I hope he has thanked a vet for assuring his freedom to express lame opinions.
Posted on 11/06/2004 12:26:58 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SAN ANSELMO, Calif. (AP) - A downtown property owner protesting President Bush's re-election raised a furor in this small Northern California town when he placed an upside down American flag on his two-story building.
Ford Greene has stirred anger previously with controversial signs, including one before Tuesday's election that read "Take the thug out," an apparent reference to defeating Bush.
After the election, he replaced it with an upside down American flag, prompting more than a dozen angry telephone calls to San Anselmo Town Hall and the police department.
"It's a First Amendment right, but he feels the U.S. is in distress because of the results of the election," said Barbara Czelusta, who lives nearby. "I feel offended because the country is supposed to unite now."
Greene said he knew the flag would cause a stir.
"Anytime a strong and honest statement of any sort is made, undoubtedly there is someone who is going to be offended," he said.
He removed the flag by week's end, replacing it with a sign that read: "Well I didn't burn it. Besides flag upside down is international signal of distress."
Hadden Roth, attorney for the Marin County enclave about 15 miles north of San Francisco, said he does not believe Greene did anything illegal, particularly because the U.S. Supreme Court considers symbolic expression to be protected under the First Amendment.
Greene has generated controversy with previous messages and has sued the town over an ordinance that regulates the size of signs.
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," he said. "...He's a sore loser."
considering that this happened in Marin county I'm surprised that anyone was offended.
All things like this do is create more Republican voters. Keep it up libs, keep it up.
This man is entitled to do and say what he wants about this country on his own land. However, he leaves himself open to ridicule and the disrepect of all who hear or see it. He really needs to sign onto the cruise that will take him to a foreign country that agrees with him. No one is making him stay.
hm
This is really pitiful. Why do I see this fellow as an aging hippie?
Thanks!
To be fair, I feel his pain. We flew our flag upside down during the Impeachment hearings.
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's an attention seeking jerk.
I'm thrilled he's so distressed.
Hope he stays that way for 4 more years!
FALSE use of the U.S. Distress Signal should be the same as a false 911 call!
You're going to see more and more protests like this upside down flag. I've been lurking on DU and some of the protest suggestions include:
1. Disrupt the Jan 20th inauguration.
2. Boycott Wal-Mart.
3. Disconnect your cable TV.
4. Boycott Red Lobster.
5. Cut off all ties to Republican relatives, such as not letting grandparents see their grandchildren.
6. Gay people should visit churches, feign interest in Christ over an extended period, and then announce "Surprise! I'm gay." It is unknown what this would accomplish.
7. Punch someone, anyone, in the face.
Those are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head....
Somebody could put up a sign, directly accross from his building, that says, "Ford Green sucks."
"A downtown property owner protesting President Bush's re-election raised a furor in this small Northern California town when he placed an upside down American flag on his two-story building."
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this Kerry supporter takes that truism to a new low.
Guess he must have admired Kerry's book featuring an upside-down flag on the cover!
LOL Boycott Red Lobster? Am I missing something? Now they think a COLOR is evil?
I hope he has thanked a vet for assuring his freedom to express lame opinions.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.