If the US Flag is just a piece of cloth...

No, that is clearly nonsense. The flag is a piece of cloth that acts as a symbol. But note that a symbol is nothing without one that understand what it is supposed to signify. That which it signifies in not inherent to the flag Humans are indeed composed largely of water but posses many properties that are inherent to them but arise due to their organisation. For example consciousness; no amount of water, be it in a bag or no, is conscious. all the best urban

I love it. May I use it?

The flag (or any other symbol) only has the meaning that people attach to it and that varies from one person to another. To a person who has never seen a flat it is just a "pretty piece of cloth". To a person who revers it; it takes on a state of almost "godliness" and is practicaly worshiped. In times of disaster, it become a sign of hope. To our enemies it is a sign of oppression and fear. The same is true of people. They also are just "reinforced bags of poluted water" if all they do is sit around and do nothing. If people do things; then, a value can be assigned to them by the people who meet them. If you are a criminal, a policeman is to be feared and avoided; but, to a victim, they become an angel who is there to save them. Value is set by other's perception; not, by any intrinsic value.