Iowa Town Bans Confederate Flag From City Property

[aphillbilly]

Personally I think the VFW had the right idea.

Is it just me but I hear the word "agenda" a lot here about the south but it seems pretty clear there is indeed an agenda now to obliterate the south's heritage, all of it except for slavery. As if that is all they were and are.

http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/2505197/detail.html

[johan_steele]

I know the Mayor of Independence slightly... as in enough to keep away from him so we don't go to fisticuffs. His agenda would eventually involve banning flying the US flag if he thought he could get away w/ it. Independence has, IIRC, two CSA veterans buried in the cemetery mentioned. I always thought it was a ****ed decent thing for the VFW to do.

As I understand it the VFW suggested putting a small CSA flag next to each CSA grave to honor them instead of the larger one. As I understand it his reply was less than polite. There is no love lost between this man and the VFW, Legion or any veteran.

[aphillbilly]

LMAO @ "as in enough to keep away from him so we don't go to fisticuffs"

Yeah I gathered this was standard political crap.

[unionblue]

Sounds to me like the mayor WANTED to cause a political controversy and get attention over an issue that was being handled with dignity and honor by the VFW.

No one should be without honor and I think the VFW knows that and the mayor has no clue.

Unionblue

[johan_steele]

Neil, you have no idea. During the last little spat in the Gulf Mr Brimmer (Independence Mayor)noted that some dirt bag protester had pulled down the American Flag from in front of the Legion hall and replaced it w/ a Nazi Flag. The mayor apparently thought it was amusing.... so amusing that he didn't tell anyone right away. Apparently it flew till about 0830 before a peeved Legion member got it down.

I understand it was mentioned at the next city meeting and the Mayor laughed about it. There are two veterans on the council... I smile at the thought of the looks that must have been given, if not the words. How he got elected is a mystery to me.

Incidently the only reason I know anything about this is I have an old HS buddy who works at the mental hospital in Independence... note WORKS there, Jake isn't a guest.

[gary]

First Amendment rights. Freedom of expression to be specific. Don't think they can ban it as it doesn't present a clear and present danger of imminent harm. From an idelogical viewpoint, it's a salute to fallen Americans and the message content is different than when paraded about by the KKK or Neo-Nazis. Lest the town fathers forgot, a lot of Afro-Confederates served and fought under the Confederate flag.

[johan_steele]

They've managed to forbid the flying of American Flags, except on govt property, in one town in Florida. It was upheld by at least one court.

[hoosier]

Shane, how in the name of sense can it be forbidden to fly an American flag in an American state?

What is the name of the town where this has taken place? Who are the people who managed to get it forbidden, and what was their justification for doing so?

[johan_steele]

It was a homeowners association and a judge backed them up. I don't recall the town. It was all over talk radio for a while.

[aphillbilly]

We have neighborhoods here than have flag bans. But they fall under same guidelines the planned communities have that govern amount & types of trees, shrubs etc. You cannot have flag poles etc. It isn't about the flags per se just has to do with property values.

[johan_steele]

I've yet to see property values lowered by a properly displayed US flag. No, the Florida incident is about the US flag... I heard the Homeowners Rep on the radio she gave new meaning to the term "flaming liberal." I have no doubt if the man was flying a gay pride flag he wouldn't have been bothered.

[aphillbilly]

Shane
You just hit on the point that planned communities use to have flag bans. "Properly displayed." They ban flag poles, all manner of flags, not just US. The view here is one you see far more often than not. A flag up til it rots does not help the image of a neighborhood.

I know one case here they have flag ban and tree & shrub count and some owner put in too many shrubs. They were dug up and the bill sent to home owners. They ended up having to pay.
Thing is they know these rules prior to moving into such neighborhoods. If they don't like them they should buy elsewhere.
Ah yes the inevitable attack on liberals and the typical homophobe associative insult. Nice touch.

[johan_steele]

IIRC the radio show that broadcast the interview was Mikael Medved or possibly Dennis Prager, forgive me If I've mangled the spellings. Actually the woman was asked if The rainbow flag was allowed... she said yes. The man had requested permission to fly his flag w/ the prior board of the home owners association, they agreed. New board... changed the rules. It's been a legal fight ever since. Looks like the man will probably lose his home over his pride. He served 20+ in the USMC... can't imagine why he might be proud. Can You?

I agree completely that an improperly displayed flag is bad... However, he brought it in every night. Same way I do.

It seems more like an attack on anyone w/ a bit of patriotism... God forbid that a man who has done his time in the US military should be either proud or patriotic. Can't have that in America can we?

Am I a homophobe? No, I have no problem w/ Lesbians or homosexual men. I'm straight but have been friends w/ several Lesbians over the years. I'm not certain I've ever met a gay man... no real urge to know if I have. I won't ask and I would rather not be told.

As to my political views... that's neither here no there. I'm a proud American proud of my service and my heritage, if that is an affront to you. That's your option.

As it is I bid you a good day.