The Great State of Maine: Authorities report rash of flag vandalism in Houlton

boston.com ^ | 4-14-03

[SheLion]

HOULTON, Maine (AP) Eleven American flags have recently been slashed or stolen from homes and businesses in this small northern Maine town, police said.

Seven of the flags were slashed Thursday at random locations throughout Houlton, apparently with a knife or razor, said Police Chief Daniel Soucy.

[ozone1]

Will this state ever get it?
Ah Maine, the home of the irrelevent wankers?

[cynicom]

Mainers quit fooling around or we will will cede you to Canada. Fix you up good.

[Madame Dufarge]

Olympia has lost my vote in perpetuity.

Might as well lance the boil so the healing can begin.

Maybe, once the state hits total rock-bottom, the voters will get a clue.

I'm not optimistic, though.

There's a general victim mentality that's developed, with the unions' encouragement, leading to that big dead-end street.

[DBtoo]

The French police don't want to be accused of racism because the culprits are Algerian Muslims. Many of the young Arab men form gangs and engage in aggressive acts, particularly against Jews. The police are afaid of angering them.

France is worse than the US when it comes to racial profiling and "discrimination" and such. So it's open season on Jewish kids in France. Too bad the Jewish kids can't somehow fight back, because the police won't do anything about it. The Jewish kids are greatly outnumbered by the Arabs.

[DBtoo]

I can't believe it!

I went to high school in RI (some years ago) and back then Maine was a pristine and safe place. I can't believe what has happened to it; and why Maine? It's so far north, and cold, you'd think those people would be happier to settle in the sunbelt. I feel so bad this is happening to Maine, such a beautiful state, or was.

[Leisler]

"Maybe, once the state hits total rock-bottom, the voters will get a clue.

The Iraqis have a better chance. I say you'll start getting Iraqi care packages in five years.

[SheLion]

IIRC, Houlton is the tip of I-95, in potoato country on the Canadian border. Could be mindlessly bored locals, or, gasp, Canucks.

The interstate ends at Houlton. It's a hour long, windy drive on a two lane road on the way up. We are just about 10 minutes from the Canadian border. I am not sure if there are any Canadian borders around Houlton, but they could have stopped there on the way on up to cross INto Canada. But I would hate to blame this on them.

We seem to have quite a few anti-war protestors spewing their hate in this state the past several months.

[Trajan88]

Probably the doings of those "teachers" that soapbox preached about the "evils" of making the world safe for democracy directed at the kids of parents in the National Guard.

Trajan88

p.s. I cannot wait to hear 'bout those parent-teacher conferences.

[SheLion]

More great publicity for Maine, huh?

Like the one lawmaker told me: NO one will want to EVER come to Maine again with what all that is happening here. Can we say "Lewiston?"

[Uncle Jaque]

About a week ago some fellow called in to Howie Carr about similar shenanigans going on in NH; his flag had been stolen and a sign supporting our Troops was defaced.

His plan was to invite some of his friends for an extended pajama party and take turns staking the new sign and flag out; whoever came to mess with it was to be escorted to the barn for a personal consultation.
We never heard any more about it.

I would think that there are a few old Deer and Moose Jackers up Houlton way that would know how to take care of that sort of thing; a 2-Liter plastic soda bottle duct taped to muzzle of .22 is about as sophisticated as they get; they can drop a 600 pound moose is his tracks with a little .22 slug tucked behind the ear with surgical precision, and no one hears a thing. It's also amazing how fast they can make a large animal vanish completely, without a trace, and no one sees a thing - just ask any Maine Game Warden.

Come to think of it, some of those bucks might be coming out now that the snow is starting to melt, and attacking those flags with their antlers.

Is that Statute posted here a real Maine Law or a pending Bill? If it is on the books, it obviously is not being enforced and not likely to be any time soon; if it were I suspect that the ACLU would take it right to the SCOTUS and have it overturned in a heartbeat, if they even bothered to hear it.

Nice try, though.

Personally I think that "Flag Protection" Law might be essentially unenforceable, and arguments about what constitutes a "Flag" vs. "bunting" or similar decorations would provide Lawyers with truckloads of useful judicial obfustcation.

My suggestion would be that an intentional desicration of a US Flag might constitute an expression of contempt for the Country, and a prima facie renoucement of Citizenship thereof.

If the desicrator was an Alien, immediate deportation would be appropriate; if a Citizen, his Citizenship should be revoked, and he should be deported to whatever country would accept him as a refugee. If none accept him, he could be held in a Territorial facility like Gitmo until a sponsor could be found or he could re-apply for Citizenship after 7 years.

American Citizenship used to be one of the most cherished prizes in the World; now it is so cheapened that it is taken for granted, squandered, abused, and held in contempt by those fortunate enough to have been born with it, knowing that they will never lose it despite their flagrant abuse and contempt.

For many who flock here it is little more than a free meal ticket for life in return for a regular Democrat Party vote.

That needs to change, IMHO - and not just here in Maine.