Grand Haven man 'outraged' over flag burning

[Gentle Taz]

The Divided States wrote:

The flag stands for a terrorist nation. It should be burned.

If you truly feel that way, why are you still here?

[Gentle Taz]

Tim wrote:

I do not understand the people that do not see any problem with the burning of our flag, or claim that is a right of a true free american to do such a thing. Yes, we are a free country and have the right to do such things, but because we have the right, does not make it just or acceptable. We have been given the freedom to free speech, it's about time we respect that freedom and it's symbols, such as the flag. To all that think this act does not matter or have said " so what", I hope you someday have something to care about as much as I do about my country.

If the flag burner had used his own flag, I would not approve, but I would defend his right to do so per our supreme court. However, he burned someone else's flag, which makes it arson, plain and simple.

[Gail in Wyoming]

Gentle Taz wrote:

<quoted text>
If the flag burner had used his own flag, I would not approve, but I would defend his right to do so per our supreme court. However, he burned someone else's flag, which makes it arson, plain and simple.

I agree. He broke the law and should be punished for it.

Being a member of the VFW Auxiliary, it's good to read all of the patriotic comments. God Bless America!

[Dutchboy in Holland]

person wrote:

<quoted text> I can't help but ask if your dating a mexican? Race has nothing to do about what I'm saying. If your in my country, asking to live here then your going to respect my Flag. In the old days it'd be a whole lot different than it is today. If you love Mexico so damn much then go back there with your 5 baby having, no medcial insurance having, no auto insurance having,loud and drunken partying arse back across the damn border. Do your Dutch parents know you think this way or are you a closest Mexican lover?

LOOK BUDDY! Look here PERSON... lol. Im an AMERICAN myself and love my country dearly. No, I dont have a mexican girlfriend nor have I lived in mexico ever. Uneducated, raicist people like you are the people who create problems in society. By the way you express yourslef, you seem to be a low-life yourself. Problems afect all humanity, all races are equal no mater what color or from what country you come from. Take this you son of a motherless goat!
Thank you!
From a 16 year old dutchboy in holland :)

[Unpopular Opinion]

The Divided States wrote:

The flag stands for a terrorist nation. It should be burned.

Funny...If a Syrian national made a similar comment about Syria, there would be nobody there to protect that individual's right to make such a statement.

Many people lack the intellectual capacity to differentiate between a flawed national political environment and the fundamental rights that are guaranteed to the people of this nation. You clearly fit into this category. Labeling the US as a terrorist nation because you disagree with the policies of the current administration is unfounded, irrational, and illogical.

[Gentle Taz]

Dutchboy in Holland wrote:

<quoted text> LOOK BUDDY! Look here PERSON... lol. Im an AMERICAN myself and love my country dearly. No, I dont have a mexican girlfriend nor have I lived in mexico ever. Uneducated, raicist people like you are the people who create problems in society. By the way you express yourslef, you seem to be a low-life yourself. Problems afect all humanity, all races are equal no mater what color or from what country you come from. Take this you son of a motherless goat!
Thank you!
From a 16 year old dutchboy in holland :)

I would appreciate it very much if you were to quit ranting on this forum until you have matured enough to make a civilized comment without nasty name calling. Youmake dutchpeople look bad and I don't appreciate that at all.

[Steve]

Gentle Taz wrote:

<quoted text>
I would appreciate it very much if you were to quit ranting on this forum until you have matured enough to make a civilized comment without nasty name calling. Youmake dutchpeople look bad and I don't appreciate that at all.

You're no better. How old are you? What gives you the right to judge?

[Steve]

JeepManBrian wrote:

Such an act as burning the American Flag should be addressed as Treason and end with the ulimate punishment; living with my ex or a lessor sentence of death. Yes, America is a great country because we allow such voices to be heard in protest of our governments actions. This does not however gove license to disrespect the very place that allows it. It's an irony of tragic proportions and if the government, on any level, wouldn't take action, I know a lot of patriots that would and the consequences would be MUCH more severe. Hang the spineless coward!

You would do well in fascist Italy or Nazi Germany! I can hear you now, "Hang all who is treasonous! Kill them all!" You say, "America is a great country because we allow such voices to be heard in protest..." but then you say "Hang the spineless coward." From that logic, you want to destroy what is great about America. That makes you treasonous, therefore, please find a tree and some rope.

[Eddie Hasko]

Chad wrote:

<quoted text>
To anyone posting in response to the Second Class Citizen comment: This post is about FLAG BURNING, not gay rights. Agree or disagree with gay rights, there's a lengthy post going on elsewhere on the WOOD-TV site. Can we get back to the flags here????

I'm proud to be an American,
Where at leastI know I'm Free

[Wally]

Chad wrote:

<quoted text>
To anyone posting in response to the Second Class Citizen comment: This post is about FLAG BURNING, not gay rights. Agree or disagree with gay rights, there's a lengthy post going on elsewhere on the WOOD-TV site. Can we get back to the flags here????

