“Character is much easier kept than recovered.”  –  Thomas Paine

Happy 4th of July.  Back in my hometown in Minnesota, it was a day to let our colors fly, and God help anyone who did anything to show disrespect for the stars and stripes.  The town was populated by veterans of World War II, who had fought and bled for the American ideal represented by the flag.   Some of their friends and neighbors had died for the colors.  The people in my hometown were ready to do it all over again should the need arise, should they again be called out to protect our freedom.

There was a national sense of propriety with regard to the flag.   It was a time before marketers had cheapened the image of the stars and stripes by putting it on nearly every piece of clothing and accessory imaginable from pens to sunglasses.  What’s next?  Red, white and blue diapers and condoms?   Wait….they’ve already done it.  I searched the Web and found a “Stars and Stripes Patriotic Bloomer Diaper Cover for the 4th of July.”  On ebay you can buy a 3-pack of “Stars and Stripes Cloth Diapers.” 

I can see a scarf or maybe a cap, but diapers?  Seriously?

Who started this?  Wonder Woman and Captain America?  At least they’re superheroes.  Who are we when we’ll put the symbol of our national pride on almost anything if it’ll sell?  If it’ll sell, then anything goes?  Is that who we are?

Were those vets back in Minnesota taking things too seriously?  Or have we lost our way?