Posted on 12/02/2001 9:31:00 AM PST by ElectricStrawberry
When the United Nations flag went up on Oct. 24 at Jamaica Pond, it was meant to be a significant statement about people living together in peace and a way to recognize the important role the United Nations is playing in the war on terrorism.
Now, just a few weeks later, the flag has been taken down because it made "some people" uncomfortable according to Gerry Wright, the president of the Jamaica Pond Project.
Although the Jamaica Pond Project received approval from city officials to fly the flag along with POW/MIA and city flags and below the American flag, calls were made to the Office of Justine Liff, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, requesting that the flag be taken down.
"I thought [flying the UN flag] was a great idea, but it made some people uncomfortable, so we had to respect their wishes," said Mary Hines, spokesperson for the Parks department.
She said around a dozen people felt it was not appropriate to fly the United Nations flag with the American flag. Since the Parks Department only received messages, she said it was hard to speculate who the complainers were.
At present, the United Nations is playing a key role around the world and in Afghanistan.
President George W. Bush said in his first address to the United Nations on Nov. 10, "The United States will work closely with the United Nations and development banks to reconstruct Afghanistan after hostilities there have ceased and the Taliban are no longer in control. And the United States will work with the U.N. to support a post-Taliban government that represents all the Afghan people."
Although Wright was disappointed to take the flag down, he complied after reading the Preamble, Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
According to the charter, "the people of the United Nations are determined to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors."
Wright said, "To me, the Preamble, Purposes and Priciples were why we put the flag up and then took it down."
For Wright, seeing the flag at Jamaica Pond was significant to "the environment and the poor people throughout the world." He said he admires the United Nations' interest in human rights and actions as a peace keeping force.
Wright said he thought it was crucial to have the United Nations flag not only because of the September 11 tragedy, but also to shed more light on the everyday struggles of people around the world.
Hines, who said the citywide policy is only to fly the American, POW/MIA and city flags commented that Wright and Christine Cooper, Project Directer and Park Keeper, put a lot of thought into their idea. She said, "We could not run Jamaica Pond without Gerry and Christine."
Now the flag has found a new home inside the First Church Unitarian Universalist of Jamaica Plain. The Jamaica Pond Project donated the flag to the church, and the church accepted.
Reverend Terry Burke said, "We are pleased to accept the gift of the United Nations flag from the Pond Project. We are proud to be providing a sanctuary for the flag."
Is it a coincidence that my apartment burned down last night, the night after I made this post?!!!
I DO NOT believe in coincidence of this magnitude.
Sincerely,
"Looking for a new place to live"
Good job!! Now keep after them lefty liberal lezzies!!
Are you serious?? If so, I would call the police dept right now!!
Norb
GOOD JOB!!!
It is one thing to cooperate with an organzation in order to accomplish a specific purpose.. It is a FAR different matter to wave the flag that represents the organization and EVERYTHING it stands for...
And we ALL know what the UN stands for, and it is simply not consistent with the "conservative" world view..
God Bless America!,
FReegards,
David
Stayed away many many years until I had to return to provide care for my sister who is confined to a wheelchair. One fine day as I was taking her to a physical therapy appointment I was bluelighted by a Hudson cop for no reason (wasn't speeding and was obeying every law I knew of.)
As usual (daddy taught me not to argue with anyone wearing a gun) I pulled over and waited passively for the cop to tell me what to do.
When he came to the window of the car I asked him politely why he had stopped me. At this point I must explain that I wear a full beard and shoulder length hair. His response was that I appeared to be a suspicious person operating an upscale GMC SUV.
I responded that I felt that that was insufficient probable cause for a traffic stop and left it at that.
On request I produced a valid New Mexico driver's license as well as registration for the vehicle I was driving. The dummy said "this is an out of state license are you visiting?"
My sister who at this point was quite upset answered for me explaining the situtation.
The cop just said thet since it was an out of state licence he would "like to see" a second form of picture ID I showed him my retired Army ID card which lists as a retired First Sergeant. At this point the cop turned beet red and handed all back with a sheepish "thank you for the cooperation."
Later that evening my Brother In Law and I visited the Hudson Chief Chief of Police and I made a formal complaint.
I guess I was a tad pissed about being profiled (yes it does happen to white middle aged men) Though an apology was forthcoming from the cop (in person and at my sister's home) I was still angry and remain so.
This was not the state I grew up in I had been used to such treatment from Registry of Motor Vehicles cops but not from townies.
Needless to say I will not be returning to MA soon unless my sister again needs my help.And this was the state that gave birth to many of the founders and to the Minute Men.
No thanks I'll stay here in New Mexico where I can open carry and keep my shotgun and rifle in the rack of my pickup.
...and thanks, for the ping!!
Any day that passes with the downing of one of those ugly blue things is a very, very Good Day !! !!
The ONLY place that I would like to see those flags flying....is behind a garbage truck....as they "Fly" into it !! !! !!
At last...political correctness in the RIGHT way! Way to go, ES! Proud of you!
Thanks for the flag, David! Stay safe!
Thanks for the ping!!!
After 25 years of being "free," I don't miss it in the least. The history of Boston and the beauty of the Cape I sometimes long for, but I'm told neither is what they used to be.
I may go back for my 30th reunion in 2003, and it will be the first I have attended. If I do go, it will only be to mock the ones that stayed behind. And, I'm sure there are plenty of them.
Enjoy your freedom!
How are things in Bosnia?
Take care!
Congratulations and THANK YOU!
But, be very careful individual activism, can be addicting. :-)
You seem sympathetic to the UN... Discomfited that its rag was pulled down.
Perhaps you have a UN flag, or know where to buy one.
I'd like to have a UN flag, for those occasions when I've had too much good, hot Mexican food and beer...
You know, to wipe myself with after I move my bowels...
Can you tell me where I might obtain a UN flag, in a pillowy soft cotton version?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.