Twelve thousand American flags stuffed into garbage bags is an alarming, disturbing sight. This was the alleged scene outside of Invesco Field in Colorado after the Democratic National Convention. The Denver Post reported a vendor who worked the event discovered these miniature flags and turned the flags over to Sen. John McCain’s campaign. Having rescued the twelve thousand mini flags from the trash, the campaign redistributed them to audience members at a McCain rally later in the day.

Officials from the DNC called the story false, saying that the plan all along was to reuse or donate the flags. However, packing up the flags in garbage bags and placing them next to trashcans seems rather suspicious. It is important to note that even if the DNC did plan to throw out the flags, which has been debated, this was most likely not an executive decision by the Democratic Party.

But the issue at hand is not a fight between political parties. The true issue concerns the symbolism of the flag and the important meaning behind its stars and stripes.

Considering America is currently engaged in a war and a mere seven years have passed since the World Trade Centers towers fell, perhaps this is not the best time to be packing thousands of flags into garbage bags and placing them anywhere near things Americans consider waste.

‘We aren’t perfect, but we are the greatest country in the world in terms of freedom and living your life the way you want to live it,’ said Republican congressional seat candidate Dale Sweetland on Wednesday at a speech with SU College Republicans. ‘September 11th was the first time Americans felt the devastation of what it was like to be struck at home.’

The flag is, yes, an inanimate object without feelings. The ‘rescued flags’ were almost certainly cheaply mass-produced in another country, but that does not lessen their symbolic value.

In an election season where voters are being bombarded with the theme of hope, it is important to remember that there is no greater symbol of hope than the red, white and blue proudly waving in the sky. The American flag stands for the incredible opportunities presented to all people within this country.

‘I know people who have served in Iraq, and the flag now has a much more personal significance,’ said Alex Barham, a junior conservation biology major at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

The flag honors those brave men and women who have devoted their lives to serving in the military. These are the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, a sacrifice that most other Americans could not even begin to comprehend.

On campus, the flag does not always evoke the positive message of patriotic freedom and opportunity that this country is supposed to stand for.

‘Unfortunately, the flag makes me think of the war in Iraq and how George Bush has divided this country,’ said Liz Weil, a junior industrial design major. It is disheartening that Weil and other students are reminded of the past eight years under President Bush instead of the proud history of the United States.

The heat of the 2008 election has caused Americans to polarize politically. The flag should be a uniting symbol that transcends politics and represents Americans’ true love for their country.

Jimmy Paul is a sophomore political science major. His columns appear every other Monday. He can be reached at jdpaul01@syr.edu.

Published on September 14, 2008 at 12:00 pm