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

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

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

I agree with the whole “social contract” premise behind your arguement, but the fact still remains HOAs are not the end all be all of housing matters. We don’t buy a house because of the stellar record of the HOA. Nor would we over look major electrical problems with the house because the HOA is just fabulous. We buy a house because, we like it, the house or property meets our needs. The only HOA concern that most people have is giving into the mandatory HOA fees yearly...and that’s pretty much it.

When they bought the home, they did so because they liked the house and the location...he didn’t poll the neighborhood prior to moving in to it and see who didn’t appreciate seeing the American flag on a daily basis...I don’t believe most of us would...the issue sprang up after the fact. I don’t think he used his service record as an intimidation tactic, but as fact. He did serve the country, has a respect for it and those people who gave their lives in his company during his service, as well as those who still do today. Period.

If people are intimidated by that fact it is probably due to their own internal grievances about our country or inability to respect our history, country, democratic nature or American flag.

Moreover, we live in a country of majority rule, minority rights. Someone should not be required to move out of the home that they have purchased because of Article 12 subsection b code 4.5 of the HOA which apparently doesn’t like flag poles. There were two (liberals) people, who didn’t like the flag. He had the support of everyone else in the neighborhood and HOA.

I do believe in universal rights (for the most part, i.e. convicted murderers etc), but I don’t believe that one individual should be required to change their way of life to acquiesce to the minority opinion.

[HiJinx]

Well, I was trying to be nice.
Didn’t want to scare anyone off...
I guess I should known better!

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

Thank you and I couldn’t agree more!

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

Ha ha. Yep that’d would do it.

[Lazamataz]

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

Not a single problem, ever since I mounted THIS on the roof:

Ever since then, I've noticed the cops doing this in front of my house:

[chrisser]

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?

Sigh.

You can't disassociate the property from the HOA. Its analagous to saying "just because you bought a house in Pittsburgh, what requires you to be a member of the city of Pittsburgh?"

The HOA clause is as much a part of the property as the boundary lines and easements, so no, it is not your right to chose to belong to an HOA when you buy a property that is part of an HOA.

Personally, I don't like the idea of an HOA, but strangely enough, individuals have the right to make stupid decisions, and among the many possible is the right to buy a property in one of these bastardized pseudo-governmental arrangements. Like most rights, exercising them comes with responsibility, and in the case of an HOA, your responsibility is to advocate for rules you like, and against rules you don't and if you find you don't like the rules, then either live with them or move out.

[retrokitten]

Great story!

This reminds me of when my brother tried to buy a flag at Home Depot for someone who had just moved into a new home around Christmas time.

He asked some kid where the American flag kits were. The kid said, “We don’t have any right now. They are a seasonal item.”

My brother (who is about 6’5” and 275 pounds) said, “Patriotism knows no season!” The kid just about pooped his pants. I think they finally found them at Wal-Mart or Ace.

[HamiltonJay]

If you value your personal liberty at all, you cannot buy a piece of property that has HOA covenants tied to it. Its hard enough dealing with busy bodies in a small borough.. but HOA’s guarantee your land is not your own.

[WayneS]

When a local (county) government requires a POA or HOA by ordinance for new subdivisions they become increasingly harder to avoid. And being in an HOA is NOT like entering into a contract, it is like being subject to a quasi-governemntal agency.

PS - I DON’T want the hassle of an HOA and I don’t live with one (I purchased my property years beffore the local HOA requirement came into effect).

PPS - Please enlightn me as to the “benefits” of being abused by one of these Nazi-like organizations. We already have the racist “ ‘Mexicans’ shouldn’t be allowed to fly flags, benefit” - can you think of any others?

[WayneS]

Now THAT’S funny!!

[Onelifetogive]

Please enlightn me as to the “benefits” of being abused by one of these Nazi-like organizations.

First, I, like you, don't live under one. It is a major benefit for people who don't want to do outrageous things on their property and don't wish to live in a neighborhood with people who do. (i.e. I give up my right to park cars on blocks in the front yard if you will too.) We hear the seemingly annoying limitations that come from HOAs, but the routine, reasonable limitations never make the news. Outside of communities with HOAs, there are plenty of examples of properties where people have created eyesores and nuisances.

[Boonie]

Thanks...I have for the most of my 59 years lived in the country on open lands...I really didn’t understand about the HOA....Being a Vietnam veteran myself, my allegiance
would have definitely been with the homeowner...not the association..

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

Wow. That sounds like something Michelle Obama should draft for her husband “SB 1123: Seasonal Patriotism”...it can be backed by Home Depot! JK haha

[KatyLoraleyVidales]

Thanks for your service!!!

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

“Well, I was trying to be nice.
Didn’t want to scare anyone off...”

---

HiJinx, STOP! You’re sounding like a Liberal. Appeasing Laz only makes things worse. ;^)

Laz, that is a FUNNY series of pix. I’m skeered too.

[Boonie]

Thank you, dear lady...and the same to your Dad...

[Theo]

You probably could have spent a few more minutes coming up with a headline that’s a bit more respectful of God.

That said, I don’t have much sympathy for the situation your parents find themselves in. It’s all in the HOA handbook. When you buy a home in a homeowners association, you’ve got to live by the rules they set.

Maybe they could politely ask the association board for an exception. Or they could “demand their rights” and earn a reputation as being bad neighbors.

[WayneS]

But... Why OWN property if you’re not going to do outrageous things on it? ;^)

My dirt-bike-riding/shooting parties are LEGENDARY in my neigborhood (there are some who mistakenly believe that one cannot engage in both activities at the same time).

SHOULD not - maybe...
CAN NOT - Ha Ha Ha Ha...

[chrisser]

Thank you for your service, Boonie.

My hope is that this gentleman uses whatever provisions are in his HOA agreement to align with his supportive neighbors and change the HOA rules that ban flags or flagpoles, or at least make an exception for U.S. flags. That way, future like-minded citizens who move into that HOA after he’s gone will not have to go through this fight again later.

[Sacajaweau]

Many HOA rules can be changed by the majority of the homeowners. My father in law did it in Florida!! Read the contract again.