Ask Amy: Daughter is caught in Dad’s needy net
What is the appropriate response to: "But why?"
This is where I get stuck.
D
Dear D: You could answer, honestly, “I’m trying to take better care of myself, and I haven’t enjoyed these gatherings, so I’m going to stay home for a while.”
Dear Amy: “Confused in Kansas” was a liberal who was worried that flying the American flag would be misconstrued as a politically conservative gesture.
I loved your answer.
Thirty-two years ago, my husband and I had a disagreement about displaying the flag on Memorial Day. We had just moved into our home (whose previous owner had left a large flag and had installed a holder). I asked my taller husband to put out the flag as he wouldn’t require a stepladder.
He objected because he didn’t want our new neighbors to think we were right-wingers.
My argument was that both our fathers had fought in World War II and we were honoring their service and that I as an American citizen felt the flag represented all of us.
Further, I said that we were demeaning the flag if we allowed its message to be co-opted by one group who wrapped themselves in it. And that the pledge of allegiance that we had recited every day in our childhood meant something!
The flag went up that day, and I didn’t have to get out the stepladder.
Proud American
Dear Proud: Well done.
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(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
