KING, N.C. (AP) — The Christian flag is everywhere in the small city of King: flying in front of barbecue joints and hair salons, stuck to the bumpers of trucks, hanging in windows and emblazoned on T-shirts.
The relatively obscure emblem has become omnipresent because of one place it can’t appear: flying above a war memorial in a public park.
The city council decided last month to remove the flag from above the monument in Central Park after a resident complained, and after city leaders got letters from the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State urging them to remove it.
That decision incensed veterans groups, churches and others in King, a city of about 6,000 people 15 miles north of Winston-Salem. Ray Martini, 63, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, launched a round-the-clock vigil to guard a replica Christian flag hanging on a wooden pole in front of the war memorial.
Since Sept. 22, the vigil has been bolstered by home-cooked food delivered by supporters, sleeping bags and blankets donated by a West Virginia man and offers of support from New York to Louisiana.
“This monument stands as hallowed ground,” said Martini, a tall, trim man with a tattoo on his right arm commemorating the day in 1988 when he became a born-again Christian. “It kills me when I think people want to essentially desecrate it.”
The protesters are concerned not only about the flag, which was one of 11 flying above the memorial when it was dedicated six years ago, but about a metal sculpture nearby depicting a soldier kneeling before a cross.
“I won’t let it fall,” Martini said. “I have already told the city, before you can take it down, I’ll tie myself to it and you can cut me down first.”
The identity of the resident who complained about the flag, a veteran of the Afghanistan war, has not been made public. But the state chapter of the ACLU has no problem with the vigil.
“We were concerned when the city was sponsoring the Christian flag, but we don’t have any concern with veterans groups displaying the flag,” legal director Katy Parker said. “We think it’s great the city is offering citizens a chance to express their opinions.”
The protesters, though, aren’t satisfied with the vigil. They’re planning an Oct. 23 rally in support of their ultimate goal, which is for the city to restore the Christian flag to the permanent metal pole on the memorial.
At a recent public hearing, roughly 500 people packed the King Elementary School gymnasium, many waving Christian flags. Of more than 40 speakers, no one spoke in favor of removing it.
“We’ve let our religious freedoms and constitutional rights be stripped away one by one, and I think it’s time we took a stand,” King resident James Joyce said.
Mayor Jack Warren said the city won’t make a decision until it can go over its options with legal counsel. One possibility is designating a flag pole at the memorial for the display of any religious emblem, he said. Another is selling or donating the memorial to a veterans organization, essentially privatizing it.
“What it comes down to is: What can we do and what can’t we do, what‘s legal and what’s illegal?” he said.
Created by a pastor in New York City a little over a century ago, the flag, which sets a red cross in a blue square in the upper left corner of a white field, has been used by both liberal and conservative Protestant churches, but rarely draws much attention, according to Elesha Coffman, a history professor at Waynesburg University.
“I would guess most churchgoing Protestants in America have never even noticed if there is a Christian flag in their own sanctuary,” she said. “It’s just kind of there, unless there’s a controversy, and suddenly people pick it up.”
In King, it’s virtually inescapable. Gullion’s Christian Supply Center, an area retailer, has sold hundreds of flags since the dispute began, according to Leanne Gay, who was running a tent at Calvary Baptist Church in King where everything from Christian flag decals to T-shirts were for sale.
“In the first couple weeks, we were running out of flags every two hours or so,” she said.
The Rev. Kevin Broyhill, pastor at Calvary Baptist, donated the flag now flying at the vigil. But Broyhill thinks having it returned permanently to the memorial is a losing legal strategy. He wants the city to transfer the memorial to a veterans group, which would make it private land.
“Right now, the judges on the Fourth Circuit Court are very liberal,” he said. “This battle’s already been fought in court.”
Broyhill is probably right, according to Larry Little, a lawyer and professor of political science at Winston-Salem State University.
“They know they’d lose,” he said of the city council. “They would have to use taxpayers’ money to defend what any lawyer worth a grain of salt could tell them is a violation of the separation of church and state.”
