On another message board I posted a picture of a chair that I painted with the American flag on it.
I thought I was being patrotic. But one poster was offended and stated that it was improper to use the flag in this way.
I only want to use it as a decoration not for a chair for people to sit on.
I guess I can see her point, but is it really that offensive?
No it is not offensive, at least you're thinking about your country. Now if you put a foreign car emblem on it I would be offended lol but hey thats just me:)
I spent two years in Vietnam. I am sure that myself along with anybody who has or now serves in Iraq would be proud to own this chair. Unpatrotic is when you come back from Vietnam and get spit on and called a "baby killer."
Dogwalker, SO TRUE!!!!!!
If it's for decorative purposes, and there's no danger of anyone sitting on it, I think it's just fine. It is a lovely piece too, by the way! You did a very nice job on it.
Sometimes I think we aren't careful enough of our nation's flag. I wouldn't, for example, put an American flag patch on the back pocket of a pair of jeans. But displays such as a piece of art like yours are perfectly okay in my book.
I'm totally OK with it, as long as it isn't used to actually sit on, stand on, etc.
Nice job !
Thank you so much for your opinions.
Dogwalker - thank you for your service. I'm sorry you went through that when you returned home, disgusting. My brother is a Vietnam Vet, and I surely would not want to offend any veteran. I truly value your opinion, thank you.
McGlory it is just for decorative purpose. Nobody is ever going to sit in it, and certainally not stand on it! (it's not even done yet, have to antique and seal it).
I am not even going to put a plant on it, I will put a pot of Geranium's beside it.
I would never want to offend anyone intentionally, so I was a little taken back by her comments.
I think we must first see the difference between the actual flag and things with a design to look like a flag.
Hellford, am Canadian and am overwhelmed how the majority are so 'patriotic'..joined a 'swap' for the Red/White and Blue now I'm wondering if what I thought would be accepted in the fashion that it was made and sent if it will be seen as offensive...
Shucks now I'm in a quandry..
Personally I found it in good taste and well done!
I see that some person may see it as YOUR SITTING OR STEPPING ON THE FLAG, but for crying out loud, That is not the intention and anyone here should know that. Art is art. I love it and would happily and patriotically sit on the chair, without an ounce of guilt or shame.
hellnzn I agree with you.
Betty don't worry about the swap item. You bought or made it with the best of intentions.
Thanks for the support.
Betty you floormat is beautiful. They should not be in a red/white/blue swap if they would find that offensive.
I know they are going to love it!
Now if I took a flag and glued or tacked it to a chair, YEAH that would be offensive and really disrespectful.
This message was edited Jun 5, 2008 6:47 PM
it is not a flag--it is somewhat like our flag but it is not the same
That would seem odd to me if we really sat on a real flag. I think a real flag pillow case would be cute though, right or wrong? I don't think a painted flag is bad at all.
hellford, dont worry at all, its a wonderful peice of art!!
i find nothing offensive in it at all.
I'm not offended, I think it's nice, especially with the July 4th coming up.
I hope the spitting and "baby kiiller" talk doesn't happen to our current returning veterans. When my DH returned from Viet Nam, the first thing he did at O'Hare airport was find the closest men's room and changed his clothes. He gave the shoe shine man his new boots. He knew he'd be called names, or worse, if he walked around with his uniform on. That's pretty sad. It's kind of ironic too. Some of the name callers and spitters now have grown children and grandchildren going to Iraq. I hope they're ashamed of their past actions.
i still can't believe we (as a nation) were so mean to returning vets---if the war was right or wrong they were not the ones making the decisions and it was a draft at the time--young boys doing what they are called to do and risking their lives while those who had the comforts of home had the nerve to abuse them--
as for current vets--i was at the air port and the vets were greeted and as they marched by some (not enough) applauded them--
i get emotional every time i see the young boys (who really are just boys sometimes) in uniform--i think of how scared they must be and their families too-
Guys we just need to be mindful of the no Politics policy at dh, many people have been kicked off of Daves this year for such things that we dangerously tread into. I am not blameless either, but I realize we are getting into some sticky waters for this site.
oh--i guess none of this would fall into that catagory to me but maybe it does to others--sorry if i said too much
I don't think so either but I have seen others warned for lesser offenses and once you get going on these subjects, some newbies may chime in some really controversial responses that could get us shut down. Don't you think so? I have seen it, then the newbie feels bad and the person who started the thread usually does too.
