I saw a flag similar to this on Saturday. It was blue and white, no black, but still the same idea. I didn't know what it meant, so off to Google I went.
Has anyone else seen this flag? What is your impression?
Meaning of the Thin Blue Line Flag: The Blue represents the officer and the courage they find deep inside when faced with insurmountable odds. The Black background was designed as a constant reminder of our fallen brother and sister officers.
Another take:
Disfigurement of our flag by “Blue Lives Matter” directly violates the United States Flag Code [en.wikipedia.org]. And guess what? Respectfully kneeling (football players) before the flag during the national anthem does not!
In the end, the same people who object to the kneel as being an act of desecration, wield these contorted flags with the blue stripe - that is desecration. That is dishonoring our national symbol - not the kneel!
Ah, what we have here is "do as I say, not as I do".
It still has a militant feel to it for me. So, maybe the flag shows their true intentions?
@AstralSmoke we certainly are a country that is all slackjawed about symbols. From the flag to statues
@Maggiemay You got that right. Wonder why that is?
Meaning of the Thin Blue Line Flag: The Blue represents the officer and the courage they find deep inside when faced with insurmountable odds. The Black background was designed as a constant reminder of our fallen brother and sister officers. The Line is what police officers protect, the barrier between anarchy and a civilized society, between order and chaos, between respect for decency and lawlessness. Together they symbolize the camaraderie law enforcement officers all share, a brotherhood like none other.
Every civil service has their own variant. Fire department is red, EMS is white, disptachers yellow, corrections orange, and others.
Didn't know each group had their own variant. I haven't seen any of them Except, now the blue (it was blue with no black) flapping on the back of an out-of-state Jeep.
I believe Blue Lives Matter is completely political in an answer to Black Lives Matter. I also don't believe politics has a place in law enforcement or education, but I also wasn't born yesterday
@AstralSmoke that flag is not a "blue lives matter" banner. it's a "thin blue line" that police use to show pride. same as almost all other civil service professions. it has nothing to do with politics. it is about family, service, pride and dedication to serving the greater good and other people.
@JonSevastra Yes, I agree with you as far as initial use. Unfortunately, it is being misused sometimes.
@AstralSmoke Very true. ANYTHING can be misused and misrepresented for ulterior motives. The swastika was a neolithic era symbol wishing good fortune and well being upon others and used by countless societies over millennia for good purposes. Then one jackass absconded with it in the 30's and the world forgot the rest of history. That doesn't relieve people of the responsibility to understand the true and intended nature. One bad apple misrepresenting the intentions of the flag warrants scoffing at them, not the symbol.
@JonSevastra Part of my reaction to this is because I've only seen it once and in a rebellious manner. Once I got home, I learned what it was originally meant to represent. Why doesn't this fraternity condemn its use in misguided directions? Loudly.
@AstralSmoke I would venture to guess that in any deep seeded brotherhood (e.g. FD, PD, Military, etc) it's not always easy to stand up in opposition to "your own". Not a justification, just an observation.
@JonSevastra Again, I will point to the flag that I saw. It did not have any black on it. It did have the blue band in the middle. The entire flag was blue and white. After posting this and talking with you guys, I now believe it must be a group (or individual) who has taken the flag and changed it just enough. I wish I could have taken a photo of it, but unfortunately, I was driving.
The reason it appears militant to me: High schools in this area and where I'm originally from had flags prominently displayed on pickups and at football games. A war cry of sorts.
I see tattered American flags flown all the time - disrespect
American flags as spare tire covers - same as using it as drapes - disrespect
American flags held horizontally at sporting events - should only be displayed vertically - disrespect
American flags on clothing - never supposed to be done
The people that do these things seriously need to take a look at how to honor the flag before they run their mouths about disrespect.
Thanks for the better reference.
A certain irony, to be sure!
Have you seen a flag like this before? I never had. I initially thought it was a militant flag or something similar.
@AstralSmoke Yes. I've seen trucks driving around with them.
Thanks for the reference. I guess I've been living under a rock. I never saw one before this past weekend.
People can always misuse things and I'm sure there are some law enforcement officers who are members of the KKK and Neo-Nazis. It does give a wrong impression to us less educated.