Conservative's flag displays his displeasure with presidential election results

Belleville News Democrat ^ | Sunday, Nov. 09, 2008 | KEVIN LEININGER

[randomhero97]

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- An American flag flown upside down is a signal of distress.

At half-staff, the flag is a sign of mourning.

Jeffrey Smith figures both dire conditions describe the United States now that Barack Obama has been elected president - which explains the intentionally startling appearance of the Stars and Stripes outside his house in rural Huntertown, Ind.

"Ships fly their flags upside down when they're sinking, and I see that happening to our country," said the staunchly Republican Smith, 42, who considers his actions patriotic, not disrespectful.

"I'm for the Bill of Rights, and I'm concerned about Obama's positions on the 'fairness doctrine' (which some observers believe would target conservative talk radio) and the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms)." Smith, a financial planner and former Eagle Scout, also worries about Obama's stated desire to "spread the wealth around," his support for abortion rights, his ability to appoint liberal judges and his intention to expand the federal government's role in health care and other areas.

Smith knows some will perceive his silent protest as a backlash against America's first black president, but he insists his motivation was policy - not pigmentation.

"I like (Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice, and I liked (former Secretary of State) Colin Powell before he endorsed Obama," said Smith, who hopes his flag will motivate conservative voters to undo the damage he fears was done Tuesday - starting with the next congressional election two years from now.

Smith said most of his neighbors "love" what he's done, and this week's results seem to bear that out. Republican John McCain received 204 votes in the precinct containing Smith's house on Carroll Ridge Drive in Huntertown, compared with 124 for Obama.

"I think it's pretty funny, although I don't really care for the upside-down thing," said neighbor Chris Eastman, 33. "I figured (Smith) would do something with the flag. He's pretty enthusiastic."

Smith hopes McCain's defeat will compel the GOP to nominate a "real" conservative in four years - somebody like Republican Indiana Rep. Mike Pence. In the meantime, he'll continue to protest policies he finds inconsistent with America's founding documents and ideals. "I was shocked Indiana went for Obama. But I don't think that was an endorsement of him. It was a repudiation of Bush," he said.

Nor is Smith alone in his protest. The owner of a Decatur tire store flew his flag upside-down - but not lowered - following Obama's victory Tuesday.

But Smith's flag - which he flew at half-staff after Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992 - will probably return to its normal configuration long before there's a Republican in the White House again.

"I'll have to fly my Purdue flag on the weekends and game days, and I'll never let the American flag (which must be flown above other flags) touch the ground," he said.

[MrPiper]

I think I may do the same.

Observation, conservatives fly a flag upside down to show election displeasure, Democrats burn something down.

[Safrguns]

Thats not a bad idea...

I think i’ll buy a US flag lapel pin, and start wearing it upside down.

[MadLibDisease]

mark

[Jeff Head]

Our nation is in distress. There is now an abject marxist at the helm backed my large majorities in the House and Senate.

We are going to have to all stand up and fight hard.

We can start by directly contacting our senators by the millions:

MY LETTER TO MY US SENATORS

SARAH PALIN TRUMPS LIBERALISM...AND IT DRIVES THEM CRAZY

[RWB Patriot]

While we’re on the subject of flags, anyone think the Rebel flag is going to be legal for long with a black president?

[Evil Slayer]

I don’t know about flying my flag upside down but am considering flying it at half staff. I don’t think there are any laws that I would be breaking by doing that. Maybe fly it that way on the pole in my yard until 2012 or until we get someone in the office that will give our country back.

[randomhero97]

Probably not. My new colors are the skull and crossbones.

[1rudeboy]

How nice. Perhaps this conservative will spark a debate about the Flag Code. /sarc

[OpusatFR]

“I think i’ll buy a US flag lapel pin, and start wearing it upside down.”

What a good idea. I have one and I’ll start tmo.

[cyberaxe]

.....that is so funny.....

.....I just turned mine back right side up this morning.....

.....(I had turned it upside down last Wednesday).....

.....I think 1-20-09 I'll fly it at half mast.....

[Red_Devil 232]

I have a friend who has done the same thing.