For veterans who say they‘re honoring the sacrifices of fallen comrades or Christians who say they’re defending their faith, though, such a compromise seems like a sellout.
“That’s an easy out,” said Eugene Kiger, who has been part of the vigil since the beginning. “The people here saw what was happening and said, ‘Somebody has stood up. It’s time to stand up with them.’”
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Comments (111)
cranes
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:16pm• This needs to come to a head. There is nothing in our Constitution to support the action by the city council or the ACLU. The left has hijacked a term that Thomas Jefferson used in a letter when he said the State could not interfere with religion that there was a wall of separation that kept them from interfering. There could not be a state religion sponsored by the government like the Church of England. Americans need to research this and then start donating to the Americans for Law and Justice (ACLJ) organization so they can bring a case to stop this infringement on our civil rights and that of our state and local government to fly the flags or pray if we want. America arm yourself with knowledge. Go to the website for http://www.wallbuilders.com/ and get the truth!
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 9:52pmbut the Powers behind the curtain are not for God
Report Post »search the Devils Messiah
the Bohemian Grove
Moloch
bill gates eugenics
red pill or blue ? the choice is yours alone.
Greyhound424
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:11pmNOWHERE in the constitution does it mention anything about separation of church and state!!!!! It only states that the government cannot tell us what religion we can practice if any at all!!!!!!
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:10pmI bet the ACLU would not say a word if it was a Muslim flag with the crescent moom a nd star!
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:05pmI am soooo sick of hearing this “Separation of church and State” nonsense. The Constitution doesn’t say that! The ACLU and all these atheist organizations can go straight to Hell! (a highly likely ultimate outcome for them)
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:49pmIts about time we had people that are willing to stand up for what is right!
This too has been brought on by the political left in this country. Maybe we finally have a chance to tie liberalism forever to the tree of tyranny.
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:44pmWill be at the rally in King Saturday if God is willing. This is an absolute shame and disgrace. We in this area of NC are tired of all this liberal crap.
Report Post »Bernese2008
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:23pmChristians had better wake up!!! If this were a muslim flag or something to do with islam they would calling for protests.. I am tired of political correctness. .
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:27pmYou can bet CAIR would be all over that!
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:21pm@FREEDOMOFSPEECH – we actually agree on something!! Also check out the Crusades! By the way, I found your hateful remark about me – very rude – and I have never been anything be respectful of you!! Why do you name call just because I have different political views than you?
Report Post »http://maboulette.wordpress.com
marklross
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:18pmDo the words, “From my cold, dead hands” ring a bell?
Report Post »welovetheUSA
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:13pmNo matter what the liberals…non-religious groups say or do, they cannot change the fact that America is 84% Christian, period.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:54pmwhen did christianity get a flag? jesus never mentioned flags.
that said, i side with the christian folks on this one. memorials often evoke the religious beliefs of those that they memorialize, in this case war vets. those sentiments should not be surpressed. my fellow atheists often get on my nerves when they pull stuff like this. i think it is disrepectful, sanctimonious and petty.
but there is an inherient contridiction with the term “christian soldier.” Soldiers are, for lack of a better term, trained killers. the bible commands all its believers not to kill. EVER. so, by fighting and killing in wars, christians are heretics to their own faith.
the individuals in our armed forces are not holy-warriors and should never be treated as or refered to as such.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:07pmYo bro, you’ve only been reading the New Testament. Check out the Old Testament if you’re looking for violence. Ooga booga.
Report Post »Venom
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:17pmAhhh yet again you are uninformed, the Bible commands not to murder
Report Post »Murder-kill intentionally and with premeditation.
People in the military generally speaking do not kill in cold blood (though there is cases where it has happened) they kill in self-defense or for someone else/on orders.
MrButcher
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:18pmactually, the ten commandments ARE in the old testament.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:27pmvenom,
actually the catholics use the term “kill” and the protestants use the term “murder”
so which one is it? are you saying catholics are forbidden from defending themselves or following orders in war whereas; protestents are?
explain
Report Post »TRUTHLADY
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 12:10amThere is a difference between what you believe and truth. A book has an author, a painting has a painter, and creation has a CREATOR. Whether you believe that God exists or not, is a choice you make. Do you really believe that everything came from nothing? I know that God exists, can you prove that He does not? You are taking a big chance my friend with your eternal destiny. If you seek the truth you will find it.
