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degggendorf t1_iunc536 wrote

Reply to comment by southofthetower in Little Compton residents react to town-wide hate-filled mailer with love and solidarity by GhostOpera406

>what does flying a LGBTQ flag on state property have to do with anything but virtue signalling?

Flags are literally signals. What does flying an American or Rhode Island do aside from virtue signal? Flags are symbols, and I think it's perfectly reasonable to signal our pride in being Americans, pride in being Rhode Islanders, and pride in being a diverse community across all the gender and sexual spectrums of immutable traits we exist on.

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southofthetower t1_iuncx6r wrote

I agree with that completely. However, this is not the states responsibility. if you want to fly a flag, no one is stopping you. pull a permit, buy a pole and privately fly it.... but I see an issue of forcing it on others, especially when paid for by the taxpayers... what if this scenario were reversed? Imaging this thought experiment.... imagine if all the LGBTQ's were nazis (IM NOT SAYING THEY ARE... Trying to make you think) WOUld it then be acceptable, if they wanted to fly their flag on state property...?

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degggendorf t1_iunef39 wrote

> I see an issue of forcing it on others

Forcing what exactly on others? Forcing them to confront the fact that people with immutable characteristics exist in the world? What do you think it says about a person if if ruins their day to think that gay people exist and deserve respect?

> nazis [...] WOUld it then be acceptable, if they wanted to fly their flag on state property...?

Well no, for a couple reasons. Being a nazi isn't an immutable characteristic, so it fails there. It's also a political choice, so it fails there as well.

If it helps, here's where I would draw the line on other flags:

  • Pride flag: yes

  • RI Queer PAC flag: no

  • Autism Awareness flag: yes

  • Flag for the organization "Autism Speaks": no

  • Remember to vote flag (if there were one): yes

  • Vote Democrat flag: no

  • Gold ribbon cancer awareness flag: yes

  • Komen for the Cure trademarked pink ribbon flag: no

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southofthetower t1_iunex7y wrote

thank you for you explanation. I just feel it would have to be a very big flag pole if "Everyone" wanted to start flying their respective flags.

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degggendorf t1_iunf4zr wrote

> I just feel it would have to be a very big flag pole if "Everyone" wanted to start flying their respective flags.

TBF, that sounds super cool. Let's do it, make sure that everyone's immutable traits are represented and respected.

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southofthetower t1_iunfo0z wrote

ugh.. sounds tiring. normal people have jobs and not the time to worry about everyone's immutable traits.

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degggendorf t1_iung1c4 wrote

I am not asking you personally to erect it. You can merely get out of the way of the people that do. If you don't feel you have the spare braincells to simultaneously perform your job and respect other human beings, then I will not require you to try.

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southofthetower t1_iuneqhn wrote

I agree with that 100%. except on state lands.

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degggendorf t1_iunew6d wrote

You want to ban American flags from being flown on state lands?

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southofthetower t1_iunf3jx wrote

no silly, you know what I meant. State lands should only fly American flags and respective state flags. (as within the current laws)

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degggendorf t1_iunfehq wrote

Why? It's all just virtue signaling, which it sounds like you're opposed to.

Or are you only opposed to signaling certain virtues?

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southofthetower t1_iung0jw wrote

ok, now you are comparing the flag of the United States of America....I see where you are going with that.. yes, it is... but We all are AMERICANS... not the other way around....

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degggendorf t1_iungawu wrote

>We all are AMERICANS

We all have SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS too, so I'm not really following the line you're trying to draw in the sand.

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southofthetower t1_iungy03 wrote

The language of the federal code makes it clear that the AMerican flag is a LIVING Symbol. Public law 94-344. One flag is federally protected. the other is not. may I suggest you lobby our government and it gets put to a vote, you know... like a democracy...

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degggendorf t1_iunh6u1 wrote

> One flag is federally protected. the other is not.

So then are you opposed to the RI flag being flown because it's not federally protected? Then may I suggest you lobby our government and it gets put to a vote, you know... like a democracy...

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[deleted] t1_iunho3d wrote

[deleted]

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degggendorf t1_iunivsw wrote

You failed to answer my question. Why are you working so hard to conceal your actual opinions?

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[deleted] t1_iunjgn1 wrote

[deleted]

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degggendorf t1_iunlj5a wrote

So you criteria is that a flag must be protected by either federal or state decree in order to be allowed to fly on state land?

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southofthetower t1_iunlw0t wrote

no, it should be put to a vote and decided by the people if you are to fly it on state land... you know actually representing the ENTIRE state, by voting... I know, pretty crazy ideals.

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degggendorf t1_iunmysv wrote

Wait so now your criteria is that a flag must have a popular vote to be able to fly? So then we're back to you wanting the American and Rhode Island flags taken down.

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ziddersroofurry t1_iungs2v wrote

It's perfectly legal to fly flags of states, cities, corporations, or organizations as long as they're flown beneath the US flag. Not sure why that shouldn't count for the pride flag, too. There's nothing forbidding it. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/7

"When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right."

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southofthetower t1_iunh3e4 wrote

but it a states issue. as well. PL 94-344

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ziddersroofurry t1_iuniiyv wrote

It also says it should never be used as apparel or drapery. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61K99UTKD7L.AC_UY550.jpg

Do you go around complaining every time someone slaps a flag on the back of a pair of jeans or do you only complain when it shows up next to one with rainbows on it?

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southofthetower t1_iunj586 wrote

no. I'm not comparing the American flag to the Pride flag. There is no comparison. BECAUSE of the AMERICAN FLAG, you have the right to fly the Pride Flag. Its an individual choice to to slap it on the back of your jeans... but to put a flag on state property, it should go to a vote. basic civics.

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