I don't care but I thought I would say that so in case someone was inclined to go far with the conversation about Vets and the War, it may get sticky here.
Virginian has a lot of similar discussions on a dg originated group that talks about this stuff on a Yahoo chat, if someone wants a lot of discussion about this stuff, contact him here to get the link.
No Worries!
This message was edited Jun 6, 2008 10:14 AM
no-i understand--i really do--and what you said makes a lot of sense--thanks
I am glad. Some people have warned us about these conversations in a rude manner and I don't want to sound rude or prickly either.
no -not at all--i know sometimes it is so hard to know how you "sound" on line! just to let you know-you sound very nice and helpful!!
oh good, that is the spirit it was meant.
I'm going to chime and give my first reaction to the cahir...
"Oh, wow! That's cool!" Honest, my very first thought. I like the piece and would not object to it in my house. Good job.
True, lets keep it light. The past is the past.
i drove past a bench with a flag pattern a lot like the one you did--they have some flowers sitting on the bench--it looks very pretty
Years ago in a decorating class I was told that furniture and floor paintings in "Americana" style are ok so long as they give the impression of the national flag without being made to be actual representations. Your chair has too few stars and stripes to be a true flag and should be viewed as "Americana" art whether it is used decoratively or utilitarily. And as such should not be viewed as insulting to anyone since it would not be viewed as actually being a flag.
Enjoy your chair in the spirit in which you created it. It is lovely.
Hi,
I am a collector, sort to say of American Flags. I would be honored to have a piece as your chair. LOL, I display them indoors and out!
What better way to display your heritage.
...Geesh! I don't hear anyone complainig about blankets being adorned with with our flag.
And!! I have seen canvas folding chairs and tables, which i also own and proudly sit upon.
BE proud of your art of the flag weather it's on a chair or even a shoe.
The important thing is you made with the love in your heart, for your Country.
Not to mention it's not like you decorated the chair with an actual flag.
Will be quiet before I get yelled at by anyone.
Stand or sit and be proud.
Judy
remember how proud we all were to fly our flags after 9/11? i know-don't go there and get political--but just a comment
The American flag, stars and stripes, has been used as a design inspiration in folk art since the flag first came out! An art work using those elements is not the same as the flag. It is a different thing. I don't think anyone would put that chair on a pole and salute it! You see flag motifs on all manner of things. My opinion is that some people enjoy being offended.
If they were offended that you might sit on your chair I guess this picture might drive them over the edge completely! But the dog is not lying on a flag. she is on a striped bedspread with stars on the shams. Even the little needlepoint "flag" pillow is not a true flag and there is no need to treat it as one.
edited to add: I would love to have your chair in this room!
This message was edited Jun 8, 2008 5:12 PM
i think the chair looks great. how many times on the 4th of july did we all eat the cake that had the look and color of the flag.
Or napkins and paper plates!
I once worked at a place where they had taken a flag and pinned it to a bulletin board then pinned their summer swimwear collection over the flag. The manager was notified and it was immediately removed.
I don't know what the particulars are regarding representations of the flag, but here is a link to a flag etiquette site: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
Oh gosh, I'm sorry! I had a computer glitch! I hate it when that happens.
roybird, I fixed your stutter-step ;o)
And yes, please - let's steer clear of the politics. Dave's Garden is a refuge and respite, where gardeners can have friendly chats about a lot of things with others who - if the truth were told - have very different voting habits and perspectives. We might not get along so well if we had to wear our voting cards or political leanings on our sleeves for all to see ;o)
But I do want to reassure those readng this post that we do not suddenly or ruthlessly remove members for an innocent blunder.
I wish we never had to show anyone to the door, but occasionally it does happen. It is the last resort, after our attempts to discreetly and respectfully reason with a member have failed, and they choose to get belligerent, hostile, and/or abusive with us or other members in the forums :-(
BTW, to answer the original question, I think the chair looks great ;o)
Thanks, Terry!
did i miss something? someone got asked to leave because of this forum?
planolinda, I believe Terry was simply reinforcing the no politics rules mentioned above. The question here represents one of ettiquet not politics. So long as we stick to that we are all well within bounds. And it is an interesting question that applies not only to the treatment of the U.S.A. flag but to any nations flag and the expectations that it be treated respectfully.
right!
