Duluth Paints Over American Flag

WXIA-TV ^ | 1.10.06 | Keith Whitney / Michael King

[mhking]

Last year, it was the runaway bride that put the town of Duluth on the media map. This year, the town is back in the spotlight. But this time, it's all because of a patriotic little girl and her great big American flag.

Duluth is as patriotic a town as you will find. On the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, the city puts out hundreds of flags.

But right now, just one has captivated the city of Duluth and the nation. The one on Whitney Place, in the middle of the street -- as big as American pride, but painted by little hands.

“We just wanted to paint a picture for fun, and we had no clue all of this would happen,” said flag painter Rachel Renbarger.

What has happened, has turned 9-year-old Rachel into a modern day American hero. A tiny Betsy Ross whose flag has come under fire.

Ironically, in the town that loves its flags, Duluth has asked little Rachel to paint hers over.

[noblejones]

>>
how about some patriotic Dulithites finding the kids a billboard to paint and maintain as an American Citizenship project?
<<

Excellent idea.

[ccwoman]

when I first saw this on my local news tonight I thought the town was going overboard..especially when they said that allowing a painting of the flag to be on the street would lead to them to "having to allow other paintings such as swastikas". All of you have made fine points, and now I see where it was a nice idea but should have only been done in chalk, if at all. I do have to ask what we as parents should do with all the paintings and drawings of the flag our children have done over the years. would just throwing these away after they have hung on the fridge be unpatriotic?

Our elementary janitor simply runs the flag down the pole at the end of the day, letting it and our state flag fall to ground, he then scoops them up in his arms and walks back into the building. I complained about this and honestly the response was, "Oh Jeez, its only a flag". I tried talking to the principal about it but he was, "too busy". I think this kind of disrespect deserves far more attention than the flag painted on a cul-de-sac.

[Appalled but Not Surprised]

This question does not have an obvious answer. Our conclusion is that the flag is that which we recognize to be the flag.>>

I salute your service, 1SG, but you're wrong.

A flag is made of cloth. It flies from a flagpole. It is carried in a parade. It stands by a courtroom bench.

This is a picture of a flag painted on concrete/blacktop.

There's a term of art here: idolatry. Just because it looks like a flag doesn't make it one. Nor should it be protected like a cloth flag. Otherwise where does it stop?

If the city decides to paint over it, oh well. Sorry kid.

It's a picture of a flag. Nothing more.

[hershey]

If the flag was painted on the street and traffic drove over it, then you could say the image of the flag was being treated with disrespect, which might be why Duluth wanted it removed. Or maybe they decided it would encourage graffiti.

[Jemian]

The flag is on the road, where cars drive around the circle at the end of a cul-de-sac. I have a problem with that. I would not want to drive over the flag. I don't want others to drive over it. I know that the middle of the circle isn't where many drive, but bicycles drive over it, kids play on it and the middle of the road really isn't the best place for our flag.

[groovejedi]

I agree,...it's jsut a painting, and there are paintings of the flag everywhere!

[mcmuffin]

[Kokojmudd]

With respect to Mr. Ogden the little girl owes him no apology. It is a painting and not actual flag and it was a patriotic gesture not a code pinko painting. Had she pasted an actual flag to the street that would have been different. I have an old t shirt with a flag picture on it...if it gets lint on it do I have to burn it?

[ariamne]

Unfortunately, we are infested with vermin that hate America. Why don't they bag it up and go elsewhere?

[Just Lori]

It's a picture. Of a flag. It is not the Constitution. It is not the Declaration of Independence. It is not Lincoln's grave site. It's a picture. Of a flag. It is P E R F E C T L Y O K for a little girl to draw one on the pavement. Really. Geez....

I'm not saying the little girl did anything wrong. The adults in her life should have just explained to her that the ground is not the place for a picture of the US flag. They could have given her a piece of plywood or something and propped it up in their yard. Anywhere but on the ground. No, it's not perfectly ok. Really.

[Just Lori]

See post 19.

[HamiltonJay]

Who gives folks like that the time of day???

Let them yack their complaint, and then just say "NEXT!"...

When did we become so messed up that we pander to every nutball out there?

[brainstem223]

Its not a flag. A flag is made of fabric. Its a painting of a flag. Probably doesn't belong on the street, but thats a matter of opinion. If a flag is printed in a newspaper, is it also disrespectful to toss the paper in the trash? How about all those tiny flags passed out at parades that are scattered all over and thrown away?

These quibbles are why the flag desecration amendment should never see the light of day!

[Denver Ditdat]

I agree,...it's jsut a painting, and there are paintings of the flag everywhere!

I don't know... I can think of a few disrespectful places to put a picture of the flag. What would you think of the flag decorating the interior of a toilet bowl? How about an American flag sticker inside a urinal? Not an actual flag in eaither case, but just a picture.

I'd be offended by either one.

[GoodWithBarbarians JustForKaos]

"I have an old t shirt with a flag picture on it"

It is a violation of US flag code to have an image of the flag on any clothing.

[ftriggerf]

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything I am 100% for respect of the flag. The quotes above, to me, would mean that the flag SHOULD NOT be used atop coffins. I would never burn or purposefully disrespect/mishandle/etc the flag BUT.... IF we are allowed to burn the flag, why can't a little girl paint a flag on the street?? See where I am coming from?

[Kokojmudd]

It is a violation of US flag code to have an image of the flag on any clothing.

I am wearing one now with an image of the vietnam vets memorial with a flag background. Dang it will have to be incinerated. Criminy my 12 pack of Dixon Ticonderoga pencils has a flag on it and a drawing of Ethan Allen! At least I can use the pencils for kindling.

[ftriggerf]

You are absolutely right! I am not of 'the older generations' Perhaps my elementary school was behind the times, but my K-3 school would meet outside first thing at the flagpole for the Pledge. The flag was taken down and respectfully folded. I don't remember if this was 1 ceremony or 2...it was 2nd and 3rd grade. The children participating were at most 8 years old. Schools taught respect for the flag and for the Pledge. A few months ago I had my daughter recite the Pledge (for grins, :P) she included 'one nation under God'. That comforted me.

[Personal Responsibility]

The town believes if they spare Rachel’s flag, the precedent could spawn other, less patriotic versions

And guess what, Mayor. Even if they did, THEY ARE ALL PROTECTED SPEECH, DIMWITS!

It obviously does not take brains to be a Mayor in Duluth.

[groovejedi]

good point, maybe a picture is just a picture unless it's of a flag...