The Flag Still Flies in VA
Dec 9th, 2009 by David Anderson
Another group of neo facists disguised as a homeowner’s association (no, I am not condemning all homeowner’s associations) tried to ban a member from flying the American Flag. This time they picked on a 90 year old Army Col. who was awarded the Metal of Honor. Both Virgina U. S. Senators became involved. They backed down.
What bothers me is the appeal that was made.
In a letter last week, Webb urged the association to “consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot’s service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag.”
While that is true, patriotism and the right to express it by sharing the flag is a right of all Americans especially on their own property. It is not limited to our greatest heros, but belongs even to those who are the recipients of their sacrifice. I am all for model legislation being pushed in every state to protect that right. For those of you on Facebook, let’s go to the Col. Barfoot support site and make a cause out of protecting this right for every American.
“homeowner’s association (no, I am not condemning all homeowner’s associations)” – David
You know…David may not be conemning them all but I’m thinking I might be doing that. Yet another group of idiots upset over our own country’s flag?
We don’t need legislation to protect our right to fly the flag, it’s called the right to PROPERTY…I own the flag…I can fly it on my own property. Now, it may be smart to pass legislation to protect renters and rental owners legally and ensure that both individuals rights are not violated.
In America the right to burn the flag is protected as Free Speech but the right to show respect for the flag is not protected.
Mike Protack
Well Mike it’s time to stop playing games with these people and start asserting ourselves and speaking up for the Founding Fathers. I’m not sure about you or anyone else but I’m no longer content playing nice. We’re losing this country to Communists and Socialists and you know what, I’m not going down without a fight. I’m going to fight for the Founders Values and that means stopping progressives and standing in front of them and I’m starting with the school system. Our children must be saved from the progressive machine. Look at the education reform group in Delaware: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-30090-Delaware-Education-Examiner~y2009m12d8-Delawares-Vision-2015-set-to-fundamentally-transform-education-system
Unfortunately, we do need legislation to protect our rights. These associations are technically voluntary and not under constitutional restrictions. I think some are becoming tyrannical and there needs to be a counter weight limiting their reach not just in flag flying, but other areas as well.
A person should not have to spend his life savings to defend his right to fly a flag. If it is in positive legislation, it will be rejected quickly and then they could be countersued depending upon the state.
“These associations are technically voluntary and not under constitutional restrictions. ” Well then, if I back out of the association then I don’t fall under their rules.
Freedom of association vs. freedom of expression.
Which do I value more – living in this place, or being able to fly my flag?
It’s an individual choice.
That said, I agree totally with the point of this post.
Thank God this was passed in Delaware. About 4 or 5 years ago.
Many neighborhoods have deed restrictions that ban the display of flags. Somehow it got into the cookie cutter deed restriction wording and stuck. I suspect that it was primarily to prevent flag arms races (like neighbors that fly Cowboy’s flags to annoy their Eagles-fan neighbors and the like).
But it is stupid. The rules could just as easily said “Except the American flag and the Flag of the State of Delaware.” and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.
Instead we’d be having a discussion on whether or not Evan can fly his “Don’t Tread on Me” flag or the flag of the Marine Corps.
It should also be noted that these sorts of arguments are usually not partisan. The associations are often forced to push an issue because failure to enforce one rule can sometimes lead to an inability to enforce any of them.