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Flag now hangs with divisiveness
(by Barbara Christian - September 30, 2010)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Flag now hangs with divisiveness
This may not be the last word on the subject, but at least it's the next word. The subject is the "Don't Tread on Me" flag that hangs at the corner of Chillicothe Road (Route 306) and Bell Street in South Russell. That flag is a poke in the eye to straight-thinking Americans.
It was addressed in this space two weeks ago, and it brought down the wrath of some people. All of the dyspepsia still does not make that flag acceptable, even though it has been flown in the past under auspices of the governmentally appointed "Show Your Colors" committee.
Pointing this out brought an outcry from local tea-party sympathizers who spilled their righteous indignation all over the letters to the editor pages.
It was a beautiful thing. Good for them. Freedom of speech is alive and well and in full flower in the Chagrin Valley. Still, you have to wonder what motivates people to honor and defend "Don't Tread on Me" with the same passion as they would for Old Glory.
Getting back to the next word on the subject, we'd like to correct misconceptions and misinformation pointed out by our letter-writing friends -- stuff which should not be left twisting in the wind unanswered. Unfortunately, there is not space here to address them all.
For instance, the "Gadsden Flag" may be its proper name, but it means nothing to most people. But describe it as the yellow "Don't Treat on Me" flag, and, voila, instant recognition.
The offending column did mention the Show Your Colors committee and its efforts toward soliciting donations which enable South Russell to purchase the flags that are displayed on patriotic holidays. So what's the beef? What was the point in making it appear that we did not give full credit?
Another letter writer quoted, without hearing it firsthand, a private conversation we had with a village official during which we mischaracterized the "Don't Tread on Me" flag as the flag of New Hampshire. We checked, found we were wrong and that misinformation was not in the column. No harm, no foul.
The "Don't Tread on Me" flag may have been a product of the American Revolution, but these days it is not "universally American," as noted in one letter. "Solidarity and pride" was set aside when that flag became the proud banner for the uninformed whose mission it is to divide.
One writer pouted that we did not return his call. We didn't need to, because we talked to two public officials who answered all our questions.
Just for the record, we are not a fan of Marxism or the hammer and sickle. Communism is so over. But did you ever notice how this red herring gets trotted out whenever there is fear to be mongered?
To the gentleman who suggested we retire, we couldn't even if we wanted to. The policies set between 2000 and 2008 ran our economy into the ditch, along with our 401K, savings and property value, not to mention the formerly great middle class. Besides, we really like this work.
Finally, the elected officials of South Russell should instruct the Show Your Colors committee to remove the "Don't Tread on Me" flag from its collection and replace it with the American flag. A town can never have too many. By the way, it should be the only flag referred to as "universally American."
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