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Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake

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K | 10:20 p.m. July 9, 2009

Then why were all those people there?

Carl | 10:51 p.m. July 9, 2009

Stadium of Fire is about making money. If you are critical you are said to be "unpatriotic." Its too big, too long, too dirty and too much.

Rhett | 10:56 p.m. July 9, 2009

Such a big and special moment for all those who attended, only to find out that we didn't witness a flag burning.

Comments continue below

tigerlily | 11:06 p.m. July 9, 2009

my family was there to see the Jonas Brothers

CougarKeith | 11:18 p.m. July 9, 2009

It was the interpretation and idea to originally "Burn" it, so it was burned in ceremony and retired. "GET OVER IT!" Nobody decieved anyone, it wasn't burned because the FIRE MARSHALL said it would have Dangerous Toxins! It was retired, and it looked Authentic, that was the desired effect. Now 60,000 know how to Retire A Flag Properly, the lesson was there, and the "Enactment" was there, and so was the Sacredness of the event. I don't go to Stadium of Fire because it's a waste in my mind to pay that much to see some celebrities sing and perform, and watch fireworks in a VERY CROWDED place. I attend Levelle Edwards Stadium for what really counts, "FOOTBALL SEASON", the Star Spangled Banner and the prayer! All 6 Games!

appropriate term | 11:26 p.m. July 9, 2009

Please, don't refer to this special kind of ceremony as a flag burning. It is more appropriate to call it "retiring the flag". Flag burnings are done in protest to our government and laws, and not at all respectful. To "retire the flag" is to give it honor for all it represents to us.

I confess that I am stunned that the flag wasn't actually retired in the ceremony. I wasn't there, but there were so many positive comments about the experience. Having watched and participated in actual flag retirement ceremonies, I can imaging that this was indeed a touching moment for those who care. Perhaps organizers being a little more straight forward would have been more appropriate. I hope that the flag DOES get a real retirement ceremony in a safe and honorable way.

God bless America! And may we be and become worthy of those blessings.

It was a beautiful ceremony | 11:27 p.m. July 9, 2009

and, most importantly, Glenn Beck cried.
I was moved.

jason | 11:41 p.m. July 9, 2009

Let's just retire the Stadium of Fire, it is truly out of control...imho!

Actually... | 11:51 p.m. July 9, 2009

CougarKeith, people don't know how to properly retire the flag, what they did is like putting a normal flag in tupperware and lighting a tea candle on top of it.

I was there, it was a touching moment indeed, and still would have been if they told the truth. They did intentionally deceive us, though they did it with good intentions, they shouldn't deny it.

agree with 11:26pm | 11:56 p.m. July 9, 2009

I was waiting for it to be burned on the big metal structure right by the container and somewhat bummed they didn't.

Now I wonder why they acted like they burned it, they should have just made a coffin for the flag and said the flag was being laid to rest for eternity, that way there is no fabrication what so ever.

Anonymous | 12:51 a.m. July 10, 2009

Glenn Becks tears were fake too. He is totally a fake person with not a care about this country. All he cares about are his financiers. Sorry, Beck is a fake!

Making mountains out of mole hil | 1:06 a.m. July 10, 2009

Its a good thing those who wanted a flag burning ammendment didn't get their way apparently.

Didn't they know that burning the flag was the proper way to dispose of it?

I am a van pool driver and shortly after 9-11, one member of the van opened the door while we were at a red light (it could have turned green at any time) and picked up a flag he saw lying on the ground. He was so happy with himself for "rescuing" the flag.

I thought it was silly and dangerous for him to put himself at risk for that. The country was no better off for what he did, and his family could have lost him entirely or partially due to injury.

Stadium of Lame | 1:11 a.m. July 10, 2009

Wait.....Provo had a massive flag burning? Where's the outrage?

Mission Accomplished | 1:22 a.m. July 10, 2009

How appropriate that Glen Beck was the MC of the Stadium of Fire: the flag burning and Glen Beck's patriotism were both artificial. And showing the photographs of W. Bush was an added reminder of mistatements and misrepresentations wrapped around patriotic platitudes. As Samuel Johnson once said, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." Mission Accomplished.

dishonest | 2:24 a.m. July 10, 2009

End did not justify the means. They should of played straight.

It's time for the stadium to retire and move on. Go back to the old fashioned fourth that had fireworks for everyone.

Fred | 4:23 a.m. July 10, 2009

Perhaps they didn't burn it because Senator Orrin Hatch's proposed Constitutional Ammendment would ban flag burning...

By the way, did Glenn Beck talk about agreeing with a guest on his TV show that the US needs Osama bin Laden to have another successful attack on the US to save our country?

Anonymous | 5:18 a.m. July 10, 2009

echos of Paul Dunn..

