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Conservative's flag displays his displeasure with presidential election results
Belleville News Democrat ^ | Sunday, Nov. 09, 2008 | KEVIN LEININGER

Posted on 11/09/2008 2:53:36 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Indiana
KEYWORDS: bho2008; in2008; oldglory
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1 posted on 11/09/2008 2:53:36 PM PST by randomhero97
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To: randomhero97
I think I may do the same.

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

2 posted on 11/09/2008 2:57:22 PM PST by MrPiper
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To: randomhero97

Thats not a bad idea...

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


3 posted on 11/09/2008 2:57:25 PM PST by Safrguns
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To: MadLibDisease

mark


4 posted on 11/09/2008 2:58:48 PM PST by MadLibDisease (Proudly residing in Dar-al-Harb since 1959)
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To: randomhero97
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


5 posted on 11/09/2008 2:59:14 PM PST by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: randomhero97

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


6 posted on 11/09/2008 2:59:28 PM PST by RWB Patriot ("Let 'em learn the hard way, 'cause teaching them is more trouble than they're worth,")
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To: randomhero97

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.


7 posted on 11/09/2008 3:00:28 PM PST by Evil Slayer (Sarah Palin reminds me of the story about David and Goliath)
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To: RWB Patriot

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


8 posted on 11/09/2008 3:00:30 PM PST by randomhero97 ("First you want to kill me, now you want to kiss me. Blow!" - Ash)
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To: randomhero97

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


9 posted on 11/09/2008 3:00:42 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Safrguns

“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.


10 posted on 11/09/2008 3:00:51 PM PST by OpusatFR (Neither Republican or Democrat. Monarchist with allegience to The Only One.)
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To: randomhero97
.....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.....

11 posted on 11/09/2008 3:00:53 PM PST by cyberaxe (((.....does this mean I'm kewl now?.....)))
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To: randomhero97

I have a friend who has done the same thing.


12 posted on 11/09/2008 3:01:25 PM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: RWB Patriot

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


13 posted on 11/09/2008 3:02:49 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: randomhero97
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.
 
14 posted on 11/09/2008 3:03:32 PM PST by counterpunch ( Mike Pence for House Minority Leader. Now!)
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To: cyberaxe
I think I'll fly a flag upside down, with this in the stars place:


15 posted on 11/09/2008 3:03:40 PM PST by freedumb2003 (Der neuen Fuhrer: AKA the Murdering Messiah: Keep your power dry, folks)
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To: Secret Agent Man
"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.
16 posted on 11/09/2008 3:04:48 PM PST by randomhero97 ("First you want to kill me, now you want to kiss me. Blow!" - Ash)
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To: counterpunch

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.


17 posted on 11/09/2008 3:12:32 PM PST by Evil Slayer (Sarah Palin reminds me of the story about David and Goliath)
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To: freedumb2003

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.


18 posted on 11/09/2008 3:13:09 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: OpusatFR

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


19 posted on 11/09/2008 3:15:13 PM PST by LizardQueen (The world is not out to get you, except in the sense that the world is out to get everyone.)
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To: randomhero97

You fly the flag properly.

Not to show displeasement of an election outcome.

My flag flies same as ever!


20 posted on 11/09/2008 3:20:28 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares (Refusing to kneel before the socialist messiah.)
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