Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ShazzieB

(18,843 posts)
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:15 PM Nov 12

I saw a car with a Gadsen flag bumper sticker today.

You know, one of these things:

.

It caught my attention partly because it's very unusual to see any kind of bumper stickers on cars around here. I don't think I saw a single one during the entire 2024 election cycle, for any candidate. As a result, this one really jumped out at me.

I've been trying to figure out exactly what message this thing is intended to convey. I seem to recall seeing at least one of these flags on January 6.

Is this sticker a way of saying the car's owner is a Trumper without actually using the Orange One's name? If so, fuck that guy.

31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I saw a car with a Gadsen flag bumper sticker today. (Original Post) ShazzieB Nov 12 OP
Yes, it is a magat thing SheltieLover Nov 12 #1
I beg to differ proud patriot Nov 12 #5
Perhaps it depends upon one's geographic location SheltieLover Nov 12 #6
back then proud patriot Nov 12 #9
I LOVE your idea SheltieLover Nov 12 #10
talk about getting people's attention right? proud patriot Nov 12 #15
Absofuckingloutely! SheltieLover Nov 12 #19
Why not leave? Ontheboundry Nov 13 #26
I had a Gasden Flag patch during the Vietnam War LeftInTX Nov 12 #21
Yep DeepWinter Nov 13 #30
I don't think that maga realize yet how trumps Klarkashton Nov 12 #2
Post removed Post removed Nov 12 #3
Dude could be,... magicarpet Nov 12 #4
Yes indeed. Could also be a fundamentally angry guy with anger management deficits. . . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Nov 12 #8
Yes, potential anger management deficit issues magicarpet Nov 12 #12
Libertarian type is a definite possibility Amishman Nov 13 #27
I thought that was the sign of the Teabaggers. beaglelover Nov 12 #7
It was, back when the Tea Party was a thing. ShazzieB Nov 12 #18
Gadsden flag Theproletariat Nov 12 #11
It was co-opted by the right wing. It now has a new implied meaning. Gore1FL Nov 12 #13
Implied meaning? Glen Livid Nov 12 #14
Currently, the interpretation is "I'm MAGA." Gore1FL Nov 12 #16
Gadsden is Anti-imperialism, yet, Trump cult WANTS an imperial presidency. blm Nov 12 #17
My fb avatar k55f5r Nov 12 #20
Good one! ShazzieB Nov 13 #23
My kid has that on her car UpInArms Nov 12 #22
I like this one. 😁 ShazzieB Nov 13 #24
Careful with that one, alt right / boogaloo types like that version Amishman Nov 13 #28
That's the one! UpInArms Nov 13 #29
In Kansas you can get it on your license plate Shrek Nov 13 #25
In OH and PA... Wuddles440 Nov 13 #31

SheltieLover

(59,792 posts)
1. Yes, it is a magat thing
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:16 PM
Nov 12

hillbillies in TN are all too proud of their license plates of that image. I mean state license plates.

proud patriot

(101,179 posts)
5. I beg to differ
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:22 PM
Nov 12

before the tea party used it , I was flying one under the bush jr presidency .

I felt threatened by john ashcroft and Opposed the patriot act .

I also flew the culpepper minuteman flag

seems like I should break them out again considering ....

SheltieLover

(59,792 posts)
6. Perhaps it depends upon one's geographic location
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:24 PM
Nov 12

Unfortunately for me, I currently reside in the not so great state of shithole TN.

Where are you geographically?

proud patriot

(101,179 posts)
9. back then
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:35 PM
Nov 12

I was is the SF bay area , I currently reside in Hawaii ..

I aknowledge that magats use it and hyjacked it . but they don't own it IMO

It should fly next to a rainbow flag

it's meaning under king Trump can be adopted by anyone who
is anti trump's fascist regime .

Ontheboundry

(294 posts)
26. Why not leave?
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 05:56 AM
Nov 13

If Tennessee is so bad ?

I'm from here, and my family is nearly all here so I'm here, but I just keep to myself

DeepWinter

(536 posts)
30. Yep
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 08:45 AM
Nov 13

I still have a Gadsen flag bumper sticker on my beater redneck truck. I don't necessarily equate it to a political party, seeing why you would sport it changes from decade to decade.

Response to ShazzieB (Original post)

magicarpet

(16,718 posts)
4. Dude could be,...
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:21 PM
Nov 12

Hyper conservative,

Libertarian,

Fascist Bro or trDUMPee Bro like you mentioned.

DON'T TREAD ON ME - is his message,.. whatever that means to him.

Amishman

(5,824 posts)
27. Libertarian type is a definite possibility
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 07:19 AM
Nov 13

It's long been popular with that crowd.

Trumper is still most likely, but not a 100% certainty

ShazzieB

(18,843 posts)
18. It was, back when the Tea Party was a thing.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:59 PM
Nov 12

It has historically meant a lot of different things to different people. Here's an example of the kind of thing I found when I tried to research it:

What does the Gadsden flag mean? How has its meaning evolved?

In recent years, the words “Don’t tread on me” have come to represent a more general opposition to government overreach in the US.

The flag itself began to gain popularity in Libertarian circles as a symbol boosting minimal government beginning in the 1970s.

Its popularity then surged — on everything from T-shirts to bumper stickers— after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to the New Yorker.

The flag soon became a favorite of Tea Party enthusiasts and die-hard Second Amendment supporters — along with an all-purpose emblem of independence, liberty and defiance.

As the US became more politically polarized, some extremist groups adopted it. In 2020, members of the Proud Boys were photographed waving the flag at a heated rally in Portland, Ore.

https://nypost.com/2023/08/30/the-meaning-of-the-gadsden-flag-symbol-that-got-colorado-boy-booted-from-school/

And of course, this flag made an appearance on January 6:


Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/symbols-hate-extremism-display-pro-trump-capitol-siege/story?id=75177671

So I guess there's no way to be absolutely sure what someone means by it, but it will ALWAYS be associated with the Capitol insurrection, at least in my mind.
 

Theproletariat

(42 posts)
11. Gadsden flag
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:40 PM
Nov 12

The snake resembles the unity of the 13 colonies during the Revolutionary War. The flag was adopted in 1775.

Gore1FL

(21,944 posts)
13. It was co-opted by the right wing. It now has a new implied meaning.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:45 PM
Nov 12

It's gonna take a while for that to wash out.

Gore1FL

(21,944 posts)
16. Currently, the interpretation is "I'm MAGA."
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:57 PM
Nov 12

That may not be the meaning the person has when they placed it on their bumper, flagpole, or whatever. That is how it will largely be interpreted, though.

Only time will get the stain out.

blm

(113,840 posts)
17. Gadsden is Anti-imperialism, yet, Trump cult WANTS an imperial presidency.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 08:58 PM
Nov 12

MAGA blasphemes the Gadsden flag when they use it.
Both Ben Franklin and Christopher Gadsden were progressives.

Amishman

(5,824 posts)
28. Careful with that one, alt right / boogaloo types like that version
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 07:21 AM
Nov 13

One in my wife's RW cousins has that as a patch on his motorcycle jacket.

Shrek

(4,150 posts)
25. In Kansas you can get it on your license plate
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 05:43 AM
Nov 13

Part of the license fee goes to the Kansas State Rifle Association.

Make of that what you will.

Wuddles440

(1,419 posts)
31. In OH and PA...
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 09:43 AM
Nov 13

many fly the Gadsen flag along with the Trump flag and sometimes the Besty Ross and Confederate battle flag.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I saw a car with a Gadsen...