libertarianlunatic

Actually an old one. And i'm not talking replacing 'Old Glory', but supplementing it. Back during the Revolutionary War, although there was kind of a general pattern to flags, different incarnations of it abounded. Groups, states, admirals, generals, all had variations on the theme they favored in battle. You can see some of them here.

Why do we need a new flag? Because the only place where Originalists are still alive in National politics is in the Supreme Court. There too, they're simply not enough to turn the tide against the 'progressives'. Clarence Thomas is the last nationally relevant man in power I hold in high regard, with the other 3 (sometimes 4) getting varying amounts of grudging admiration, depending on the issue and where they feel like standing that day.

Leftists call the Constitution a 'dead and outdated document'--they want a 'living' constitution that changes with the times, a document that would become meaningless, dependent on the Winds of Change for its definition...imagine Shakespeare if every ten years the lingo was revised to reflect current speech: "Hoisted by his own petard" would become either 'Pushed upward by his own fart' or 'Pulled a suicide-bomber', depending on your translation...Doesn't scan in iambic pentameter, and loses just a touch of un certain je ne sais quoi, don't it?

The Neocons at least pretend to be Originalist--until it conflicts whatever arena they're looking to grab power in.

Both ways suck, but at least the neocons pay slightly more reverence to what I believe are the important parts of the document. As I pointed out the other day, the Constitution reflects what we will allow the government to do. It is not an enumeration but a deeply circumscribed boundary. Those who understand and believe this are mortified by the growth of the fed and the continued erosion of state, local, and personal rights, privileges, and obligations.

Neocons and at least some liberals love this country (I'm being charitable in the latter case). Many of them fly the American flag either permanently or at prominent national Holidays. There will definitely be a profusion of them in a few days when July 4 rolls around. They support and care about this country. I won't challenge that. But they don't support or respect our constitution.

We need a symbol to fly that shows our embrace not only of patriotism, but of what the Consitution reallystood for, i.e. the restriction of government. The American Flag, while a worthy symbol, would fail to broadcast such intention.

I'm currently using the Confederate Flag in that role. It's pretty popular among Texans and our close ideological relatives of the Old South. To us it's now a symbol of states' rights and a differentiation from the liberal North. But the symbol is simply too loaded and too regional, not to mention historically about rejecting the constitution. I'm a dark brown male, I can fly said flag and no one would be able to easily level the charge of racism at me. But the same can't be said of my friends and those who agree with me on this issue. Although they do call me 'nigger' just about every chance they get, they aren't racist. The flag would have them perceived as such. And what to do about Originalist Northerners? There simply is no connection between them and the crossed stars.

So we need a new symbol. I don't want new though. Like I said, this is about Originalism, it's about respecting, understanding, and returning to our historical past. As I mentioned, there were hundreds of variations of the American flag flown in the years between 1776 and 1785 or so. We need something that'll actively convey our distaste for government intrusion while at the same time hearkening back to the remembrance of what our forefathers fought and died for...the Gadsden Flag at the top of the page is my choice.

Here is some history about the flag including a cool little note on the symbolism of the rattler itself. Here's a page by the same guy devoted entirely to the so-called Gadsden Flag (where I got the picture from. Give this guy a big fat thumbup for some interesting historical material). It's simple. Don't intrude on me or my freedom. I won't start the fight (Rattler's dont...that's the entire point of the rattle...a warning), but I won't hesitate to end it (quite painfully usually). Don't fuck with me, and I won't do a damn thing. These words spoken not to the British, as they were over 200 years ago, but to the Gubbermint and to any other Statist entity.

Those who read this, post up a comment about the flag you've got in mind. I'd like to hear what others think about this idea.