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.
Observation, conservatives fly a flag upside down to show election displeasure, Democrats burn something down.
Thats not a bad idea...
I think i’ll buy a US flag lapel pin, and start wearing it upside down.
mark
We are going to have to all stand up and fight hard.
We can start by directly contacting our senators by the millions:
SARAH PALIN TRUMPS LIBERALISM...AND IT DRIVES THEM CRAZY
While we’re on the subject of flags, anyone think the Rebel flag is going to be legal for long with a black president?
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.
Probably not. My new colors are the skull and crossbones.
How nice. Perhaps this conservative will spark a debate about the Flag Code. /sarc
“I think ill buy a US flag lapel pin, and start wearing it upside down.”
What a good idea. I have one and I’ll start tmo.
.....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.....
I have a friend who has done the same thing.
Guess “Dukes of Hazzard” will be taken off cable. No big loss, but still, gotta like ‘daisy dukes’.
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.
I was shocked Indiana went for Obama.Not anymore.
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.
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.
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
You fly the flag properly.
Not to show displeasement of an election outcome.
My flag flies same as ever!
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