US

HOA Sues Marine for Flying American Flag on Flagpole

A homeowner’s association in Houston, TX is suing a former Marine for disobeying its rules and erecting a 20 ft. flagpole to fly his Marine Corps and American flags. The HOA’s argument? The pole flapping in the wind poses “imminent harm” and “causes noise to other homeowners.” But neighbors say they don’t mind, and now a prominent U.S. lawmaker has stepped up to support the Marine.

The Marine is 60-year-old Mike Merola, an 8-year veteran who served from 1969-1977. He moved to the Lakeland Village Community in 2009, and almost immediately started lobbying the Lakeland Village Community Association to allow him to erect his flagpole. They said no. Recently, he did it anyway:

“They just don’t understand, unless they’ve been in the military, to feel the pride that I feel in flying that flag high and proud,” Merola told the Houston Chronicle. “The excuses and things that they came up with for me not being able to fly that flagpole, I just didn’t buy. That’s why I bucked the system and put it up.”

Those excuses range from the potential for the flagpole to do damage, to noise concerns.

The HOA’s suit alleges the pole is “a detriment to Lakeland Village and … (causes) imminent harm and irreparable injury to (the association).” According to the Chronicle, the suit seeks a court order to remove the flagpole, payment of attorneys’ fees, and a $10 fine for every day the pole stays up. But Merola gave a different figure to KHOU, telling the news station the HOA is “suing me for $200 a day and lawyers’ fees and everything.”

“The problem with a flagpole of that height and that significance is that it flaps in the wind and causes noise to other homeowners,” HOA lawyer Nina Tran told the Chronicle. According to her, Merola’s pole is a slippery slope: “If we allow the mounting of a 20-foot freestanding flagpole in the backyard, who‘s to say that the next person isn’t going to mount it to the top of their roof? We have to have standards.”

She explained American flags are not banned — residents are encouraged to fly them — but rather it‘s the flagpole that’s the problem. In fact, Merola would be allowed to fly his flags if they were on a 6-foot pole attached to his house.

But that just won’t do for Merola. And despite him knowingly breaking the HOA’s rules, neighbors are standing by his choice.

“That’s not a problem for me,” Lakeland Village resident Jim King admitted to KHOU, “if you can’t fly a United States flag in the United States, we‘re hurtin’.”

“The homeowners association should look at the rules again,” Satish Kalra, Merola’s next-door neighbor, told the Chronicle. “If the rules need to be modified, they should be modified. … That would be the logical thing to do.”

Merola’s attorney Lee Thweatt agrees. He also thinks the HOA’s position violates the Freedom to Fly the American Flag Act of 2005. “I don’t understand why the homeowners association overreacted like this,” Thweatt, a fellow Marine veteran who has taken on the case for free, told the Chronicle. “I understand they have to protect the property values of the people in that subdivision, but they’ve had no complaints. It’s not like the guy painted his house neon orange.”

U.S. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) thinks Merola and his lawyer have a point. Poe took to the House floor on Friday to vigorously defend Merola.

“Marines and sailors and soldiers, and members of the Coast Guard have fought under that flag all over the world and have died for that flag so the association can exist down there in northwest Houston,” he said during an impassioned speech:

“I just feel the liberties and things are being chipped away at,” Merola told KHOU. “By flying this flag, it shows my respect and honor to this country for those of us who have served before.”

Comments (163)

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  • neverending
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:34pm

    To all the sorry sob’s who are offended by our beautiful AMERICAN FLAG – I say get the hell out – we’d be more then happy to pay for the one way ticket!!! Maybe you can get the pres to fly with you.

    Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:32pm

    Ohh my change of subject here and i am sorry but a Rep. Gabby Giffords D. from AZ has just been shot

    Report Post »  
  • T-rav
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:30pm

    If I was in the top 2% of income earners I would go to EVERY neighbor in that HOA and tell them I would be willing to pay out of my pocket for a flag pole and flag to be flown high and mighty!

    DTOM!

    Report Post » T-rav  
  • Dale
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:30pm

    I would like to see every other home owner erect a pole. Let the HOA challenge all of their members.

