Posted on 10/14/2005 9:43:02 AM PDT by Petruchio
Police say teens burned Bloomington rainbow flag
October 14, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Two teenagers stole and burned a rainbow-colored American flag representing gays and lesbians that was displayed outside a store, police said.
The 17-year-old boys took the flag from outside of David Wade's culinary supply store, called Inner Chef, according to Bloomington police. Wade said the flag, called the ''New Glory,'' shows that all Americans are welcome at his business.
A witness saw the boys take the flag and took a picture of their license plate with a cell phone camera. Police later tracked the plate and questioned the boys, who said they burned the flag because they felt it was ''unpatriotic,'' police reports said.
The boys were referred to juvenile court on preliminary charges of theft.
''I just wish they would've come in and talked to me about it,'' Wade said. ''I didn't know if it was a prank, an American flag issue or a gay issue. Any of them could've just come inside and had a conversation about it.''
Bloomington's Safe and Civil City Director Beverly Calender-Anderson said if there is a suspicion that the flag burning was a hate crime, the incident would get reported to the Human Rights Commission.
Police later tracked the plate and questioned the boys, who said they burned the flag because they felt it was "unpatriotic..."
Is that their job to do that? Maybe they should have told their parents, teachers, or police that the US flag was being perverted.
If civil war ever comes, we can partly thank that hyphenated Useful Idiot.
Right?
correction:
"Calling a rainbow flag is indeed unpatriotic"
should read:
"Calling a rainbow flag 'New Glory' is indeed unpatriotic."
Good for them! I would have done the same thing. They do deserve our support. Keep us posted if a legal defense fund gets setup or anything.
I thought that this issue was closed. Burning a flag is free speech. So what gives?
"The kids stood up and defended the U.S. Flag from a perversion.
"
Nah. Not really. One of the things the U.S. flag stands for is our Constitution. You may remember that the Constitution guarantees the store owner the right to speak his mind, using a flag or any other method.
Further, stealing is against the law, both of the local jurisdiction there, and even against Biblical law, if you want to bring that up.
So, whether you like this flag or dislike it, stealing it was a crime. Burning it was destruction of someone else's property. Both were denials of the very foundation of our nation...our Constitution.
What if it was one of those white Church flags? A Confederate flag?
You don't like this flag. I don't much like it either. I think it's stupid. That does not give you, me, or these to juvenile delinquents the right to steal it and burn it. If you really believe it does, then I suggest another reading of the Constitition.
Yep, we don't need no stinkin' "New" Glory, the old one never fades!
Absolutely.
Tell the hyphenated Useful Idiot what you think:
http://www.bloomingtonlatino.net/biography.asp?personid=3
"I thought that this issue was closed. Burning a flag is free speech. So what gives?"
I'm not so sure. We had an event like that around here about a year ago (actually it was a flag painted on a building that had paint thrown on it) and we heard plenty about it. Basically the same reactions as in this thread (just in opposite directions): most people condemned the vandalism, and a few hardcores tried to spin it as 'patriotism'.
Please note, this is Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. These kids sound like town people. Maybe the in-your-face gays around there should think twice about their own political statements.
This rainbow flag idea makes me sick, but the guy has a right to own and display such a thing. Heck, he should have a right to display a sign that says "I HATE FAGS" too, without it being stolen and burned..
Right, theft. Not hate speech.
Exactly right - a store owner should be able to display any banner he chooses. I probably wouldn't patronize any of those stores you describe, but if one of those flags was stolen and burned I would want the vandals punished exactly the way I want these kids punished...
Personally, I feel pretty strongly about socially/politically motivated vandalism of any sort - sign stealing, grafittiing, car keying, sticker peeling, etc. - all of it disgusts me.
"Had they wanted to make a statement, they could have purchased a rainbow flag, then burned it."
You must provide proof of a one year subscription to Men's Fitness or Interior Home Design before they will sell you a rainbow flag.
But seriously, I'd love to see how people would react if some brave soul burned a rainbow flag in front of Berkeley's LGBTQA office. Flag burning is all fun and games until it's a rainbow flag.
Right?***
Right!
Wait.. uh no, that would possibly offend somebody.
Wait.. that's absurd, it's constitutionally protected free speech, and there is no right to not be offended, so of course you're right.
Wait... No it isn't. Hate crimes are 'different' and the equal protection clause or 1st amendment right to free speech of the Constitution don't pertain then.
Wait... no - THAT's absurd, of course you're right.
Wait, I forgot what I'm saying. What was the question again?!?
Oh hell, where's my pills?!?
:-)
You should get a reward for burning other people's property?
Who cares what it is or how you personally feel about it, if you destroy someone elses property you deserve to be punished, end of story.
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