Jul 27, 2012
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A controversy is brewing over whether the United States might break tradition and dip the American flag at the opening ceremony for the London Olympics. However, the American Legion said to do so would not only violate the U.S. Flag Code, but would also be un-American.
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Scott Blackmun, the CEO of the United States Olympic Committee, told Reuters they were discussing the matter internally.
“We’ve talked about that a little bit and you never know what is going to happen,” Blackmun told the news agency.
But later a spokesman for the USOC sent Fox News a statement Blackmun’s comments and calling the Reuter’s report “not accurate.”
“We have made an official recommendation to the athlete, not to dip the flag,” the spokesperson told Fox News. “We have also spoken to the athlete advisory committee and they are in agreement. Furthermore, she has accepted the recommendation and does not plan to dip the flag.”
“End of story,” the spokesman wrote. “Period.”
“We have traditions, Britain has traditions, everybody has traditions,” Blackmun said in remarks covered by Reuters. “It is not an issue that we see as a big issue.”
But Mike Buss, deputy director of the American Legion, said it is a very big issue.
“No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States,” he said reading from the U.S. Flag Code. “The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.”
He said he believes dipping the American flag at tonight’s ceremony would be un-American.
“There are many patriotic Americans who would say it is a big deal,” Buss told Fox News. “You don’t dip the United States flag to honor other countries.”
There is no policy that obligates the flag bearer to dip or not dip the flag, a USOC spokesman told the New York Times at a London press conference.
Buss said it’s the law – federal law – although there are no civil penalties for breaching flag etiquette.
“The bigger issue is people don’t understand there are rules and regulations for proper display of the flag,” he said. “Maybe the USOC didn’t realize this is an issue.”
It’s not the first time the USOC has courted controversy over American patriotism.
The revelation that the USA’s Olympic uniforms were made in China led to widespread and bipartisan outrage.
“The U.S. Olympic Committee was 100 percent wrong to outsource the manufacturing of U.S. uniforms for the opening ceremony to China,” Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) told the LA Times.
Fencer Mariel Zagunis was selected to lead the 529-member U.S. team into Olympic Stadium. She told Reuters that she was aware of the tradition of not dipping the American flag.
The New York Times reported that she appeared “flummoxed” when asked at a press conference about her intentions.
The tradition of not dipping the flag can be traced back to shotputter Ralph Rose. Historians said he refused to dip Old Glory during the 1908 Summer Games in London.
“This flag dips for no earthly king,” he reportedly said.
The United States stopped dipping the flag at the opening ceremony in Berlin in 1936.
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Wow I think I can say one we don't really overly care here in the UK. But we prefer countries to not disrespect our customs. But the fact that your country is so insecure that dipping a flag is controversial even in another country where it is a sign of respect, during one of the biggest events in the world that is meant to promote peace and understanding. Its like going into a house and not saying thank-you for anything, or not shaking their hand for hosting because your great great grandfather didn't like their great great grandfather. Also this we fought tooth and nail, no you didn't. Maybe an ancestor did if you can trace your family line back to then. What I'm trying to get at is, grow up.
Can you please translate that to German for me? Oh that's right… we put that whole thing to rest in 1945. You're welcome.
By the way, I met Prince Charles and former President George H.W. Bush at the Official Rededication of the American Air Museum in Britain about ten years ago.
While the President was sure to shake the hands of every patron of the museum, HRH Chuckie stood five paces from "the riff-raff" with one hand behind his back and the other in the change pocket of his suit jacket. So, what you're saying is his "not shaking [our[ hand for hosting" is rude, right? Got it. You're a rude people. That's your custom. Ours happens to be a little well-deserved arrogance for saving the world.
The US cannot be credited for saving the WORLD, Ray, and as a matter of fact the US has set out on its own selfish mission to contribute to the destruction of the world by only doing what's necessary to protect itself, as goes its history.
I read the article. Now, would someone please tell me what "dipping" means?
The flag bearer lowers the flag to salute. Flag dipping was an issue before the 1936 Games and much of it is linked to the 1908 Olympic Games also held here. Olympic Committee protocols published in British newspapers at the time stated that all flags should be “lowered to the salute and three cheers will be called from the whole of the teams for His Majesty,” according to an article in the Journal of Olympic History. The protocols also said that when exiting the stadium, “each column on passing the Royal Party will salute.”
Leslie! Thank you so much. That's an excellent description.
So, now….did she or didn't she dip?
I am British… I get your American zeal I really do. What I am offended by is the "if other wasn't for America they would be speaking German now" This nation stood alone for two years against facism… if the US had of taken action earlier in that WORLD war millions of lives would have been saved. Going the right thing is not
There's no controversy. Fox took ONE source on the committee saying "We MIGHT lower the flag" and made it into a story. There was no story. They didn't dip the flag – I don't know why there are so many comments. Freakin Fox News and Todd Starnes…do your damn jobs. The – US – Flag – Was – Not – Lowered. If it ever was, that would be the biggest mistake anyone could do.
