Earlier this week Guardian journalist Ed Pilkington caught a cavalier Sarah Palin affixing her signature to Old Glory and an Ayn Rand book within a few short moments (1:33 in the video embedded below). Apparently thats not so Kosher. Salon blogger Emma Mustich points out that signing the flag is a clear and direct violation of flag code, although its likely to be protected by a slew of free speech rulings (that Palin likely opposes) which have deemed flag-burning protected by the first amendment.
While Palins act of desecration in and of itself will not stir up liberal outrage, the hypocrisy here is staggering. How would Sarah Palin and her ilk react if it were Barack Obama casually affixing his own John Hancock on the stars and stripes? Surely the outrage and cries of traitor would have reached fever pitch by now.
Palins treatment of the flag with the same scrawl on it attitude that a rockstar has towards a concert program perfectly sums up her credo of wrapping herself in Betsy Ross handiwork she uses symbolic, shallow patriotism to shield herself and attack opponents.
Seems a few Democratic Presidents didn't have any problem either... http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/presidents-flag-signed-by-nine-presidents-john-f (Presidents) Flag Signed by Nine Presidents -- John F. Kennedy Through George W. Bush. An American flag signed by every President from John F. Kennedy in 1963 to George W. Bush in 2002. Each man was President when he signed the flag, which measures 3 feet 7 inches by 5 feet 9 inches. The signatures are on the two white stripes beneath the field of stars. On the first white stripe, from left to right: (1) Gerald R. Ford signed and dated in black ball point pen, as President: `Gerald R. Ford 11/8/74 President USA.` (2) Richard Nixon signed and dated in blue ball point pen, as President: `Richard Nixon President February 17th, 1972.` (3) John F. Kennedy signed and dated in black ball point pen, as President: `For Dr. Bert Arthur with thanks and best wishes John Kennedy 1963.` (4) Lyndon B. Johnson signed and dated in black ball point pen, as President: `With best wishes Lyndon B. Johnson July 10th 1965.` (5) Jimmy Carter signed and dated in blue felt pen, as President: `Jimmy Carter 3/13/79.` On the second stripe, from left to right: (6) George H.W. Bush signed and dated in black felt pen, as President: `George Bush 7/12/91.` (7) Ronald Reagan, signed and dated in blue felt pen, as President: `With Best wishes Ronald Reagan the White House March 8, 1982.` (8) Bill Clinton signed and dated in black felt pen, as President: `Best wishes Bill Clinton 11/3/96.` (9) George W. Bush signed and dated in blue felt pen, as President: `Best wishes George W. Bush 2002.` The flag was originally signed by President John F. Kennedy for Dr. Bert Arthur, a physician and friend of JFK`s. Dr. Arthur presented the flag to a prominent Dallas, Texas family whose political connections gave them access to every President from Lyndon B. Johnson through Bill Clinton; the flag was signed and dated by each President in a family member`s presence. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/presidents-flag-signed-by-nine-presidents-john-f http://www.ioffer.com/i/jimmy-carter-signed-autographed-united-states-flag-162369261 http://www.tomfolio.com/bookdetailsgg.asp?b=178BC&m=1376