Quoted:


And here is another veteran who would stand beside you.

Quoted:
Im not placing my opinion on this matter, however I see a lot of people post their opinions on what the Constitutions actually defines DISTRESS. This should be good. Lets hear it....some of you post some lame definitions. Not trying to start an arguement but if your going to comment when peoples civil liberties are taken and then quote the constitutional meaning I would hope your accurate.

Quoted:


and another veteran here that will stand for this guys rights.

People need to realize free speech doesn't include only things you agree with.

Quoted:


Well here is a veteran who would defend this veteran from the police, not kick his ass.  It was the police that need their asses kicked.

Quoted:
What kind of attorney would give that shitty advice?

I would have told him no way.

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

Quoted:
His business will fail,go on the auction block and someone that is friends with the council will buy it cheap and have a liquor license a month later.

Quoted:
I see disturbing the peace laws abused by cops more than any other laws...

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

Quoted:


I Respectfully and vehemently disagree with your statement Sir. You obviously would defend the flag of this nation, no matter what wrongs are perpetrated by those that are running it into the ground. I love this country and respect what it used to stand for. Freedom. All the freedoms that are being destroyed daily. If you really think it's O.K. to steal a mans property under the color of authority, because you don't like his opinion; then you have become the tyranny that this nation once fought against.

You do NOT have the right to NOT be offended by someones speech. And if you and the whole damn town decide you don't like what your neighbor is expressing; then you DO have the right to free and open debate. You have the right not to spend your dollars at his business. You have the right to take out an add in the newspaper denouncing his actions. However, neither you nor the "Authorities" have the right to trespass on your neighbors property to physically steal his expression of free speech.  

My family members have bled and died in America's wars, to defend the rights of people with whom they have disagreed. And apparently this man has served his nation and risked life and limb also, only to return to an ungrateful nation that tramples his rights. Hate him, denounce him, disrespect him in your heart, but don't you dare steal his right to express his opinion. Too many have died for that right. Because the next time the government comes to snatch a flag, it might be the one you love, the one you have defended. It just might be yours.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. " - Voltiare

Respectfully submitted

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. " - Voltiare

Quoted:
Flying a flag upside down is a distress signal signifying, you know, actual distress. He's crying "fire" when there's no fire.

Quoted:





So your saying it's okay to call 911 when McDonald's shorts him on his order of fries too?

Quoted:
I'm surprised a bunch of other veterans didn't get together and kick his ass.

Maybe the police actually saved his life.

Quoted:


No problem.

I don't mind respectful debate.

But I would want you to understand my position.

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

100% of those people would have said, "Yes", and there was indeed such a law.  We all understood that the freedom of speech is the freedom to "SAY THINGS", verbally.  It was not the right to burn the nation's flag.

To me, this issue is one of the biggest examples of Liberalism and it's hatred of America, that they have convinced the average Joe that the right to freedom of speech means you can burn a flag or dance naked in the streets.  The Supreme Count ruled in this silly fashion, and some people have been convinced, over the years, that this foolishness makes sense.

No one in 1950 in Southeast Texas believed that a person had a "right" to burn the flag.  But in merely 50 years, the liberal media and socialist school system has corrupted the minds of the average American to where they believe such things make sense.

It didn't then, and it doesn't now.

I will defend this nutjob's right to "SAY" anything he pleases about the government.  But I do not personally believe he has any right to desecrate the flag, and America agreed with me for the first 200 years of its existence.

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

Quoted:


That might matter if I cared what you thought.

Quoted:


No problem.

I don't mind respectful debate.

But I would want you to understand my position.

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

100% of those people would have said, "Yes", and there was indeed such a law.  We all understood that the freedom of speech is the freedom to "SAY THINGS", verbally.  It was not the right to burn the nation's flag.

To me, this issue is one of the biggest examples of Liberalism and it's hatred of America, that they have convinced the average Joe that the right to freedom of speech means you can burn a flag or dance naked in the streets.  The Supreme Count ruled in this silly fashion, and some people have been convinced, over the years, that this foolishness makes sense.

No one in 1950 in Southeast Texas believed that a person had a "right" to burn the flag.  But in merely 50 years, the liberal media and socialist school system has corrupted the minds of the average American to where they believe such things make sense.

It didn't then, and it doesn't now.