    Report Post » Dale  
  • slwolfgram
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:30pm

    HOA’s are fine if they just do what they are designed to do. When I bought my first house I had a letter HOA explanations. Keep your yard neat and kept, Don’t leave your garbage can on the street, Be sure to consult the assoc. before you paint your house etc. The money would also be used for keeping the streets paved. Somewhere there needs to be a rule that the ‘rules’ need to be reasonable. This is still a free country (for now at least) and I choose to obey the rules that do not limit my freedom.

    Report Post »  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:59pm

      Orginally HOA were not suppose to be filled to Property Nazi’s like most here seem to think

      HOA’s were to manage community property like pools, streets, lighting, snow removal. ponds, etc etc etc, and for EXTREME abuse (like creating a junk yard)

      Like Unions, most HOA’s have been irrelevant by the cities and town ordinances thus in order to make them relevant they now have to enact “rules” that tell you how high your flag pool can be or if you can pain white or red roses and how many are allowed

      If you support HOA’s you do NOT support private property rights, there is no 3rd option

      Report Post » the_ancient  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:29pm

    I sit on my HOA board. If something like this were to come to our adjenda there would be blood!

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • patriotgamer
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:28pm

    How about working within the rules to get permission to put up the kind of flagpole you want? If the rules don’t allow it, then change the rules. If something is not immoral or illegal, then you should be able to do it. Sounds like this is not immoral, but still illegal, so get your neighbors together and lobby the entire HOA for rules change. Better yet, run for a seat on the HOA board of directors.

    The story does not mention any attempts to change the CC&R’s to allow flagpoles of this height, so I don’t know what Mr. Merola has attempted. It just seems that since this isn’t any kind of any emergency, he should work within the system to correct it.

    We should not be a slave to the law, but neither should we condone breaking it just because it doesn’t seem to make sense. If it’s broke, fix it.

    Oorah, Marines!

    Report Post » patriotgamer  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:00am

      Patriotgamer, You were reading my mind and beat me to the punch. Agreed, and you said it far better than I would have.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
  • srcamachonj
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:27pm

    This is not an issue of this man being able to fly the American flag. This is an issue of this man not wanting to adhere to the rules of the HOA that he was aware of when he moved in. He even states that he was aware of the rules, tried to get an exemption, and when it was denied, he went ahead and installed the 20′ flagpole that he brought from his previous residence declaring the HOA rules should not apply to him. I respect his love of the flag, and his service to our country, but he knew the rules when he moved in. He should have put his flag on Ebay, and gotten another one that conforms to the rules. He could probably get a mint for it now, which for all I know is why he made this an issue to begin with.

    Report Post » srcamachonj  
  • gipper2112
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:27pm

    HOA’s are full of it w/ white glove mentality. “ve vill be vatching you.”

    Report Post »  
  • Edward
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:26pm

    I dont think the guy has any standing. The article also specifically states that he can fly the flags on a 6ft pole attached to his house. I dont get any impression that they are trying to keep him from flying the flag. He should have known this before moving into the house. Theres lots of housing communities with wierd rules, if you want to live there you have to abide by them. This has nothing to do with squashing freedom or the flag.

    Report Post » Edward  
  • the_ancient
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:15pm

    The biggest problem here is that the HOA’s

    1> Have been given, by law, WAY WAY WAY WAY too much authority.
    2> That have stopped being “groups of small community home owners” it is a HUGE business where HOA’s are “managed” by national companies and the rules are written by armies of lawyers. This was not the “original intent” of a HOA, they were designed to be Managed, and controlled BY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE DAMN COMMUNITY not some far away faceless company that was installed by the developer.

    Report Post » the_ancient  
  • 8jrts
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:11pm

    It boils down to big fish in a little pond syndrome….They just have to have power over someone by making up stupid rules that they push on everyone. It really has nothing to do with a flagpole.

    Report Post » 8jrts  
  • Arc
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:10pm

    As Merle Haggard said years ago ” If you don’t love it leave it”. If any serviceman/woman can’t fly the flag that they put their lives on the line for, the HOA needs to change their rules.

