Gulbis - Bad Flag Etiquette

[sonicblue]

Devil's in the details.... I understand her ass is on it, but she's not rubbing her naked, stained sphincter on it. One could interpret sitting on the flag as being supported by your country's symbol. As far as touching the ground, there's carelessly dragging it behind you, or letting it fall in the mud, but arranging it to be aesthetically pleasing while some of it just happens to touch the ground, seems entirely different.

Overall, I see the flag being an integral and obvious part of what is a very attractive picture, of an attractive woman, commemorating a big event in her career. I approve.

[dwsell]

This does not bother me at all. It is clear that it is not her intention to disrespect the flag. It was a mistake and I am sure she will not do anything like that again. It seems she was excited to have won her firtst event and I am sure flag etiquette was the last thing on her mind. I believe a simple statement from her on how she was unaware and appologizes for sitting on the flag should be more than enough to set things right.

[lamebums]

It should be a big deal, but what with the way American society and culture are degenerating, no one really cares. Or at least not enough of us to make a difference.

(If I had it my way... flag burners and anyone disrespecting it would spend some serious time in the brig. But that's why I don't talk politics.)

[iacas]

It

I agree, and I'm saddened by the "who cares?" attitude displayed by some here. It matters not if a flag "just happens" to touch the ground, and matters quite a bit more that it's touching it on purpose rather than by accident (like "oops, I fell and the flag fell in the mud").

I've never fought a war, but my grandfather got a purple heart for fighting in World War II and I believe the least we can do is show respect for our flag. In this case, we do so by following rules and guidelines regarding the treatment of the flag, how it's displayed, and so forth.

[Big Lex]

Yeah, it's very bad etiquette, obviously. I don't think she deserves to be fined or anything, but the issue has to be dealt with, if for no other reason than to educate others. The photo suggests that she is happy about winning, and I'm sure she intended it to reflect her pride in being an American, and she probably felt it was a patriotic gesture.

But the photo shows she is either ignorant of or simply disregarded the courtesy we extend to this very powerful symbol.

She could have done any number of other things, like wave a little flag, or drape one around her shoulders, and accomplished the same end (cute photo, plus patriotism).

I hope the LPGA says something about it.

[Everardo]

Wow. This is what we've come to. A great golfer wins a tournament, holds a trophy on a flag, and the thing thats noticed is flag etiquette? For crying out loud this country is a bunch of cry babies sometimes. UNLESS the person is making a point of destroying or doing something wrong with the flag, I dont think we even need to think about it. We got better things to worry about.

My comment to this statement is that a lot of people have and still do, die protecting our flag. It's not just a sentimental gesture and our flag is not just a scrap of cloth, it is a symbol of far greater importance.

This photo is in poor taste and there are more people to point fingers at then just Natalie for allowing the picture to take place.

[Scratch-Hopeful]

While I agree that it was disrespectful in many different ways, I'm not going to go calling for her to be punished. Like others have stated, most of the blame should go with the photographer as I don't think many athletes who have just won their first professional tournament are going to remember their flag etiquette because of how much is on their mind. It doesn't make what they are doing correct, it just makes it a little more understandable. I guess another thing that makes this a little less offensive to me is that the colors of the flag are off and maybe I'm way off in this but it doesn't make it a "true" USA flag to me. It's almost a decoration. (Don't overreact to this last statement)

[hoopshot]

I don't usually like to get involved in political discussions, but I think people are talking about two different points which are both somewhat correct. I think that it is understandable that she could have been in this picture without thinking about how others would see it. After winning her first major she was probably very overwhelmed, and if someone said, "Sit here and we'll take some pictures," she may not have given it any thought. I see no reason to take this as intentional disrespect of the flag.

However, the fact that it may have been innocent on her part doesn't prevent it from being offensive to a lot of Americans. I think an apology would make a lot of people feel better, and is the right thing to do. I think the LPGA shouldn't have let this happen, but the responsibility has to rest on Ms. Gulbis.

--Will

[Clubswinger21]

Id just chock it up to a blonde moment. Im not american but i've seen people drag Canadian flags, drop or step on flags, by accident back when we used to have battle of the bands and ceremonies in high school. Sometimes i think some people read in to patriotism a little too much. Next thing you know George W. will contact her and make her publically appologize.. then it turns in to her intentionally disrepspecting "the troops" and so on... Its getting blown out of proportion. Fact is.. she just won, she was happy, she's blonde, the last thing on her mind is flag etiquette.. and some a'hole with a camera said "hey Natalie lets do this" and she did it.