Report Post »God Bless You.
Venom
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 1:41amAs i am not catholic i will go with my definition, and you can go with whatever the hell you want. Way i see it as long as you don’t kill someone who has done nothing to you or has not done something to your country/countrymen orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr done something wrong to one or more groups of people then it is not murder. choice is yours but i’m sure you have some colorful retort as you live for controversy. And catholics can defend themselves as they always have. Try not to break the keyboard while you try to own me as i probably won’t even see it.
Report Post »puekaw10
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 3:20pmThe ten commanments bo say thou shalt not murder, but as with most of the bible common sense is needed and the reading of more then just one verse. Just like your immune system defends your body, they built walls and armys in the old testament. We have a resposibility to defend our land and our freedom as well as those who cann’t defend themselves. As for murder in the bible it is not only the physical take of a life that is murder.
Report Post »dmhirman
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:53pmGod Bless our Veterans!
Report Post »SunnyJ
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:52pmThe interpretation of the first amendment always reminds me of the emphasis on the passage in the bible that everyone focuses on, regarding the wife obeying the husband. No one keeps reading and focuses on the statement, “husbands, cherish your wife above all”. So we have the focus on “no law regarding the establishment of religion, and not on “prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. The judicial system has been allowing the prohibition of the free exercise of religion for years…it has been a significant brick on the pathway that has “nudged” us toward the secular, marxist/socialist society that Obama and this administration had hoped to fully establish….“in 5 days we will fundamentally change this country”. Whoa, rein it in bubba! Not so fast. This same warping of the first ammendment is now underway by Pres Obama with the Declaration of Independence in his edited version…there is no creator. Just as there is no “separation of state and religion” in the first ammendment but everyone has been convinced there is because we have been indocrinated by continuous repeating! If you don‘t think there’s a reason to vote on Nov 2, you have your head firmly in the sand.
Report Post »Midwest Belle
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:25pmThe separation between Church & State is often misused and misquoted.
This is the entire first amendment: (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution)
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
It quite literally means that Congress shall not establish a [state] religion, nor prohibit the free exercise of religion. This does not say a religious article can not be displayed on State property (such as a Nativity at Christmas), because the “state” is not establishing a religion by allowing it’s display. This includes ANY religious article, Christian, Jewish or otherwise.
In a letter in response to a religious group, Thomas Jefferson wrote this: (and THIS is where the concept of “separation between Church & State” originated)
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”
The full text of Thomas Jefferson’s letter is at this URL (bottom of the page)
http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html
The letter to which he as replying is found here:
Report Post »http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/baptist.htm
lfdibble
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:52pmAs a nation we need to stand for the values and principles this country was founded on. Stand up America and let the progressives know that we’ve had enough of them trampling on our religious beliefs.
Report Post »Star Spangled
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:52pmSo let’s see what we can find on the ACLU….
Oh , yeah this explains what they stand for ……
http://www.flamekeepersusa.com/acluexposed.html
They should be shut down .
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:55pmThat‘s pretty much a paradox now isn’t it. The ACLU should not be shut down. As a group we need to abandon this language and this concept. We MUST stop hushing, silencing, and shutting down things. We are for LIBERTY. We are for FREEDOM. And yes, that includes the freedom to be a jerk. If you want to battle the ACLU or any other organization like that use the truth. If you shine the light of truth on any of these the outcomes will surprise you. The best way to rid evil and deception from the world is to shine the light of truth upon it. If we resort to “shutting things down” we will find ourselves on a moral path that will have us look no different than they are when we are done.
Report Post »Gordon Pym
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:10pmYou mean the Amerikan Communist Lawyers Union or the Anti – Christ Legons of the Underworld?
