Yellow Ribbons

[Jen]

Do you support the idea that plasticized yellow strips tied around trees and poles are really boosting the morale of our troops and families?

 

[Downtown]

Jen - I added "other" to your poll, which is how I voted. I personally am not a fan of the yellow ribbons, but if it makes some people feel good to put them up, and a few people warm and fuzzy to see them, then I can't really espouse tearing them down.
What I really wish is that people would take care of their flags.

 

[Repo Man]

I am of the mind that if it makes people feel like they are supporting the troops, that is fine. I am sure that people with family members in the armed forces really enjoy seeing the yellow ribbons and I assume that as troops come back to their hometowns, they really appreciate knowing that people are thinking of them.

 

[Jen]

They drive me batty, all tied differently: up the pole, down the pole, big ribbons, scraggly ribbons, multibowed, single bowed, and I have even seen crime scene tape used!

I am sick of looking at those things! Flags I support, stringy ticky tacky fugly plastic streamers everywhere I don't.

Thanks for adding the other option DT.

 

[Cardinal]

I can't say that I like them, and I think that they are really pretty meaningless. It's kind of like a bumper sticker. Nobody changes their mind because of an anti-abortion sticker, or chooses to vote for Dukakis because of one. On the other hand, the ribbons may make people feel more like they are supportive, so why not. I found myself sticking an American flag in the yard on September 11, 2001. It was something I could do.

 

[NHPlanner]

We don't have any up at our house, but I know several family members that do (one ribbon each....not a ton of 'em) for support of my brother in law and my wife's cousin who is heading over next week.

 

[el Guapo]

Not my cup of tea, but I'm not offended by them either, unless they are of the over the top or weather worn still up since the last war variety.

 

[H]

Politically I see nothing wrong with them.

As long and they don’t end up being litter in the street afterwards.

PS> I am happy to see that the choices in your poll are not skewed towards your opinion

 

[Jeff]

Seems like a waste of ribbon to me....but if it makes you happy to put it up so be it.

 

[Planderella]

Didn't the yellow ribbon originally signify support, hope and etc. for the hostages in Iran back in the day?

 

[kms]

I voted other. I wouldn't hang the ribbons or wear one. A couple of our neighbors walked around the neighborhood hanging yellow ribbons, and I admit they look nice. I haven't heard any negative comments, and it does convey a sense of community here. Our council, which I mentioned accused the WWII vet here of using gestapo tactics, even left the ribbon hanging alone.

 

[gkmo62u]

No, Tony Orlando and Dawn (there were two "Dawn's" remember?) invented the yellow ribbon. You were to ties it around the oak tree if you still loved me....


Bottom line: my neighbor has a kid in Bagdad, he has a yellow ribbon on his mailbox. That's good enough for me.

 

[prudence]

No, Tony Orlando and Dawn (there were two "Dawn's" remember?) invented the yellow ribbon. You were to ties it around the oak tree if you still loved me....


Bottom line: my neighbor has a kid in Bagdad, he has a yellow ribbon on his mailbox. That's good enough for me.

The fact that "Tie A Yellow Ribbon..." launched the careers of Tony Orlando and Dawn, and secured them a variety show to bother America every week is why the yellow ribbon should be despised, BUT

...I believe that gkmo's bottom line says it all. If you want a ribbon, then have a ribbon. If you don't, then don't.

 

[Repo Man]

I guess I feel that the ribbon can be a nice symbolic gesture of support. However, if you have something like a City sign or a tree in a park that is junked up with say 100 ribbons, it kind of looses its meaning.

We had this automobile dealership here in town that wanted to add an American flag to every one of their light poles (about 20 poles), claiming it was a patriotic gesture. Thankfully the commission saw this as a way to draw attention to their dealership and denied the request.

 

[Mastiff]

It has a bit more history than people might think...

http://www.loc.gov/folklife/ribbons/ribbons.html

 

[Runner]

I think it's fine. I just have a hard time keeping up with what all the different colors are supposed to mean:
Yellow = Support our troops
Pink = Breast cancer awareness
Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

[donk]

Etc. Etc. Etc.

Reminds me of the seinfeld episode, were Kramer refused to wear the red AIDS ribbon in the parade.

 

[Jessie-J]

I get kinda cynical when it comes to the ribbons and the flag thing. It seems like if these people were really patriots, they'd take care of them and make sure they stay nice. Even the bumper stickers on the cars of the American Flag are fading and I don't see that as true patriotism- I see that as a fad that got left behind. I get more impression of support ande dedication when the flag or the yellow ribbon is kept nice, clean and unfrayed.

 

[Runner]

I get kinda cynical when it comes to the ribbons and the flag thing. It seems like if these people were really patriots, they'd take care of them and make sure they stay nice. Even the bumper stickers on the cars of the American Flag are fading and I don't see that as true patriotism- I see that as a fad that got left behind. I get more impression of support ande dedication when the flag or the yellow ribbon is kept nice, clean and unfrayed.

Hmmm, sure you don't work in the retail industry?

Sounds like a good sales pitch