Liberals to Patriots; Don’t fly the AMERICAN FLAG
Oct 14th, 2009 by Tennessee Walker
In yet another attempt by Liberals/Fascists to curtail the rights of Americans to Free Speech, an apartment complex in the People’s Republic of Oregon is threatening eviction for tenants who fly the American Flag.
The explanation of why someone can’t fly the flag is that “someone might be offended”. Now I can think of some liberals who comment here regularly who will be offended but I can’t think a single conservative who would object.
Now, I am sure that the ACLU the rabid liberal organization would object but why should their objection trump the 1st amendment rights of tenants? Let’s see what would the ACLU do if a tenant posted a sign that said Bush=Hitler. Whose side would the whacko liberal ACLU be on in that instance???
The apartment complex in question not only wants to ban American flags from residences, They are threatening eviction of tenants who fly flags on their cars and/or motorcycles!!! Welcome to Obama’s Amerika where Fox News gets on the enemies list and regular Americans can’t support the cause of their sons and daughters in the Military. More to come on the Obama plan to silence their critics.
Story here: http://www.katu.com/news/local/64059697.html
I saw this story and was flabbergasted ! We fly an American flag on the back of our motorcycle at all times. I can’t imagine what we would do if told that we couldn’t.
We also fly an American flag outside of our apartment. We are in a building with 4 tenants, and we did have the courtesy to consult with all of them, as well as the apt complex management before we displayed it, but all were cool with it (and may I say we are a very diverse neighborhood, FWIW).
I hope all of these people fight this.
Let me simplify this for you liberal America:
If you’re offended by my American flag…….GET THE F**K OUT OF MY COUNTRY
And you can quote me on that should I ever decide to seek elected office…
Who the HELL questions someone flying an American flag on their own property IN AMERICA? I don’t scream when the people down the road fly Mexican flags, nor do I complain when I see a Spanish, Kenyan or Puerto Rican flag on the bumper of a car.
So there ARE some limits to property rights after all… this might be the start of something promising for you guys.
No wonder nobody reads this blog.
Carry on.
Someone should put John Atkins on that mess. Thanks to his, uh, landmark legislation from a few years back, manufactured homeowners can now fly an American flag regardless of HOA restrictions.
To me, though, this goes back to the same central issue as that story about those mall owners shutting down a right-wing merchandise kiosk on the same basic grounds: private ownership – although I’m not talking about the cycle flags or bumper stickers; I would challenge an eviction in court over that ridiculousness.
But as far as homeowner restrictions, it’s a privately-owned community. As foolish a decision as it might be, they don’t have to justify it, and they’re certainly not imposing any kind of undue hardship on tenants. The situation that Atkins addressed with his legislation was one that simply banned flags in a particular mobile home park, just a blanket measure intended to, I guess, keep the community uniform. As soon as the issue was raised, the park lifted the ban (same thing that happened in this case, I see in an update of the Katu article); the legislation was just sort of a safeguard.
Is the band a stupid thing to do, that’s pretty much guaranteed to get you labeled as an unpatriotic ass? Yes; no doubt. But I really don’t think it’s un-Constitutional or illegal.
Uh, guys, the story actually says that the apartment complex management reversed the decision and that now everybody can fly their flags. Somebody made a stupid decision and it got reversed when there was an outcry. Big f**king deal.
Right, Steve, and the other point to make is that Tennessee does it again: He/she takes an anecdote and then ascribes it to all Liberals. Do you recognize how desperate, read radical, this makes you appear to be, Tennessee?
Actually, Tennesesse simply comes across as a lazy blogger. No wonder David A. had to write his “please come visit DP” post. I miss Dave and Smitty and Maria. So sad.
First, ANYONE from our LGOMB (Local Gaggle of Moonbat Bloggers, aka DE Liberal) should NEVER note that “no one reads this (or any) blog.” Second, pan — please examine your own house for lazy blogging. It happens all the f***ing time there — every single day.
Know who I miss at DE Liberal?
…
Write a please visit post? I don’t think that happened. That would have little point to it. I did put a short post up reminding readers of the value of this site and invite them to share it. We call that promotion. I also thanked them for reading. We call that gratitude. I respect the people who take their time and visit here. Most of our readers are from Delaware (3/5 to 2/3) then PA (1/5), but we have people from all across America, the UK, and Belgium but especially the region (the reason for adding the regional politics posts is that this is blog is read regionally). I do not know why you would take the time to insult our readers by posting a comment like that, but if that is what works for you….