Chris in Texas | 6:39 a.m. July 10, 2009

Stadium of Smoke - cough, wheeze, cough!

grumpolman | 7:11 a.m. July 10, 2009

For those who weren't there your comments are as hollow as your heads. For those that were and couldn't believe the flag was not actually burned it was pretty obvious by the perfect flame that the actual flag wasn't being incinerated. The ceremony itself was dragged out too long anyway. The best part of the night was watching all the young girls freak out over the Jonas Brothers, I haven't seen that since the Beatles.

Such a Metaphor | 7:14 a.m. July 10, 2009

For many things believed by Glenn Beck and the gang.

dave | 7:16 a.m. July 10, 2009

Does Glenn Becks retirement involve a cauldron also?

Himself | 7:27 a.m. July 10, 2009

If you want to see an American flag burn just tune in
to Al Jajeera.

Colorado Cougar | 7:43 a.m. July 10, 2009

Ha ha ha, Brad Pelo, you fooled us even though you never technically said the flag was being burned. It's a bit like staging a robbery with someone coming in to a store with fake bullets. Any witness wouldn't know the difference unless they were told. Shame on you Pelo. You must be an attorney to play the word games that you are playing. You know very well you tried to fool the audience. Do I need to tell my daughters that the Jonas Brothers were fake, too????

Hans in California | 7:43 a.m. July 10, 2009

I was there in Provo for the Stadium of Fire on the Fourth. As for the fake flag burning: "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" Another "OZ" moment in Utah!

Abe | 7:45 a.m. July 10, 2009

Give me a break. The plan was in place and there was a safety issue. It's the principle. Who cares whether the flag was actually burned right there. Put things into perspective and try to appreciate the contstraints and get into the spirit of the ceremony. Here we are being duped by a socialist-slanted government with Cap & Trade on the horizon etc. and all we whine about is a bit of prestidigitation.

My my,

A

Querelous | 7:52 a.m. July 10, 2009

Just wondering when people might realize how often their sentiments are manipulated for the sake of making money or making policy. Patriotism and money making seem to meet often this time of year. Interesting to see the 'reactions' to those who attended and might have been 'duped.' Tears, since when do they determine a robust truth or authentic experience? Enjoy the show....

Apparently | 8:01 a.m. July 10, 2009

Sacred = Deceit?

This statement sums it up:
"We felt, in the spirit and reverence of the moment, that we didn't need to say explicitly that we were not burning the flag," he said. "By dissecting the ceremony, you are going to take away the sacredness."

Wow. That is horrendous. All they had to say was thanks for showing respects to the flag and we'll formally burn it in a controlled environment due to health concerns over toxins. That's it. Then there's no deceit, no implication of anything else happening.

I'm very glad I don't pay money to support the Freedom Festival. Interpreted freedom is not how I show my devotion to my country.

Guess What | 8:02 a.m. July 10, 2009

It was pageantry. I assume you've all been to Manti. When you watch a production of anykind some things are fake if thats what you want to call it. Its a show designed to pay tribute to America. Alot of what they do is symbolic. Enjoy the meaning of the show,and find something meaningful to whine about.

Tears of a Clown | 8:02 a.m. July 10, 2009

Just consider who they chose as the guest MC: Glenn Beck from "Fox News", the "news authority".

It shouldn't surprised anyone that the Stadium of Fire audience was snookered into believing it was a genuine flag retirement ceremony.

kit | 8:08 a.m. July 10, 2009

Let's all find something better to do with our lives than sit around and criticize a concert! I can't believe the people on here who sit around all day just looking for someway to express their opinions about the most rediculous things.

To Abe at 7:45 a.m.` | 8:08 a.m. July 10, 2009

Funny how you want to turn an event staged by the uberRight that turns out to be a manipulation of facts and emotions into an indictment of the Obama administration.

Wish I lived in your world. I'm sure it has pretty flowers.

Scott | 8:09 a.m. July 10, 2009

I think we should retire Provo in a burning ceremony. Stupid people still hanging on to W and Beck. Holy cow. Only in Utah.

Anonymous | 8:21 a.m. July 10, 2009

The Daily Universe at BYU actually broke this story yesterday and the other Utah news outlets followed today, so kudos to them. I think it's an important, relevant story. When China faked aspects of the opening ceremonies in Bejiing, we were all outraged. Now that something very similar has happened in the U.S., it would be a little hypocrtical for us to ignore it.

Theater not Patriotism | 8:30 a.m. July 10, 2009

The Freedom Festival is one huge circus with a stadium of fire finale that misrepresents patriotism for profit.

Patriotism is giving selflessly to your country, not taking the most the market will bear from your neighbors and demanding government services while constantly complaining about paying your taxes. Those who drive to the freedom festival waving their flag from their foreign cars after exploiting their neighbors and their country every other day of the year have no idea what patriotism means.