No problem. Dennis is a second class perv.

[say what]

gresident wrote:

I'm still amazed that this is/was a news story. It smacks of senseless teenage vandalism nothing more, nothing less. Irritating for the homeowner? Absolutely. To read more into this indicates a lack of adult sensibility, period.

For those who are wondering why this generation doesn't respect the flag. Read above. It's attitudes like that which are responsible for the lack of respect shown far and wide by today's teens.

[say what]

IoniaGirl wrote:

The pledge of Alegiance is still said in my daughter's elementary school in Ionia. They recite it daily!

Yes, in my daughter's school as well. That, and they are taught what the flag stands for and to respect it.

[Joanie]

I don't know where you get your information, but we have owned a house in Cozumel for over 20 years. They sell condo's, houses, apartments, all over Mexico--most of them to foreigners.

bargain wrote:

<quoted text>
A foreigner cannot even own property in Mexico .

[Daniel P from Long Island]

I hope they apprehend and prosecute the criminals who did this !

[ABM]

The American flag is a symbol of materialistic, hateful, greedy America. Our country is very much responsible for all the third world problems some of you mention. This place isn't as free as it says look at the Patriot Act and all the peaceful protests that get raided by the police. All U.S.A. is about is being number fucking one and it'll do anything to make sure it remains in that spot light even sending millions of people overseas to fight for a causeless war. And what someone posted up there saying "Barach Hussein Obama probably did it" that just shows this country is facist, racist, and stupid. Maybe you guys should read past the newspapers and stop watching American Idol and actually research important truthful stuff then maybe you'll think about flag burning too.

[Daniel P from Long Island]

ABM wrote:

The American flag is a symbol of materialistic, hateful, greedy America. Our country is very much responsible for all the third world problems some of you mention. This place isn't as free as it says look at the Patriot Act and all the peaceful protests that get raided by the police. All U.S.A. is about is being number fucking one and it'll do anything to make sure it remains in that spot light even sending millions of people overseas to fight for a causeless war. And what someone posted up there saying "Barach Hussein Obama probably did it" that just shows this country is facist, racist, and stupid. Maybe you guys should read past the newspapers and stop watching American Idol and actually research important truthful stuff then maybe you'll think about flag burning too.

ummmm.... yea. so ? what's ur point ?

[Concerned Bystander]

To those that have no FREAKING idea why it is so bad to burn the flag. Do you know what that flag represents, not a country, not a land, not even a person. That piece of material you call it, stands for sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears, and at one time the togetherness this nation once embraced. I AM AN AMERICAN DISABLED VETERAN! How dare you say that it stands for greed, and for everything that is wrong with this world. If you knew anything of the history of the flag, seen what it took to make it as grand as it is, knew the sacrifice it took to make it what it is, then maybe you would think twice about smearing its actual meaning.

People like ABM want to talk about doing researching important truthful stuff, fine then do so yourself ABM, forget what todays world holds for its issues, look back at when the flag was revered (sp). Research what it took to actually make the flag such an important symbol to so many. Go to a veterans facility and ask the vets there what the flag means. Maybe then you will understand the truth.

[Concerned Bystander]

Or better yet, I invite those that feel it is ok to burn a US flag, to go over to Iraq, take a flag into the green zone and try to burn it there. See how long you will live.

[Sharon]

HOAX. I bet the guy made up the whole thing so that he could get publicity.

[Pete]

Concerned Bystander wrote:

To those that have no FREAKING idea why it is so bad to burn the flag. Do you know what that flag represents, not a country, not a land, not even a person. That piece of material you call it, stands for sacrifice, blood, sweat, tears, and at one time the togetherness this nation once embraced. I AM AN AMERICAN DISABLED VETERAN! How dare you say that it stands for greed, and for everything that is wrong with this world. If you knew anything of the history of the flag, seen what it took to make it as grand as it is, knew the sacrifice it took to make it what it is, then maybe you would think twice about smearing its actual meaning.
People like ABM want to talk about doing researching important truthful stuff, fine then do so yourself ABM, forget what todays world holds for its issues, look back at when the flag was revered (sp). Research what it took to actually make the flag such an important symbol to so many. Go to a veterans facility and ask the vets there what the flag means. Maybe then you will understand the truth.

The flag stands for a lot of things since it is the symbol most associated with our country. Unfortunately you have to take the good along with the bad and the ugly. The flag stands for the heroism of our soldiers just as much as it stands for the disgrace this Administration has brought to us with war crimes including torture of prisoners.(I am surprised veterans are not burning flags over that betrayal of soldiers safety.) The flag stands for the gains of the civil rights movement just as much as it symbolizes the horror of Jim Crow. Burning your own flag is clearly a First Amendment protected exercise of free speech. Burning someone elses flag is also Malicious Destruction of Property, a misdemeanor. These posts are a good example of why war protestors burn the flag, it gets people's attention. I hope they keep doing it until Obama brings our troops are home, soon.