    Report Post » Arc  
  • beverlee
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:09pm

    I would never move into one of those communities. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

    Report Post » beverlee  
  • Bury Your Dead
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:08pm

    God Bless You!!! Could someone help me and tell me where do some of these people come from? Why so anti American? What has happened to our beautiful land?

    Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:57pm

      The HOA doesn‘t say he can’t fly his flag, they infact encourage residents to fly it. The conflict is about the twenty foot pole and the rule was in place when the Marine (God bless all marines) bought the property. How can we oppose people who break laws and rules if we encourage rule breaking when we don’t like the law. Picking and choosing what rules we will and will not obey doesn’t make sense when we buy into an HOA.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • apollo18
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:07pm

    Do these HoA autocrats think? We hear this time and time again, “my way or the highway”. Can’t this association vote on conflicts like this? Can this oligarch be removed for bringing national disrepute on their fiefdom? Who’s paying for this lawsuit? If they pay dues, somebody should be able to vote. That’s ok, the rest of us will do it for them.

    Report Post »  
  • untameable-kate
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:07pm

    I’m torn on this one, The man is certainly doing something that wouldn’t bother me at all, in fact I would enjoy being able to look out my window and see Old Glory waving proudly with the Marine flag beneath it. Here’s the part that is going to get me in trouble here, if the rules in the association say he can’t erect a twenty foot flag pole in his yard then he should not have moved into a neighborhood with an association if that is what he wanted to do. We like to say the rules are the rules and if you don’t like it tough, so he needs to abide by the rules. They didn‘t say he couldn’t fly his flag just that he can’t do it on a twenty foot pole.

    Untameable-kate  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:22pm

      If I ever win the lottery my never ending goal in life will be to buy properties in oppresive HOA’s and break every stupid rule in the books

      We are NOTHING as a nation if we allow statist to deprive us of freedom, it does not matter if that is coming from Federal, State, Local government or HOA’s

      IMO HOA’s are WORSE the the federal government. Private Property rights should trump ANY HOA

      Report Post » the_ancient  
    • Edward
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:29pm

      Well said. My thoughts exactly . They said he can fly the flags on his house just not on a huge pole on his front lawn. This story has nothing to do with hogtieng freedom.

      Report Post » Edward  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:33pm

      I bought my home in an HOA because I like living where there are rules. I don’t have to worry that my neighbor will let his home go to hell so that I have to look at a blighted property next door. I bought because of the rules, which I read before I purchased. I can’t erect a flagpole either but I can put a flag pole attached to my house up to fly the flag, and I do. If this same guy wanted to put up the same pole and fly, say, a Mexican flag because he was proud of his heritage would we still be crying out at the injustace done by the HOA?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • demsaredumb
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:22pm

      Untameable-Kate that is a silly defense. Remember the old south where there were rules a colored person could not go into certain establishments ect?. What if no one had chalanged those rules were would we be today. Stupid unlawful rules need to be done away with.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:33pm

      What part of the defense was silly please? That the rule was in place when he moved there, or that he is allowed to have the flag, just not the twenty foot pole?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • the_ancient
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:54pm

      @UNTAMEABLE-KATE

      1> Yes, I would disagree with him, and probally contuct protest marches with the US Flag, but if he was in the USA Legally, and owned the property legally, then he can fly any flag he wants

      2> I see your an anti-freedom closet big government person, as long as that government does what you like, and cant not stand actual freedom or property rights

      Report Post » the_ancient  
  • click4cheapandeasyweb
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:06pm

    Every red-blooded American within 100 miles of this patriots home should get together and drive around the neighborhood every weekend for as long as it takes. Imagine what a few thousand vehicles driving slowly through the little world of this HOA every weekend. I imagine it would have the HOA reconsidering their policy. On warm days a few thousand Motorcycles would even be better.

