Journal Journal: Don't Tread On Me
Today, however, I saw on Yahoo that the Marines aren't only flying the usual "Stars and Stripes" flag. They are also flying an historic flag called, I believe, the "Gadsden" flag. That name might not ring a bell, but perhaps the design of the flag will: a yellow field, with a coiled rattlesnake above the words "DON'T TREAD ON ME". You can see a (fairly unclear) picture of the flag at this page.
The Gadsden flag was used during the American Revolution. There's some information about it here. While you might not expect a group of revolutionaries to symbolize their cause with a snake, the message was one that I like, and one that I'm glad to see the U.S. sending these days.
The coiled snake is dangerous, and can kill you. But it gives fair warning before it attacks, and only strikes in self-defense. So this flag is really saying: mess with us, and you'll wish you hadn't. But if you don't tread on me, we'll get along just fine.
I agree completely.