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I allege a grievance with the flag
Of the United States of America.
And to the republic I make demands:
My ration, my wad,
And liberty to just dis us all.
It has been noted that the more a people are
blessed the easier they find it to complain. As Exhibit A, I present the great
Esplanade flag controversy.
It started with an offer from a
group calling itself the “Chico City of Flags Committee.” Comprised of
representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Chamber of
Commerce, Lions clubs, Omega Nu Sorority, Soroptimists, Exchange clubs, the
Elks, and the Eagles, the proposal was simple: If the City of Chico would grant
permits and install the brackets, the Committee would raise funds to fly 86
American flags year-round along a stretch of The Esplanade. The estimated cost
to the city would be $625, while the Committee pledged to raise $20,000. The
city council approved on a 5-2 vote.
Judging by the calls and letters to the paper,
this is the hottest issue to hit town since the deer in the old Nature Center
pen got mange. The opinions printed have been overwhelmingly opposed; the
response reported by Council members has been about the same.
A number of reasons have been given. One
letter hit a frequent theme: “Love of one’s country and respect for its flag
are, or should be, as personal and as deeply held as one’s religious
convictions. Ostentatious display … is in poor taste at the very least.” The
comparison to religion is timely, as any who attended recent Easter services can
attest. As usual, the pews were crowded with once-a-year churchgoers who don’t
like to participate in all that showy weekly worship. Some folks don’t like
looking too thankful for anything, largely because they aren’t.
Also common is the notion that the flag is
“more special” when flown less frequently. Who would say the same of exercising
the freedom it represents? Knowing how big we are on our rights, real and
perceived, I suspect not many.
Several suggested the display would be “ugly.”
Considering the cost at which that flag came, this is unappreciative at best and
soulless at worst. In a word, ugly.
Of legitimate concern is proper treatment of the flag, which should
be taken down or lighted at night and removed in inclement weather. I rarely
saw this raised on its own, but rather as a sub-point to a whine about
ostentatious display or some such folderol. Given the groups behind Chico City
of Flags, I trust matters of respect would be addressed appropriately.
The common thread seems to be casual regard for the flag, that for
which it stands, and the price of both. I’m not suggesting that flying the flag
365 days a year is the best or only way to show patriotism, which is really
little more than heartfelt appreciation for what we have and how we got it. But
that so many would take the trouble to oppose this low-cost proposal is a
collective bite at the hands that have fed and protected us for over two
centuries.
The Chico City Council will reconsider the
365-day display at an upcoming meeting, citing the negative reaction and
relative silence from supporters. It appears certain they will overturn
themselves, and at best Old Glory will be dusted off for patriotic holidays.
I suppose it’s not a matter of life and death,
though I’m grateful we didn’t fold so easily at Lexington, Gettysburg, Normandy,
or Iwo Jima when it was. Our flag flies at the cost of a sea of blood, but
whether it’s worth the political capital in 2001 to display it is a matter I’ll
leave to the consciences of the Chico City Council. Most of their constituents
don’t seem to want it anyway, so what’s the point?
Besides, I’m not always so brave
myself. I’ll take a stand for the Esplanade flags, but even I won’t touch the
oleander issue.
© 1997- 2002 Brent Morrison
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