    Report Post »  
    • Afungi
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:04pm

      Is a contract a contract? When He bought into the HOA he contractually agreed to abide by the rules within that contract. If afterwards he finds he wants to change that contract he can by getting all parties to agree with the change or getting a waver that all parties agree to. The QUESTION is does honoring the Constitutional right and responsibility to enter into a contract and be held to the obligations required by that contract more important than the size of the display? He can display a flag on his property. He just can not show he can erect the biggest pole.
      Nature of Codification of Customs and Rules
      The Flag Code is a codification of customs and rules established for the use of
      certain civilians and civilian groups. No penalty or punishment is specified in the
      Flag Code for display of the flag of the United States in a manner other than as
      suggested. Cases which have construed the former 36 U.S.C. § 17521 have concluded
      that the Flag Code does not proscribe conduct, but is merely declaratory and
      advisory.22
      o http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

      Report Post »  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 11:01pm

      I like your ideas. Oh and for the person who seems to think that a “home owners association” is more important that the right of a person to own and control their own property, I would suggest that you consider your answer the next time you try to do something to your own property and are told by a politically correct busy body that you do NOT have the right to control of that property.
      To properly phrase the situation….if you don‘t have full control of your property IT’S NOT YOURS! You’re merely purchasing an illusion.

      Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:05pm

    I am so glad i live way out in the country where i can fly the flag, or pee in my own front yard and no neighbors to yell at me

    Report Post »  
    • TexasGranny
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:28pm

      ME TOO! Can’t understand anyone living in the great state of Texas not understanding. That was what 200 brave Texans died for in the Alamo. Too many transplants from CA and the North East!

      Report Post »  
  • Oldphoto678
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Rules. Did you not understand that when you moved there. I guess you think you’re above all that because? I’m so sick of people who hide behind the flag in order to break the rules they knew were in place. I don‘t care that you’re a vet. So am I, and you’re no more special than I am.

     
    • MikeinIdaho
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:10pm

      Really? Do you live under Nazi rules in a HOA neighborhood? Have you ever? Try not to tell us what we should or should not do, OK? Personally, the HOA is not something I would ever put up with for any reason. But maybe you would. So be it! You do what you want and I’ll do what I want, OK? But stop dictating what “special” is because as you said, you are no more special than I am.

      Report Post » MikeinIdaho  
    • leftiesaredangerous
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:13pm

      What communist army are you a vet for?

      Report Post »  
    • bolec slodkie
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:28pm

      Most covenants and HA [homeowner's is one word so the real abbreviation is (HA)] rules are ploped down in front of the futre homeowner with a big stack of papers with Xs and highlighted lines to be signed and initialed. Thet covneants and HA are a not simple one page easy to understand note telling everone to keep the yard clean.
      One HA in a wildfire zone ordered the owner to prelace a fire retardant roof with shaker shingle. Since OLDPHOTO678 is obvioiusly an apartment dweller I shall explain that shaker single are split wood, dries out in this area, and are VERY FLAMABILE.
      The reason? To keep the “look” of the neighborhood and maintain the value?

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:46pm

      Just like our congress .. they try to hide the vile rules .. in a lot of other things in pages upon pages of those with little consequence … many people who read them before voting don‘t even realize it and many don’t read .. that is their fault but all pay. They can and do change the rules and like governments go for more power not LESS!

      Report Post »  
  • rgalunas
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:58pm

    I would never mess with one Marine nevermind a country of Marines!

    Report Post »  
  • wodiej
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:57pm

    These HOA’s all have kooky rules. If you want freedom, don’t move there. If they told him he couldn’t have it and he did it anyway, I don’t see how he gets out of it. It’s a stupid rule but if they are allowed to make them, you have to follow them if you want to live there.

     
  • CatB
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:56pm

    NEVER buy a home in an HOA neighborhood .. we learned the hard way … my son has a home in one that was “fine” when we bought 10 years ago .. since then the board has changed and not for the better .. bunch of little Nazi’s now!

    Report Post »  
    • Zaphod
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:05pm

      Based on the endless stories you hear of these “Agnes Kravit’s” in various HOA’s … I take your advice as gospel. I will never be a part of a homeowner’s association … it just seems so anti-American … completely against the individuality that made this country what it WAS.