Report Post »Flashover
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:45pmYou sure do want to prohibit a lot of things. Our founders put us right on the edge of anarchy for a reason. It is not our job to legislate morality or force God’s law on anyone. It is our job to lead by example. Everything on your list besides the abortion and immigration issues should be a choice. We should attempt to influence through our behavior and through our public actions, as well as speaking The Word, but not through man’s law. People must be allowed to make the wrong choices, so they can find their way back to God. Be a guide not
Report Post »The Hall Monitor!!!!!
Nvrforget
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 8:35pmFlashover:
- Is for personal freedom
- Is against abortion
Ahaha, my aren’t you precious? It doesn’t work that way. All the freedom, or none of it.
Report Post »puekaw10
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 2:25pmAdd your comments
Report Post »TNgirly
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:49pmI posted before I was finished..one of those days! I have the utmost admiration for Mr Martini for doing what he is and our veterans are an awesome bunch!
Report Post »TNgirly
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:47pmI do NOT for the life of me understand why people get so up in arms over Christian displays of any kind: nativity scenes, crosses, Christmas trees, flags, “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, what have you. Any atheists or whatever you want to call yourself, if you’re reading this, please tell me why you’re so daggone upset over these. I know an atheist who is NOT offended whatsoever seeing a nativity scene whether in public square or private property; same with crosses or anything else Christian. Good grief, it must suck to be these people that this is what upsets them. Is there any coincidence that Repubs are a happier bunch of people, according to polls I have seen?
Report Post »jokemachine
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:57pmI believe that many people who call themselves athiests actually do, on some level, believe God exists. They will always vehemently deny it, but as you pointed out- why else would they feel so threatened by Christian symbols?
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:03pmChristians have been slandered and bashed by radicals for a very long time and the populace buys into it. Remember, BIG government and corruption (control) can not take place if there are strong Christian or biblical principals and values instilled in the populace. If they (the people) fear God they will not fear man, but if they fear man they can not fear God.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:15pm@TNGirly
I am a chaplain so maybe my perspective can help a bit in this matter – it seems mostly that humanity is turned against the Christianity by the one force vehemently opposed to it – Lucifer and his fallen minions.
The battle in America is a war of ideals – light v dark; freedom v tyrany; peace v hate; order v anarchy.
and so on…We the People are the ones that both sides of the spiritual ideals are fighting to win over God and Lucifer – one with Goodness and Truth, the other with Force and Coersion.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)
Report Post »White Devil
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 2:05pmWhen you see these things, don’t get sad, rejoice. The intolerant left is only making us more united and stronger. I’m shopping for a Christian flag right now and will fly it proudly next to old glory. The harder they push me, the harder I push back. I’m showing my righteous indignation.
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:42pmVeterans of King North Carlina, God bless you one and all. Our prayers are with you brothers and sisters, and remember to tell ALL your friends to vote this trash out of office on 2 November!
Report Post »Vietnam Veteran
conservativeme
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:42pmThis crap has gone way too far. The left can’t stand it that the right has had enough! Go King residents! We’re with you all the way!
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:41pmYes.. remove Christian symbols from every location because Christians are evil people that give of their time, money and resources. Yes, we are SO evil! Never mind the governments of the world (anti Christians or atheists) that have killed hundreds of millions of innocent people… Yes, they are good. But not those evil Christians who share all they have with the needy!
Report Post »Bluenose177
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:39pmonce again, you can always rely on our veterans to stand up for what’s right, fair and just. God bless these brave heroes. We’ll be praying for you in this household
Report Post »Mike777
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:46pmI agree
Report Post »Rapunzel
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:39pmI do not understand what is so unclear about the first amendment! “Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion…or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. It seems obvious me that ANY federal law that prohibits ANY religious activity is clearly unconstitutional.
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:52pmRight on Rapunzle
Report Post »Midwest Belle
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:01pmThis is because lefties have insisted that the “separation of church and state” means the state can’t allow display of religious articles. When in fact, all the first amendment says about religion is the state can’t declare an “official” state sanctioned church, and allows everyone the freedom to worship as one chooses.
The liberals constantly misuse and misquote this “separation….”. Many people think it’s in the Constitution – it is NOT. The letter where this [separation] phrase originated was in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist church group.
