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Oz I think we have a different attitude for our flag because of all the crap we had to go through to "get it".
It truly is a symbol of our freedom and reminds all of us daily of our fathers, grandfathers, and stories of great grandfathers who laced 'em up and defended our right to fly it. To us, by showing respect to the flag, we can give our respects to all those who died making sure we could fly it.
This is not to say the way other countries act toward their flag is wrong, we just put more emphasis on it.
Having said that, as most of us know legal codes, generally, reflect he prevailing social mores and attitudes of the day. I am positive that when the Flag Code was written, it would have appalled people to think of putting the flag on their clothing (or cars, or overpasses). But, this was also the same time when men wore top hats and gloves to work, women never wore pants, and you absolutely could not wear white after labor day.
Times have changed, and the law, by definition, has not. What was once thought to be blasphemes to the flag is now considered "right". I am sure the flag code does not address the car flags I see everywhere, or flags hanging from overpasses, but this does not make it wrong. The definition of patriotism has changed, for the better I think, and I now think it is proper for everyone to respectfully wear the flag on their clothes, or not to. To display it on their property, cars, or businesses, or not to.
Remember, that is why we get to fly it. If I work with someone who is not wearing it, will I get upset, no. Maybe they can't sew, maybe (like me) they don't think the material on their shirt is strong enough for it. There are a million reason not to, and quite frankly it is none of my business that you don't. As long as being an American is in your heart, that is all that matters.
PS - I am now sending an email to my Senators asking them to amend the Flag Code, looks like it is time to update it.
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