beautiful combination...the United States Flag adorned on a gift from God. It is truly in the eye of the beholder to accept the visual reminder of our country with pride.

[yakadnerb]

In 2006, an American flag pin worn respectfully brings a visual reminder to the beholder that we are Americans. I think Mr. Rooney has exercised poor judgement in focusing on positive support of the American flag...in any form at this time of
war and terrorism in a negative manner. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day....too few days to see the stars and stripes waving in the wind. Mr. Rooney's age should have given him the wisdom to know somethings are profoundly simple...and should be received with such wisdom. I applaud the trend setters proudly displaying the American flag on their personal attire. What a beautiful combination...the United States Flag adorned on a gift from God. It is truly in the eye of the beholder to accept the visual reminder of our country with pride.

[yakadnerb]

In 2006, an American flag pin worn respectfully brings a visual reminder to the beholder that we are Americans. I think Mr. Rooney has exercised poor judgement in focusing on positive support of the American flag...in any form at this time of
war and terrorism in a negative manner. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day....too few days to see the stars and stripes waving in the wind. Mr. Rooney's age should have given him the wisdom to know somethings are profoundly simple...and should be received with such wisdom. I applaud the trend setters proudly displaying the American flag on their personal attire. What a beautiful combination...the United States Flag adorned on a gift from God. It is truly in the eye of the beholder to accept the visual reminder of our country with pride.

[flograp-2009]

The U.S. Flag code states that "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel" Wearing apparel is defined generally as clothing. The code goes on to state that "The lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart." Thus it appears that wearing an flag lapel pin is allowed by the National Flag Code. I have a hard time understanding the issue.