Here's the reason we didn't tip our flag to Britain:
1.)All flag bearers and athletes had to wait three straight hours of bragging about through synchronized light shows depicting: stones and popular rock bands being theirs, history- the start of industrial revolution being theirs(without mention of enslaving most of their people and this starting slave labor in Britain that continued to America) , actors and actresses as British- Mary Poppins and Jk Rowling and all we all love as being British(putting on a demonic bedtime show). Rubbing all this in our shocked faces and other countries for three long hours(no wonder Romney said their olympic opening practice was "disconcerting". He was probably feeling weirded out by their whole practiced routine. So jealous Britain once again trying to show how much better it is then America to the world. It's like watching a long play with weird and rediculous characters.
2.) Our flag policy says that "we bow to no one". This is especially concerned with a country that was trying to control every single thing America did. Those nasty bigots. And today they are still trying to control the other countries that had to have that sick British symbol plastered unto their countries flag. We had tensions with the civil war and I still see their snobby and selfish "we're better then anyone else" today. It makes me glad that we have our independence and freedom from that country. I am glad that I am a Christian and don't have to bow down to the Roman Catholic church. Our religion was one of the main reasons we broke away from Europe. They were trying to control EVERYTHING. If we were controlled by the British we would be one boring nation and the whole world would be bored.
3.) Personally our American pride has alot of do with it AND our love for our country. We are proud we are free and we'll always be. For us to bow down would be like us saying "even though we fought so hard who cares? You can trample us just this once for the games. Nope. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Here's the reason we didn't tip our flag to Britain:
1.)All flag bearers and athletes had to wait three straight hours of bragging about through synchronized light shows depicting: stones and popular rock bands being theirs, history- the start of industrial revolution being theirs(without mention of enslaving most of their people and this starting slave labor in Britain that continued to America) , actors and actresses as British- Mary Poppins and Jk Rowling and all we all love as being British(putting on a demonic bedtime show). Rubbing all this in our shocked faces and other countries for three long hours(no wonder Romney said their olympic opening practice was "disconcerting". He was probably feeling weirded out by their whole practiced routine. So jealous Britain once again trying to show how much better it is then America to the world. It's like watching a long play with weird and rediculous characters.
2.) Our flag policy says that "we bow to no one". This is especially concerned with a country that was trying to control every single thing America did. Those nasty bigots. And today they are still trying to control the other countries that had to have that sick British symbol plastered unto their countries flag. We had tensions with the civil war and I still see their snobby and selfish "we're better then anyone else" today. It makes me glad that we have our independence and freedom from that country. I am glad that I am a Christian and don't have to bow down to the Roman Catholic church. Our religion was one of the main reasons we broke away from Europe. They were trying to control EVERYTHING. If we were controlled by the British we would be one boring nation and the whole world would be bored.
3.) Personally our American pride has alot of do with it AND our love for our country. We are proud we are free and we'll always be. For us to bow down would be like us saying "even though we fought so hard who cares? You can trample us just this once for the games. Nope. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
They say the started industrial revolution and technology. America perfected it. America created: the light bulb so that the British don't have to hide from invading mice, the car- so that their queen can have a not so sticky ride, the television- so everyone can watch the stupid olympics, and etc. So I'd say we have the upper hand in business and industry.
All I have to say is did any country not tip their flag when we hosted the Olympics? I doubt it will occur the US is known for it's arrogance. I don't see the problem with showing humility and respect to your friend that is hosting, it's just courteous. I don't see the problem with bowing the flag out of respect. It not as if it is done for a negative reason.
I'm a brit and if you guys do not want to dip your flag then don't dip it. No fuss its your flag. Just remember to enjoy the olympics. Take a umberella and drink some proper beer….
Considering the vile, meaningless fetish object that the flag has become in recent years, wheher or not it's dipped is meaningless. I see the flag adorning bumper stickers, lunchboxes, grocery store plastic bags, and stickers stuck on everything from gum-laden tables to kids' bicycles.
And drive any long stretch of highway in the rain, or a night–you'll regularly see flags getting drenched in torrential storms, flying in the middle of the night, adorning shopping center flagpoles in snowstorms! It's almost like a company logo, a trademark symbol, a pure fetish object to fly without regard to its history or significance.
I'm a retired naval man, ask anyone of us what does a signalman do when a passing merchant or warship of any other country Lowers their flag first… we follow suit for respect we both dip our flags… The American flag flies above all others and never flies lower…. with one freakish exception I heard is in South Korea.
U.S. Navy will dip the American Flag flying on an American Warship to any nation merchant or warship of other countries when they first dip thier flag to us, so I have no problem if the American flag is dipped last at the olympics, hell in America, american Socialist's can burn and stomp on it and wear it in the most discraseful manners and in art work…. smear fecal matters on it and call thier discrace and work of art. and yaws having a cow over this? WTF?
PS on South Korean bases, the American flag does fly lower then their flag.
Rednecks and the like should not be permitted to speak nor voice opinions regarding any subject matter. Period. Your opinions don't matter. Period. Keep in the backwoods, folks, we don't need ya'll at the forefront of society.