Instead of fooling around with basically meaningless symbols it might be more sensible to see to it that those injured in the latest bit of international foolishness received adequate medical care in the Veteran's Administration and the soldiers in the field has adequate armor and other necessary equipment instead of scrounging for armor plate to protect their vehicles. No need to further celebrate the current disaster.

Rather than throw up symbols to instill feelings in the thoughtless. Rather, educate the peoples of the United States as to how to understand and manipulate the theories of consequence; Ethical Reasoning.

I believe the flag as a whole, and the fact that it still flies, represents the sacrafice made. For all the right or wrong reasons, we are still here and the flag is there to prove that many passed to keep it waving.

So basically you're telling the world that sacrifice means nothing if you don't concur with the administration's policies. Does your attitude include firefighters and police as well?

An abstract symbol, like a new stripe on a flag, is a mighty poor substitute for actually helping the people who have sacrificed for our freedom. Besides, I think the red stripes on the flag already symbolize that.

most of the arguments against this are along the lines that doing something symbolic to honor someone is a waste of time. Uh, its not like if people actually went through with this idea, they'd be taking time off from making that big veterans relief bill. And it's not like making a minor gesture means we don't want troops to have armor, or vet's to get bonuses. It's not like anyone here takes weekends to go into Arlington National Cemetary and pee on the Unknown Soldiers grave.

We already honor our troops, although many would say not nearly enough. Frankly, as far as I am concerned, you can't honor that sort of sacrifice nearly enough. Altering our flag would be a terribly difficult challenge... it isn't as easily glossed over as adding another star. A black bar or corner would mean a major overhaul and redistribution of flags... but breaking a precident isn't that much of a big deal from a technical standpoint.

bkeene12 is the only seeming voice of reason here: changing the flag at all seems to mitigate the history the flag represents, and all the people who died for (to some degree or another) that flag. I think it's a bit overly melodramatic to elevate the flag to such a degree, but when we discuss symbolically honoring people, then such melodrama is appropriate. The flag is a powerful symbol, regardless of ones critique of nationalism. It's a lens that magnifies those feelings.

At the same time, a black corner really is offensive in that it is a new color and geometry. I'm sure nobody would object to a new star, kind of like adding a candle on your birthday for good luck... (disregarding the fact that the stars stand for states, of course.) And no, the red and white don't represent the sacrifices people have made. It represents nationalism in general and the heavens to some vauge degree, but lots of people think of them as sacrifice anyway.

All that proves is that people DO look toward the flag to honor those who have fallen and fought for our country. Either add a new mark, or have the government officially alter the symbolic meaning of those stars and stripes. Either one works for me, the latter is probably the most prudent. Let's stop working off of vauge symbolgy. I'm sure some politician would love to suggest this and score some brownie points at the next session of Congress.

To do this would take a lot of time and money. Focus groups, artist renderings, perhaps even a national vote. A national vote in itself would be extremely costly. We already have MIA & POW flags that are flow with Old Glory. No need to alter her.

Maybe flags are just a meaningless exercise after all. Those MIA/POW flags haven't done much to settle the fate of the 24,000 POWs our government has written off since WW2. Started with the Yalta Pact in 1944 and has continued with granting China Most-Favored-Nation status in 1992. A shameful disgrace.

How about a picture of JC instead of those stars ? He sacrificed himself for our sins. No, I guess that wouldn't count, because he was only dead for three days.

Yes, the new flag is ready for the permanent plunder war nation:

http://www.proudflag.com/yank/flag_jolly.jpg

Though well meaning, your comment shows an ignorance of the flag and the colors that exist. Please note the following:

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice"

I have (and those around me have always) considered the red in the flag, representing valour, as honoring those that have given their lives for our freedom.

Ignorant? Did I say the stripes were vertical? I didn't suggest changing the colors of the flag itself. I think my concept is too difficult for some people to comprehend. As for changing the flag itself, that wouldn't be a unique idea either, consider the Coast Guard flag.