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As an outsider
As one of the few non-Americans here, I must admit that I find tis issue somehwat amusing (no offence intended).
I hate to admit that I was employed for several years by McDonald's. I distinctly remember that we had a lengthy (around 4 pages) procedure for how to store, fold, fly and maintain the Stars&Stripes.
As an Australian this is quite weird - we have (to the best of my knowledge) no formalised ethos for how to act towards the Australian flag. If you set the flag on fire in Sydney, people would be understandably upset - but I doubt you would go to gaol. In the same way, Australian flags are flown in storms, at night, and often in a poor condition.
I am not attempting to say that the patrioism shown by Americans towards their flag is wrong, it is just totally foreign (no pun intended) to most Australians.
As far as putting the flag on referees uniforms, I have two points to make:
1. Is refereeing a "patriotic" activity? Probably not. Is refereeing not a "patriotic" activity? Probably not. Is the flag allowed to be put on referees uniforms - sure.
2. Who cares? If you are opposed to having the flag on your uniform, don't. If you want to show it, put it on. I think either each local association or the central governing body of American referees, or even the Federal government should issue an edict stating that any offcial can put the flag on their uniform if they so wish, and then state where and how big the flag should be. It should also say that there will be no penalty to any official that decides for any reason, not to have their flag on their uniform.
But hey, that's just the humble opinion of a FEEBLE referee from down-under.
Peace.
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