Beyond Stupid: Democrats Throw Away Over 10,000 US Flags
by Marilyn Mackenzie
Have you heard? The Democrats threw away about 12,000 flags after the Democratic National Convention. An enterprising worker at Invesco Field in Denver saved thousands of unused flags that were headed for the garbage.
Today, those flags were being waved at a McCain/Palin rally in Colorado Springs. I heard about it on Fox News as I listened to the dynamic duo speak.
Of course, within ten minutes, some Democratic spokesperson contacted the news media and said the flags were not supposeed to be thrown away. And, of couse, this person accused the Republicans of stealing their flags.
Folks, I have to admit that I have never organized an event for 75,000 people. But I have had the experience (9 years worth) of organizing sales rallies for between 300 and 800 people - held at hotels, restaurants and town halls. And I can tell you that anything you leave behind after such an event will be considered trash - unless you have left both written and verbal instructions for the management and clean-up staff of the rally location. Even then, the "stuff" you leave behind should never be stored in trash bags. That only makes it easier for someone to assume that something is, indeed, trash. Or to make a horrible mistake.
Whether or not the Democrats meant to throw away about 12,000 flags is something only they know for sure. Whether they did or didn't, it was foolish to put 12,000 American flags in trash bags.
What I cannot understand is why anyone would not take the flags with them when they left. I still have a flag from the patriotic rally held in a little town in Texas right after September 11, 2001. I was so proud of my fellow Amereicans that week, at how united we were, at how we cared about our country. I'll probably keep that flag forever, to remind me that tragedy did unite us for a short while
But even if you didn't want to keep a flag, I'll bet that flags waved at either of the history making conventions could have been sold on eBay. For big bucks.
Here are two of the many links about this:
Fred Fry: Beyond Stupid: Democrats Throw Away Over 10,000 US Flags
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Comments: 90
People are actually making a big stink over these tiny flags on sticks ?
The way the article is written, one would assume these were Standard, Legal-size American Flags.
Here's a hint: Disposal of decorations from a public rally to prevent the spread of contagious diseases is prudent. I wonder how much flu virus was deposited at the McCain/Palin rally ?
Oh, my our flag I thought meant something... virus control...give me a break... so that means the airlines are really horrendous companies, for letting us fly in the air and get virus's off the plane...have you ever sat in a plane during a connecting flight...they don't clean each and every seat or even spray them with lysol.... oh give me a break.
The Democrat's "Green" Convention"
DENVER--The Democratic Party has boasted that its convention here will be "the most environmentally-sustainable" gathering in the party's history, complete with a director of sustainability, low-power lighting in some areas, and calculations of carbon footprints.
Some of the goals include diverting 85 percent of waste that would normally go to a landfill, finding hundreds of people to sort waste into recycling-compost-landfill containers, and devising what The Wall Street Journal described as "lean 'n' green" catering guidelines that say food described thusly must not be fried and shall contain three of the following colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple, and white.
Should it never be washed, thrown away or burned ?
This bathing suit is as much an American Flag as are these decorations on a stick.
If they were thrown away on purpose shame on the organizers of this rally the least they could have done was put them up as decoration in all the unused sitting there rotting FEMA trailers that the Bush administration bought.
Second we have only a workers version of the story that he "found" them. In Iowa we recycle bottles and cans...we pay a nickle deposit and when we turn them into the local redemption center we get the nickle back.
I keep my bottles and cans in a recycling approved plastic bag in my shed because although I do clean them out I dont want to attract ants in my house.
One day I went to take my bottles in and was called away on an emergency my son got hurt at school. So I left the bag of bottles still in the bag beside my house....a few days later I noticed that my bag was gone. Seems my son and his friends "found" the bag and assumed that since it was next to the trash can I intended on throwing it out so they redeemed the bottles.
There is no minimum size for a flag. If it looks like a flag and is designed under the flag code (that bikini is not although I'm not counting the number of stars or stripes) and was meant to be used as a flag then it's a flag! Period! (As opposed to just stars or stripes used as bunting material which is clearly not a flag.)
Second irony is that the proper disposal for a flag is ... burning.
So then this is what happened.
Workers threw them out someone dumpster dived and retrieved them thinking this is going to make a great story but instead of taking pictures while they were in the dumpster they brought them in opened the bags and then took pictures?
Hmm something is just not right about this.
Not a credible source.
