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Further flurries in flap over flag
Boulder Camera ^ | 3 Nov 01 | Matt Sebastian

Posted on 11/03/2001 7:53:14 AM PST by real saxophonist

Further flurries in flap over flag

By Matt Sebastian

Camera Staff Writer

A flap over not flying flags at the Boulder Public Library reached a muted crescendo Friday as a group of self-proclaimed patriots draped the Stars and Stripes across the front entrance to the city building.

Inside, though, library officials — who recently nixed an American flag display as discomforting for some — were seemingly unaware of the small protest outside their glass and stone walls.

Randy Smith, the library's assistant director, said he didn't know nine flags were taped up on the building's south entrance Friday afternoon. Nevertheless, Smith said he didn't object to Old Glory's presence.

"The wind will probably blow them away," he said. "I don't think I'll probably do anything."

The brouhaha began last weekend when Marcellee Gralapp, the library's director, was quoted in a Daily Camera article saying she had rejected her employees' request to hang a large American flag in the building's glass entryway because it would "compromise our objectivity."

"We have people of every faith and culture walking into this building, and we want everybody to feel welcome," Gralapp told the newspaper.

Her comments offended many people, some of whom called the Camera, while others phoned the library. The controversy was the topic of a heated discussion Friday on Mike Rosen's talk show on KOA (850 AM).

But it was two letters to the editor in Friday's Camera that spurred Jonathan Sawyer and his co-workers at Boulder's Free Wave Technologies Inc. to take action.

Sawyer said he was unaware of the flag clamor before he read the letters, which lampooned Gralapp for her position. After reading the paper, Sawyer and a half-dozen co-workers drove to McGuckin Hardware and purchased flags and tape.

"This is a government building and this is our country's flag," said Sawyer, the firm's chief technology officer.

"For them to say this flag could be considered offensive, well, that's just beyond the pale."

Besides, Sawyer added, "We paid Boulder sales tax when we bought these flags, and that supports the library."

Library employee Smith pointed out that there are flags at the facility — nine flags outside, between the library and the Boulder Municipal Building, and quite a few inside.

"We think it's appropriate to have flags at a government building, and we always have," Smith said.

But a quick survey inside the library revealed no American flags on display, although a few were seen inside staff offices.

Outside, patrons paused before the flags, many asking why the banners were taped to the building.

Most were supportive, although one couple engaged Sawyer in a spirited discussion about U.S. foreign policy and how they thought it sparked the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

"Hey, I think this is great," Dale Clinker said after emerging from the library. "I've even got a couple flag stickers in my pocket here."

One library employee ventured outside to see what all the commotion was about. "I'm not offended by the American flag," he said.

Contact Matt Sebastian at (303) 473-1498 or sebastianm@thedailycamera.com.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/03/2001 7:53:14 AM PST by real saxophonist
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To: real saxophonist
THis PC crap will be the end of this country. What thought process do these moronic pieces of reptilian feces go through to come to this state of mind?

There really is only one solution to this problem, and writing it out would get me banned.

prambo

2 posted on 11/03/2001 7:58:49 AM PST by prambo
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To: real saxophonist
"We have people of every faith and culture walking into this building, and we want everybody to feel welcome," Gralapp told the newspaper.

Can anybody name ONE other country that hides their flag in case it might offend one of us?

3 posted on 11/03/2001 8:02:14 AM PST by Howlin
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To: real saxophonist
recently nixed an American flag display as discomforting to some

This is AMERICA. If you are offended by the AMERICAN flag, the get the hell out!

4 posted on 11/03/2001 8:06:31 AM PST by aomagrat
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To: Howlin
If people bring themselves in to this country, I think it's perfectly reasonable that they should expect to be exposed to our flag. Anyone in the U.S. who is "offended" by the American flag (and I suspect that would actually be very, very, very few, indeed) needs to suck it up. If they come to our country, then they're here, and that's the way it is.

The Boulder library is a government institution supported by taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately it has a moron for a director who also distorts the truth.

5 posted on 11/03/2001 8:08:44 AM PST by Irene Adler
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To: real saxophonist
The brouhaha began last weekend when Marcellee Gralapp, the library's director, was quoted in a Daily Camera article saying she had rejected her employees' request to hang a large American flag in the building's glass entryway because it would "compromise our objectivity."

