FL Vets demand Dems remove Obama flag (UPDATED)
A link sent to us by ROS from the Sunshine State describes the scene outside of the Lake County, FL Democrat Party offices yesterday when veterans demanded that they remove the flag which had replaced the blue field and stars with an image of the President that was flying below the unaltered flag. The veterans offered a POW/MIA flag to replace the defaced flag;
Don Van Beck, executive director of the Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park asked that the altered flag be removed, explaining that it was in violation of federal flag code. He offered a POW/MIA flag to fly in its place.
Nancy Hurlburt, the Democratic Party Chair for Lake County, said she would research the issue but didn’t take the Obama flag down immediately, prompting Van Beck to declare that they would take the flag down for her.
“No, you will not. This is private property,” Hurlbert responded.
After a short time spent ‘researching’, Hurlbert relented and took down the flag while the veterans looked on. She did not accept the POW/MIA flag offered as a replacement.
So where’s our apology for the Democrat-generated defaced flag? Yeah, the only flag allowed by law to be flown below the US flag is the POW/MIA flag. Ms. Hurlbert really stepped on it by not accepting the POW/MIA flag, too. So I guess you veterans in Lake County know where you stand with the Democrats there.
UPDATE: According to Fox News, the Demcrats were in violation of state law;
Jenn Meale, communications director for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, referred FoxNews.com to state laws that pertain to the use of flags on public lands and property when asked for clarification as to whether Hurlbert could face any penalties.
Statute 256.05, which covers improper use of state or United States flag, or other symbol of authority, reads: “No person shall, in any manner, for exhibition or display:
“(1)?Place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, color, ensign or shield of the United States or of this state, or authorized by any law of the United States or this state; or
“(2)?Expose to public view any such flag, standard, color, ensign or shield upon which shall have been printed, painted or otherwise produced, or to which shall have been attached, appended, affixed or annexed any such word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement.”
March 14th, 2012 at 7:25 am
Just in case someone might have some free time on their hands today and might like to write someone an email or something…just sayin’.
http://www.lakedemocrats.com/pagesmith/6
March 14th, 2012 at 7:46 am
If you look at the “about us” page for them, you will see the flag flown under the US Flag as well….. No saying it was not theirs. It is said ignorance is bliss. If that is true,they must be some pretty happy folks down there at Lake County Democratic party HQ’s. Nancy Hurlbert being happiest of the all….
March 14th, 2012 at 7:54 am
In all fairness, the US Flag Code is a guideline/advisory. This would be covered under Free Speech. I don’t like it anymore than anyone else, but the Democratic Office was not in the wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code
March 14th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Is this for r e a l? I mean, who the hell puts theirs or theirs leader’s photo on the American flag? Not satire for the Onion or something? Deep down, I know, just know it is reality. May need a lot of blood pressure medicine to get me through re-posting this all over cybertown. This truly is the audacity of dope!
March 14th, 2012 at 8:00 am
I actually think SIGO has a point…we should encourage these folks to fly their retarded bastardization of the US flag, if for no other reason than it showcases their loyalties and their disrespect.
March 14th, 2012 at 8:16 am
Well, that is one flag Muslims will not burn.
March 14th, 2012 at 8:21 am
Is this just a placeholder until their altar comes off backorder?
Also, they have a loyalty oath?
March 14th, 2012 at 8:32 am
This reminds me of the huge mural of Che at the Democratic Office that was floating around the internet last election period.
March 14th, 2012 at 8:39 am
I’d call these bozos as “retards”, but that would be an insult to folks who actually are mentally retarded. So I’ll just tell them, “KMAYUSMFAH”.
Translation of acronym on request. (smile)
March 14th, 2012 at 8:48 am
I’ll expect the people at MSNBC to light the torches and sharpen their pitchforks, like they did when Palin had the audacity to disgrace the flag by printing one on her tour bus. Those folks take the flag code seriously.
March 14th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Seriously, SIGO, that’s what you took from this?
March 14th, 2012 at 9:02 am
@11: I think it was blown way out of proportion. I live in that area and it was all over the news. If you saw the way these vets were screaming at the poor lady, geez. Everyone needs to take a chill pill. Did they even try calling first before freaking out?
March 14th, 2012 at 9:33 am
I think it is creepy and inappropriate to put a leader’s face on the American flag. But is it really against the Flag Code to put anything under the U.S. Flag except the POW/MIA Flag? Can’t one fly a state flag under the U.S. Flag?
March 14th, 2012 at 9:41 am
The problem isn’t that the Obama Flag was under the U.S. Flag, the problem is that the Obama Flag is a corrupted version of the U.S. Flag. From the Wikipedia page on the US Flag Code (which yes, cannot be punitively enforced):
“The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.”
“When [the flag] is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.”
