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Post by iamkristinl16 on Sept 13, 2021 14:36:14 GMT
When you see a Thin Blue Line flag, sign, decal, whatever....what are your thoughts about that?
I will share more in the next post, so people can respond prior to getting that info if they want.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,922 
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Post by pinklady on Sept 13, 2021 14:42:46 GMT
I think it's a disgrace to alter the American flag. It is also against flag code to alter it. Most Americans don't follow proper flag flying rules which just shows their ignorance. But 'merica, right?
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Sept 13, 2021 14:45:28 GMT
The police cars in my community were repainted a few years ago, and they now have a fairly large thin blue line flag decal on them.
There has been one person who noticed them when she moved back to town and was very upset. She has been working to get them removed. I have seen her posts in a Facebook group for local progressives but it doesn't seem like she has many people joining in with her to work on getting them removed. However, the other day she posted that after the ACLU got involved, the department agreed to remove them. Now there are some men (who of course have a certain viewpoint based on their FB pages) who went around town putting blue tape on many light posts and are organizing to buy a ton of decals for people to put on their cars. One of the police officers has made a post that indicate she is happy about that, and the support of officers.
I will say that I understand that there are different viewpoints on what the saying/flag symbolizes. The other day a friend who has similar political thinking as I do asked why it was seen as racist, and even after explaining it, she doesn't see it that way. Usually when I see someone with a sign in their yard I roll my eyes but also think that if I knew them in person I would be a little leary about their values. I hope the police had good intentions when they decided to put the decals on the car, but the fact that at least one officer is posting that she supports people defacing public property in order to put up the tape, it makes me wonder if I was giving them too much benefit of the doubt.
I'm curious how others view the Thin Blue Line saying/items in general, as well as the police issue specifically.
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garcia5050
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,770
Location: So. Calif.
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Post by garcia5050 on Sept 13, 2021 14:57:33 GMT
I’m in a heavily blue area, so if I see a thin blue line flag in front of someone’s house, it means an officer lives there. And there’s a lot of crime in my area, so it might make someone a target. I think it’s foolish to hang that flag out front. I walk the dog all over my neighborhood, and I only see one of these on all my routes.
One could assume that it’s also very Trumpy to fly that flag.
DH has one of those flags, but he hangs it in the backyard, where it’s not visible to all, and he’s anti-Trump.
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Post by MorellisCupcake on Sept 13, 2021 14:58:56 GMT
My first thought when I see them.. I don't know if I'd go as far as racist, but it just strikes me as anti-BLM, and I can't agree with that. Also that whole protest about the left wanting to defund the police.. people jumped on the Blue Lives Matter bandwagon and didn't even try to learn what that meant.
I do support the police and think they have a hard, if not impossible, job a lot of the time.
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Post by ~summer~ on Sept 13, 2021 15:00:51 GMT
To me it means
- pro police (duh)
- pro trump
- anti BLM
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Sept 13, 2021 15:00:53 GMT
I wish everyone would keep theirs hands off the flag, literally. Do not deface the flag. When displayed, it should be displayed properly.
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scrappinspidey2
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,511
Location: In the Parlor with the Fly
Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
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Post by scrappinspidey2 on Sept 13, 2021 15:06:30 GMT
I have one on my car. It has been there befor the latest round of police hatred. It represents the loss of all the officers my husband served with. Men and women who were good cops. Not the ones you would see on the news today. They all died violent and horrible deaths at the hands of criminals. We lost a lot in his years of service. The thin blue line flag stood for the memory of lost officers. In my world it stills does. I’ve been called names now because of it and I’ve been threatened because of it. I still keep it there. I knew these officers too. I felt their losses hard as did the whole department. I don’t talk about it here anymore.
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Post by padresfan619 on Sept 13, 2021 15:09:59 GMT
It is supposed to mean support for the loss of an officer but it has been co-opted by the “all lives matter” and “blue lives matter” brigade so now when I see it I have a negative reaction.
