Source: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/04/01/BA81483.DTL

Boss orders cops to hide flag scarfs
Some officers wore bandannas under helmets at war protests

Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer Tuesday, April 1, 2003  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do these colors run?

If they are red, white and blue and worn openly by San Francisco police officers, they will have to go.

Acting police Chief Alex Fagan on Monday said it was inappropriate for officers to don American flag bandannas while policing war protests.

On Monday, Fagan saw photographs showing about five officers who had taken off their helmets during a protest, displaying the colors underneath.

He said the department had heard from anti-war protesters and those who support the war in Iraq that the bandanna-flags should not be displayed by officers.

"I think it's inappropriate," Fagan said. "Here we are at war -- I just don't like it. The point is, we have a uniform. Even more troubling to me was that it is the flag. It offended not only the protesters, it offended the pro- war group."

"We're not making a big issue of it," he said. "It's not going to happen again. If they are wearing those bandannas, they should keep their helmets on."

The department has a strict policy that dictates what's acceptable to wear, Fagan said. None of the officers who wore the bandannas during the protests will be subject to discipline, he said.

Bonnie Weinstein, co-founder of Bay Area United Against War, said flag- wearing cops "might seem like kind of a threat, like they're saying 'You know what side I'm on.' "

"It's inflammatory, and it's obviously meant to annoy people," she added. "But I also feel police should have the right to express their opinions, even on the job. It's a matter of free speech."

Chris Cunnie, president of the Police Officers Association, said officers wear bandannas -- red white and blue or otherwise -- under their helmets for one reason: comfort.

"If somebody is wearing a bandanna for comfort, I don't see the issue," he said.

Michele Grey, manager of Kaplan's Surplus, said her store had sold about 70 of the bandannas to police officers since the protests started.

''They came in a couple of times; they bought quite a few," she said, adding that the cost is a buck. ''They are all wearing them under their helmets."

"It was something they did -- they said it got a lot of attention," she said. ''They just said people were all shocked when they took off their helmets."

Grey was reluctant to wade into the debate about what police should or should not wear.

"I don't know, it's not really for me to say," she said. "If they have rules about their dress code, they have to follow them."

Chronicle staff writer Steve Rubenstein contributed to this report. / E-mail Jaxon Van Derbeken at [email protected].

San Fagsisco sucks, but wearing the flag as a piece of clothing is inappropriate, especially wearing it as a sweat rag.

Scott

Hmmm... dunno how I feel about this. I agree that using an image of the flag as a sweat rag is not the most respectful thing to do. But they are not actually using FLAGS themselves as a doo-rag. Just a bandana. And it's their way of expressing how they feel about the country and the war in an area that is anti-American enough to fit right in in Iraq, France, or China. Free speech is only a mantra in SF if it is the same socialistic, anti-America, anti-war speech as all the wingnuts there spew. I say, good for you cops down there. Evidentally Willy Brown hasn't replaced all the cops with pink-pantied whiners yet...

look, this is CA folks. CA=gangland. You wear red your on one side, blue on the other, green who knows. the old RWB stands for this country in general and unity amongst all cultures and backgrounds. So they are patriotic, so the fuck what? It's not like they had ripped a real flag and put it on their heads....people please, calm the fuck down.

I think it was a good way to stick it to the anti-war protesters and show some patriotism.

No arguement from me about the traitorous scumbags in the bay area. However, I think I recall that there were news stories after 9/11 about the SF area people showing their patriotic colors being chastised or something. Those in power down there are TOTAL commies thru and thru.

I agree with the using the flag as a sweat rag is disrespectful.  However, I think we should encourage the practice it if it inflames the Anti-American protestors.

I didn't read where the cops went to Flag Poles and took down the Flag to use as a sweat rag....
It's a bandana - Not a Flag.

Next thing you know, drinking out of a paper cup on the 4th of July that has a flag on it would be a crime.

Well gee...how big do the dimensions have to be before it counts as a flag....?

[rolleyes]
Scott

Were they flying them as flags and then putting them on their heads?

The same kind of extreme scrutiny could be used to vilify a number of things.

~s0ulzer0

A uniform is just that.

No embellishments are allowed (if you follow the letter of the law).

The bandanas are being shown as a tool to inflame the sentiments of the "protesters".

Not very professional.

Wear the uniform and do your job.

Let the protestors show themselves to be the assholes that they are without being provoked.

And Chief Fagan is no pussy.

And, yeah I wear a uniform.

And no flags (or any other unauthorized embellishments) are allowed.

It already is. 36 USC 10 (the Flag Code) defines "flag" thus:


What this means is that anything that represents the flag is a flag. The bandannas, while not conforming to the flag specification rigidly, do clearly represent the flag. Looking at another section of the Flag Code, we have this very clear statement:

So, those that wrap themselves in the flag are doing so in clear violation of the Flag Code.

Regarding your paper cup query, that too is specifically addressed in the Flag Code as well:


Clear as a bell.

