OMG! Like patriotism is totally last season...Gawd

Right Up Front ^ | 05/27/2008 | Katy L Vidales

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

My parents recently purchased a home in Northwest San Antonio. My dad, a Vietnam Veteran, used his VA Home Loan to purchase the house they always wanted and rightfully deserved.

After settling in my dad put up his flag pole---the same one we’ve had in every house I’ve ever lived in. We fly the American flag on a regular basis and a POW-MIA flag during appropriate holidays. My dad was approached by a member of the mandatory Home Owners Association (HOA) and said that some concerns were raised at the last HOA meeting with regards to “that damn Mexican’s” flag pole.

My dad was surprised considering this has never been an issue in any other residential area we’ve lived in. Apparently some members thought it “brought down the value” of the property and surrounding properties. My dad then proceeded to thank our neighbor for the heads-up and told him that he was more than willing to tell the person with the complaint where they could shove the flag pole. Good ol’ dad. Later on that week, before the members of the HOA my dad stated that he went at the age of 18 to fight for our country to protect our individual freedoms and rights and he would continue to honor our country and our servicemen and women by flying that flag whenever he saw fit, regardless of the HOA standards or any complaints. He then dared the person with the complaints to tell one of our other neighbors to remove both her American flag and her Marine Corps flag which she flies daily after he son died in Iraq last month. The room fell silent...

[PeteB570]

I read your post as I can lean back and see my American Flag flying from my porch post - as it does for a few days before and a few days after Federal Holidays.

BUT - I don’t live in a subdivision with a HOA. HOA can tilt either way on issues. You love ‘um when the guy across the street starts to paint his house purple or orange.

[RWB Patriot]

Shows what happens when a person stands up for their rights and doesn’t back down to kiss @$$. Bravo Mr. Loraley

[WayneS]

I DON’T EVER “love them” because I believe in individual liberty and individual property rights.

The “guy across the street” can paint his house whatever color “floats his boat”, as long as he doesn’t try to tell me what color to paint mine.

HOAs are Anti-Freedom and Anti-American and I cannot inderstand why any American would subject themselves to one.

PS - I hope Mr. Vidales continues to fly his flags with pride. In fact, maybe he should have another one made up to fly under the American flag: I picture a field of solid dark blue flag with bright yellow letters reading “FTHOA”.

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

See that would make sense -— if something is a bona fide eye sore then yeah...toss it, but the American flag??? C’mon! Damn hippies...

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

He will and does! Thanks for the feedback! :)

[Onelifetogive]

HOAs are Anti-Freedom and Anti-American and I cannot inderstand why any American would subject themselves to one.

An HOA is just like any other contract that one enters into. It is not anti-freedom any more than a mortgage (they demand you send them money every month) or taking a job (they tell you where to be, when to be there and what you have to do - and will quit giving you money if you don't submit.)

If you don't want the hassel of a HOA, don't buy a house in a community with one. If you want the benefits of one, do.

[LiteKeeper]

HOAs are quasi governmental...and are a BIG scam!

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Thanks and thanks to your Dad for his service.

Regarding the comment about ‘damn Mexican’ it’s a shame that ethnic supremacist can’t recognize a true American who put his life on the line so they can live safely in their smug bigotry.

One Nation under GOD...with liberty and justice for all. Even the prejudiced elitists.

[chrisser]

I admire your father's patriotism and appreciate his service. Your article is a little scarce on the details necessary to be able to make anything other than a knee-jerk reaction.

Your father surrendered - voluntarily - some of his rights when he purchased a home in an area controlled by a HOA. I don't know why he purchased a home in this type of environment, because I certainly wouldn't, but among the rights one has regarding property is the right to surrender some of the property rights to a HOA.

Your father exercised his right to allow another organization to control some aspects of his property. He did this freely and by choice.

Now, from your description, it sounds like he wants to break that agreement because he doesn't like the conditions. Further it sounds like he is using his patriotism and service record as some sort of intimidation tactic, or asserting he is somehow exempt from the HOA because of the nature of his disagreement and/or his service.

Again, its difficult to tell the specifics from your article, but if true, I'm sorry but I find that reprehensible.

If he doesn't like the rules of the HOA, then he should either move to change them, or move period. The other members of the HOA have just as much right, disgusting as it may be, to live in an area without flags flying, U.S. or otherwise. See, that's the funny thing about rights. If you really believe in them, you have to let others have theirs too, no matter how much you disagree with them.

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

I see your point, but at the same time...the whole MANDATORY HOA thing seems to be more of a status thing than anything else. There are plenty of areas we’ve lived in regardless of the HOA status. We all purchase our homes based on what we like, not based on whether there is an HOA in place or not.

[Lazamataz]

I have found that wandering around my property with my assault rifle in my hands, muttering loudly about how I’m gonna “get” the “bastards” that “did this to me” often defuses any problem I have with a HOA.

[AuntB]

“My dad was approached by a member of the mandatory Home Owners Association (HOA) and said that some concerns were raised at the last HOA meeting with regards to “that damn Mexican’s” flag pole.”

These are the kind of fools that make life miserable for everyone. My HOA doesn’t like me either, and calls me really bad names....one phone message from a director when I disagreed with him..’You F.....Pig.....” etc. These types use any excuse to be a bigot and feel very threatened when opposed at any level. HOA’s and the people who love and run them are by definition Anti-American.

[Lazamataz]

I have found that wandering around my property with my assault rifle in my hands, muttering loudly about how I’m gonna “get” the “bastards” that “did this to me” often defuses any problem I have with a HOA.

By the way, the effect is maximized when I wear this costume:

[HiJinx]

You sound a bit deranged, Laz - they have an HOA at the State Hospital? (insert smiley here...)

[AuntB]

I can guarantee you that many of your neighbors see your Dad’s side of this. Start a blog for them, like we did, and expose their nonsense.

http://krcehoamembers.blogspot.com/

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

"I have found that wandering around my property with my assault rifle in my hands, muttering loudly about how I’m gonna “get” the “bastards” that “did this to me” often defuses any problem I have with a HOA."

Seriously? It might have other "unintended" consequences as well...

[Boonie]

Hust because you buy a home in a certain area, what “requires” you to be a member of this HOA???? Isn’t it EVERY Americans right to choose whatever organizations he/she wishes to belong or not belong?

[Lazamataz]

You sound a bit deranged, Laz.

SOUND deranged?

I'm insulted.

After all, I helped the Koreans with this sign:

[AuntB]

Many of the HOAs, like mine was, are started by the developer to force the residents to pay for improvements (roads etc) to the subdivision that the developer should have done. It’s a giant, unconstitutional scam that the rich developers (political contributors) just love...yes, everything is about politics.