What's up with this yellow ribbon thing?

[rasmack 0]

As some of you may know, I have been visiting the states since the WFFC and I have noticed a prominent display of all these "Support our troops" bumper stickers and so forth.

Now, as I know the story of this symbol it used to be that people who had a loved one gone off to war would put up or wear a yellow ribbon to show that they were awaiting their return.

My question is this. Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement? Is it not demeaning to a personal (and very strong) symbol when all of a sudden everybody start slapping bumper stickers on their cars? Is it not disrespectful to the actual families of soldiers abroad to "misappropriate" their symbol?

I understand that one may want to express support. It just seems a bit distasteful to me not to find another symbol to use.

HF #682, Team Dirty Sanchez #227
“I simply hate, detest, loathe, despise, and abhor redundancy.”
- Not quite Oscar Wilde...

[peregrinerose 0]

I hate those stupid ribbon things on cars. Take the breast cancer ones... if all the money spent on the ribbons was instead donated to cancer research directly, imagine how much money would be raised!

I wonder exactly what the point is of the 'support our troops' stickers. It won't change anyone's mind about anything. If someone wants to support troops... visit a VA hospital as a volunteer or find another way to do it rather than just talk about it with a sticker.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[PhreeZone 20]

Its a way for people to feel involved with out having to do anything.

I saw one the other day that summed up my thoughts on the magnetic ribbons on cars.

"Support magentic ribbons"

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

"Support magentic ribbons"

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[PLFXpert 0]

Yes, it does seem that if one has one color w/out the others then in fact they do not support the other causes. Bastards.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[lisamariewillbe 1]

The yellow ribbon stands for many things, including but not limited to

Troop Support
Spina Bifida
Suicide Awareness
Multiple Sclerosis
Missing Children
Endometriosis

Do I find them demeaning? No, I dont know whats in that persons heart. Maybe they lost a family member to war, or kidnapping. Do I personally use ribbons to show what I support ? No, I find that I would rather donate a few bucks to an organization then wear a ribbon. It only takes a conversation to know what I have passion for, and a ribbon will not convay that.

Heres a link that shows all sorts of ribbons and bears that many use to show their support...it is also where I obtained the information on what yellow ribbons can stand for

http://www.headcovers.com/item.php?cat=Awareness&next=0

Sudsy Fist: i don't think i'd ever say this
Sudsy Fist: but you're looking damn sudsydoable in this

[billvon 3,111]

>as I know the story of this symbol it used to be that people who had
> a loved one gone off to war would put up or wear a yellow ribbon to
> show that they were awaiting their return.

Actually, the origin is from the song "Tie a yellow ribbon (round the old oak tree)" in which a man who is in prison for a crime asks his girlfriend to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree if she wants him back.

>Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement?

Yes, but people who use it hope the converse happens - that appropriating a symbol like that will strengthen their political statement.

[rasmack 0]

Quote

Actually, the origin is from the song "Tie a yellow ribbon (round the old oak tree)" in which a man who is in prison for a crime asks his girlfriend to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree if she wants him back.

You seem to be disagreeing with wikipedia on the origin.

Quote

>Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement?

Yes, but people who use it hope the converse happens - that appropriating a symbol like that will strengthen their political statement.

Am I the only one who finds this a little distasteful?

HF #682, Team Dirty Sanchez #227
“I simply hate, detest, loathe, despise, and abhor redundancy.”
- Not quite Oscar Wilde...

[billvon 3,111]

Hmm, per that article it actually goes back to the English Civil War in the 1600's, where one side wore yellow ribbons on the battlefield. Odd.

[kallend 2,147]

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Hmm, per that article it actually goes back to the English Civil War in the 1600's, where one side wore yellow ribbons on the battlefield. Odd.

Why is it odd?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[mnealtx 0]

"bring me my brown pants!"

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[steveorino 7]

It is a personal statement, like wearing a black arm band during grief or football players wearing a fallen teammates number some where on their equipment.

Much to do about nothing.

steveOrino

[PLFXpert 0]

What about those who wear the skull & crossbones scarves b/c "Pirates of the Carribean" is hot right now?