I do miss Maria, Smitty, and Dave as well, but Tennessee, Tim, and Elbert take a back seat to no one. I am proud of the quality of their posts and so are most of the readers.
So now that they can fly their flag – can the lady who got fired for her Kerry bumper sticker get her job back now?
You will find no disagreement here Noman. We are all in the free speech business. I never believed that one injustice justified committing more injustice.
Steve I have reread the article I have linked on this article and in that article there is no mention that the policy has been changed in the original article linked. I appreciate you updating us but if you have a more recent version of this story, could you provide a link?
I too miss Dave, Smitty, and especially Maria. Of course criticisim from Perry just lets me know that I am hitting the target.
“Actually, Tennesesse simply comes across as a lazy blogger.”
You are so right Pandora!!! I am always looking for easier, more efficient ways to get the job done.
I had an Economics Professor one time explain that change, invention, and innovation are accomplished because someone was lazy and wanted to find an easier way to get the job done.
Some bright guy, instead of trying to till an entire field by his own hand figured out that if he could hitch up a horse or ox to his own plow, then he could get the job done more quickly and easily then his hard working non lazy neighbor who insisted on tilling the fields himself with no animal assistance .
Without a doubt that is me. I actually stole a post from Colussus of Rhody and posted it here while giving full credit to the site I stole it from. If that is not the highest form of laziness then I don’t know what is. Of course Pandora, you came with a non lazy snarky response to that post and when I challenged you to keep it up, you bailed. I guess your non lazy work ethic demanded your attention elsewhere.
I do appreciate you coming around Pandora. Feel free to stop by for a name calling exercise in the future.
Tennessee,
First line of the story says “Update” and indicates that the apartment management changed the rules and has a link to that information. It’s in italics right under the photo and before the text starts. I didn’t go anywhere else but the original link provided; I will grant you that such an update may not have been there when you first wrote the post.
The point, (for the liberals in the audience) is that this issue should NEVER have been raised. You see, the problem here is that RENTAL properties that are “owned privately” should allow some individual limitations for the residents of the community. That said it should be common sense (written out in legal form for the libs) that you can’t just punch holes in a rental property but being allowed to fly a flag of ANY design should not be taken away from any individual. Even people who rent should be allowed to express their opinions. Unless you’re telling me renters are 2nd class citizens.
but being allowed to fly a flag of ANY design should not be taken away from any individual.
That reminds me, time to pick up a “Buy Nothing” T-shirt to wear to the mall. Evan will tell them to leave me alone.
The point, (for the liberals in the audience) is that this issue should NEVER have been raised.
Evan,
The fact that such an issue was raised has nothing to do with who is in the White House. Check for yourself: apartment management companies and deed restricted communities have been doing dumb stuff like this for decades, regardless of which party was in power.
Frankly, if the restriction is in the lease at the time the tenant signs it [or in the deed restriction when you purchase the property], then regardless of how ridiculous you or I may find the restriction, you have options: rent or buy somewhere else if that display is important to you.
Only you can sign away your first amendment rights, and if you choose to do so for lower rent or a nice pool, then don’t complain to me later.
Only you can sign away your first amendment rights
Actually you can’t sign away your First Amendment rights.
noman
Sure you can. In order to gain certain security clearances for work in the US military during the 1980s I had to sign a document granting the government prior restraint over anything I might later publish on certain topics.
I do understand your point, but I was writing the sentence in a conventional sense. Strictly speaking, your 1st Amendment rights only protect you from prior restraint with regard to speech against the pre-emptive actions of the government.
Good point about clearance and prior restraint. I hadn’t considered that. It just goes to show that Constitutional rights aren’t always absolute.
I understand your point too. Yes you can agree not to exercise your rights in order to take part in certain activities like contracts, or employment, or walking in the mall.
Enjoy! I support your right to wear it! I also support your right to wear a Chè T-Shirt and for me to despise it.
I’m not blaming the President specifically but rather the radical left who is the cause of this anti-American/anti-Capitalist sentiment and who has been for decades. It just so happens that our current President doesn’t just represent the radical left but LIVES its policies of radical change to our Constitution and our Founding principles.
noman – “Good point about clearance and prior restraint. I hadn’t considered that. It just goes to show that Constitutional rights aren’t always absolute.”
