Link: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/02/outrage/index.html

Ever since 9/11, I have been part-amused and part-dismayed by the affectations that seem to sprout whenever something impinges upon the conciousness of America. Most commonly the affectation consists of displaying the US flag on any moving or stationary object. Next most common is the sprouting of ribbons or slogans of the "support the troops" variety.
As a transplant from the UK, I tend to regard such displays with the same weary sense of deja vu as I do other stickers like "Baby on Board" (as if that is going to make me drive more carefully? How insulting is that?) and my favorite, "My Child is an Honor Student at xxxxxxx High School" (and what makes you think I am interesting in knowing this?).
I was always unable to articulate my unease with these kinds of cute displays, until the above article from CNN which articulates the fundamental outrage better than I could. Simply put, while folks here are running around with yellow stickers on their SUVs and picking up the kids from xxxx High School, soldiers are being penalized for speaking up about dysfunctional procurement decisions, and people are dying in Iraq.
Message to some of my fellow Americans: Stop prattling around with symbols, wake up and start noticing what is really going in the world.