Don't Demean This 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.
By Andy Rooney

[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.