Like I said in another thread, I queston certain groups loyalty...

[MTI]

There are no federal/state laws or code that trumps the consistent rulings of the Supreme Court of the United States in this matter. Flying the Mexican flag above the US flag violated no law punishable by any court in this country.

As Americans, we have the right to fly any flag, be it the Mexican, Iranian, North Korean, Confederate or, dare I say it, Canadian maple leaf on our property. We can burn it, use it as a bandana, baby diaper or handkerchief. President Bush, during a trip to Europe, exercised his right by autographing the flag for foreign dignitaries.

Americans would be better served by knowing their own laws and becoming more familar with their own civil rights.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by MTI

There are no federal/state laws or code that trumps the consistent rulings of the Supreme Court of the United States in this matter. Flying the Mexican flag above the US flag violated no law punishable by any court in this country.

As Americans, we have the right to fly any flag, be it the Mexican, Iranian, North Korean, Confederate or, dare I say it, Canadian maple leaf on our property. We can burn it, use it as a bandana, baby diaper or handkerchief. President Bush, during a trip to Europe, exercised his right by autographing the flag for foreign dignitaries.

Americans would be better served by knowing their own laws and becoming more familar with their own civil rights.

And we also have the right to cut it down as that Vet showed oh so clearly.

Freedom of speach and expression are two way streets, you can do whatever you want, express until your hearts content...you just better be able to deal with the backlash.

Is a protesting idiot perfectly within his rights to burn an American flag in front of me? certainly...But the way I express my freedom is to shove my boot so far up his butt that he spits out my shoe laces. We are both expressing ourselves...his backlash is a boot, mine is court.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

And we also have the right to cut it down as that Vet showed oh so clearly.

That "right" as you call it, is a property crime, so please don't confuse the two.

Using your philosophy, we all have the right to break criminal laws because our sense of right, patriotism or personal point of view is offended. Whether those feelings are held by a great many people is of no significance, as it still violates the law.

Was the country that the vet fought for one that was reflects tolerance and justice, or something else?

[Honus]

Originally Posted by MTI

That "right" as you call it, is a property crime, so please don't confuse the two.

Using your philosophy, we all have the right to break criminal laws because our sense of right, patriotism or personal point of view is offended. Whether those feelings are held by a great many people is of no significance, as it still violates the law.

Was the country that the vet fought for one that was reflects tolerance and justice, or something else?

Exactly right.

I am unclear about the basis for concluding that Vet acted in a moral fashion. Unless others here know more about the background and context of the events shown in the video, all we know is that an angry Vet took action to prevent a violation of our customs concerning respect for the flag. We don't know why the flag owner did what he did or whether he was given an opportunity to atone. So, all we have is that the Vet stood up for the stars and stripes. Is that enough to give him the moral high ground, without knowing anything else about what happened?

[BENZ-LGB]

Originally Posted by dculkin

Exactly right.

I am unclear about the basis for concluding that Vet acted in a moral fashion. Unless others here know more about the background and context of the events shown in the video, all we know is that an angry Vet took action to prevent a violation of our customs concerning respect for the flag. We don't know why the flag owner did what he did or whether he was given an opportunity to atone. So, all we have is that the Vet stood up for the stars and stripes. Is that enough to give him the moral high ground, without knowing anything else about what happened?

Typical liberal, empty-headed, pretentious arguments.

The bar owner knew full well what he was doing when he placed the Mexican flag over OUR flag. If you think otherwise, I've got some garbage dump in Tijuana I would be happy to sell to you.

It is one thing to have to put up with criminals in other countries stomping on our flag, burning it, spitting it on it. Hell if we are going to put up with it here.

Whether the action of the bar owner were legal or not is not the point. Flying the flag of HIS country over the flag of OUR country is big "f**k you gringos!"

If you want to bend over and let barbarians get over the gate, fine. You do it.

I think that there are enough people who, thank God, won't let it happen.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Typical liberal, empty-headed, pretentious arguments.

The bar owner knew full well what he was doing when he placed the Mexican flag over OUR flag. If you think otherwise, I've got some garbage dump in Tijuana I would be happy to sell to you.

It is one thing to have to put up with criminals in other countries stomping on our flag, burning it, spitting it on it. Hell if we are going to put up with it here.

Whether the action of the bar owner were legal or not is not the point. Flying the flag of HIS country over the flag of OUR country is big "f**k you gringos!"

If you want to bend over and let barbarians get over the gate, fine. You do it.

I think that there are enough people who, thank God, won't let it happen.

Yep.

[tankdriver]

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

The bar owner knew full well what he was doing when he placed the Mexican flag over OUR flag. If you think otherwise, I've got some garbage dump in Tijuana I would be happy to sell to you.

I don't have any mind reading abilities, but it quite clearly doesn't make a damn bit of difference what he knew. He was within his rights to display the flags in the manner he did. If he was not, it would be illegal.
I personally think he would be incredibly stupid to think that it was a good idea unless he's trying to have something bad happen to him or his bar.

It is one thing to have to put up with criminals in other countries stomping on our flag, burning it, spitting it on it. Hell if we are going to put up with it here.

We are going to put up with it here. People have the right to stomp on the flag, burn it, and spit on it. They also have the right to wipe the drool off their face on July 4th with flag napkins and throw it in the trash.

[Honus]

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Typical liberal, empty-headed, pretentious arguments.

That's me, liberal, empty-headed, pretentious, and, worst of all, typical.

The bar owner knew full well what he was doing when he placed the Mexican flag over OUR flag. If you think otherwise, I've got some garbage dump in Tijuana I would be happy to sell to you...

He was being deeply disrespectful of this country. I cannot imagine going to Mexico City and denegrating their flag. If he didn't take the time to learn our traditions before flying the flags that way, then shame on him. If he did take the time to learn and went ahead anyway, then double shame on him.

Anybody know whether Mexico has a flag protocol similar to ours?

It is one thing to have to put up with criminals in other countries stomping on our flag, burning it, spitting it on it. Hell if we are going to put up with it here.

Criminals? How did that get into this discussion? The only potential criminal I see is the guy stealing one flag and vandalizing the other.

I agree with your earlier comment, though, about not wanting to proscecute the Veteran in the video. Maybe someone could talk to him and explain that, whatever his motivations, he shouldn't be messing with another man's private property. Property rights, I am sure he will agree, are another important American tradition.

Whether the action of the bar owner were legal or not is not the point. Flying the flag of HIS country over the flag of OUR country is big "f**k you gringos!"

You're probably right on that one.

If you want to bend over and let barbarians get over the gate, fine. You do it...

What are you talking about? You think that flag owner shouldn't be allowed in the country?

This has been a nice chat, but I was really hoping we could get back to why your analysis of the legislative history was so far off the mark.