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Dispute over flag protest erupts in Wisc. village

By ROBERT IMRIE
,
AP
posted: 127 DAYS 16 HOURS AGO
comments: 17
Text SizeAAA
WAUSAU, Wis. -An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it — an Iraq war veteran — claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
2009-07-10 23:38:08

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mage0213

05:06 PMAug 19 2009

reddragoncontrol asks me if I know that irt isn't illegal to disrespect the US Flag- Yes I do know this, but there are leviable FINES and/or Jail sentences for certain Flag ethics. if you do some research you will find them- but YES I know that it isn't illegal to disrespect the flag, it still does not prevent me from voicing MY anger over this anti-American sentiment. The flag is ONLY supoposed to be flown upside down under the following conditions The flag should never be displayed with union down, except as a signal of dire- IMHO This was not one of those conditionsdistress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

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GonRo2

10:32 PMAug 08 2009

The man should do what they do in Texas where restaurants that are denied alcohol license allow their customers to bring their own. It's not against the law to consume in the restaurant just for the owner to sell it. Famous Thai restaurant in Houston on the corner of Lockwood and Telephone Rd. has been doing it for years and customers love to bring their own wine.

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Cidnyscream71684

03:07 AMAug 07 2009

Criminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990

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reddragoncontrol

12:17 PMAug 06 2009

mage0213 - You do realize that it isn't illegal to dissrespect the flag, right?

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mage0213

12:02 PMAug 06 2009

This man is disrespecting the US Flag- the code for flying upside down:(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. I don't think this was any manner of extreme danger of life or property and he should have been fined 100.00 or served 30 days in jail (misdemeaner)

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INTERLOPER 4

07:41 AMAug 06 2009

RE:...Jmkjr72 10:54 AMJul 11 2009>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> WHO THE "F" IS THIS "WE" YOU KEEP YAMMERING ABOUT? "WE" RECOMMEND THIS... AND, "WE" RECOMMEND THAT....! YOU SPOUT A LOT OF LONG-WINDED HOOEY ABOUT WHAT "YOU" THINK THE FLAG "REPRESENTS". GET A CLUE, PAL... MR. CONGINE IS "AN AMERICAN"... HE'S ALSO "A VETERAN" WHO HAS SERVED HIS COUNTRY... AND HE DOESN'T NEED YOU, THE LOCAL POLICE, D.A., OR ANYONE ELSE "RECOMMENDING" THAT HE "CHOOSE ANOTHER WAY TO PROTEST". HIS 1ST AMMENDMENT RIGHT IS EVERY BIT AS VALUABLE AND LEGAL TO HIM... AS YOU REGARD YOURS. HE DOESN'T NEED, NOR SEEK, YOUR PERMISSION, APPROVAL, OR CONSENT, TO EXERCISE ANY OF HIS RIGHTS... AS THEY ARE ALREADY PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION / BILL OF RIGHTS. IF YOU TRULY BELIEVED IN THE SUBSTANCE OF ALL THAT YOU SPEWED... YOU SHOULD HAVE HIT THE "DELETE" BUTTON... AS, CLEARLY, ALL THAT NEED BE RECOGNIZED IS HIS RIGHT TO SPEAK HIS M...

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Zapthief

03:40 AMAug 06 2009

There is nothing more shameful to me, no better epitome of our weakness as Americans, than when we exercise this most asinine of our flaws: The tantrum. Call it what you will, it's that time when, out of ignorance, or impatience, or sheer arseholery, we just snap and do whatever the hell we want without a moment's thought to consequences, or legality, or anyone around us.It's the kind of thing a two year old would do. The sort of thing someone with no self control, or a skewed view of their importance in the universe, or a gross misunderstanding of the rules we must all abide by, chooses to do the petty thing that comes so easily for them.To argue that you can take down someone's flag because it's "illegal to cause a disruption" is quite possibly one of the stupidest legal arguments I've ever heard. Hell, a biracial couple holding hands could cause a disruption at that same parade, I'm sure -- would the cops also toss them in jail for the day? What about two dudes kissing? Idiots.

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Mack083184

11:37 PMAug 06 2009

Actually, this is not a political protest per se. He is in danger of being financially ruined, so the signal of distress is appropriate. Sounds to me like he is in a town of enemies of the constitution. There willingness to violate that document and everything it stands for is also a sign of distress.

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SkipUtter

10:10 PMAug 06 2009

Don't disrespect the flag in any way,ever. Alot of people bled and died for that flag...I understand your protest and agree 100% with it ,but respect the flag...Obama and the obamamites are to blame for this continuation of absurd govt...all hail the empty suit!!!!!

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LElsner380

09:18 PMAug 06 2009

correction! ! ! Re the Tattered U.S. Flag. Should have said "neighbors who would criticise the appearance of an old klunker in the driveway (instead of a brand new car). Sorry.

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An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it _ an Iraq war veteran _ claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.