Well, now, via Ogre, I found this ugly tidbit
(Fox News) An ordinance restricting the number of flags allowed up for display has some North Carolina business owners seeing a lot of red, and not as much white and blue.
The city of Raleigh has limited the number of American flags — and any other banners or signs — to three per property.
But that policy doesn’t fly with Kevin Powell, co-owner of a used auto dealership called Martin Auto Haus that has 12 Old Glories waving in the wind, or with Chuck Bright, who owns a gas station called Fiddle Stix that is festooned with seven of Betsy Ross’ creations.
Both men say they have no intention of taking all but three of their flags down by Sunday, the city-imposed deadline to remove the extras before a fine of $500 per day will be charged to anyone in violation of the policy.
"I think it’s a disgrace," said Bright of the rule. "We’re at a time when we certainly need to be patriotic. If I want to express my patriotism at my place of business, I should not be restricted."
Even without the US being in a war, what business does the City of Raleigh have in telling anyone how many flags they can fly? Now, I can certainly understand a huge flag which makes a ton of noise while it flaps in the wind being disturbing, but this is absurd. And sure seems to violate civil rights.
Now, interestingly, this law is not new. It has been on the books for 30 years in Raleigh, but the American Flag has always been exempt until now, in an apparent attempt at "fairness." And it is not limitied to businesses. If I fly more then three flags at my townhome, I could be fined, too. For shame.
(News and Observer) Strickland said inspectors will not enforce the three-flag rule until it is discussed further and the City Council has a chance to weigh in. The rule was never meant to punish the sincere flag lovers, Mayor Charles Meeker said.
It’s another matter, Meeker said, when businesses fly super-sized flags to attract business and distract passing drivers. U.S. law forbids using the American flag for advertising purposes, he noted, and the federal rule would trump Raleigh’s.
I hope that is a long, long, long discussion.
And Meeker is, I am sorry to say, right. Many do use the flag for advertising. But many don’t. How does one tell the difference for what is in someones heart?
