Why do these self-styled patriots hate America?

Usually I try not to attack groups that are obviously trying to help wounded soldiers failed by their government. However, Blackfive seems to have forgotten that we're all Americans, whether Democrat, Republican, Communist or Corporatist. We all have certain rights, and if you're going to attack someone, do it for their words, their actions and not their political allegiance. Calling people who want to see fewer Americans die policing a civil war "cut-and-run, pro-losing protester" (as opposed to "stay-and-die, pro-stagnation cheerleaders?") is just being an asshole.

A little old lady, presumably living in a in a predominantly "stay the course" community, hung her flag upside down in protest. Sure, I don't like that, because it is a legitimate symbol of distress, a visual SOS. On the other hand, given that our executive branch is criminally insane and blatantly hypocritical while our congress is full of spineless ninnies I think distress is the right emotion to feel. Would I hang the flag upside down? Hell no. But it's not the most disrespectful thing I've seen done to the flag. I've seen Hummer Patriots (those who drive the least fuel efficient cars and who balk at the idea of personal sacrifice, while sporting half-a-dozen yellow ribbons and a big "support our troops" T-shirt) who drive 80mph down the highway with those little window flags flapping wildly, getting torn to shreds. I've seen gravel pits that leave a massive flag displayed on a mound of dirt, exposed to the elements. I've seen countless examples of a flag going up and being left to shred, fade, and deteriorate. And that's all from armchair patriots. That's a hell of a lot more disrespectful than flying Old Glory upside down to protest the failure of our country to live up to its founding principles.

One last thing. How American is it to have a "patriotic and political expression policy" for a community? I thought we welcomed diversity here. Oh wait, if you're a "stay-and-die cheerleader" then you only welcome diverse opinions identical to your own. The shoe on the other foot pinches, eh?