Posted on Jan 27, 2021
How would you handle it if someone in your neighborhood started flying the U.S. flag upside down?
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Situation: You don’t know the owner, but the home is in your neighborhood and you drive by the house every day.
American Flag
Advice
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 12
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One of two things.
Either find someone to do a welfare check on them since the upside down flag is a sign of distress, or if that was not the case, as noted by observation, I would probably respectfully request the flag be reflown upright.
In the latter case if the owner made an honest mistake and hadn't noticed then they will likely fix the situation. If the upside down flag was an intentional act (political protest, hates the USA, whatever) I'd probably tell him he's a prick and leave.
Either find someone to do a welfare check on them since the upside down flag is a sign of distress, or if that was not the case, as noted by observation, I would probably respectfully request the flag be reflown upright.
In the latter case if the owner made an honest mistake and hadn't noticed then they will likely fix the situation. If the upside down flag was an intentional act (political protest, hates the USA, whatever) I'd probably tell him he's a prick and leave.
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SGT Timothy Stuart
I find it interesting that you’d call him a prick for using his freedom of speech.
There are a lot of people who believe the country is currently in distress, just as there were plenty who thought the country was in distress in the last administration.
If it’s political protest, it’s their right AND what you are sworn to uphold.
It’s not the speech everyone likes that must be protected.
There are a lot of people who believe the country is currently in distress, just as there were plenty who thought the country was in distress in the last administration.
If it’s political protest, it’s their right AND what you are sworn to uphold.
It’s not the speech everyone likes that must be protected.
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SFC (Join to see)
Just because someone is using their 1st Amendment rights does not excuse them from being called on the nature of their speech. I find it amazing that you think that just because the have the right to be a prick that I should let it go without comment.
I would defend their right to say/do whatever, but just like them I have the 1st Amendment right to call them a prick. That is why I let it go at calling them a prick, and leave. Unlike those that would then assault them for having an offensive opinion.
I would defend their right to say/do whatever, but just like them I have the 1st Amendment right to call them a prick. That is why I let it go at calling them a prick, and leave. Unlike those that would then assault them for having an offensive opinion.
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SGT Timothy Stuart
SFC (Join to see). Nice straw man attempt against what I said. I never said that you shouldn’t call someone out for their behavior. I said that it was interesting to me that you opposed this person using their free speech, possibly, to demonstrate the fact they may believe that the country is in distress.
You’re free to call that person a prick if you chose. However, if you do so without finding out their reasoning behind doing so, which you stated you’d ascertain via observation and asking if they needed help, that would make you worse, in my opinion.
You’re free to call that person a prick if you chose. However, if you do so without finding out their reasoning behind doing so, which you stated you’d ascertain via observation and asking if they needed help, that would make you worse, in my opinion.
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Free country. People are free to be morons if they want to. Although, with the Biden win it might be time.
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Since flying a United States flag upside down is a distress signal, I would knock on the occupant's door and if home, ask if they knew what the upside-down flag meant... If they did not I would explain it to them... If they knew and meant it as a protest, then I would notify the police to make them aware... I would not try to escalate the problem with the person...
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You are free to ask the owner about it but no law is broken and no one is being harmed. As much as I disagree with it you are limited in what you can do as a response. Just be careful because the person may want the attention to turn it into a public spectacle.
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I would go talk to the person. Explain that most Americans view this as a from of disrespect to the United States of America. If he still won't correct the situation there is nothing you can really do about it. Maybe tell the person if they don't love the USA they should move to another country. Most likely they will not be able to get away with it there and may very well imprisoned for their actions.
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This has happened in my neighborhood before. An elderly couple mistakenly hanged their flag upside down. At first, I thought they were in distress. They later explained. The older gentleman was a war vet like me. They displayed their flag "upside down" by mistake. They were very appreciative of me checking on them. Had it been deliberate, I would have continued to fly my flag right side up
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The same thing I would do if he was burning it. Nothing. Its his flag, "Not my circus, not my monkeys". Now if someone messes with MY flag we'll have issues.
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