See Thomas Jefferson’s letter [at the bottom] on this page:
http://www.usconstitution.net/jeffwall.html
To read the letter he was replying to, go here:
Report Post »http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/baptist.htm
Independent Tess
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:11pmI have been saying this for years. My “free exercise thereof” is being trampled when I am forbidden to pray, or read from the Bible in certain places, nativity scenes, say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holiday, etc. etc. etc.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:31pmThe ACLU has twisted the constitution to favor liberal Marxist’ views. It’s up to us, the American Patriot’s, to take back our country, outlaw Marxism and the ACLU, among MANY other leftist causes, and get this country on track again! If you don’t like Christianity, tough beans! Christians were here first, Marxist’ a distant second. So all you Marxist’ get out of our country. This is your only warning.
Lock and Load, Patriots …
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:37pmProud to say that I live in King, NC. Th best option is for the city to sell the property to the people of King, likely a Vet organization. I talked to the secretary of the City Manager yesterday. She said that the4y have people working on how much market value is involved. She mentioned that the biggest challenge would be the upkeep of the site as the city would no longer fund that. I then asked if the work involved involved any special skills. She said no. It looks like we would need volunteers to do the maintenence. I think we can get them without too much problem.
Report Post »M31Sailor
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:04pmWould be nice of the city to Donate the property
Quoteth the Raven
Report Post »“i actually voted for DADT, before I voted against it”
snowleopard3200
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:10pmLet the vets take care of it, they will see to the place being kept neat and sacred to the fallen and to the living as well.
Total agreement.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 6:35pmDonate the property to the vets and it will be better cared for than it was by city contractors
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 7:22pmPerhaps the christian citizens of North Carolina can seize the monument through imminent domain. The government can take private property for what they feel is the good of society so why should’nt citizens have property turned over to them.For the message of the Christian flag is for the good of all mankind.
Report Post »Contrarianthinker
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 8:36pmYou’ll suggested it donated by the city.State law will not allow this I suggested selling it for $1 but again state law requires it be sold at current market value.Thanks for caring.
Report Post »uneedmorekoolaid
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 10:26pmYou guys in King, NC should start setting up your nativity scenes in your front yards now. YOu know the ones in your attic that you don’tget out for another month or so.
Hope your citizens can purchase the memorial. It is amazing that only one person is against it and the flag comes down, 5,999 want it flying and it stays down. It would be good to take the town to court and see where in the constitution is there written seperation of church and state. It is those small towns that make court rulings that reverberate across the country!
Report Post »puekaw10
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 2:14pmThis is our fault! We have let the aclu and seperation of church and state distort what the constitution. We should not be here, but we did not stand up when they first started pushing all christian symblos, and words out of the publice view. Now they are really trying to remove all crosses, flags, memorials that mention God, the ten commandments, Jesus Christ, ect…. When and how do we stop it?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:36pmif America does not stand FOR our Christian heritage, the Left will shovel under our CHRISTIAN AMERICA , in the only “shovel-ready” project that anti-American and anti-Christian obama and soros IS fully funding.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:21pmWell SAID BUNTHILLS!
Report Post »pinkcadlac
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:28pmBoy, you got THAT right!
I think everyone in their own towns, should pick up the cause of freedom, by finding injustices against Americans, and following the example of the citizens and veterans of N.C.
Report Post »Talk about gaining even MORE power!
joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:50pmI agree we need to start standing up for our faith and our freedom to express it, or soon it will be gone and the muslims will be flying thier flag over the whitehouse!
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:51pmSeems to me the Balkanization of America is rapidly (perhaps daily) becoming the only reasonable solution to what’s happening around us. Peaceful secession is not only feasible but logical as well. There clearly is two Americas with unreconcilable differences. Like this case, there are people who will never tolerate a Christian flag. There are others that would never tolerate the suppression of one. There is no middle ground. There is either liberty or there is not.
***************
And can history produce an instance of rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it’s motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, & always well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independent 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century & a half without a rebellion? & what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.