But it does seem to be serving the purpose that it was intended to....How the Repubs are so patriotic and the Dems hate America.
Fear mongering at its best.
There are 2 stories about this both of them mentioned in this thread.
Now why is it in this link http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/08/29/obama-convention-threw-us-flag-into-trash/
I saw little broken flags in garbage bags by Obama signs so wouldnt it stand to reason that if the big black bags were truly by a dumpster then someone would have gotten a picture of them?
What really amazes me is that people believe this or at least pretend to.
And they say the Democrats are running scared..is this truly the best the Repubs can come up with?
It doesn't matter where they were. They were in trash bags, which made the clean-up crew figure they were trash.
Did you read my entire post? Have you watched any news today?
I watch the news all day long. But I hear the whole broadcast not just the bits and pieces I want to hear.
Don't think for one minute that this is not going to get used by anyone and everyone. It's just like the McCain "I don't know how many houses I have" gaff. No amount of explanation made that go away! The Obamaniacs milked that for all it was worth.
Turn about is fair play in politics.
I no more believe this kind of drivel then I do Sarah Palin's youngest child is not her child but her grandchild.
I have heard that Sarah "hid" her pregnancy...now since I have 3 kids you cannot unless you never go to the doctor are able to hide a pregnancy.
Maybe she didnt talk about it.
I use common sense as much as possible and try to pick through the garbage to the truth of the matter.
This is non sense.
No pun intended there.
And if you are ready and willing to believe this I also saw on CBS they were talking about websites on politics and there is one I can dig it up for you if anyone is interested but it just lists a bunch of stupid claims about Sarah Palin and one is:
Sarah Palin got Tom Brady Pregnant and then Left him.
Now since this was reported on the news and does say that very same thing on the website is is therefore true?
Common acts of flag desecration include not taking down the flag at sunset and displaying a tattered flag. I see it all the time.
It was on CNN along with the otherweb sites on ridiculous political articles and blogs.
The one I got the:
Sarah Palin got Tom Brady Pregnant...thingy.
Amen.
Or using the word "liberal" like it's a bad thing.
How about you morons post the great plans mcbush has to dig this country out of the pit he helped put it in?
And "elect me and I will be different than the last 8 years " isn't it.
You are pitiful/hateful/bigoted and you got NOTHIN'.
I just happen to love my flag. Shouldn't all of you. I never said anything bad about the DEMOCRATS...Read my first comment again.
I was commenting on some one one else's comment. Storing something is different than THROWING it away.
How much money could Goodwill or the Salvation Army made?
How many kids would have loved the flags around their schools.
Don't assume.
I said it was "Unbelievable error or tragic stupidity." Please fault me for what I SAY...
MY point exactly.
"How about issues only matter in politics Soozan?"
Issues do matter in politics! If you think that questions about Governor Palin's pregnancy are key political ISSUES that will get you affordable health care and lower gas prices at the pump, you ought to stop reading the National Inquirer! Try the Washington Post!
http://blogs.denverpost.com/opinion/2008/09/06/republican-recycling/
The flags sat for a week and 1 day in bags. If they weren't meant to be taken to the trash...it doesn't look like the person cleaning up did a very good job.
This was the first I heard about this and this article says the Republicans was going to have veterans bring the flags in the bags on stage.
People, our Flag are in bags... doesn't anyone but me see this...aren't pictures enough, can't we just get those flags out of those bags. RESPECT please.
Yes it's only cloth, but it symbolizes us, democrats and republicans, independents, etc, us, Americans...
It's a crying shame.
If this is how he handles things....
I don't have a problem with flags in bags, although they must have come packaged in a cardboard box at one point, but it certainly is a way to store items and keep them dry.
I do have a problem with a lack of care taken in leaving these sitting on the floor for "a week and a day" as the flag is a very important symbol for Americans. I would have kept my flag (if I had any desire at all to attend a democrat convention) and brought it home, or at least they could have been given to a veterans group of Boy Scouts of America for proper distribution or disposal. Burning in a respectful manner is, indeed, proper disposal for flag disposal. Our scout troop always keeps the grommets and each attending a flag disposal ceremony takes grommet and some of the ashes away in a container. These ashes are added to the next flag disposal ceremony where the same is done with the ashes. Each ceremony date is written on the container.
"Are you got nothing positive to say about your ticket so you dig up this crap to post.
How about you morons post the great plans mcbush has to dig this country out of the pit he helped put it in?
