Foreign Flags

Thought maybe some rules and examples for the uses of foreign flags in the USofA were in order.

St. Patrick’s Day has for the most part been adopted by the people outside of Irish heritage. Unlike Columbus Day it has never lost the cultural and ethnic significances. Although drinking lots of beer and wearing green is as Irish as most of us want to get.
The only day that compares would be Cinq de Mayo.

Some common examples

Irish flag at a St. Pats parade or Irish pub=Fun and pride
Irish Flag at an IRA Rally=provocation.
Mexican flag at a Cinq de Mayo parade or cantina also hubcaps and cars=Fun and pride
Mexican flag at a rally demanding equal rights by citizens of Mexico=provocation
Stars and Bars at a NASCAR event= fun, heritage and provocation*
Stars and Bars at a Klan rally=provocation

I would say supporting another country in a sporting match when the United States is playing is crossing the line into provocation. But anyone who does that is either a foreigner who has traveled here to see the match or is looking for a fight and will be happy enough to join in once one starts. These two categories are not mutually exclusive.

In general, using the flag of a foreign nation to demand change is a provocation. In more civilized times a large group of people with foreign flags was called an army. They used those flags to be recognized by their friends and intimidate their enemies. While armies rarely still go into battle with ensigns waving and drums thumping (they should, I hope the Humvees are blasting American music whenever they can) the message remains the same. We are marching together and we have power in our numbers.

*Everyone I have talked to who flies the Stars and Bars (Hard to find someone who displays the flag of the civilian CSA) gets some satisfaction from knowing it is going to piss someone off. Remove that incentive and they would probably be happier flying the Jolly Roger. Of course there is also the very human trait of lionizing a lost cause that can no longer do anyone any harm (No one has filed taxes with the CSA in over a hundred years) . This same principle is what makes some people better after they die.