Seeing Different Messages in the Stars and Stripes

In response to “For Some, an Unflagging Discomfort About Flying the Stars and Stripes” (Sept. 18) about flying the flag, may I offer this to Roger Lowenstein, Ira Glass and anyone else who has to “think about” flying a flag: I am flying the flag in rage, that some 5,000 people were murdered (and their families’ lives ruined) for no better reason than they showed up for work on a Tuesday morning.

I am flying the flag in pride that some heroic passengers, who realized their method of transport had suddenly become a terrorist weapon, chose to go down fighting. I am flying the flag in worry, now that our country ... has been breached by madmen.

I fly the flag because I am a citizen of this country and enjoy the freedom to do so.

Mr. Lowenstein, Mr. Glass, if these events have not made you angry enough, proud enough, worried enough ... if you do not value your rights and freedom in this country enough to fly a flag, well, gee, what’s it going to take? Are New York and Washington “out of sight, out of mind” in your opinion? That, not flag-flying, defines arrogance.

I am a Democrat; I marched in the Vietnam peace marches too; I’m for gun control; I’d prefer this to be resolved without war. But the United States was forged in war, and America and war will never be far separated. I want nothing more than for President Bush and our government to back up their words and do whatever they must to achieve justice. The dead and the living both deserve no less.

MARY THOMSON

Glendale

*

I read the article with great interest and relief. Lately I’ve felt like the only citizen of Los Angeles without a flag on my car or person. I don’t disapprove of the American flag. It’s just that it doesn’t feel like it fits me. And, like those quoted in the article, I’m uncomfortable with being connected to some of the conservative political notions associated in recent years with flag-waving. On the other hand, I felt a strong yearning to make a visual demonstration of my disgust with the attacks and a public declaration of my unity with its victims.

I solved my flag problem. I made an I {heart} NYC bumper sticker sign and cried as I colored in the heart. I taped the sign in the back window of my car. My surprise, however, was the ongoing effect my sign has on me. Here in L.A. I spend hours every day gazing through my rearview mirror at the backward message. It’s my personal reminder of my love of and allegiance to my country and its people, and of the weird, backward, messed-up way love and loyalty to country can hurt and destroy.

AARIN ULRICH

Los Angeles

*

It would seem that the Vietnam War protesters are lost in a time warp. The United States is no longer in a war to stop the Communist oppressors of Southeast Asia. The war of today is against worldwide terrorists. It is not the Right Wing vs. the Left Wing of America. It is not the Religious Right vs. the Atheist Left. The fight is against those that would destroy the United States. I would hope that the peace advocates would join the battle with the same fervor that they fought for the anti-anti-Communists in the ‘60s.

JAMES S. HART

Redondo Beach

*

After reading the article about displaying the flag, I wonder which of the hyperardent flag wavers make the effort to register and vote regularly in our elections.

J.L. KAUFMAN

Los Angeles