07 July 2014

Regional Store Chain Takes Down American Flag

(Spoilers....you'll either agree or disagree with me after reading this)

Like most people out there, I have friends/family that work at a regional chain store. Scanning my Facebook feed today, I found an interesting post that talked about how at least two stores in this chain had taken down the American flag that had been flying for several years. The original poster initially posted that they were taken down because of a complaint by an individual from Iraq and asked their thoughts. Later on, they posted that the store took them down outside because they weren't part of the "sign package" for their store. So what?

To me, it's the Store's property, they can do with it whatever they please to do. If they decide today to have the flag of Germany, and then Tuesday, the flag of Greece, then on Thursday, the flag of Mexico, and on every third Sunday, the flag of the United States of America flown upside down, that's their call to make, unless it isn't a "free country" after all (spoilers....it isn't).

The thing that interested me was the comments people made, and to which I devote most of this post to. Two posters said that if the person from Iraq didn't like it, they should leave and go back to Iraq. I find this view a bit ignorant. It also shows their complete lack of historical knowledge. If they could go back to the 1600's how would they feel if instead of the native peoples inhabiting the Americas being welcoming to the settlers, who were trying to leave persecution for their beliefs, they were met with the "if you don't like it here, leave" rhetoric that today is put out there by "nationalists"? I think many people would not want to live the native lifestyle. Would they leave and go back to their place of origin?

What if the native people's decided that the lifestyle of the settler's wasn't acceptable. Would the settler's have left? History records the deaths and tragedies that the settler's caused toward the people of the native inhabitants seems to answer that question.

I also find that those who would agree that the National Socialist German Workers' Party flag should never been flown, especially, in front of people of the Jewish faith. That these same people are being hypocritical when it's their chosen flag being asked to be taken down for the same exact reason. That to other people the "United States flag" is a reminder of the men and women who murdered their friends and families.

Asking the flag of those who murdered your family members, or caused to be murdered, to be taken down at a business that is open to the public, isn't asking much, in my opinion. If the business had the policy of "no "Iraqis"", it might be more reasonable to tell them, I'm sorry, your business isn't wanted here, so no we will continue to fly the "American flag" as a warning to you that you aren't wanted here. I doubt this was the intention of the commentators, but that is the message they are broadcasting, if they realize it or not. Of course this is a public business, who wants everyone to feel welcome to shop there. If they have to take down a flag to make someone welcome to their store, I think it's appropriate. Isn't that also the reason why the "United Nations" flies all those flags too, to make everyone know they are welcome there?

Another commentator said this "...[I will] not so kindly remind them about the sacrifices our troops have made!!" in regards to the original poster's question, should it be found that the reason they took the flag down was because an "Iraqi" complained. The sacrifices that the "troops made" weren't for the "people" but for the "government" that sent them there. Too many people believe that the "troops" are there to protect them, and while they are protected to some extent, the sole purpose of the "troops" are to protect the "government" not the people. This is how it has been for the last several thousand years. In case you don't believe me, look back to Hurricane Katrina, and watch the "troops" taking, by threat of force, and actual force, weapons from the "people" in direct violation of the "Law". You may justify this action with the belief that "it was required to maintain the peace" or "to stop the looters" but this action also killed people because they couldn't stop the looters with the threat of force, or actual force. It was also against the "Law".

While we are on "the troops" and their so-called "sacrifices" what about their real crimes? Obviously murder is one of many. Many would retort, "this is war, there is no murder". This isn't war. War has rules. One of those rules is you declare war before you can engage in acts of war. Another is you don't invade someone's "sovereignty". What about their own "law",  they don't follow those and no one objects when it goes against their vested interest. For some examples the "law" that requires a "declaration of war" before engaging in combat, the various Treaties that require certain rules to be followed, specifically attacking only military targets, differentiating between military and civilian targets. Soldiers are accountable for their actions, including following illegal and unconstitutional orders. Of course, commanders are also responsible for the actions of their men. What about the highest authority who issues unconstitutional and illegal orders, aren't they also criminals as well?

One last commentator said "[p]olitical correctness is part of what's destroying this country." Really? Of all the much bigger things you could cite that are destroying "this country" you talk about "political correctness"? How about blind obedience to authority? How about violations of your rights as a human being that you just let happen everyday? How about people killing others and claiming that you gave them the authority to do so?

As an aside to those whom believe I'm anti-military or a military basher. I state the following because you'd never know otherwise.  My mother, whom served 25 years in the military, whom taught me everything I know about the military first hand, passed away recently and was given full military honors at one of the National Cemeteries.

I believe in a proper armed defense force. What we currently have isn't one. It's an armed offensive force, utilized by men and women who want people to murder, enslave, and destroy for them to help them enrich their own lives. When the men and women who are tasked to execute those orders fail to act properly, they are criminals. Those who question those orders when they violate the oath that each member takes before assuming the role of soldier, and are called traitors, and are jailed, such as Bradley Manning, are the real heroes. As Thoreau said, "[u]nder a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison."

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