[Secret Agent Man]

Guess “Dukes of Hazzard” will be taken off cable. No big loss, but still, gotta like ‘daisy dukes’.

[counterpunch]

Smith hopes McCain's defeat will compel the GOP to nominate a "real" conservative in four years - somebody like Republican Indiana Rep. Mike Pence.

Sounds great. But first we need to make Mike Pence House Minority Leader and in two years Speaker of the House.
Then he will be in good position to run for president.
 

I was shocked Indiana went for Obama.

Not anymore.
McCain leads Hussein by about 100,000 votes.
The Drive-bys haven't bothered to correct the election map.
 

[freedumb2003]

I think I'll fly a flag upside down, with this in the stars place:

[randomhero97]

"Just the good ole boys never meaning no harm"

It's funny because growing up a few of my black friends absolutely loved Dukes of Hazard.

[Evil Slayer]

Yeah, I noticed CNN and MSNBC electoral maps don’t have Missouri as won by McCain either. CNN has Indiana dark blue as well. Maybe next year we will get the REAL results. Not holding my breath though.

[Secret Agent Man]

I’ve got my “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. I also have a version of the US Civilian flag. I fly that one on the 4th of July.

[LizardQueen]

I wore my “I Voted” sticker upside down on Nov 4th.

I’ve taken my flag down until either we get a Repub majority in 2010 or until Obongo is out of office. I’m putting up the Gadsden flag (”Don’t Tread on Me”) instead.

LQ

[Names Ash Housewares]

You fly the flag properly.

Not to show displeasement of an election outcome.

My flag flies same as ever!

[Hoplite]

US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8, (a)

The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

I suppose the preceeding doesn't apply to drama queens, however.

[We Dare Defend Our Rights]

We've still got a good supply of the flags from our the last invasion of the South. I think you'll be seeing more of of those flying in the south, even with all the Carpetbaggers who live here now. I'll be flying my Stars and Stripes for the last Veterans Day Tuesday for the next four years.

[GnL]

After Veterans Day, my US Flag comes down and my new Navy Jack (”Dont Tread On Me”) goes up. Until we have a real American in the White House again.

[Cementjungle]

My neighbor, a retired Navy man, has had his flag at half-staff since the election. He has a prominent, 20 foot or so, flagpole which is along the shorline and quite visible to passing boaters.

[randomhero97]

I agree, not for the election. For what follows the election migh entail, well...

[randomhero97]

The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

Yeah, I disagree with flying it upside down following the election. However, it may be necessary considering what the O train has planned for our property.

[garyhope]

The many Freeper posts here sound like a good idea.

An upside down American flag at half mast. Appropriate.

[ladyvet]

I agree. The flag should not be used as a political prop. The DUmmies have been doing that for eight years. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. There are other ways to show our displeasure over these turn of events. Too much blood has been shed to use it this way.

[Hoplite]

However, it may be necessary

Make up your mind.

There's right and wrong. Not right and whatever feels right.

[murron]

I remember someone doing this after Clinton was elected.

[Colonial Warrior]

[randomhero97]

My mind is made up. I'm very aware of the Flag Code but was is the definition of "property." Very broad term if you ask me.

What if this confiscate 401k plans is not a ruse?

[Sisku Hanne]

Is this guy a FReeper? Someone here has a photo of his flag upside-down and at half-staff.

[Bushbacker1]

Or, this:

[dokmad]

You fly the flag properly.

Not to show displeasement of an election outcome.

My flag flies same as ever!

I WILL fly the flag upside down. I am a God loving American who loves the flag and everything it represents, including my right to free speech, which I choose to exercise by displaying our beloved flag as a symbol of America in distress. GOD BLESS AMERICA!, GOD BLESS THE UNBORN, GOD BLESS FREEDOM, GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS and GOD BLESS our FUTURE!

[Amendment10]

I find the title of this thread somewhat hypocritical. This is because, while I was hopeful that the Democratic P.U.M.A. would help to put McCain / Palin in the Oval Office, I had failed to take into consideration that there was a Conservative equivalent of P.U.M.A. that actually helped to put Obama / Biden in the Oval Office. This begs the question, in my opinion, as to if the USA really is a Christian nation as conservatives claim.

