Oregon town finds dogs and U.S. flag-painted hydrants don't mix

[Mrs. Overall]

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - A fire hydrant painted as an American flag has been removed from a dog park after complaints it was disrespectful to let dogs use it for what dogs do.The new leash-free park was named for Hondo, a police dog killed 10 years ago chasing a suspect, and the flag-painted hydrant was intended as a tribute to him. "We put a lot of effort into it," said artist Jason Ross.

However, after a photo of the hydrant appeared Sunday in The Oregonian newspaper, e-mails started arriving at the parks department."That gallant dog must be turning in his grave at the thought of the flag being desecrated every time a dog pees on that hydrant!" wrote Louanne Douris, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer.

"I think the overall message was support for the dog park and support for honoring the police dog - the fallen police dog - but the concern (was) over the perception of a dog peeing on a hydrant painted with an American flag," said Corrine Bloomfield, the department's community resources manager.

She said the city hadn't decided where to place the hydrant.

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/10046696.html

[NYVet]

1. Put it out in front of city hall as part of another memorial

possibly for firefighters.

[EST]

2. Nice picture.

A little short fence around that pretty hydrant and a couple of plastic fake hydrants nearby should fix it all up.

[uppityperson]

3. Too funny, dogs peeing on the flag.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Man, what a bunch of jerks.

Somebody spent a lot of effort on it, and they remove it because some asshole get upset over seeing a dog pee on it. The guy probably has shitty flags all over his pick up.

I remember hydrants getting painted red, white, and blue during the bicenntenial. Seemed like a good idea, as people were more likely to notice them and be aware of them. And thereby not parking in front of them and such.

[spirit of wine]

5. You would hope people might think these scenarios through

I am an eternal optimist.

[goodgd_yall]

6. Hondo wouldn't be turning in his grave

I'm sure he feels honored.

[jkshaw]

7. A dog would have to be pretty motivated ...

... to climb up that cement pedestal, balance on an edge, and lift his leg. It's amazing what people can get riled up over.

[goodgd_yall]

11. A big doggie could hit it without climbing the pedestal

don't you think?

[MissB]

13. Especially with all the barberry bushes planted around.

Yeah, some dog is going to get close enough to get some thorns.

Just make the damned pedastal higher. Like two feet higher. Not exactly rocket fucking science.

[noamnety]

9. That line was the best part of the article

because of course dogs care deeply about desecration of the American flag. :D

[Sequoia]

8. Those people need to lose weight in that photo.

Why remove the hyrdant...just repaint it.

[Mrs. Overall]

12. Probably a conservative town, so maybe they'll paint the Constitution on it instead--

republicans seem to worry more about flag desecration than our civil liberties getting pissed away.

[MissB]

14. Hillsboro is relatively conservative.

Compared to, say, Portland.

[Sequoia]

15. That old glad rag?!

[tularetom]

10. Congress should pass a resolution condemning the dogs who peed

on the hydrant. All the Dems would vote for it...

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. AGGGHHH!!! More concretizing the symbol.

People care more about the damned flag than they do the country and people it represents. Who gives a flying fuck if dogs are pissing on a flag painted hydrant when our civil liberties are being trampled on, our environment raped, our international prestige destroyed, our coffers emptied and our core values pissed on?