Erm, Constitutional Rights SHOULD be absolute though. They’re the BASIC rights granted to us by God and NOT by Government. I’m not in favor of this type of policy that allows government to restrict the rights of citizens to speak freely about any topic they choose to.
With that said, I do think a lack of common sense in our society has led to these policies. I want a whistle blower out there talking about real problems like government waste, torture (let’s ACTUALLY define it FIRST before we attack people though) and human rights abuses. That said, we need to be moral and honest enough as people to not just go about willy nilly discussing the top secret plans for our latest stealth bomber. I understand the need for secrecy around our national defense plans but I break ranks when we start completely removing Constitutional rights.
Constitutional Rights SHOULD be absolute though
Should felons vote?
noman – “Should felons vote?”
Excellent question…In THIS case I think we’re dealing with something totally different than the right to free speech…
I say that because not just ANYONE can vote in any country…you must be a citizen in good standing to cast a ballot…I believe a felon is a citizen but not in good standing, they’ve committed a heinous crime…They shouldn’t be banned from ever voting again but they should be precluded from voting until they become a citizen in good standing again (as determined by the states individually)
However, anyone, regardless of citizenship status is granted the right to free speech by our creator…that’s not exclusive to citizens in good standing
“Constitutional Rights SHOULD be absolute though”
“Should felons vote?”
I really can’t find anywhere in the U.S. Constitutions where voting is established as a Constitutional right Such as Free speech and the right to bear arms are granted specifically in the 1st and 2nd amendments.
The Constitution grants to the states the right for determining the qualifications for voting.
In the body of the Constitution (not the amendments) voting Qualifications are only mentioned in Article 1 Section 2:
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
Identical Language can be found in the 17th amendment which allows for the direct election of U.S. Senators.
17th Amendment
“The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.”
The term for right to vote does not appear in the Constitution until the 15th amendment. the 14th amendment also mentions voting rights of males 21 and older.
14th amendment
2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
15th amendment
1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The 19th amendment precludes discrimination on sex and the 26th cahnges the age threshold from 21 to 18.
19th Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
26th Amendment
1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Constitution with the amendments clearly places limits on the states as to what reasons a person cannot be excluded as an elector. But It does not establish a standard for guranteeing a Constitutional right to vote. The qualifications within the limits of the 15th, 19th and 26th amendments are still a matter of the state authority.
I really can’t find anywhere in the U.S. Constitutions where voting is established as a Constitutional right
Good point. Seems like a rather obvious omission though, in a state where government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
“I really can’t find anywhere in the U.S. Constitutions where voting is established as a Constitutional right”
“Good point. Seems like a rather obvious omission though, in a state where government derives its power from the consent of the governed.”
noman my understanding of 18th century America is that the states tended to have a more expansive view of voting rights then the members of the original Constitutional Convention. The deference the Constution has in this area to the states was probably a good thing for democracy.
Our Bill of Rights were culled from various State Constitutions especially Virginia. All of the original 13 colonies had some manner of elections with the colonies (later states) establishing voter or in the 18th and 19th century terms “electors” qualifications. I believe that leaving out voting qualifications from the Constitution was a recognition by the Convention delegates that the States had this handled and there was no need to interfere with what was already working.
I have read much on the Constitutional Convention, and Whether it be in official discussions, speeches, or unofficial discussions recorded in diaries, I see no evidence this issue ever came up.
Interestingly, the 14th Amendment also has language that says, if a state disenfranchises people, that state’s representation has to be reduced by the corresponding amount. Maybe some states need to lose a Congressman or two?
noman – I’m fine with taking away Maxine Waters (wants government to take over businesses), Henry Waxman (Cap and Trade nightmare job killer), Nancy Pelosi (caught in a lie about knowing about “torture techniques” ahead of time), Barney Frank (helped cause financial crisis by propping up the failing Freddie and Fannie), John Conyers (remember he mocked actually READING legislation), Charlie Rangel (Tax evasion), David Obey (wrote the Stimulus Bill laden with earmarks and called it “earmark free”), and I would say Mike Castle but I don’t think Delaware should give back its ONLY representative.
Actually, voting, apportionment and taxation were all originally done by population. So the most heavily populated states were asked to pay more than the smaller ones. It was actually a flat tax type system and one I think we ought to return to.
Eventually, cultural schisms cannot be resolved politically. History has shown this to be true. Eventually, and I think sooner rather than later, we’re going to have to fight the leftist bastards in the street.
Lincoln: “Mr. Lee, command my army”
Lee: “Kiss my ass.”
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?