And "elect me and I will be different than the last 8 years " isn't it.
You are pitiful/hateful/bigoted and you got NOTHIN'."
This is from Repugnidon, the troll who had made a joke out of my nephew's death, who was killed in Iraq in July. The same troll who enjoyed the pain of my family after a request to remove my nephew's name from his anti-war list of fallen military. I don't think he has a leg to stand on in calling others pitiful and hateful.
The article he is referring to (his own) is retaliation from others trying to get him to identify his points on preferring Obama over McCain, as opposed to name calling and writing hateful comments. I see he hasn't learned.
And why are we arguing about this dumb stuff.
Soozan I dont think pregnancy is an issue in politics...do you?
Why dont you try and READ what I write or have someone with some interpretation skills help you digest information.
You are referring to the war in Iraq that was UN sanctioned and Congress approved? I would think it was more than President Bush or Vice President Cheney's war.
I would want a president who wouldn't want to encourage terrorists by an embarrassing failure in Iraq OR Afghanistan OR the Horn of Africa, the Philippines, Indonesia or any of the other areas where we are currently fighting terrorist factions. I'm far more comfortable with McCain and his "pitbull" handling this than than Obama and his career politician Biden.
This country which was paid for in blood of our brave forefathers....so as to leave their descendents a better life.... Thank God for these brave men and woman who so proudly make of our fine military... These are the best in the world.... I am so sorry for your loss...
Sorry Marilyn for getting off subject..
Thanks Cathi, for your kind comment..
Heather - This is just more inflammatory crap that these people have been putting on here for months.
You just wound up in the middle of it.
Yes, IF it's true, they may not have been following protocol, but remember they have not been following protocol by occupying Iraq, starting on Iran, screwing up in Afghanistan and now trying to incite another cold war with Russia.
The person in charge of handling of recycling and clean up screwed up, people do screw up. It's called being human. I'd rather see this than people sport hunting just to kill.
I'm not worried about flags, I'm worried about my country and fools with big mouths and empty heads.
And sorry, Lori F. War is hardest on those who serve and their families. Perhaps we should start a prayer (in whatever form folks pray -- karma, good will, care and concern, God) group. Or maybe there is one already here and I don't know about it. Gather seems like a huge ocean sometimes that is over my head.
The best approach is to be able to talk to others in a similar situation and there are many groups out there.
Again, my heart goes out to you.
I read very well, thanks. I also read you! So a viable issue is a post with the title "Sarah Palin Got Tom Brady Pregnant and Left Him" by Lori F. Is that you?
Then you write:
"I have heard that Sarah "hid" her pregnancy...now since I have 3 kids you cannot unless you never go to the doctor are able to hide a pregnancy.
Maybe she didnt talk about it."
Then you write:
"I use common sense as much as possible and try to pick through the garbage to the truth of the matter."
Oh, yeah! I guess you do try to pick through the garbage throw it around on Gather in a feeble attempt to divert folks from an honest discussion of the issues that most of us care about.
Oh, I read you very well, thank you.
The American flag should be respected.
But why is it that Republicans seem to get so irate about symbols when actual acts trashing our Constitution like Signing Statements or loss of Habeus Corpus never seem to raise their ire?
Symbols are symbols.
But freedom in America is an essential part of what we are and let's make sure that we all spend our efforts protecting that!
I had an experience back in 2004 with my flag.
All campaign season I had my homemade sign stolen and replaced with BUSH/CHENEY signs. (4 times) The sign simply read: "In a Democracy, Silence is Permission"
The day after the election, I displayed my flag upside down as a cry for help in times of distress! When I woke up the next morning, I found that my US Flag was stolen from my flag pole and replaced with a pillow case which had a swastika painted on it.
I called the police to report this hate crime and the cop destroyed all evidence and said I must have deserved this action.
When will you listen ? When will you use reason instead of rhetoric ?
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/4/ch1.html
The problem with symbols that they are misused and abused. If you wrap yourself in an American Flag and pin it at your breast with a big old gold cross a frighteningly large number of people will believe what you say no matter what you say.
This article is a perfect example.
Robert, I've lived in 17 different areas and have seen this practice of placing flags next to mail boxes during patriotic holidays loads of times. I haven't a clue on their political stance. It's interesting that you have knowledge of your neighbors politics. I'll bet you all have had some interesting discussions. I don't like the business card attached to them, though. I don't particularly like the little flags stick in the ground because yes, they eventually touch the ground, get stepped on, peed on, run over, the wind picks them up and drops them in the street or drainage ditches or coulees or bayous. I've even stopped my car, gotten out and righted many flags but they always find their way back to the way they were before I stepped in.