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Post by Peace Sign on Sept 13, 2021 15:28:52 GMT
I see it and immediately jump to "anti-Black", "think Freddie Gray and George Floyd deserved to die" and "trump supporter".
Our department, Columbus, is being investigated by the Department of Justice because they've had so many killings and beatings of unarmed Black men in the past several years.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,790
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Sept 13, 2021 15:37:03 GMT
It is supposed to mean support for the loss of an officer but it has been co-opted by the “all lives matter” and “blue lives matter” brigade so now when I see it I have a negative reaction. I agree. I immediately think anti-black. It disgusts me to think police departments are using this symbol in any official capacity. |
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Sept 13, 2021 15:39:32 GMT
I think it's anti BLM.
But just as people can have any kind of flag they want - gay pride, trans pride etc.... if someone wants to advertise their views, it's okay with me. And I can form my opinion of them based on that.
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Post by busy on Sept 13, 2021 15:42:12 GMT
When I see it on individuals, I think they fall somewhere between ill informed and downright racist.
On police vehicles? That’s overtly hostile to the POC, particularly Black, members of the community the police should be serving.
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Post by kiera on Sept 13, 2021 15:48:02 GMT
I don't have any positive feelings towards it. The people around here who tote out the blue line are often Trumpers, racists, anti-BLM reactionaries (also racist), or all of the above. Many of them aren't even cops themselves. Way too many people love to hide behind that arbitrary line instead of addressing the injustice and atrocities that fill police departments across the country. There's little to no accountability - the cops who try do to speak up get fired or shunned. So no, I'm not a fan.
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Post by epeanymous on Sept 13, 2021 15:53:29 GMT
I remember the first time I saw it being really puzzled and googling it — I couldn’t figure out why there would be a black-and-white American flag. I know this was way before the protests last summer, because I saw it in a rural town in Maine during pre-pandemic travel.
I find it pretty gross and would avoid someone who I saw using the symbol.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,922
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Post by pinklady on Sept 13, 2021 15:53:51 GMT
But just as people can have any kind of flag they want - gay pride, trans pride etc.... if someone wants to advertise their views, it's okay with me. And I can form my opinion of them based on that. I agree people can have whatever kind of flag they want and I don't have any problem with that. However, to co-opt the American flag for their statement, just NO. Those are not remotely the same thing. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Sept 13, 2021 15:54:33 GMT
It represents the loss of all the officers my husband served with. Men and women who were good cops. Not the ones you would see on the news today. They all died violent and horrible deaths at the hands of criminals. We lost a lot in his years of service. The thin blue line flag stood for the memory of lost officers. In my world it stills does. I’ve been called names now because of it and I’ve been threatened because of it. I still keep it there. I knew these officers too. I felt their losses hard as did the whole department. I don’t talk about it here anymore. This almost.. I am under the umbrella of law enforcement. It represents loss of officers/correction officers/first responders. Sadly I feel like people see it as Pro-Trump, not caring about BLM or a disgrace to the American Flag. I have the image on my work tee shirt when I am doing training and such. I wear it on occasion outside work. I have only had one person mention it, when I first wore it and thanked me for my service. (I kind of thought it was weird.. but I didn't go into details on my job.. like I said I am under the umbrella and considered a first responder, but I don't feel I am) Just read the responses and now I am really sad as that isn't how I was thought I was representing the loss of officers. |
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Sept 13, 2021 15:59:28 GMT
How do you all feel when you see a thin red line flag? That is in support of Fire Fighters
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Sept 13, 2021 16:13:05 GMT
I do not have positive feelings about the blue line flag due to its more recent, more prevalent (or at least more vocal) use. The most complimentary thought I'd have if I saw one on a car would probably be that it's some kissass hoping not to get a ticket, similar to the "FOP supporter" stickers you used to see.
In our area, police and fire vehicles tend to display awareness ribbon-type stickers w/ the badge/service # of LOD deaths. IMHO, that's a more effective way to memorialize individuals who have passed with the added benefit of not sending a confusing or concerning message to the public. It says "we respect and remember the sacrifice of these specific individuals" rather than "we've already chosen our side."
