Upside-down display of American flag stirs dispute
By DARLA MILES WFAA-TV
ARLINGTON -
ARLINGTON -
An American flag and the way it has been displayed is at the center of a dispute between neighbors that began after the 2008 presidential election.
Ever since 9/11, Arlington neighbors Patrick O'Toole and Sharon Garner both flew the American flag patriotically in front of their homes, until now.
In protest to the election results, O'Toole now flies a black flag above an upside down American flag.
"I just don't think it's American," said Garner. "I just don't think it's neighborly. We have children that live in our neighborhood and I'm sure their parents have to explain to them why that flag is hanging like that."
The flag is something Garner holds close to her heart. In fact, the American flag is painted on Garner's birdhouse and bench.
"I love the flag," she said. "I love what it stands for. I love the colors red, white and blue. [It] makes me feel good to display it."
It's a sentiment she said she thought she shared with her neighbor.
"He hangs his flag everyday, and he hangs it properly," she said. "It's displayed like it should be and he brings it down at dusk every day."
But, O'Toole said there is a reason behind the act.
"The black flag is because our country is dying," he said. "It's never been more divided than it is right now. The upside down American flag is because the country is in distress."
The Navy vet and history teacher is upset that the Democratic ticket took the White House.
"It is not about race and don't ever throw the race card at me," he said. "It's about values. It's about people that work hard and want to keep what they own."
Garner said she didn't vote for Obama either.
"The election is over," she said. "It's happened and we need to come together like we did in 9/11 and support each other and deal with it."
But, O'Toole stood by his decision and said he has flown the flag since the 5th grade and didn't make the decision in haste.
FYI
My flag flies upside down too. If you have a problem with it, then I suggest you educate yourself before leaving a retarded and obviously stupid comment.
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15 comments:
I've educated myself. The US Flag Code states:
8. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
Flag Code, Section 8
Now, being anabaptist in my belief system and not really believing in honoring a flag of a nation the way most folk do, I have no real dog in this fight, just pointing out the code.
1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
And that is why mine is upside down.
So, maybe the now President of the United States needs to take a look at Flag Code, Section 4
4. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.
Hey Dan,
I'm seeing a pattern here where you seem to pick and choose things to validate your point of view, and it ain't working for ya.
I'm not sure how it does not work. Ms Kristen is the one who is reinterpreting the flag code to mean that it is okay to turn it upside down for political protest - when clearly that is not the meaning of the flag code.
"I don't like this president so I'm going to disrespect the flag by turning it upside down! So there!"
Again, I'm no flag waver, myself, so I am not offended by such actions. I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy of such a stance.
I'm guessing Ms Kristen would be of the sort to have taken offense at those who might have flown the flag upside down to protest the Iraq Invasion, for instance. Surely those people who did so ALSO thought they were in times of "dire distress in an instance of danger to life and property."
But fly it upside down if you wish. Burn it if you wish. I'd disagree that that's the best way to show your displeasure that the vote didn't go your way, but it's a free country. (Unless them Republicans outlaw such actions...)
Sorry, "Kirsten," not "Kristen." My apologies.
Oh, and by the way, I have good news: Your life and property is in no danger. So, that's one less thing to worry about.
Peace, then.
I'm guessing Ms Kristen would be of the sort to have taken offense at those who might have flown the flag upside down to protest the Iraq Invasion, for instance.
Actually, I wouldn't take offense. This is America after all.
Obama didn't face the flag, nor did he put his hand over his heart per Section 4 of the Flag Code.
Actually, I wouldn't take offense. This is America after all.
Well, good for us! Neither of us find that action offensive. My apologies for presuming the worst of you. You are indeed no hypocrite. I am sorry.
Education can be dangerous.
OK, lets say I'm wrong for hanging my flag upside down, taking it out of context and all.
You still walk right around the fact that our own President elect disrespected the flag, prescribed in the same flag code you mention.
Nothing was more a slap in the face as all those people in Chicago waving a plethora of the same flag he disrespected throughout his campain.
So, what are your thoughts, on your president, disrespecting the flag. I bet you have an excuse for that. I'd like to hear it.
My thoughts are about whether or not Obama saluted the flag are the same as whether or not Kirsten flies the flag upside down: Anabaptists don't say pledges, don't fly flags (upright or upside down either way). I have no opinion on the actual action.
My complaint would be with those who'd whine if a so-called liberal were to "disrespect" a flag but think it's okay when a so-called conservative does so. In other words, my problem is not with the action, but with the hypocrisy.
Dear Dan, How do you know her life and property are not in danger. My husband's ancestor's were put on the Trail of Tears by President Jackson many lost their lives and we know they lost their property, so we should trust the government to do right. We are flying our flag upside down.
We ought always be cautious of any gov’t. What I’m suggesting is that there is absolutely nothing to suggest that we have anything more to fear from an Obama presidency than we do from a Bush or McCain presidency. Bush, for his part, did a great deal to EARN some distrust and, being able to learn from experience, I DID NOT trust him or his policies.
We are always wise to be cautious, but these calls that suggest that Obama is a socialist or a terrorist or that he’ll confiscate property, etc, etc, are just extreme. There’s no evidence to jump to that conclusion.
As soon as Obama starts to endorse torture, remove civil liberties, confiscate property, invade nations unprovoked, etc, etc, you will see the People who voted for him stand against him. Just as we stood against Bush when he tried to do such things.
But, lacking any evidence of such behavior, we owe it to our fellow citizens to give him a chance.
I can sympathize with the sentiment here. Obama is ready to turn this country upside down, and some people clearly recognize this.
It is clear that Obama has plans for America and they are NOT plans that will make/keep her strong. He stated in his campaign that he wants to "realign" the military. Also, how much of HIS wealth is going to "spread around." His loyalties are clearly not for the betterment of this nation. He has lied about his religion, his background, refuses to release his educational records or papers. If he is so very honest, what is he hiding. If u really listen to the statements he makes, they sound very similar to another man some years ago. He also had plans for changing his nation and the world, just like Obama. His name was Adolph Hitler and we know what kind of changes he made. Those of us that are fearful, knowing our country, maybe even our existence is in grave danger are the voices crying out in the wilderness...the rest of u are going to wonder,"Why didn't I see this before"...well, u have been warned.
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