But I am fortunately to be heavily involved in Boy Scouts and have a proper way to dispose of flags. But talking to others about disposal of their flags, many don't have a clue what flag etiquette entails. That's ok. Do I question their patriotism? No, just their knowledge of flag etiquette. Usually I'll ask permission to take the flag they are trying to get rid of to use in a Boy Scout flag retirement ceremony and usually that leads into a discussion of flag etiquette.
Your comment makes no sense and is certainly an unfair way to address Marilyn's concern.
Cathi L."
Cathi - I pick them up and stick them back in the ground when I see them in the street or lying down. Mine go on the wall in my garage. The great majority of our population does not seem to honor the flag as you do. This is what irks me.
The disrespect to the flag was unbelievable, that an HOA could tell anyone that they could not be proud to be an American.
So sad that this happens in America.
I'm thankful to organizations like Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who teach flag etiquette. But I can't be angry at people who don't know flag etiquette. I can't question their patriotism. But I can invite their kids to join scouts or similar organizations and hope, with their permission, the kids are allowed to do so. Then I can feel good that one more from another generation can carry on proper respect to our flag.
Heather, you can stand up for your right NOT to have a flag in your landscape but no one said standing up for what you believe in wouldn't bring repercussions. It's a shame this HOA felt it was ok to try to force this on someone. Hopefully this homeowner let them know that.
Is there any way to block some people's comments from my view?
Julia Star, Sep 7, 2008, 9:55am EDT
According to Gather posting policy, only the author of a post can elect to choose which comments appear and which to delete.
In your case, you can do what some of us have learned to do already. If you want to BLOCK OUT OPINIONS THAT DIFFER FROM YOUR = Keep a list of those authors who use hate speech, derision, slamming, profanity, sliming and purposely tossing off a low rating to any one who has an opinion which differs from their own. THEN, DO NOT VIEW OR READ OR COMMENT ON THEIR POSTS!
In that way you can keep your integrity intacted and your opinions clear/clean of the influence of others. In other words, you can remain close-minded. You don't have to believe in or support freedom of speech. That's your right.
Good luck with that!
I am very interested in politics and voting patterns so yes I do know a lot about my neighbor's political beliefs. Yard signs, bumper stickers and precinct voting results printed in the newspaper all give a good picture of you neighbor's voting preferences. My neighbors on both sides are McCain supporters. One of the couples has been in Florida the last two weeks and I have been watering their plants and garden. I keep tabs on their house, gather their packages and newspapers up. They are good people. The couple on the other side have young children that play with my grand children when the grand children are here. The dad like me is a big Lonhorn and Cowboy fan. We get along well and they are also good people.
We are all in this together. We have a lot more manners when we are talking to one another face to face. It is only when we are separated by the dark of night, a computer monitor or a television screen that we are rude to one another. I wish it weren't so but it is.
I think you'd be surprised how many on Gather agree with that statement! ;-)
After hearing this, I searched the internet and found a few of the many links already posted about this and shared them.
Period.
Like Cathi said, someone messed up. The Dems were originally willing to own up to the fact that they were their flags. Now are they not? If they were, they messed up.
I didn't make up the original story, nor the response - reported on TV - by the Dems.
The Democratic National Committee has now put out a statement saying that they weren't mishandling these flags, that they weren't being tossed out. They essentially argue that they were pilfered, and there's a statement that says, quote, "American flags were proudly waved by the 70,000 people who joined Barack Obama at the Democratic Convention. John McCain should applaud that, but instead, supporters wrongfully took leftover bundles of our flags from the stadium to play out a cheap political stunt, calling into question our patriotism."
The allegation here, Gregg, is that the Democrats are saying Republicans swiped the flags and then claimed that the Democrats were going to be throwing them out.
WOW sounds an aweful lot like Karl Rove when he began in politics.
Dolan went (anonymously) to the Washington Post with recordings of several training seminars for young Republicans where Rove discussed campaign techniques that included rooting through opponents' garbage cans.
:http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?memberId=518057&articleId=281474977445728&nav=MyGather
Your article is spot on and just more of the shame from the Wizard of Ahh's, Jesus Obama.