If the cops want to wear bandannas under their riot gear, I say let 'em. But to wear what is clearly a representation of the American Flag is improper, inappropriate, and in clear violation of the Flag Code.

I fly my flag with pride, honor and respect. It sickens me sometimes to see the flag used in gaudy displays of fair-weather patriotism. If you mean to honor this great nation by flying our beautiful flag, please do so properly.

DzlBenz,
With what you stated, then wearing an American Flag patch would be "apparel", even on a uniform,
it's still apparel.

To call those who like to wear flag hats, bandannas, flag painted gas tanks on motorcycles, and the like to be
"fair weather" - I disagree.

Why dosen't the government pass a ban on making "representations" of the US Flag?

If it's not a flag, it is illegal to make. Those making or wearing said items subject to fine,
jail and/or loss of liberty & property.

Hell, while we're at it, lets start taking everything to the extreme, where does it end?

What about the US postage stamp??? It's a "representation" of the flag.

s0ulzer0:

There is a specific section of the Flag Code that addresses patches on uniforms:


A flag painted on the tank of a motorcycle is not at all the same as wearing a do-rag made to appear as if it were a flag. In the case of a flag affixed and displayed properly from a vehicle, the flag is shown fully, or represented to be flying as if on a staff. This would be a proper display of the flag. Wadded up on someone's head AND THEN COVERED UP WITH A RIOT HELMET is wholly inappropriate. The flag should not touch anything below it, and that includes a human head. If you are to accept a do-rag made of the flag, then you must be prepared to accept flag skivvies, too. And I pray that you are decent enough, and I'm sure you are, to find that prospect most objectionable.

There is no need to enact new legislation to further protect our flag. The Flag Code already exists and is quite comprehensive in its scope and depth. The problem is that most people are too damn stupid, self-involved or lazy to actually take 5 minutes, read through the thing and pay the flag the respect that it's due.

I have no problem with them burning American Flags. Oh... fLag
Sorry nevermind.

What you mean the protestors are offended by the flag??? I thought they said they love America and just don't want us to be in war hmmmmm interesting, so basically these protestors are against America hmmmm interesting




idiots should just go home and stop blocking the streets its not like the protests are actually going to end the war, remember Vietnam? Those protests did nothing but make people hate other people and have people get injured and killed oy when the liberals ever learn (probably never i dont think they can thats why there democrats)

Thanks for giving me an informative answer and, yes, I can see your view.

I would never wear flag underpants, no.
I wouldn't be offended by those that did either.

I - me personally - don't see it as a "flag".
It's underpants, or a bandanna, and such, not
meant to be an actual flag.
I do not see that as desecration.

But - take a real flag and burn it or further do desecrating acts to it, then that offends me.

~s0ulzer0

s0ulzer0:

I must admit that the concept of "representation[b]=[/b]flag" is rather abstract, and hard to aply in a black-and-white sense. Like many of the laws and regulations that we, a free people, live by, the Flag Code is not so strict as to dictate every specific action. It is open to interpretation, and until some particular section of the Code is challenged in a court of law, that section will remain somewhat vague.

With regard to underpants, I suppose the best thing is to not be too curious about the underpants of others. I think this is a good policy for life in general: "Don't ask others about their underpants." It never turns out well.

Cutting up an actual flag and wearing it as clothing would be inappropriate.  But a bandana, or bikini for that matter, that resemble the flag are not in appropriate.

[img]http://altura.speedera.net/ccimg.catalogcity.com/200000/203300/203395/products/3040068.jpg[/img]

[size=6]FLAG OF THE DAY!!!![/SIZE=6]

IBTL!

Good one, AR15fan!

So Uncle Sam, and Rocky are both crooks?

I worked in the city for 2.5 years and Im here to tell ya, that is one assbackwards place, the Librals have taken over and it is a cesspool as far as I can see.

If these scumbags are offended by the US flag then a big FU to them.

Those pathetic losers gonna protest this flag too?

Lifted from someone's site.
[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=9959[/img]

I think this guy wants a few choice words with those taxpayer money wasting pukes.  Wonder what those tubes are?  Is this the Jesse James anti-riot vehicle( protest buster ) we've been awaiting?  Soon to make it's debut....

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=9957[/img]

SFPD got it going on!

Bling!

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=9960[/img]

Chances are they won't be thinking about the US flag inside on of these:

[img]http://photos.ar15.com/ImageGallery/IG_LoadImage.asp?iImageUnq=9961[/img]

I have to say this is quite appropriate:

[img]http://www.allamericanbikini.com/shop/media/StarandStripesBikiniSwimFit.jpg[/img]

Love the Flag, Respect the Flag.  But don't get all freaky about it.

When we are finished in Iraq, can we PLEASE liberate Kalifornia from the wacked out, socialists hippies who are holding a entire US state hostage?

Gotta love this freedom of speach!

Yes, Yes, Please do!!!!!!!!!!!!1