SomethingAwful has an update buried in their archives about a story they published regarding WTC and the commodification of patriotism. (They got a few flames for it.) It was funny, and if taken in the right vein, really good satire on how people adopt some set of beliefs even if they are at heart just a bunch of liars.

Good example. Across the way from me is a large condo building. After the WTC event, there were a lot of people putting flags up, but one that stuck out was the backwards one. Yes, the person either was too selfish to share the standard rendition of the flag (Small blue square with the stars in the upper LEFT corner, versus the RIGHT like this guy) with anyone, or he truly just flubbed it and was hoping nobody would notice. Well, I did. It's just something you innately know when you've seen a billion flags like I have. (I used to live near Washington, D.C.)

It's okay though, he only lasted two weeks or so before he took it down. Around the same time I noticed the cheesy ads for plastic crappy flags you jam into the space between a slightly lowered window and your cars weatherstripping. There they were, using the whole event to hawk their shitty flags - and everyone bought into it. They were everywhere. But similarly like any half-assed pledge to be a patriot, or just lose five pounds, most people flaked out pretty quickly from that too.

I'm not a veteran of a war, or particularly rabid about patriotism, but I can say that buying a plastic flag would probably be the LAST way I would think of expressing my support for the USA. I have more respect for people who did what they thought was right, like joining the service or giving blood. Not BUYING something. Do we really have to be consumers twenty-four hours a day?

Problem is, now that the anniversary is coming up - there will no doubt be another crass marketing surge of shitty patri-o-ware. Do yourself a favor. DON'T buy plastic pins, shitty flags and crappy banners. How about making something on your own. Write a story, paint a picture, make a song. Make it personal. Put your heart on your sleeve, and nobody can ridicule you for it.

It isn't like your heart is red white and blue PLASTIC hanging from the interstitial space between your ribs...or is it?

Say it with me: "The worst kind of patriot is a consumer patriot."

If you're offended, good - perhaps a little cage rattle is what you need to think about yourself from a new perspective. Glad to oblige.

Update: Guess I was right, except they aren't waiting for any anniversary. People are being charged to view ground zero. Why let a tragedy get in the way of profit? Greedy bastards. Story link is here.

Desiato.

desiato_hotblack @ hotmail.com