Silent flag protest raises outcry

[Squigglenob]

Source: Denver Post

Beth Hammer has turned her gated Wheat Ridge community upside down with her upside-down display of the U.S. flag.

On March 19 - the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq - Hammer decided to hang her flag upside down, which under the federal flag code is a signal of distress.

The 64-year-old retired banker said flying the flag with the white-starred blue field - called the union - on the bottom is her silent protest.

"I think the war in Iraq has put this country in distress," Hammer said. "We are losing lives, liberty and our honor."

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6352763

[NMDemDist2]

1. Welcome to DU Squigglenob! K&N

:hi:

you may find our informative DU Glossary handy

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x190

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. The association is wrong about the flag code, I think

it is perfectly acceptible to fly the flag upside down in times of distress.

[rocktivity]

3. I have computer printouts of upside down flags in my windows

And technically, I'm flying one upside down in my cube--the stripes are facing down, but the stars are on the left.

And wouldn't that be a great theme for the March For Impeachment on September 25?

:patriot:
rocknation

[wakeme2008]

4. Welcome to Du

:hi:

kick and nom :)

[Rude Horner]

5. People get upset about the silliest things

This whole flag thing and the proper way to do this and that with it - I am SO over it. It's a piece of cloth. It's a symbol. That's it. Anybody who tells me "But people died for the flag", I respond that it's so sad that they believe that. People have died for freedom, for democracy. The flag is merely a symbol of that. Nothing more.

And what amazes me is that these same people who get their panties in a bunch about the flag being flown upside down, don't seem to blink an eye when the Constitution and Bill of Rights are being shred before our very eyes. "The Constitution - ah, that's just a piece of paper. It's quaint. But the Flag - Aaaaaaaaaaah, it touched the ground!!!" :puke:

[wordpix]

6. yeah, why are these people upset about 3500+ US troops killed, 30K wounded & 2 million refugees?

"How horrible that my neighbor hung up an upside-down flag." :crazy: :puke:

[wordpix]

15. meant to write, "why AREN'T these people upset..."

[Rude Horner]

19. hehe, yup, I got your drift. :) n/t

[guitar man]

7. well, what did she expect?

EVERYONE knows the only correct way to display an American flag is by flying it faded and tattered from the antenna of your SUV with the W-04 bumper sticker on the back.

silly woman, what was she thinking???

[denverbill]

8. And make sure it was made in China n/t

[guitar man]

14. oh yeah

forgot that part, made in China, and bought at Walmart....

[Ilsa]

9. I think Fox Noise is claiming that she is "defacing" the flag.

Ridiculous idiots and spinners.

[Faryn Balyncd]

10. Here's the Federal Flag Code (Public Law 94-344) . . . . . . .

http://www.bcpl.net/~etowner/flagcode.html

and

http://pages.cthome.net/boyd544/94_344.html

Public Law 94-344 is a "Joint resolution to codify and emphasize existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America":

SEC. 4
(a.) 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.

So the issue seems to be whether one is signalling "dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

While they're looking around for violations of this joint resolution,those who are offended by patriots signally such dire distress might want to shine a light on seemingly ubiquitous violations of Section 4. (i):

SEC. 4
(i.) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.....

http://www.excelsails.com/autocardealerflags.htm

[trogdor]

11. You mean like this?

I think this was from a smoke detector I bought a few years ago at Wal-Mart Nation. It's just a piece of flair to people who'd like to downplay the fact that all their shit comes from China.

[Faryn Balyncd]

13. Yep. . . . . . . & how about this one?

http://windwavers.com/

"Wind Wavers are the answer to your exterior needs. The latest in attention getters, these eye catching flags will get more attention than everyday event signs, and event banners.

"Wind Waver advertising flags can be designed in your company colors; with your logo and company branding. Wind wavers are also offered in stock colors or with stock messaging (Grand Opening, Sale, etc.)"



"Wind Wavers are proven in attracting attention to retail locations and/or as a brand building tool. They can be used for; grand openings, store promotions, company promotions, special event signage and more…."


http://windwavers.com/

[Jokerman]

12. Shit, my neighbor's tattered flag is decaying on his roof.

They left it out all the time until it finally broke free, landed on their roof and got stuck in the gutter. It's been there now for over a year. I'd rather have one displayed properly as a sign of distress than my neighbor's gutter flag.

[Usrename]

16. Welcome to DU, Squigglenob!

From the article:

"I don't think of myself as a rabble-rouser," Hammer said.

Hehe. Yeah, you are, and we gotta love ya for that!

[troubleinwinter]

17. Flag code (aside from ubiquitous lapel pins)

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.



(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.



(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.



Then there's this:

[troubleinwinter]

18. Hah.

"The association board notified Beth Hammer in an April 24 letter that the flag display is against federal flag code and is in violation of the association's "patriotic and political expression policy."

I'd ask the board members if any of them ever wrote to GHW Bush, GW Bush or G. Gordon Liddy to point out that their displays were against the federal flag code, and if not, would the board like to draft such letters now.

[Ian David]

22. Can we find the photo of the Free Republic guys defacing a flag?

I'm trying to google it, but all I've found are these:

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Good for her!!

And welcome to DU!! :hi:

[Ian David]

21. I wanted to do this, but my wife wouldn't let me. And I should caution...

that since flying the flag upside down is "the federal flag code is a signal of distress," then if you DO fly the flag upside down, you may be essentially giving the authorities reason to come rushing into your home to "rescue" you.

So, if a cop driving by your home at 3 AM sees an upside-down flag, they may be justified in calling for back-up and rushing into your home with guns drawn in response to an "emergency."

They also may be able to charge you with something similar to making a false call to 911.

Maybe.

But I appreciate the sentiment.

[Ian David]

23. Here we go. Freepers desecrate the flag

See also:

My letter to my congressmen re: Flag Desecration Amendment
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2115126

[Decruiter]

25. I believe that all of our soldiers serving would love to have each and

everyone of these smiling, fit Americans standing by their side over in Iraq. These 20+, 30+ something "proud" citizens of the US need to find their nearest recruiting office and show just how much they support "our" troops. Sign up, girls and guys, Uncle Sam needs YOU.

[ninkasi]

24. Welcome to DU

My avatar probably shows how I feel about the issue.:hi:

[struggle4progress]

26. HOA will not force woman to stop flying flag upside down

created: 7/13/2007 6:41:46 PM
Last updated: 7/13/2007 6:43:50 PM

WHEAT RIDGE – A homeowners association has decided not to fine or try to force a woman to stop flying an American flag upside down outside of her home. ~snip~

Friday, the Cambridge Park Homeowners Association, Inc. released a statement saying that while Hammer was violating the Federal Flag Code and the HOA's policy, "that the best interests of all the Association's members would not be served by pursuing enforcement under these specific circumstances."

"The individual will not be fined nor further requested by the Association to change the manner in which she displays her American flag," said the statement.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=73668

I suppose it would be too much to expect the HOA to admit that they were wrong