I quit attending the Stadium of Fire when I realized it is simply a rameumptom for those who do not understand patriotism to exclude the poor while they claim they are better than those in every other nation. Toby Keith, Glenn Beck, George Jr, and Dick Cheney never served our country, they all wrap themsevles in the flag while forwarding their own personal agenda for selfish means.

I learned more about this country while serving abroad, alone with my M-16 night after night, than these people will ever understand. It is time to teach humility and service and stop the charade of pride and prejudice.

Thanks Stadium of Fire for making the absurdity of your event so obvious.

RE: Tears of a Clown | 8:33 a.m. July 10, 2009

Do you believe that MSNBC, ABC, NBC CNN or any other news outlet delivers accurate news? If so, please reply with your contact information so I can sell you some disease-infested swampland that I will tell you is an oasis with the fountain of youth that actually works.

Pragmatist | 8:38 a.m. July 10, 2009

Once we realize that much of what we see and hear is faked, then we'll be old & wise enough to vote, and choose a religion.

Ashamed | 8:41 a.m. July 10, 2009

My wife said, "How tacky." I agree.

We were just a few yards away from the flag that night. Something was obviously off, but now I feel manipulated and sort of dirty.

I take the retiring of the flag very seriuosly.

I feel that this charade brought dishonor to that amazing flag. At the very least you gave the critics a giant slice of fodder, way to freaking go. Geesh.

I paid a lot of money to take my family to the stadium on fire.

I am pretty sure I am not going to do it again.

wer | 8:46 a.m. July 10, 2009

This article comes from a newspaper that has had ZERO photos of a patriotic parade in Provo that attracted a sizable portion of the population-over 200,000.

Duh.

Mike | 8:52 a.m. July 10, 2009

Big deal. Who cares?

Re: Scott | 8:09 a.m. | 8:57 a.m. July 10, 2009

Ya, only in Utah do I have to read ignorant comments like yours. Where are all these ignorant Utahans coming from, California?

sll | 8:57 a.m. July 10, 2009

This is hilarious. "Theater Not Patriotism" hit the nail on the head. It's pride of the lowest sort. And "absurd" is exactly the right word. I love it!

Anonymous | 8:58 a.m. July 10, 2009

sacred? deceit is more like it.

Ann | 9:07 a.m. July 10, 2009

It's amazing to me how much people want to create controversy, when in reality, this is not a big deal. This is a reason why hate develops so easily in this country - people (and newspapers) want to find a reason to be annoyed at someone else. Let it go, people, and be annoyed at things like poverty and hunger.

piggery not patriotism | 9:34 a.m. July 10, 2009

When we first moved here I helped clean after the stadium of fire. It was appalling. I lost respect for BYU, for Stadium of Fire, and for everyone who went there to honor America and threw garbage on the ground.

Now we go to a local park and watch small town fireworks. People pick up after themselves.

Fake! | 9:38 a.m. July 10, 2009

The fireworks were fake too, along with the lip-sync singing, the stadium was there but some of the people around you were holographic images ... OOOOO scarrrry!

Phoebe | 9:38 a.m. July 10, 2009

Dear "Ann":

It's not a matter of "hate." It's just a matter of wanting some reality in our national life. It's not a big controversy, I'll grant you that, but still, it's a shame that we've all gotten so used to being deceived in all things, big and little.

Walks like a duck... | 9:40 a.m. July 10, 2009

I wasn't there, but it sounds like deceit to me. Like someone said above, SoF should have just played it above board and told the audience the ceremony would be finalized in a controlled environment later on. No need to pretend to do it and not tell the observers what was actually going on. Really lame.

I'd feel duped if I were there.

Jen Jensen | 9:41 a.m. July 10, 2009

Wow. I am truly appalled. My 8-year old son and I attended and I explained to him with tears in my eyes that they indeed were burning the flag. I cried along with the other 50,000+ people. They didn't mean to deceive? I too feel that it was shady and dishonest. It IS a big deal. It's our flag-the symbol of our nation that most of us take very seriously. I felt manipulated and gullible when I first read this. The ceremony shouldn't have been done if the flag wasn't going to truly be retired.

Kit | 9:53 a.m. July 10, 2009

Kit, I hope you're intent was sarcasm.

If it wasn't, the irony is pretty funny.

Jen | 9:56 a.m. July 10, 2009

From Wikihow:
Ceremonial Burning of the Flag

* This ceremony should be conducted at a private, non-public location.
* The burning of a Flag should take place at a campfire in a ceremony separate from the Ceremony of Final Tribute. The fire must be sizable (preferably having burnt down to a bed of red hot coals to avoid having bits of the Flag being carried off by a roaring fire), yet be of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning.

I agree with Walks like a duck above...just tell us what was going on...don't pretend. They should have retired it properly afterward. They didn't even do that. They just put it away somewhere.

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