*********** Jefferson‘s letter to Smith on Shay’s Rebellion.
The time is rapidly approaching where we will all have to decide if we will cower to the tyranny of a federal government acting unconstrained and independent of the constitution OR we will reject that alternative and find a place in which the constitutional republic can flourish as intended. That place, when that time comes, will only exist on this planet in the hearts of man. Nowhere else on this globe are those ideas being lived. It will be up to us to secure liberty for our posterity. Otherwise we hand them over to a system of slavery in which they will toil for the benefit of others and will lack a voice to throw off the yoke. It is up to us. Does our generation have the courage to pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor in defense against our own homegrown version of King George?
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 2:35pmGo VETS! They continue to protect us after leaving service!
Report Post »Ellie
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:01pmAbsolutely it should be left to the Vets.
Privatize all such memorials along with all public buildings and land to be managed by the private sector.
Click on my name for some cool new anti-progressivism designs.
Report Post »FreedomOfSpeech
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:05pmI’m glad the vets are standing up for their free speech rights. I do smell a fight coming based on the comments of the ACLU. I wouldn’t be surprised if they found some muslim nut to go down there and fly his own flag.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 3:20pmI just want to point out that this whole situation was started by a vet.
The identity of the resident who complained about the flag, a veteran of the Afghanistan war, has not been made public
I imagine he’s local and is grinding his teeth as he drives around town. I guess the bullying by the ACLU isn’t working quite the way he would like to.
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:03pmYou realize that the plaintif what a vet as well right?
Report Post »bulldawg
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 4:23pmHow many more American Soldiers have to die before America stands up to this Socialist administration and show them enough is enough. We have lost our way, this country use to stand shoulder to shoulder and take on any moron who stepped on our freedoms, now our teachers teach crap to our children, any group who hates what America stands for is praised and our vets and active duty always have to ride in the back seat. I don’t know about you but I have had just about enough of any group, organization, religion or Congress who won’t put America above and beyond.
Report Post »http://www.weeklyrepublic.com
snowleopard3200
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:07pmThe ACLU is actually not objecting to a Christin Flag?
“We were concerned when the city was sponsoring the Christian flag, but we don’t have any concern with veterans groups displaying the flag,” legal director Katy Parker said. “We think it’s great the city is offering citizens a chance to express their opinions.”
Great, May God indeed protect the men and women standing watch over this memorial and for those it stand in remeberence of.
Keep them safe!
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:24pmSeparation of church and state does not mean that people do not have a right to display their religion. Just the opposite. It means the State has no right to stop them!
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 5:26pmI wish someone at the ACLU would READ HISTORY.. it’s NOT to take religion out of our government but to keep GOVERNMENT out of our churches.. I am so glad these people are taking a stand.. I didn’t even know there was a Christian Flag.. I have to get me one of them.. Fact is it would be nice if EVERYONE got one and flew it..in support..
Report Post »dominke
Posted on October 22, 2010 at 9:25amLets send these morons to Iraq and see how their rights are viewed. The vets are the ones that have saved our butts and we bend for some of the worlds trash. We are headed to a revolution and usa will look like a 3rd world country.
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 10:16amVets may muster out, but never actually “leave” the service. When America’s freedom is concerned they are always on call.
Report Post »puekaw10
Posted on October 23, 2010 at 12:24pmYou do realize that the constitution says the Government is not to make laws restricting religion not
This is what happens when people don’t know about the founding of this nation. The nation was founded on Judao-christian principles. The first amendment is ment to keep Government from controling the religion of the people. Basicly it says the Government should not pass any law limiting religion. The founders came here from England where they had to attend the church of England they had no choice. The first amendment as most of the constitution is about choice and libertie not about the Government displaying a flag, ten comandment, prayer in school, ect,,,, As a matter of fact the first thing that our first congress did was Pray to God! The first school books where bibles and books that taught biblical priciples. We the people have let the aclu, citizens united for seperation, and all the other controle freaks take our freedom for to long. We have people saying we are not a christian nation I do not know where they get that. All you have to do is read the bible and the constitution and compare. They both offer libertie and freedom, like they are the same.
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