I recently purchased a “Gadsden Flag”, shown above, which I plan to display on the front of our house on the days I don’t display the Stars and Stripes. To some, this might seem to be a sign of aggressive behavior, and as such “offensive”. To them, I can only say that they had better study our history a bit more before coming to that conclusion.
The Gadsden flag is a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a timber rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Beneath the rattlesnake resting on grass are the words: “Don’t Tread on Me”. The flag is named after American general and politician Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag.
In recent times it has resurfaced as a symbol for people who believe in limited government intrusion into our daily lives, such as the Tea Party movement. I count myself among that group. Although I was never a formal member, I believe in our Constitution, and I feel that is exactly what our Founding Fathers had in mind when they crafted that document at the birth of our nation.
To me, the flag has another meaning. The timber rattlesnake is one of the most powerful and deadly vipers in North America. When threatened, it doesn’t strike silently as is the case with many other poisonous species. Instead, it coils its body in a defensive posture, and loudly shakes the bony rattle on its tail, proclaiming: “Don’t mess with me. Leave me alone!”
Recent months have shown ever increasing incidents of violent behavior by groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter, who by rioting, burning and looting, feel that they can intimidate and cow the general population into acquiescing to their radical Marxist ideology. That has worked in many of our major metropolitan areas, particularly those controlled by Democrats.
It will not fare as well if these groups, as they have threatened to do, bring those behaviors to suburban and rural areas. Many residents of these places will not put up with it. Like the Timber Rattlesnake, they will warn you before they defend themselves and their property, but only once. Disregard such warnings at your peril.