I will defend this nutjob's right to "SAY" anything he pleases about the government.  But I do not personally believe he has any right to desecrate the flag, and America agreed with me for the first 200 years of its existence.

Quoted:


No problem.

I don't mind respectful debate.

But I would want you to understand my position.

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

100% of those people would have said, "Yes", and there was indeed such a law.  We all understood that the freedom of speech is the freedom to "SAY THINGS", verbally.  It was not the right to burn the nation's flag.

To me, this issue is one of the biggest examples of Liberalism and it's hatred of America, that they have convinced the average Joe that the right to freedom of speech means you can burn a flag or dance naked in the streets.  The Supreme Count ruled in this silly fashion, and some people have been convinced, over the years, that this foolishness makes sense.

No one in 1950 in Southeast Texas believed that a person had a "right" to burn the flag.  But in merely 50 years, the liberal media and socialist school system has corrupted the minds of the average American to where they believe such things make sense.

It didn't then, and it doesn't now.

I will defend this nutjob's right to "SAY" anything he pleases about the government.  But I do not personally believe he has any right to desecrate the flag, and America agreed with me for the first 200 years of its existence.

Quoted:

No problem.

I don't mind respectful debate.

But I would want you to understand my position.

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

100% of those people would have said, "Yes", and there was indeed such a law.  We all understood that the freedom of speech is the freedom to "SAY THINGS", verbally.  It was not the right to burn the nation's flag.

To me, this issue is one of the biggest examples of Liberalism and it's hatred of America, that they have convinced the average Joe that the right to freedom of speech means you can burn a flag or dance naked in the streets.  The Supreme Count ruled in this silly fashion, and some people have been convinced, over the years, that this foolishness makes sense.

No one in 1950 in Southeast Texas believed that a person had a "right" to burn the flag.  But in merely 50 years, the liberal media and socialist school system has corrupted the minds of the average American to where they believe such things make sense.

It didn't then, and it doesn't now.

I will defend this nutjob's right to "SAY" anything he pleases about the government.  But I do not personally believe he has any right to desecrate the flag, and America agreed with me for the first 200 years of its existence.

Quoted:


Sir, I feel the same way you do about old glory. I appreciate the time in which you grew-up was far different, and you have unfortunately had to witness the drastic deterioration of this nation to what it is today . However, a true republic is one that must protect the speech and lawful actions of everyone, no matter how distasteful those words or actions are to our sensibilities. The fact is that those who protest for the wrong reasons, or who desecrate what is sacred for ignoble purposes, become a pariah in the eyes of their countrymen. They will fade away when men of reason judge them to be fools. They shall cease to be of consequence, while the truth grows and displaces their folly.

To trample on the rights of those we hold in contempt, is to invite both our countrymen and God forbid, our government, to eventually treat us in the same manner. The right to free speech for all men must be protected at all costs. It is the heart of freedom and the rudder which steers the nation away from the rocky shore of tyranny. Today we see the deterioration of our republic into a democracy. A constitutional republic is one where the rights of the individual are unalienable. They can not be taken away by vote, popular opinion, or political expediency. Democracy is no better than mob rule, which always evolves into tyranny.

The next time you hear someone proclaim that we are a nation based upon "democracy", please remind them that we were founded as a constitutional republic,  which protects us as individuals from the encroachment of government, and from the whims of our fellow countrymen. When we forget this, we begin to see what is our present situation. A government nanny-state, committing illegal acts to enforce popular opinion. We see unconstitutional acts become legal because nine lawyers in black robes decide it seems sensible. And then we wonder why congress wants to take our guns, and regulate our speech, and control every aspect of our lives. It is because we can't seem to keep the simple concepts of the constitution straight in our own minds. We allow our emotions to overrule our common sense, just like the lawyers and police did in this small town. They decided what was right in their own eyes because they lost their constitutional bearings, in true democratic fashion.

Respectfully,

Warrior68

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." –– Patrick Henry, Virginia's Ratification convention, 1788

"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active.  The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt." –– John Philpot Curran: Speech upon the Right of Election, 1790

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." –– Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759)

"If we become a people who are willing to give up our money and our freedom in exchange for rhetoric and promises, then nothing can save us." –– Thomas Sowell

"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it." –– Daniel Webster (1834)  

Quoted:


Blind hog....  

Quoted:


And here's another...