      Report Post » Zaphod  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:11pm

      Then the next step is to rally the neighbors to vote in new members on the board to change things. People don’t realize that they can change things if they band together and try. Look at what the tea party accomplished, we can do anything if we work together. Has your son gone to the board meetings to try to change things?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Zai
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:16pm

      Common sense says, you bend the rules on this one. I guess it is a long lost art.

      Report Post » Zai  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:34pm

      Kate .. this is an HOA with a lot of snowbirds .. who don‘t really care about what happens when they aren’t there … and never underestimate the power of a small group to run “roughshode” over others .. I had a home in the same neighborhood that I bought for my parents to “winter” in (have since sold) .. I tried to rally others but the board makes the meeting times when people who are working can’t attend … they have a small but powerful little clique that right now with housing prices so low know that people can’t sell and that many who have homes that are “paid for” (retires) they have changed rules on the dues and put leins on the homes when people didn’t get any notices of the change. It is really horrible .. homes start selling in the future and I am going to try to get my son out of it also.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:50pm

      I agree that the population of snow birds makes everything alot harder, Maybe you can get some of them to sign absentee ballots so the board can’t pull these stunts. Also you may need to check on the legality of having meetings scheduled when it is impossible for people to attend.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • John_Free
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:54pm

    As a Former Marine I hope this HOA learns a lesson.

    Report Post » John_Free  
    • Quad-rip-legic
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:11pm

      impose term limits on the managers?

      Report Post » Quad-rip-legic  
    • zeakster
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:30pm

      funny how you all want to follow a set of rules in the constitution a set of rules you all dont want to be broken but this guy moves into a subdivision with a set of rules and you all think hes some kind of hero to break them. you want them changed then you work within the system like adding an ammendement you dont just do what you want thats what your all condemning the democrats for. and yet here we are all patting ourselves on the back about how this is the greatest guy ever. theres a word for that

      Report Post » zeakster  
    • AmericanSoldier
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:47pm

      There sure is a word for that. These guys only know how to apply that word to Liberal even in if in the same breath they’re doing the same thing.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 6:49pm

      What was this marine thinking by flying the American flag , does he thinks he’s in the USA ?????????????????
      I would love to put all the members of that HOA one by one on that pole .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • Sentinel Six
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 10:57pm

      ZEAKSTER, yes just follow the rules like a good little useful idiot. Remember 2+2 = 5, doesn’t it!

      Report Post »  
  • knotaclu
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 12:53pm

    Oorah

    Report Post »  
    • John 1776
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:02pm

      Congress, want to do something useful? Pass a bill that clearly states that it is the right of every American to fly the American flag! Duhh! I would have never dreamed it would be needed, but here we are again.

      Report Post » John 1776  
    • byehlik
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:16pm

      Screw the socialists, fly the flag! HOA’s are a blight on freedom. One big reason I will never ever be part of any community using such a socialist ruse. Protect property values my butt. It is about “the few elitests” deciding what people can or can not do on their own property! Scew em’ fly that flag high and proud.

      Report Post » byehlik  
    • bolec slodkie
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:19pm

      It seems the purpose of the HOA is to condition “communities” (NOTE: Root word for Commune and Communism) to function under a system of forfeited rights by contract.
      The claim will be that just as “-Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.-” Homeowners Associations [homeowner's is one word so the real abbreviation is (HA)] derive there “just powers” from contract law. Most people don’t read or understand the rules. In my neighborhood the covenants state that we can have no more than 4 pets and can’t leave the garage open. These rules are not enforce. If someone were to “take up the mantle of power” and “enforce the rules” there will be may upset people. The covenants for this neighborhood are legal paper over 20 pages and not very clear.
      Basically anyone living in a covenant neighborhood or under an HA don’t really own your property. You just agree to care for it until it can be sold to someone else who is willing to “follow the rules”

      Report Post »  
    • BECK1SNUTS
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:21pm

      Thank you for this story Glenn. You are AWESOME!!!
      I’m going to get some Quikcrete and erect a flag pole today. Then I will fly my “Don’t Tread on Me” flag tomorrow. Thanks again Glenn!