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[billvon 3,111]

>Why is it odd?

Odd that battlefield dress would come to represent a hope that soldiers would return home safely.

[kallend 2,147]

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>Why is it odd?

Odd that battlefield dress would come to represent a hope that soldiers would return home safely.

Oh. I interpreted it as just wearing your side's colors.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Skyrad 0]

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Quote

>Why is it odd?

Odd that battlefield dress would come to represent a hope that soldiers would return home safely.

Oh. I interpreted it as just wearing your side's colors.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. As it was a English civil war as with most civil wars it divided familys and neighbors, to tie a yellow ribbon to your property was to declare yourself a Parlimentarian. Cromwells boys wern't very civil to Royalists.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[masterrig 1]

"Support magentic ribbons"

[masterrig 1]

Quote

As some of you may know, I have been visiting the states since the WFFC and I have noticed a prominent display of all these "Support our troops" bumper stickers and so forth.

Now, as I know the story of this symbol it used to be that people who had a loved one gone off to war would put up or wear a yellow ribbon to show that they were awaiting their return.
_______________________________________

Tony Orlando and Dawn, started that years and years ago!


Chuck

My question is this. Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement? Is it not demeaning to a personal (and very strong) symbol when all of a sudden everybody start slapping bumper stickers on their cars? Is it not disrespectful to the actual families of soldiers abroad to "misappropriate" their symbol?

I understand that one may want to express support. It just seems a bit distasteful to me not to find another symbol to use.

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

Actually, the origin is from the song "Tie a yellow ribbon (round the old oak tree)" in which a man who is in prison for a crime asks his girlfriend to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree if she wants him back.

You seem to be disagreeing with wikipedia on the origin.

Quote

>Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement?

Yes, but people who use it hope the converse happens - that appropriating a symbol like that will strengthen their political statement.

Am I the only one who finds this a little distasteful?

_____________________________

Seriously! That song; 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree' started the ball rolling on yellow ribbons.


Chuck

[JohnRich 4]

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Doesn't it detract from the value of a symbol when it is turned into a political statement?

It's a free country, and they can express their sympathies and political views any way they want, even with bumper stickers. You don't have to agree with it, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Buy an anti-magnetic-sticker sticker, and affix it to your car. Let your view be heard!

[billvon 3,111]

>That song; 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree' started
> the ball rolling on yellow ribbons.

That was my perception as well, since the first yellow ribbons I saw were during the Iran hostage crisis - and they were tied around trees. This was a few years after the song became popular.

[masterrig 1]

Quote

>That song; 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree' started
> the ball rolling on yellow ribbons.

That was my perception as well, since the first yellow ribbons I saw were during the Iran hostage crisis - and they were tied around trees. This was a few years after the song became popular.

_______________________________

That song came-out in '73. That's how I remember it. The Iran-hostage thing was when yellow ribbons really started appearing. Folks were tying them to their car antennas.


Chuck

[bloody_trauma 2]

i show my support by PUTTING MY BOOTS ON BAGHDAD SOIL! i don't need no stinkin ribbon... actually family members who have a loved one deploy either wear or display a small banner with a red border and a blue star on a white background with increasing numbers of stars for the numbers of loved ones deployed or serving

Fly it like you stole it

[pirana 0]

Quote

"Support magentic ribbons"

____________________________

That there's funny... I don't care who ya' are!


Chuck

[masterrig 1]

Quote

i show my support by PUTTING MY BOOTS ON BAGHDAD SOIL! i don't need no stinkin ribbon... actually family members who have a loved one deploy either wear or display a small banner with a red border and a blue star on a white background with increasing numbers of stars for the numbers of loved ones deployed or serving

____________________________________

Like my grand-parents had in their window showing their sons/daughters in WW-II. Sadly, the banners with a gold star(s) meant they lost their son(s)/daughter(s) in the war. I totally believe in and support our troops for what they are doing. Trying to keep this country safe. I extend a big THANK YOU, to you and all our men and women in the service of the U.S.A.


Chuck