Next time when you argue with a rightwinger on flag decorum, refer them to the original law. Great article today on Huffpost on how the flag is not supposed to be on merchandise, clothing, and such. Kneeling, on the other hand, isn’t specifically covered as a way of disrespecting the flag, except that it’s not a way of standing. (now, if you can stand while kneeling, like the starting position of a Bulgarian squat, you might be able to do both).
www.huffingtonpost.com/…
On June 14, 1923, or Flag Day, a federal code was put in place that would serve as a guideline for how to handle the American flag. There are several sections in the code about proper national anthem conduct, how to display the flag, and yes, even how to respect the flag.
The code does state that everyone should stand at attention facing the flag during the national anthem, but standing or kneeling isn’t actually covered in the respect portion of the code.
Some interesting tidbits on how to display:
www.usflag.org/…
§175. Position and manner of display
- (a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
- (b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- (k) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. [i.e. not on on the podium below the speaker]
And specifically about disrespect that is depicted in the pic:
§176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
- (a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. [see opening pic]
- (b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor,water, or merchandise.[see opening pic’s trousers]
- (c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. [see opening pic]
- (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of theplatform, and for decoration in general. [see opening pic]
- (e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way. [see opening pic]
- (f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
- (g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature. [see opening pic]
- (h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying,or delivering anything. [see opening pic]
- (i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like,printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. [see opening pic]
- (j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However,a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. [see opening pic x 2]
Now, unfortunately, there’s also this clause:
§178. Modification of rules and customs by President
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation.
So, were Donald Trump really serious, he could put a new rule forth as a proclamation stating that black NFL players have to stand while the flag is being flown before a game, and that Trump himself can scratch his balls while it’s being done, and he would be perfectly correct according to this clause. He’s far too lazy to do that though.