No comment. Just screaming, pulling my hair out, and knocking things over on my table here.

There I feel better now.

6 posted on 11/03/2001 8:10:24 AM PST by southern rock
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To: real saxophonist
The brouhaha began last weekend when Marcellee Gralapp, the library's director, was quoted in a Daily Camera article saying she had rejected her employees' request to hang a large American flag in the building's glass entryway because it would "compromise our objectivity."

The woman is a moron, but then, it is Boulder...

7 posted on 11/03/2001 8:13:16 AM PST by MileHi
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To: real saxophonist
"We have people of every faith and culture walking into this building, and we want everybody to feel welcome," Gralapp told the newspaper.

The objective of the left is to assign to the American flag the same connotations that they have successfully assigned to the Confederate flag, and thus remove it from sight as a "hate" symbol.

8 posted on 11/03/2001 8:13:25 AM PST by southern rock
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To: Dumb_Ox
So, do I have to come out there to straighten these people out? Isn't there any conservastive backlash going on?
9 posted on 11/03/2001 8:23:51 AM PST by KC Burke
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To: real saxophonist
We should stop worrying about a few cases of Anthrax and start worrying about the rampant epidemic of STUPIDITY that is flowing through out the country.

I have a poster of an AMERICAN flag taped to the side window of my car that states: IF LOOKING AT THIS FLAG OFFENDS YOU THEN TURN YOUR HEAD !

Mopp4- Retired Air Force

10 posted on 11/03/2001 8:25:27 AM PST by Mopp4
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To: real saxophonist
'...she had rejected her employees' request to hang a large American flag in the building's glass entryway because it would "compromise our objectivity."

What an ignorant pompous bitch.

11 posted on 11/03/2001 8:38:53 AM PST by Always Right
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To: real saxophonist
Has this country gone mad!!!! Since when is it controversial to fly OUR own flag in OUR own country!!! Fire the d**n director (who, I'm sure, gets paid by the taxpayers)! Give her a burka and send her to Ashcanistan! THEN lets see how important that flag is to her!
12 posted on 11/03/2001 8:49:48 AM PST by sneakers
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To: real saxophonist
Given all this supposed discomfort with the US flag, I was wondering if there should be a new term to describe people who suffer from this condition. Perhaps "flagophobics".

Any ideas out there?

13 posted on 11/03/2001 9:16:07 AM PST by spindoctor
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To: real saxophonist
Where on earth do these idiots come from? This is the United States of America. If our flag offends you, don't let the door hit you on the way out! While your at it, take this stupid librarian and all the other PC loving goofballs with you!
14 posted on 11/03/2001 9:24:57 AM PST by Ima Lurker
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To: spindoctor
commie liberals
15 posted on 11/03/2001 9:45:22 AM PST by Boxsford
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To: real saxophonist
For some time, we Southerners have been telling you that the Confederate flag was only the first objective of the Socialists. They have now moved on to their main objective which is the U.S. flag. Hate to say we told you so, but.........
16 posted on 11/03/2001 9:48:11 AM PST by BnBlFlag
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To: real saxophonist
Mail your comments about this America-hating librarian's "objectivity" to:

Marcelee Gralapp
feedback@boulder.lib.co.us
Administration Offices:
Marcelee Gralapp, Library Director
Randy Smith, Assistant Director
1000 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-441-3106

17 posted on 11/03/2001 10:57:19 AM PST by Spiff
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To: BnBlFlag
A "what you said!" Bump!
18 posted on 11/03/2001 1:12:39 PM PST by aomagrat
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To: real saxophonist
Here's my email to Boulder:

"Fire her". Give her a new "sensitivity" experience. Let her ponder, off the public dole, the meaning of patriotism. Hang that flag prominently.

And for good measure, put a copy of "Miracle at Philadelphia" on a table under it.

19 posted on 11/03/2001 2:36:05 PM PST by NetValue
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To: real saxophonist
Further flurries in flap over flag

Let's get the guy who wrote that headline.

20 posted on 11/03/2001 2:39:00 PM PST by Nick Danger
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