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Post by Peace Sign on Sept 13, 2021 16:21:30 GMT
How do you all feel when you see a thin red line flag? That is in support of Fire Fighters i've never seen one of these. but i don't lump firefighters in with police officers, as far as police brutality goes. |
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Post by kiera on Sept 13, 2021 16:22:14 GMT
I honestly didn't even know the blue line was supposed to represent officers who died until I read this thread, I've only seen the ribbon stickers for that
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Post by monklady123 on Sept 13, 2021 16:31:12 GMT
I've only seen the blue line on a US flag....are there other ways to use it? Coincidentally I just saw one yesterday, flying from the back of a jeep that passed me on the road. My first thought was to wonder if it's against the law to change a flag like that? It appears that it is.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 11:17:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2021 16:34:40 GMT
Like most things right-wing, they're very hypocritical. They brought TBL flags to the capitol yet beat up capitol police in their attempt to overthrow an election by force.   |
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Sept 13, 2021 16:36:15 GMT
It's meaning or how it has used has transitioned over the years. It's initial meaning refered to the concept of the police as the line which keeps society from descending into violent chaos. The blue in "thin blue line" refers to the blue color of the uniforms of many police departments. Then it was morphed into representing a police officer killed on duty. But in reality when that happens the officers wear a black band over their shield, not blue. And now in the last few years its become the far rights tool for hate and anti-blm. Interesting article about a Police Chief banning the thin blue line imagery from his department. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/police-chief-bans-thin-blue-line-imagery-says-it-s-n1256217 |
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Post by huskermom98 on Sept 13, 2021 16:43:32 GMT
I think about support for police because of officers lost in the line of duty, not because of anti-BLM. However, that's mostly because 5 or so years ago there were two cops killed early one morning--a mentally ill guy found a parked cop car and shot the officer sitting in his car, left the scene and found another cop car in a suburb & shot that cop sitting in his car.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,087
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Sept 13, 2021 16:47:05 GMT
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 13, 2021 16:47:05 GMT
I think it's a disgrace to alter the American flag. It is also against flag code to alter it. Most Americans don't follow proper flag flying rules which just shows their ignorance. But 'merica, right? I agree with this. Strong words but that's how I feel. My child asked me once why we don't fly a flag. And I explained that I don't fly a flag because I'm not responsible enough to bring it in every time it rains and have it lit up at night. And to do otherwise is to disrespect the flag. I feel very strongly about that. |
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Post by christine58 on Sept 13, 2021 16:47:10 GMT
I think about support for police because of officers lost in the line of duty Me too...My nephew lost a great friend NYS trooper Nicholas Clark who was killed in an ambush/domestic violence incident. I have a Tshirt with this flag and his name on it. |
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Sept 13, 2021 16:57:55 GMT
I dislike any flag decals, decorations, etc. Especially those that are altered from the original. The ones shaped like "The Punisher" icon are particularly revolting to me (not to mention ironic given that the character points up the failures of law enforcement).
I'm of the opinion that the American flag should be treated with reverence and in adherence to the us flag code.
It does make me sad that a symbol originally intended to pay respect to fallen officers has been co-opted for hate. Mostly when I see the thin blue line flags, I think it's either someone who works in law enforcement or someone who's trying to ingratiate themselves to the cops (like folks who donate to the sheriff's dept. so they can put a sticker on their car in the hopes of getting out of a ticket).
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Post by oliquig on Sept 13, 2021 16:58:13 GMT
I think it's a disgrace to alter the American flag. It is also against flag code to alter it. Most Americans don't follow proper flag flying rules which just shows their ignorance. But 'merica, right? I agree with this. Strong words but that's how I feel. My child asked me once why we don't fly a flag. And I explained that I don't fly a flag because I'm not responsible enough to bring it in every time it rains and have it lit up at night. And to do otherwise is to disrespect the flag. I feel very strongly about that. This is exactly why I don’t fly a flag either. If I’m too lazy to do it properly, I’m not going to do it at all. |
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