March 14th, 2012 at 9:43 am
For clarity: I’m referring to those defacing the US flag as “bozos” in comment 9 above – not those demanding the bogus, defaced flag be removed.
March 14th, 2012 at 9:50 am
“Poor lady”, SIGO? Forgive me if I refer you to the page containing “shit” and “syphillis” in Sir Webster’s tome as I seem to be fresh out of sympathy for stupidity and disrespect.
And if you think anger of veterans at blatant and intentional disrespect of the flag for which they’ve fought is “blowing things out of proportion” then there is no use for further discussion.
March 14th, 2012 at 9:57 am
The vets have commited sin, for according to the Book of Obumbles, Verse 1, Chapter 1, “Thou shalt not criticize Teh Wun (PBUH), and thou shalt not question the methods in which His (PBUH) braindead minions shall worship Him (PBUH)…”
March 14th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Disclaimer: I am a combat veteran.
Being a veteran does not give you the right to be a jerk. I’m saying there are better ways to handle things.
Oh and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Its her unfortunate right to display the flag as she pleases. Its not the veteran’s right to go and demand things from this political office.
Want to change that? Then change the law. We don’t need anymore vigilantes.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:15 am
JAYSUS! They might as well have smeared fecal matter on that flag!
March 14th, 2012 at 10:24 am
I find the fact that they thought the flag appropriate quite disturbing. Raising a flag to the person of the leader has dangerous precedents. It seems like they equate loyalty to the king with loyalty to the country.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:30 am
They did, Nicki
March 14th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Why not just fly it upside down? It would be about as respectful. I bet you $5 they don’t even see what’s so offensive about this whole thing.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Generally, if someone is willing to abuse a symbol, they are willing to abuse the thing for which the symbol stands.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:44 am
You’re still missing the point, SIGO. I refer you to posts #20, #22, and #23.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:00 am
SIGO’s point is that these bozos who defaced the flag were within their legal rights to do what they did. The SCOTUS has upheld that as “freedom of speech”.
Unfortunately, one of the prices we pay for free speech is the fact that idiots often exert that right.
Please also note that I am not defending those assholes. If it were up to me, people who did such as this, or who burned the flag, would be facing charges and jail time. But that’s not the law. What they did is legally acceptable.
Even if it’s morally bankrupt.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:07 am
And leopards don’t change their spots. That’s useful in that when you see those spots…you know you’re dealing with a leopard.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
I don’t get your point SIGO. Yeah, they were within their legal right to fly a defaced flag. Just like the veterans were within their legal rights to voice their displeasure about it.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
But Hondo, that’s the great thing about freedom of speech–enables us to more easily identify the idiots.
Reminds me of two pieces of advice: 1–Just because you CAN do something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD, and 2–Everyone has a right to be stupid, but not to abuse the privilege.
Ms. Hurlburt is guilty of both counts.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
Re: #27: Watch the video. Sure they were outraged, but like I said there are better ways to go about things. Its better to take the high road.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:37 am
[...] “This ain’t Hell (but you can see it from here)” [...]
March 14th, 2012 at 11:39 am
[...] “This ain’t Hell (but you can see it from here)” [...]
March 14th, 2012 at 11:49 am
It’s 2012 in America where every tradition, symbol and honorable institution can be trashed and perverted because 52% of the voters decided to make a community organizing Alinskyite and devotee of Rev Wright chief executive. And it would be racist to oppose the god king and his lickspittle acolytes.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Followed a link in their comments section.
The freaking thing is a comercial product!
http://www.neoplexonline.com/business-banner-flag-signs-obama-us-35/
Wonder if there have been many takers for the Obama Hope Rebel 3′x5′ Flag.
http://www.neoplexonline.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=obama
March 14th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
H1: Neoplex has mysteriously removed the Obama US flag from the website…
I wonder why?
March 14th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
That was fast!
Should have screen capped it…
My cache is set for refresh so it is gone.
Hotel1
Out
March 14th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Thank you for those links. The O/Confederate flag has given me much laughter. Sweet.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Follow-up: I called Neoplex asking about getting the ObamaUS flag and noted that it wasn’t on the website. The gal I talked to said they took it off because they had run out and weren’t sure when they’d be making more.
Sounds like trying to save face to me.
I didn’t leave a call-back number…
March 14th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Snagged the search returns page with out the US flag version.
Someone who knows how to do the google cache thingy should be able to aquire the US Flag version before if goes down the memory hole.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
You can always find it on their Amazon page.
http://www.amazon.com/NEOPlex-Flag-Obama-USA/dp/B005R51FS4
March 14th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Why does it not surprise me that this occurred in FloriTURD? Seriously. Christ, Fark News has their own section on FloriDUH, with all their social issues and stupidity. That shithole has ONE redeeming individual: LTC Allen West and that’s it!
