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'Tea Party' flag rankles some: One of nation's oldest, causes stir after being raised (Gadsen)
The Warren Times-Gazette ^ | May 27, 2010 | Ted Hayes

Posted on 05/27/2010 11:15:43 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

WARREN — The Warren Fire Department drew fire Friday morning when members raised one of the nation’s oldest — but these days, controversial — flags from one of three flagpoles they maintain at the Warren Town Common.

Their flying of the Gadsden Flag, a Revolutionary War-era flag depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the slogan “Don’t Tread On Me” below it, angered some residents because though it was originally created to protest the British government prior to and during the American Revolution, it has become a symbol to some of the American Tea Party movement. That conservative movement questions many of the policies, particularly fiscal, of the federal government.

The flag was raised alongside the state and U.S. flags early Friday morning. By 10:30 a.m., Warren Fire Chief Al Galinelli had received a call about it from the town manager. By the afternoon, it was taken down.

“At first I thought it was a joke,” said the chief. “The flag was put up because it’s a flag from the revolution and a lot of Warren guys fought in the revolution. It was only put up to memorialize them. Flying the flag does not mean we’re supporting any political party or movment.”

The department has control over what flags it raises at the common, and when. Usually, the POW/MIA flag flies on the third pole along side the state and U.S. flags. But with the return of warm weather and the impending Memorial Day and Fireman’s Memorial parades, crews decided to fly them again and thought a good change of pace would be to fly the Gadsden flag, the chief said.

“It was only done for history’s sake. If people got offended I apologize. I just hope the American flag isn’t offending anyone, becaue that’s one flag I’ll never take down.”


TOPICS: Local News; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: donttreadonme; gadsden; liberalfascism; memorialday; rhodeisland; teaparty
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What is wrong with these people?
1 posted on 05/27/2010 11:15:44 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
The same thing with the people who think a Confederate battle flag is "racist".

They don't know our history.

How in the world can we expect Americans to reclaim the Republic when they don't even understand its historical symbols?

2 posted on 05/27/2010 11:21:24 PM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

What the hell is wrong with us? This only goes to show that the loudest, most obnoxious, most litigious squeaky wheels get all the grease. Probably a single lib called the town manager to complain. Maybe a muzzie. Maybe a black. Maybe a feminist. Maybe a gay.

Most local politicos and companies are terrified of bad publicity and lawsuits and will genuflect to whoever complains the loudest.

Conservatives and Christians had better get it through their heads that being polite and quiet turn-the-other-cheek only makes it easier to step on our necks.


3 posted on 05/27/2010 11:25:06 PM PDT by sinanju
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Mental illness.
4 posted on 05/27/2010 11:27:06 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (11/03/2010 - What did Obama know and when did he know it?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I'll have to order mine come Tuesday

5 posted on 05/27/2010 11:27:07 PM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

bookmark


6 posted on 05/27/2010 11:27:51 PM PDT by GOP Poet (Obama is an OLYMPIC failure.)
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To: Doogle

Nice. I saved that to hard disk.


7 posted on 05/27/2010 11:28:44 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (11/03/2010 - What did Obama know and when did he know it?)
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To: Doogle

Excellent. I once saw a Gadsden with Obama’s head complete with snake tongue.


8 posted on 05/27/2010 11:32:37 PM PDT by max americana
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To: Smokin' Joe

They’re just rotting away due to political correctness. What a shame..


9 posted on 05/27/2010 11:33:32 PM PDT by max americana
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

This is the same way many Democrats view the American flag. They see it as a partisan symbol. Nothing new...remember this during Nam.


10 posted on 05/27/2010 11:34:58 PM PDT by Brugmansian
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To: Doogle
I have one and a Sons Of Liberty as well. The Gadsden hangs on my front porch, the Sons of Liberty is on my flagpole.

I haven't flow Old Glory since BHO was elected.

Sadly they will be coming down as Wife and I are moving to an apartment. However I'm toying with the idea of a Gadsden and Sons of Liberty painted on the sides of my Durango.

prisoner6

11 posted on 05/27/2010 11:46:16 PM PDT by prisoner6 (Right Wing Nuts are holding The Constitution together as the Loose Screws of The Left come undone!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

12 posted on 05/27/2010 11:46:50 PM PDT by Semper Mark (Nemo me impune lacessit.)
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To: Markos33

Ooooo! That’s particularly nice.


13 posted on 05/28/2010 12:06:08 AM PDT by TigersEye (0basma's father was a British subject. He can't be a "natural-born" citizen.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I wonder if the residents around the Warren FD could mount a mass protest and fly the Gadsen Flag? It could be pretty cool!


14 posted on 05/28/2010 12:20:49 AM PDT by Castigar
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To: Smokin' Joe

If it’s good enough for the U.S. Navy it’s good enough for me.


15 posted on 05/28/2010 12:22:27 AM PDT by Eastbound
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To: Eastbound
If it’s good enough for the U.S. Navy it’s good enough for me.

Exactly right - it should be represented as a current Navy flag, and bureaucrats should be told to shove it.

16 posted on 05/28/2010 12:38:14 AM PDT by Talisker (When you find a turtle on top of a fence post, you can be damn sure it didn't get there on it's own.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
They know that if they complain, the City will back down.

The days of “get over it” are long gone. We are a Nation of children who throw a tantrum when the adults say no.

17 posted on 05/28/2010 12:44:51 AM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Obama, proving Hillary right that it takes a Village Idiot.)
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To: Smokin' Joe
Tyrants know how to turn the Ignorant Masses into Useful Idiots.
18 posted on 05/28/2010 12:50:36 AM PDT by Kickass Conservative (Obama, proving Hillary right that it takes a Village Idiot.)
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To: sinanju

My personal motto is I turn the other cheek, but I have bounderies not to be crossed, that is when the other cheek stops turning.


19 posted on 05/28/2010 1:16:34 AM PDT by Global2010
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Rhode Island - bluest of the blue states and one of the most corrupt. No surprise here. They’re pissed that somebody has the cojones to suggest cutting off the gravy train.


20 posted on 05/28/2010 1:51:56 AM PDT by tgusa (Investment plan: blued steel, brass, lead, copper)
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