The fine line between patriotism and disrespect for the flag

Sheri Auclair, a Donald Trump delegate from Wayzata, has an American flag shawl she wanted to show off when she got to Cleveland. Perhaps you saw her picture in Saturday’s Star Tribune.

Now she’s got a national stage. Her picture was Monday’s iconic shot of the convention via the Associated Press on Monday.

Let’s check that U.S. Flag Code.

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

In 2012, by the way, the Republican convention adopted a platform containing this:

The symbol of our constitutional unity, to which we all pledge allegiance, is the flag of the United States of America. By whatever legislative method is most feasible, Old Glory should be given legal protection against desecration. We condemn decisions by activist judges to deny children the opportunity to say the Pledge of Allegiance in its entirety, including “Under God,” in public schools and encourage States to promote the pledge. We condemn the actions of those who deny our children the means by which to show respect for our great country and the constitutional principles represented by our flag.

There is no similar provision in the platform adopted in Cleveland this afternoon, however.