It was dumb, stop taking away from her 1st victory and let her have her moment. Its more sad that her 1st victory is being marred by this. In my oppinion.

[Spectrums]

I get your points about how it is a "who cares" moment, but no matter what, it's still our country's FLAG. Our NATIONAL SYMBOL! Would you do that to your country?

Whether or not it was intention, she should apologize.

[iacas]

After winning her first major she was probably very overwhelmed

It wasn't a major.

I get your points about how it is a "who cares" moment, but no matter what, it's still our country's FLAG. Our NATIONAL SYMBOL! Would you do that to your country?

I agree. I don't care what state of mind you're in - you don't do something like that. Just as "Sorry, I didn't know it was bad to kill people" or "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention when I ran over that child with my car - I just won a radio call-in contest!" aren't excuses, neither of them apply here.

I agree Natalie should apologize simply as a way of heading off any further potential discussion, particularly from those who take these kinds of things REALLY seriously. And again, this tournament was in France - many of the photographers likely don't know U.S. flag protocol.

[DDBowdoin]

first of all... who cares! there are so many issues within this country and throughout the world and people are arguing over a photograph. This is just an example of post 9-11 patriotism... "these colors don't run", "freedom isn't free".

It's just a piece of fabric. This debate has been going on for some time and I believe the supreme court deemed it unconstitutional to not be allowed to burn the American flag... so if she wants to sit on it, sit on it. I'm tird of this 'proud to be an American' agenda in our society today...

[Spectrums]

And again, this tournament was in France - many of the photographers likely don't know U.S. flag protocol.

Another excellent point. But what do they know? :P (j/k by the way)

[alf174]

first of all... who cares! there are so many issues within this country and throughout the world and people are arguing over a photograph. This is just an example of post 9-11 patriotism... "these colors don't run", "freedom isn't free".

I care. And I dare say any of the thousands (or millions) that have served this country and the families of those who have died for this country. Their loved one's coffins were draped with the American Flag and many of their treasured memories are bound to those flags. Respect for the country that you live in and that protects you has to begin somewhere.

[DDBowdoin]

here we go... I knew this was going to come right at me. Freedom isn't free. Instead of tackling issues such as a social inequality, income disparity, and a corrupt health care system we are worrying about the respect of the flag. I knew someone had to mention the military, because they "protect our freedoms" even though we have to worry about "leaders" in our country who threaten those very freedoms... never mind terrorists.

Stop wearing your patriotism on your sleeve... its the reason why the rest of the world cannot stand us.

[alf174]

here we go... I knew this was going to come right at me. Freedom isn't free. Instead of tackling issues such as a social inequality, income disparity, and a corrupt health care system we are worrying about the respect of the flag. I knew someone had to mention the military, because they "protect our freedoms" even though we have to worry about "leaders" in our country who threaten those very freedoms... never mind terrorists.

Someday your life will be greatly impacted by what you so casually dismiss. I'll attribute your disrespect for the people that have made your life so easy to your young age and immaturity.

[azgolfer]

My comment to this statement is that a lot of people have and still do, die protecting our flag. It's not just a sentimental gesture and our flag is not just a scrap of cloth, it is a symbol of far greater importance.

Well Edvardo, that sums it up for me. Well and truly said.

[DDBowdoin]

hmm a symbol of far greater importance... I don't understand how people make the correlation between our military history and "protecting our flag". How is that NOT a sentimental gesture? It's simply a romantification of the military to direct people away from the true issues. Will someone please explain how the soldiers who gave their life in Iraq are protecting American "values". Don't get me wrong, I respect what they do and value their lives but it makes me sick when people make that correlation. It's interesting how the military recruits its members... there have been several studies that show that recruiting is based on a principle of last resorts, ex. using the military and its benefits to pay for their education. Someone people haven't realized why those men are losing their lives, this isn't WWII... what ever happened to protecting the natural sources of the middle east region, KBR, Bechtel, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin? Any of those things ring a bell?

take a step back and stop watching Fox News and reading your NRA Members Journal