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

Quoted:


There you go, boys.  You are in agreement with Mr. DLoken.

How's that make you feel?  Proud?

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Back when I was a kid and people in this country had respect for it's flag, the citizens would have taken down this flag without calling the police.

What this man is doing is showing disrespect for the flag over a minor issue about a liquor license.  Hardly qualifies as an S.O.S.

I love this country and respect the flag.  This man is wrong to show disrespect for it on any day, but especially on the 4th of July.

I am not going to address the "legalities" of this issue, just what I think is "right".

Quoted:


No problem.

I don't mind respectful debate.

But I would want you to understand my position.

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

100% of those people would have said, "Yes", and there was indeed such a law.  We all understood that the freedom of speech is the freedom to "SAY THINGS", verbally.  It was not the right to burn the nation's flag.

To me, this issue is one of the biggest examples of Liberalism and it's hatred of America, that they have convinced the average Joe that the right to freedom of speech means you can burn a flag or dance naked in the streets.  The Supreme Count ruled in this silly fashion, and some people have been convinced, over the years, that this foolishness makes sense.

No one in 1950 in Southeast Texas believed that a person had a "right" to burn the flag.  But in merely 50 years, the liberal media and socialist school system has corrupted the minds of the average American to where they believe such things make sense.

It didn't then, and it doesn't now.

I will defend this nutjob's right to "SAY" anything he pleases about the government.  But I do not personally believe he has any right to desecrate the flag, and America agreed with me for the first 200 years of its existence.

Quoted:

When I was a kid, back in the 1950s, you could have stopped 100 people on the main street in my home town and asked this question, "Is it okay to have a law that prevents a person from desecrating the American flag?"

Quoted:


I see what you are saying OP, but flying the Colors upside down is not "Desecrating" any more than flying them at night without illumination, or hanging the stars and stripes reversed vertically out of ignorance.

I see this all the time. Not illuminating the National Flag at night is so common, most people likely believe it is ok, but it's not.

Desecration of the flag would be things like William Ayers did, burning and urinating on the Colors.
Flying it upside down when not in physical distress is not desecration, though it is misuse.

I think there is a difference.

Quoted:
It's his right to fly that flag any way he wants.  However, an upside down flag is supposed to indicate severe distress, is it not?  They should have sent a SWAT team and medical to help him.  And then billed him for wasting their time.  That's just responding appropriately to his signaling a severe emergency.

Quoted:


I see our country as being in distress....ESPECIALLY after those cops just walked onto that guy's property and stole his flag.

Quoted:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,531525,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/images/544619/0_61_071009_flag.jpg

WAUSAU, Wis. —  An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it — an Iraq war veteran — claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

A day after the parade, police returned the flag and the man's protest — over a liquor license — continued.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is considering legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s' First Amendment rights, Executive Director Chris Ahmuty said.

"It is not often that you see something this blatant," Ahmuty said.

In mid-June, Congine, 46, began flying the flag upside down — an accepted way to signal distress — outside the restaurant he wants to open in Crivitz, a village of about 1,000 people some 65 miles north of Green Bay.

He said his distress is likely bankruptcy because the village board refused to grant him a liquor license after he spent nearly $200,000 to buy and remodel a downtown building for an Italian supper club.

Congine's upside-down-flag represents distress to him; to others in town, it represents disrespect of the flag.

Hours before a Fourth of July parade, four police officers went to Congine's property and removed the flag under the advice of Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey.

Neighbor Steven Klein watched in disbelief.

"I said, 'What are you doing?' Klein said. "They said, 'It is none of your business."'

The next day, police returned the flag.

Brey declined comment Friday.

Marinette County Sheriff Jim Kanikula said it was not illegal to fly the flag upside down but people were upset and it was the Fourth of July.

"It is illegal to cause a disruption," he said.

The parade went on without any problems, Kanikula said.

Village President John Deschane, 60, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said many people in town believe it's disrespectful to fly the flag upside down.

"If he wants to protest, let him protest but find a different way to do it," Deschane said.

Congine, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq in 2004, said he intends to keep flying the flag upside down.

"It is pretty bad when I go and fight a tyrannical government somewhere else," Congine said, "and then I come home to find it right here at my front door."

_____________________

Stop the presses!  The ACLU is on the right side of the fight?!