Also, conservatives seem to be overlooking that two respected political commentators have essentially said the Oval Office is probably going to be a very unwanted "prize" in the next several years. This is because the delayed banking crisis tsunami is predicted to make fools out of whichever party is in control of DC for the next several years - the Democrats.

http://www.newsmax.com/morris/republicans_stronger/2008/11/06/148571.html

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/112008/11092008/423175

The first article is by Dick Morris. I got the second link from a FReeper who claims that the linked article is by Charles Krauthammer, but I haven't been able to substantiate that.

So it was possibly in Sarah's best interest for any 2012 plans that G-d didn't answer our prayers by sending her to DC at this time. Also, Obama may well reap as president the consequences of the banking problems that he unthinkingly helped to create and for which he has so far refused to take responsibility for. So Obama may already have created the "Iraq War" that may take down his presidency.

[gargoyle]

...Dadadodontata, “It’s a grand old flag, it’s a”. Volatile issue, at least, but, I respect a persons right to display or desecrate the Stars and Stripes on their property. Not in public, let me be specific, not in the public arena. Certainly, it’s going to cause an uproar...

[Hoplite]

What if this confiscate 401k plans is not a ruse?

What if you identify exactly where this "plan" came from, and in what context it was presented in order to evaluate how much importance to attach to your hypothetical question?

[gunner03]

I just took mine down. The only flag flying is the Marine Corps .

[pctech]

I have an upside down flag on my computer terminal at work, and I work at a military base. Talk about pissing off a lot of folks...........

[randomhero97]

This is what I'm referring to, but like you said it's a hyothetical question.

Dems Target Private Retirement Accounts

Look, I agree with you assessment. One man does not make or break the Republic and making this type of jesture seems to somewhat be unnecessary.

[Charlespg]

I agree. The flag should not be used as a political prop. The DUmmies have been doing that for eight years. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. There are other ways to show our displeasure over these turn of events. Too much blood has been shed to use it this way.

I don't care for obama but this crap is juvenile and disrectfull of the men who fought and died under that flag

[pankot]

I understand the reasoning, but look what they did to “Joe the Plumber”.

[Melas]

Agreed. I’m glad he’s not my neighbor.

[ncpatriot]

You fly the flag properly.

I agree. We need to fly our flags more than ever. We support our troops. We support our Country. I will not play their (Dems) game. I thought about this long and hard.

[Skooz]

Since I moved in to my home in 9/2002, my flag hung proudly off the front porch. Early in the morning of Wednesday, I took it down and put it in the closet. There it will remain as long as the psychotic Left rules America.

I just ordered one of these and it will hang in place of the Stars and Stripes for the next four years:

[JSDude1]

I agree!

[Moonmad27]

Day after the election I had an upside down flag sticker in the back car window. Then I realized that most of the libs out here in Southern California would either not know what that meant, or assume it was an old sticker still protesting Bush!

[AlmaKing]

‘Also, Obama may well reap as president the consequences of the banking problems that he unthinkingly helped to create and for which he has so far refused to take responsibility for. ‘

Just thinking out loud here, not attacking.

Well, I think he ‘thinkingly’ helped create them, but I agree he probably will inherit them. What can we hope for? That he fails to handle them in our eyes or in the eyes of the ignorant half of the country who voted for him? It’s difficult to root for the failure of the nation’s leadership; it’s like being a democrat.

I don’t know what to think at this point, but I do know I’m looking for an AR15 and a .45 to bolster my 12 gauge and 9mm.

[Amendment10]

Well, I think he ‘thinkingly’ helped create them, but I agree he probably will inherit them. What can we hope for? That he fails to handle them in our eyes or in the eyes of the ignorant half of the country who voted for him? It’s difficult to root for the failure of the nation’s leadership; it’s like being a democrat.

I don’t know what to think at this point, but I do know I’m looking for an AR15 and a .45 to bolster my 12 gauge and 9mm.

Isn't it great that the USSC upheld the 2nd A. this year? What timing!

But also note that Dick Morris mentioned the following. Obama may get the people who voted for him angry enough at him in the next two years that they'll show their "appreciation" for him by giving him a Republican-controlled Congress.