March 14th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
SIGO has the right of it. Veterans should never stoop to the level of the Occutards. The woman may legitimately not have known she was wrong. Democrats are, by definition, highly educated, highly intelligent, and terminally ignorant. Usually the practice is to fly a Che flag in place of Old Glory.
Obama has practiced the politics of hatred, division, and personal destruction for decades. That his face anyplace provokes such an angry, hateful response is fitting.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I’m not trying to defend the Democrats, but I wonder if the veterans would have been equally outraged if the flag had a picture of Marco Rubio or Ronald Reagan replacing the traditional canton.
You can google image search “reagan flag” and find a few examples of the same “defaced” American flag.
That being said, I think I’ll call the Lake County Democratic Party office and ask if they have any of those flags laying around. In the great Liberal tradition, I have an urge to burn one of those.
March 14th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Miles: my guess is no, they wouldn’t have been as incensed. But I’d also guess that if what you suggest had happened elsewhere one of those same vets would have pointed out the defacement just the same – less vehemently.
And I’d further guess that had this happened at most other locations I can think of, that defaced flag would have been quickly and quietly replaced with the POW flag offered as a replacement.
March 14th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Facinating.
March 14th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@29 SIGO, it’s hard to take the high road with people who don’t know it even exists. Sometimes ya just gotta waller in the mud with the hogs. This is one of those times. As far as being over blown, I guess we could say the Casey Anthony trial was over blown. I mean who did it personally affect other than the Anthony family? From your comments it seems like people, other than just veterans, who were outraged by this. If you choose to do something controversial, be ready to accept the consequences.
March 14th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Does anyone else have a little deja vu cookin when they look at that flag? Doesn’t it remind anyone of other “leaders” who had their image everywhere? I think you all know what I’m talking about, especially those who have been in Iraq or have seen such things in WWII Italy, or in China, North Korea, even Cuba? I’m just sayin………
March 14th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Started feeling that way in ’08, OT.
March 14th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
I know, ROS, me too. It’s all about the cult of personality and the minions are completely clueless.
March 14th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Remember the “official seal” that the Obama campaign had up for about 2 seconds back in ’08?
March 14th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Hot Air is tracking.
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/03/14/finally-the-obama-spangled-banner/
March 14th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
And that is the scary part. It would be one thing if there was an ounce of objectivity on their part, or even one admission that everything he says and does isn’t flawless, but there is none. They’re wearing blinders and the sheer venom they exude when someone speaks ill of Teh Wun – justified or not – is just plain eerie.
March 14th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTjKWq9Gges
March 14th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Spot. on.
March 14th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Would publically burning this “flag” be considered Freedom of Speech as well, or does that only cover burning the U.S. flag?
March 14th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
@malclave: No.. that would be RACIST and intolerant!
(sarcasm, I can’t stand Obongo and his mongoloid pack of cronies either)
March 15th, 2012 at 10:09 am
Personally, I find it funny that these people are elevating Obama to an almost Christ-like status. What’s going to happen when he isn’t elected this November? Or, on the off-chance that he is, what’s going to happen during the next election (unless we are reorganized under a different constitution by then)?
March 15th, 2012 at 10:42 am
I’m still waiting for the drooling moonbats, that seem to plague this site, to come here and defend the Obama flag. It’s pretty strange that they haven’t had anything to say about this. As ROS stated, this has been happening since before the ’08 election. Anyone remember having to have the open air stadium for “the won’s” acceptance speech, complete with towering pillars and the grand stage? Kinda reminded me of Nuremberg stadium, back in the day.
Can anyone imagine if this were all done by repubs and Bush?? The drooling moonbats would have stroked out over all this crap, yet they either don’t say a word, dismiss it as rightwing hyperbole, or defend it. Including the “office of the President-elect seal that was made up after the election and before the innauguration. Yeah; he was the first President to do that, too. Imagine if that had been Bush?
@56: Don’t worry, the NAACP is petitioning the UN for an investigation into states with voter ID laws. The UN is so good at rooting out election fraud, that there is nothing to worry about come November.
March 15th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Looks like this one’s not over – and is getting even “better”:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/03/15/Dem%20County%20Chair%20Nancy%20Hurlbert%20%20Smears%20Vets%20Over%20Obama%20Flag%20Flap
March 15th, 2012 at 11:34 am
It’s all they have left, man. No way they can actually, you know, DEFEND the record of this administration, so when anyone dares criticize it, out comes the race card.
March 15th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@58: Yeah, Hondo, I had heard about that, but hadn’t read anything, until now. Thanks for adding the link.
March 22nd, 2012 at 12:11 pm
If I were to see that flag being flown I would 1. Take down said flag.
2. Go give it back to the person who thinks its ok to fly it.
This Offensive to the point it could start a civil unrest/riot.
March 22nd, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Just wait until he becomes Secretary General of the UN, and tries to put his face inside the olive branches on THAT logo.