       
    • El Guapo 14
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:26pm

      Semper Fi Marine. I fly my flag everyday, and the noise it makes reminds me everyday of the sacrifice of all those who fought and died under it. I am really suprised that this would happen in Texas. California, yeah, but not Ttexas……Remember the Alamo!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • zeakster
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:26pm

      you dont like the rules dont move into the community. as an ex marine he should know better. no one forced him to move in to that community just like no one forced him to join the marines ill bet an ounce of gold he didnt try to break the rules in the corp just when he leaves that value system he has problems with the rules. dont confuse patritoism with this act. he signed an agreement now he wants to break it

      zeakster  
    • click4cheapandeasyweb
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:39pm

      BECK1SNUTS, glad to hear you have had a change of heart. I got an idea… how about you give us your address so some of us Blazers can come and help you put up your flag pole.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:40pm

      Agreed. Let this garbage of PC run amok come to a smashing ending.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Resolved
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:49pm

      If it’s really JUST about the flagpole like they say… okay I get it… kinda. Problem is I’m not sure I believe that, seeing as the noise created by a flag on a 20 ft pole is minimal at best. Don‘t know how it’s causing damage either… just sayin’.

      Report Post » Resolved  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:53pm

      I know persons with the last name Tran and they are Vietnamese – I wonder if this is the case of Nina Tran (this being her birth name or her spouse’s name) and if this Marine helped liberate them. Perhaps emails to the homeowner’s assoc will work as well this time as it did with the father of the soldier not too long ago.

      Report Post »  
    • bostonchris
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 1:55pm

      i cant put a flag on my apartment door..this is bs

      Report Post »  
    • SPOT_OF_TEA
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:03pm

      I agree with you JOHN 1776…who would have ever dreamed that we would need a law for that…..On that same note,when I watch Jack and Rexella read from the bible,the channel I watch it on has a disclaimer….I never thought I would live to see this day.

      Report Post » SPOT_OF_TEA  
    • BeckIsNuts
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:07pm

      Is this another Glenn Beck gunman that murdered this democrat Congresswoman??

      Congresswoman, 6 Others, Killed By Gunman
      by NPR Staff

      Drew Angerer/AP
      Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
      text size A A A January 8, 2011
      Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office confirms. The 40-year-old Democrat was outside a Tucson grocery store when a gunman ran up and began firing indiscriminately. The suspect was taken into police custody.

      U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head and killed outside a grocery store in Tucson while holding a public event, Arizona Public Media reported Saturday.

      The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

       
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:17pm

      BeckIsNuts,
      You are, in my opinion, a filthy pig. This woman was SHOT, you moron we don’t joke about stuff like this.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • mcfinch
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:19pm

      Just another stupid story.

      http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website

      Report Post » mcfinch  
    • StMichelob
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:21pm

      People, PLEASE ignore the troll and focus on this story.

      Semper Fi to you sir! NEVER let them take your flag!

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • BECK1SNUTS
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:23pm

      Ooops. Sorry about that outburst. I still need to pick up my Rx this afternoon. Pray for me.

       
    • AmericanSoldier
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 2:31pm

      First of all, before he bought that house his real estate agent would have briefed him of the HOA. I hate HOA. I really do. But if everyone in a specific neighborhood wants to do this HOA crap that’s on them. They all agree to the terms. Plain and simple. If he bought this house where there is an HOA and he agreed to the terms and pays the membership dues, he has to abide by those rules. He knew better. In this housing market, he had plenty of options to buy a home somewhere where there is no HOA to prevent him from erecting the flag pole. They specifically said they don’t mind the flag being flown just the concept of having a huge flag pole in the front yard.

      A few of my neighbors have flagpoles. I don‘t mind and there’s no HOA to tell them otherwise.

