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Posted on 06/20/2003 2:40:34 AM PDT by prisoner6
| Fri Jun 20, 1:39 AM ET
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There's a flap over a flag in Westmoreland County. Folks there are up in arms because a popular beverage company is flying a Christian flag above the American flag. United States code states the American flag always comes first on the flag pole.
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Greg Podlucky, the owner of the Le-Nature's beverage company, has been flying the flag for months now, irritating some residents.
"Nothing flies above the American flag," said veteran Dick Johnston. "But this guy just don't want to cooperate with us."
"In my estimation, it's a contempt for the city of Latrobe and contempt for any citizen," said Steve Semnisky. "He's doing it and he knows that it's not right and why he won't change it.I have no idea. It's sad."
According to title four of the U.S. code, no flag or pennant can be flown above the U.S. flag. But there are two exceptions.
The church pennant can be flown above the American flag, but only during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea.
And the United Nations (news - web sites) flag can be flown above Old Glory at the UN headquarters in New York.
If someone violates the code, the flag federation says there are no penalties. It was simply adopted back in 1942 as a guideline of how to hang the stars and stripes.
The American Legion has tried to convince Podlucky to switch the flags, but Podlucky reportedly said it's "God over country."
"That's a fine statement to make," Seminsky said. "But that gives no one the right to fly the flag above the United States flag."
Semnisky said he and his family now plan to boycott Le-Nature's, and many others in Latrobe have said they'll do the same.
Podlucky returned WTAE's calls for comment Thursday. He said the inspiration for the flag flying was initiated by a bible distributed by President Roosevelt right before World War II. He said in that bible, there's a picture of the U.S. flag being flown under the Christian flag.
Podlucky also added that he in no way meant to offend anyone
prisoner6
prisoner6
I suppose we just disagree. That's what makes a horse race.
prisoner6
Yup. On several similar threads over the years I have tried - unsuccessfully - to argue that the code is a set of "suggestions" as opposed to rules. There is no punishment for not following the code, as far as I know.
To that end I suppose a point could be made that if there is no punishment, the "violation" is so minor it's not worth getting all knotted up about.
Still, try telling someone it's OK to fly the flag overnight without illumination as was done when the National Anthem was penned!
prisoner6
In a way that's why I called the guy a boob. He's defying the code, ignoring ettiquette and tradiion, and generally wearing his religion on his shirtsleave.
prisoner6
Yup. On several similar threads over the years I have tried - unsuccessfully - to argue that the code is a set of "suggestions" as opposed to rules. There is no punishment for not following the code, as far as I know.
To that end I suppose a point could be made that if there is no punishment, the "violation" is so minor it's not worth getting all knotted up about.
Still, try telling someone it's OK to fly the flag overnight without illumination as was done when the National Anthem was penned!
Yeah, it appears to me that it has been reduced to no more than a tradition or good manners; like taking your hat off in a galley in respect for the dead, or not walking on the grass, wearing your "Sunday best" to church (not so important it seems these days), eating with your mouth closed, saying yes sir/no sir or yes ma'am/no ma'am to those you respect.
It is, afterall, all about respect.
That's right Mr. Seminsky!! Heaven forbid we let people start thinking God Almighty is more important than these United States. Why you'd have chaos in the streets!! People praying, going to church, and worst of all, maybe even a few starting to question government practices and government officials. Instead of a subservient loyalty to a symbol instead of the document the symbol used to represent. And we can't have that Mr. Seminsky, can we?
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