Posted on 11/06/2004 8:47:08 AM PST by antaresequity
Furor over flag in Marin
and Tad Whitaker
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| Ford Greene of San Anselmo put this upside-down flag on his building on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard this week to express his displeasure with the re-election of President Bush. He replaced it with another sign after angry callers objected to his display. IJ photo/Jeff Vendsel |
San Anselmo resident Ford Greene is annoying some residents of the Ross Valley again, only instead of using a political sign he's enlisted the American flag to make his point.
After President Bush won re-election this week, Greene hung a large American flag upside down on the side of his building on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. That prompted more than a dozen angry phone calls to San Anselmo Town Hall and the police department, but there's nothing the town could do to force him to take the flag down.
"People seem angry about it and want something done," said Town Administrator Debbie Stutsman. But, she added, "It's a permitted use."
Greene knew the flag would cause a stir, and that was the last thing that would stop him.
"Anytime a strong and honest statement of any sort is made, undoubtedly there is someone who is going to be offended," Greene said yesterday.
Barbara Czelusta, who lives nearby, said she is not the only person offended.
"It's a First Amendment right, but he feels the U.S. is in distress because of the results of the election," Czelusta said. "I feel offended because the country is supposed to unite now."
Yesterday, Greene removed the flag and replaced it with a sign that read: "Well I didn't burn it besides flag upside down is international signal of distress."
The controversy about the sign that Greene periodically updates and hangs on the side of his building at 711 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. near the San Anselmo Hub has been ongoing. Greene has sued the town for passing an ordinance regulating the size of signs.
Hadden Roth, the town's attorney, said he does not believe Greene did anything illegal in hanging the flag upside down, particularly because the U.S. Supreme Court considers symbolic expression to be protected under the First Amendment.
Roth has been updating the town's sign ordinance and the Town Council is set to discuss it at its Tuesday meeting.
Czelusta, who corresponds with troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, believes it is wrong to force people to view signs or symbolic expressions.
"If people want to burn effigies they usually do it at a march," Czelusta said. "I can choose not to go. This is on my way to work and it's in my face."
A previous sign that read "Take the thug out" also angered Czelusta.
"To me, that's a threat to the president, and that is a federal offense," Czelusta said.
Fairfax Councilman Mike Ghiringhelli, who has had his own run-ins with Greene over his signs, was amused when asked about the flag.
"I think that Ford Greene is entitled to his freedom of speech and his true colors are now showing, and he's a sore loser," Ghiringhelli said. "I guess the great thing about this country is people like Ford Greene can hang a flag upside down on his building."
Greene said he would continue to use his building as a way to express his feelings about the state of the nation.
"In my view, democracy has been turned on its head by ... people voting for someone who was appointed by the Supreme Court, lied to start an erroneous war, destroyed a country and alienated all of our traditional allies," Greene said. "The Bush administration is taking away our freedom."
Contact Nancy Isles Nation via e-mail at civiccenter@neteze.com
Friends of San Anselmo Fight Back Against This Scum Bag
Thanks to burningman2004
for this picture of Ford Greene
Take a few minutes to read this website concerning an attorney by the name of Ford Greene.
The topics covered in these web pages are of interest not only to the citizens of San Anselmo, CA, but to the public at large. Why? Because Ford Greene is fast and loose in manufacturing allegations against his opponents, yet a review of his own actions cannot stand up to close examination.
http://www.friendsofsananselmo.org/Photos/bush_threat.jpg
More Information on Ford Green:
Ford Greene
Attorney
fordgreene@attbi.com
location: 711 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
San Anselmo, California 94960-1949
telephone: (415) 258-0360
fax: (415) 456-5318
Ford Greene, Esq. provides litigation services on a sliding fee scale for those who are confronting organizations which use mind control, especially when those organizations are abusing First Amendment protections to commit anti-social and destructive acts. Mr. Greene has won numerous cases involving cult groups, including the seminal case, Molko v. Holy Spirit Association (1988) 46 Cal.3d 1092 [establishing the right of those tricked into exposing themselves to coercive persuasion to sue for fraud] and State of Colorado v. Brandyberry [successful use of choice of evils defense to acquit deprogrammer of kidnapping charges]; has studied many specific cults [Bubba Free John of Johanine Daist Communion, Robert Burton of Fellowship of Friends, Werner Eerhard of est, Norbu Chan of Chakpori Ling Foundation, Arthur Andrews of Religious School of Natural Hygiene, Swami Kiyananda of Ananda Church, Sun Myung Moon of Unification Church and Scientology]; and is the subject of the book " Moonwebs " and the movie " Ticket to Heaven ." He won a $1.625 million jury verdict in 1998 against Swami Kiyananda and the Ananda Church.
Ford Green appears to have disappeared ...at least his office no longer displays anything on that wall.
I’m two blocks from the Seminary.
NEVER FORGET!
DO you remember when the town of San Anselmo FLEW the U.N. FLAG...above Old Glory??
whoever complained got nowhere!
Im near Richmond Rd In S.A. as I type this btw
Never Forget!
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