      You may think it‘s conditioning but it’s a social contract between neighbors.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • GoalieMom30
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:01pm

      These HOA rules are all over the country. My own HOA really gets their knickers in a twist over political signs and REFUSES to amend the association rules to make them more practical.. This issue over a flagpole is truly appaulling. Sadly HOA’s all over the country have massive power. I believe its time to rethink the authority and power of a HOA. In theory its a nice idea, until they refuse to enforce the rules on the books and then go after law abiding citizens with this kind of chicanery. Practicality goes out the window with HOA’s. And dare I say, they are usually run or lead by leftist fanatics.

      Report Post »  
    • LadyLiberty
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:04pm

      @ John776
      there is a law already that says no one can stop you from flying the Flag.

      “The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 200556 prohibits a
      condominium, cooperative, or real estate management association from adopting or
      enforcing any policy or agreement that would restrict or prevent a member of the
      association from displaying the flag in accordance with the Federal Flag Code on
      residential property to which the member has a separate ownership interest.”

      http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

      Report Post » LadyLiberty  
    • FreeMan5771
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:23pm

      Bet they wouldn’t have cared had it been a Chinese or Muslim flag.

      Report Post »  
    • AmericanSoldier
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:29pm

      What the hell is a Muslim flag? Yes, they would care if it on a flag pole that was against the HOA rules to install. If he were to fly a “Muslim Flag” on a pole by his door, which is approved, there’d be no issue.

      It’s not an issue of flying an American flag or the Marine Corp flag, it’s an issue of installing a massive flag pole in the front yard. Rules are rules, he agreed to being a part of this HOA when he bought the house. If enough of his neighbors support him and his flag pole they can change the HOA rules. Do it the keep the flag pole.

      You are all using this as an excuse to vilify someone as though they hate America and the flag. They hate the friggin’ pole. Splitting hairs? Yes. Do I think it’s stupid? Absolutely. I hate HOA‘s as much as the next guy which is why when I bought my house I made sure there wasn’t an HOA.

      Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • FreeMan5771
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 3:42pm

      I think a Muslim Flag is just the American flag with a red circle around it and line through it.

      Report Post »  
    • bostonchris
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:17pm

      http://www.ronpaul2012.net/

      sign petition for ron paul

      Report Post »  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 5:05pm

      BECKISNUTS, actually it looks like, from his favorite books, that he is one of your boys. Hate begats hate, my friend, so you must be extremely happy right now. Why don’t you and BROKER0101 go find somewhere you are extolled and appreciated for your hateful rhetoric.

      Report Post »  
    • decendentof56
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 5:33pm

      HOA’s are a good example of what living in a socialist country would be like. I retired from a large tele-communications company you would all know. I’ve seen it all, from affirmative-action promotions to dim-wits who had NO work ethic. They wouldn’t know an honest days work if it slapped them in the as$. But guess what, they were all protected by the union. Some went to local private drinking clubs during the work day. WOuldn’t even go out to the customers home to fix the problem. You know, minor things like that. The employees who were hard working had to just go on and somehow not let it affect how they did their job. That’s hard to do. It dragged me down for years until I came to grips with the fact that I had to live with my conscience and move forward.

      Report Post »  
    • dontbotherme
      Posted on January 8, 2011 at 9:40pm

      Click4cheap… – Be careful.. beckisnuts is an idiot. beck1snuts is a hero who came to combat the idiot.

      Report Post »  
    • jbl8199
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 6:20am

      Here’s what I have to say about this, if you don’t like our flag or our country, THEN MOVE THE HELL OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » jbl8199  
    • jay1960
      Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:19am

      He has the right to fly the Ameican Flag. It is only how he flies it that is at issue. I respect anyone who wants to fly the flag, but when you move somewhere knowing full well that flagpoles are not allowed, then don’t move there in the first place. Homeowner’s associations have the right to create rules even though they might seem ridiculous to you and me. You have freedom of choice. Don‘t move there if you can’t or won’t live by the rules of the association.

      Report Post »  
    • DisillusionedDaily
      Posted on January 10, 2011 at 12:26pm

      I am in agreement with John1776. Congress needs to pass a law allowing any citizen of the US to fly a US flag anywhere within the borders of the US. There should be no bans on a citizen’s right to display the flag, especially if the person has served in the Armed Forces.

      Report Post » DisillusionedDaily  
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