Lake County Democrats deface American Flag
 

The Lake County Democratic Party Headquarters were flying an American Flag which was defaced to show a picture of Obama on the blue field instead of the 50 stars.

Is this how little the Democrat Party think of the American Flag? This is a desecration of the flag that no American, regardless of ideology, can condone.

Nearly a dozen veterans were at the door trying to take down this flag when Democrat Party chairwomen Nancy Hulbert started yelling at them about being on private property, and threatening to call police.

I can imagine these Democrats saluting the raising of the United under Obama flag. It's probably the proudest they've ever felt.

The flag was taken down.

Vets angry over American flag featuring Obama | www.wftv.com

What kind of fanatics are down there? My goodness, they have risen him up to cult status. Haven't we seen this in world history before? Enough.

Desperation

It's called news.

I heard about it on the radio this morning. Creepy and a little disturbing.

This is a scene out of a movie about communism or countries with dictators, not the USA. The person(s) responsibile for that display do not have any understanding of what the fundamental beliefs are that shaped this country over 200 years ago.

The person(s) responsible have made a Freudian slip revealing in what manner and context they view their parties belief.

Perhaps this faux pas will awaken some liberal Democrats as to how far over board they have allowed themselves to drift from the center.

Richie...thanks for the heads up

We have a few drive by posters...those who one line us with no discussion of issues...simply the love of Obama...they will be silent on this, but I suppose will also be proud in a way.

BUT not realize that America is greater than any one man organization or movement...and this is what makes America exceptional. Wow schools/universities need to do a better job with their Civics courses.

I know it is a one liner...but, its appropriate.
 

Well, stupidity does not belong to just one party.

My thought is they did it to honor Obama, BUT there must be someone in the group that knows how stupid and disrespectful that was. It bothers me to see folks wearing the flag as clothing. Hats get a pass if they are tasteful and show respect, but not shirts and pants.

It certainly was bad judgement to have a flag like that.

Well, this thread needs to die. We are all in agreement. How boring. LOL

buggyone: Thank you

On the one hand, it was a pretty stupid maneuver with the flag.

On the other hand, am I the only one who sees the irony in veterans trying to take down a flag - considering that they're supposed to be defenders of the Constitution? I mean - freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom of speech you agree with...

It does for liberals.

Hey!!; maybe your inspiration can lead to the new slogan for your party.

"Vote Democrat; we're not singularly stupid!!"

getting uncomfortable???

Seriously??; Veterans getting angry about the desecration of the flag is about as American as you can get.

One of the 2 Party's representing Americans defacing the flag they pledge to defend is about as despicable as it can get.

I don't really see irony; I see patriotism.

With that argument were they wrong in blowing up Swastikas after WWII? Should crosses be allowed to burn? I could go on.

This image of the President on our flag reminds me of North Korea or Iran. Those icons you see hanging everywhere.

Unfortunately, yes.

Nazis have the right to march in Skokie IL. Freedom of speech, you know.

Veterans have the right to express their anger if I were to deface the flag. Heck, I'd *expect* it of them if I were stupid enough to do it. But they do NOT have the right to try to confiscate my property.

People have a right to unpopular opinions. That's where Freedom of Speech gets it's true test. Not in the opinions we all agree upon - but on the ones we DON'T.

When flag-burning was "all the rage" and people wanted to pass laws against it they claimed how shocked our forefathers would be at such behavior. I pointed out that, had they thought of it, they probably would have DONE it. Remember, we had a revolution against the most powerful, most progressive and most advanced empire in the world at that time. British subjects had more rights than just about anyone else in the world - which is what confounded so many back in Europe...

Defacing the flag is an action, not really speech.
 

I do not see this as a freedom of speech issue. There is communication, but it is done by doing something not through talking. Action as speech is an interesting issue. A march probably would be seen more as action rather than talking unless you also bring in the right of assembly and to petition the government for grievances. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Desecration_Amendment

I know there are various US Supreme Court cases on action as speech but what does the Constitution say???

Snopes has a report on this now.

snopes.com: Obama Flag

What I took away or learned..

In fairness to the vets, they asked them to remove the flag - offerred a POW/MIA flag in it's place.

However, they also claimed that the flag violated federal flag code. There sort of is NOT a 'law', as we understand them, covering handling the flag.

As outlined here: USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America - United States Code

...there IS a 'code' but there are no penalties outlined for violating it. That's left to the states. Now, in Florida, it's covered by Florida Statute 256.05.

Now, the real question is the flag in question itself. It's clearly INSPIRED by the American flag, but defacing it? I don't think that hold up. First off, it was never an American flag - the stars were never added. But if it's "look and feel" well, then you're outlawing anyone flying the Liberian or Malaysian flags which are clearly inspired by the Stars and Stripes.

DJ, there is no justification for your defense of the Lake County Democratic Party. This is an outrage pure and simple.

You're defending foolish stupid people who would put out a flag like this reminiscent of the idolatry in tyrannical and communist countries. It's UnAmerican to do this.

The only thing that surprises me is that they put the "United States of Obama flag" under the United States of America Flag. In their hearts I'm sure it should be placed over.

You are defending their First Amendment rights to be stupid, disrespectful and shameful Americans. OK, that's fine, but call it what it is.

Sometimes you just stun me. This is the second time in a week.

Yes, and 'being foolish' is legal. I don't have to like it in order to defend it.

I have a lot of experience being picked on and bullied in school for having unpopular opinions (I didn't like what the 'popular' kids liked - and early on, being crippled didn't help).

I believe the best defense against this sort of thing is publicity. Hold idiots up to the light and put their stupidity on display for all to see (and mock).

Now you're on track. Mocking is good, but publicly shaming them and calling them out is what we're doing right here (in our small way)

No one said The Democrat Party of Lake County legally couldn't be stupid UnAmerican a-holes, but it's also my right to be outraged.