I received an email over the weekend from Jeff Archer (aka Malcom Lagauche), the subject of my October 8th post, Malcom Lagauche Tries His Hand At American Flag Desecration. Despite the fact that we hold opposing viewpoints, his letter was very respectful. He wrote to correct my assumption that the American flag he featured in an article with a likeness of an abacus in place of the star field was meant to portray the United States as greedy.
Here’s what Archer had to say about the abacus/American flag:
I used the picture of the U.S. flag with an abacus to portray the fact that many U.S. flags are made in China and many of those who deem it necessary in the U.S. to display a flag will buy an Chinese-made flag to show their patriotism. As you know, an abacus is an ancient Chinese adding machine, not a symbol of greed and sinister actions.
So I stand corrected and I apologize for making an assumption about his intentions. It should also be noted that he is correct about the fact that many American flags are coming into the US from China and that many otherwise well-meaning Americans are subsequently flying Chinese-made American flags.
But the picture is really not all that bleak. Most of the Chinese made flags are very inexpensive light-weight polyester (as oposed to a heavy two-ply polyester) and they are substandard quality. Some flag distributors are making a very good profit featuring them as "free American flags" and others will offer them as a low-cost alternative to a quality American flag.
Most flag buyers however, won’t waste their money on a cheap flag simply because they won’t hold up under the type of punishment the typical flag endures. And most people, if they know they are about to buy a flag made in China, will opt for the American made version. It’s one thing if your coffee mug is made in China, but very few Americans want their American flag to be made there. Add to that the fact that most US flag makers and distributors (ourselves included) will tell you over and over again that the American flag you are about to buy is made in America, you would be hard-pressed to wind up with a Chinese made flag if you set out to find one made in the U.S.A.
So the notion that American patriotism is such a thin veneer that Americans across the country are scooping up Chinese made flags to save a few bucks just doesn’t apply. Most Americans are OK with a screw driver or a calculator made in China, but a Chinese made American flag is a different story altogether.
P.S. – The abacus is a Middle Eastern invention, most likey from Babylonia (Iraq).