However they have a first amendment right to fly both those flags as long as no American flag is involved or if it was, the American flag is above the other two.

This is the answer. Simple. It is the first time I've ever seen two flags on a 30 foot Flag Pole and The American Flag wasn't one of them and at the top.

I agree the thread did get complicated because I answered posts by others that have been deleted. Simple question, simple answer. Thank You. I believe you but don't really like the answer but Thank You. It is what it is. I've been told Google is my friend but couldn't find the info you supplied online.

Most of the discussion seemed to be triggered by the above statement.

As I understand your post you are questioning if the American flag should be flown?? Just because it is a flagpole does not dictate a US flag having to be flown!! In respect to the confederate flag you should research what flag is being flown and ascertain it is not a state flag as many resemble the confederate stars and bars. Finally if a confederate flag or state flag is flown in conjunction with a political flag there is absolutely no precedent which should be on top. I feel your problem is either with the confederate flag or the "political flag" and most likely the political flag.

So my take after reading five pages is that the rules in the villages to not speak to whatever you fly on a flagpole. You can fly an American flag, or not. Or fly the flag of a nation which attacked the US and caused more deaths than in any other war in our history, or not. You could fly a Nazi flag because your great grandfather fought for the Reich and you may not agree with all the Reich's policies but understand that grandfather was being a patriot to his culture. You could fly the Soviet hammer and sickle flag or the flag of PLO. And because it is on a flagpole there are no regulations.

And I guess this is the loophole where you can fly a "Home for sale" flag up there as big as a flag can get, and because we don't regulate flag content. Freedom of speech and protecting the second amendment requires that "well regulated" mean not regulated.

What can I say !!!!
 

After reading this thread, I see the War may NOT be OVER for some.... :ohdear: :ohdear:

If we try, we can make something ugly out of almost everything.




…..Mother Bedelia.

OH SO TRUE (and thank you for stating the NOT SO OBVIOUS)! There is quite a bit more to the civil war and the causes which resulted in more Americans killed than in all other wars combined. The victors write the history books, however, and have taught that the war was fought over slavery (period). States Rights and the right to secession of any state from the union is never broached in the history books. The 10th Amendment is unfamiliar territory to most folks as a result of public schooling but many are quick to lecture others on their understanding of history. A wonderful book written on this very subject is "Emancipating Slaves, Enslaving Free Men" by Jeffrey Rogers Hummel, which elucidates many of these very issues. And, NO, I am not a southerner - was born and have always lived in the north but I have a reasonably clear understanding of "true" history in many areas that have piqued my interest. The sources, of course, must be pursued from other than indoctrinating public schooling. All best left for another topic, I suppose … just sayin' :blahblahblah:

I looked it up. The Stars and Bars was the first Confederate Flag beginning 1861 but was replaced in 1863 by the Stainless Banner, and again in 1865 by the Blood Stained Banner. Both of the latter have the design that today is often called the “Confederate Flag” in the upper left corner on a field of white. The Blood Stained version added a blood red vertical bar on the far right. And that upper left design was also adopted as the North Virginia Battle Flag (more square, not rectangular). Why that upper left design is reproduced as an entire rectangular flag and sold as the Confederate Flag, I do not know.

Again, the topic is flag etiquette/rules in The Villages.

If you want to have a non-political discussion about the Civil War, feel free to start a new thread.

Moderator

The part of this whole discussion that I find amazing (for The Villages), is that flags on a flagpole are not covered in the deed restrictions. After all, you can't put a 6 inch garden gnome in your landscaping since it is a magical pagan creature and could offend those that are devout believers in a different religion. Signs have to be small and theoretically only displayed in a window. Most deed restrictions are designed to enhance aesthetics and as to not offend others. Imho, a Nazi flag, and ISIS flag or a confederate flag is far more offensive to many more people than a garden gnome or a pair of brass herons, yet there is no deed restriction. If a deed restriction regarding flags would be a first amendment violation, then so would a ban on pink flamingos on a lawn. Just sayin'

Thank you
Steve

While it pains me to say this...I agree. :oops:


On a positive note...you're making good progress. :thumbup:

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

So are you:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I don't think "garden gnomes" and flamingos and crosses and stars of David and other "lawn stuff" are "banned" for religious reason but only to keep them from multiplying like rabbits ending up as 150 "garden gnomes" and flamingos and other stuff on one person's lawn turning our neighborhoods into what looks like a novelty shop. :D