I don't really tend to wave the flag. But don't get me wrong; America has provided so much for me and fosters the ideals of democracy and freedom. But sometimes the way our government goes about things. Bush, for example, who takes patriotism and the "I'm right, always" attitude forces others to cry "war" when they see the American flag waving arrogantly as the US military destroys their country.

I think that the American flag is great, like others have said, because it symbolizes unity, and our support for the United States. It is a symbol for comradery, and the country as a whole. I don't think that the whole of the USA should be contained in a colored piece of cloth - stars and stripes is not what the US is about. However, a flag is useful (and everyone else has one...)
The problem I have is that the Pledge of Allegiance, traditionally made toward the flag, includes God, and therefore is exclusive to those people in the country who are not neccesarily religious, or who do not believe in a higher power. To me, it's like the flag stands for a country that is "united under God," not united in the cause for human good, or the cause to promote freedom (as the President and many others have been saying is the US's purpose lately). The flag is almost considered not only a political, but religious symbol, and that bothers me a lot.

I love the flag and this country. I'm even wearing a flag belt right now. (Not that you all needed to know that.)

The American Flag is so awesome.... I love America.

America rocks and I'm proud to be an American.

im proud of my flag, but i dont overdo it

I don't know about the rest of you, but that flag stands for unity more than anything else. We have songs about it, and it's even in the pledge with the word 'indivisible'. While this may be called a free country, let's face it, we're not free. We have to obey the laws, pay taxes, and there are tons of restrictions on teens and younger kids. There's also lots of prejudice, and slavery for a long time. What we can do is insult our leaders and have our own voice- as long as it isn't in school, where our parents can hear, or where someone who can tell them can hear. Fifty states-fifty stars. Even in the civil war, when the south had their own flag, they sang about it and unity. And patriotism doesn't seem to be too poular in schools these days, if every school I've attended is any example...

I have mixed feelings about flags. On one hand they do represent your country and so form a kind a link between all the rest of the people and they remind us of the important things in a society that need our support. However, a worrying number of people see the flag as some kind of division between them and people of other countries - and at worst a symbol that Your country is somehow superior to Their country. Flags (among other things) can also stop you from seeing people from other countries as real people; no better or worse than oneself.

The Stars and Stripes? Well, to me that is a particular coloured cloth that represents a country that is not my own - the one that represents me is just another, different piece of coloured cloth. Personally, I don't care to hang it out, wave it or anything because it tends to make some other people angry and start itching to get their lighters out - and as I have nothing personally against them I don't see why I have the right to annoy them