City orders American Legion to remove bench with flag painted on it

NY Post ^ | 6-12-18 | Natalie Musumeci and Shari Logan

[markomalley]

An American Legion post in Park Slope has been ordered to remove a bench — with the US flag painted on it — from outside its veterans club.

The city’s Department of Transportation issued a “notice of encroachment/order” last week to the American Legion Sixth Memorial Post No. 1833 on 5th Avenue near 6th Street regarding the patriotic bench built around the base of a tree outside of the establishment.

The notice, obtained by The Post, says that the “unauthorized bench” is “encroaching on city sidewalk” and orders the legion to remove within 30 days or face a possible fine.

The local veteran’s group wrote on its Facebook page that the DOT “received a complaint” about the bench, which has been up for about two months.

[EC Washington]

When the WWII guys were alive and running the Post, our Sgt. at Arms - vet of the 1st Marine Division - Guadalcanal - would have told that city official where to cram the citation.

[itsahoot]

Placing one’s a$$ on the flag doesn’t seem respectful, somehow.

But if the burn it that will be ok right?

[Clutch Martin]

“I think that you are completely missing the point”

The point is flag etiquette. Which is codified. Attire made out of, or representing Old Glory is offensive. Often misguided, or unknowingly disrespecting what the National ensign represents, and those who served in defense of its representative nation.

[itsahoot]

Should have applied for permission from the city BEFORE construction.

If they had painted it with a rainbow would they still be in trouble?

[Lean-Right]

I just did a search for “American
Flag” benches. There are lots of
them out there. I would like to
see if there are similarly placed
benches in that neighborhood
before forming an opinion as to
wether or not, it should be removed.
I’m of the mindset that if you don’t
want to disrespect the flag, don’t sit
on the bench. Those that don’t would
just as soon burn it anyway.
We don’t have enough public displays
of the flag in our neighborhoods.

[itsahoot]

But the Flag shouldn’t be treated as a butt rest.

Shouldn't be used as a torch either, thank you Judge Scalia.

[faucetman]

Flag bench can stay.

https://nypost.com/2018/06/12/american-legion-wont-have-patriotic-bench-removed-after-all/

[Clutch Martin]

Flag etiquette

Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1

https://www.legion.org/flag/code

[taxcontrol]

If they did not get permission from the city, then yes.

[faucetman]

“Placing one’s a$$ on the flag doesn’t seem respectful”

Overly sensitive!!!

First of all... It’s NOT a “flag”. Flags are material AND fly on flagpoles. A flag pin is a PIN. A flag bench is a BENCH. A flag shirt is a SHIRT. A flag bandana is a BANDANA. A picture of a flag is a PICTURE. A drawing of a flag is a DRAWING.

Flag, a noun, a “thing”

Flag bench, bench is a noun, a thing. Flag in this case is an adjective, describing the bench. So, a flag bench is not a flag.

[faucetman]

“While the Code empowers the President of the United States to alter, modify, repeal or prescribe additional rules regarding the Flag, no federal agency has the authority to issue ‘official’ rulings legally binding on civilians or civilian groups. Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code may be fairly tested: ‘No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.’ Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.”

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

[faucetman]

“This code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law.”

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html