Flag Controversy in Fulton County

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. A Fulton County man is getting some unwanted attention for his American Flag.A Ita s the way this council member is displaying the flag thata s causing the controversy.

[Sam Samson]

Our Flag!!!!
It’s a shame that one that calls himself an American and is an acting mayor for the Village of Fayette is flying the flag upside down. If you want to fly the flag to make a statement such as you did, that our country is in distress than you should better understand the government and if you have any knowledge what is going on in the United State than you should know that this country is not in distress but in recession,(just as many countries are). Flying the flag upside down is very disrespectful, the flag stands for freedom, and for the many tears that have been shed by families that have lost a loved one, and the flag stands for all the bloodshed and the courage our soldiers have to make this country free for everyone that lives in. Obviously and clearly Craig Rowers never served in the arm- forces because if he did he should know this code of conduct and he would never have disrespected the flag and this country. Now just because he is the Village acting mayor does not mean all people are as air headed as he is in Fayette, citizen of Fayette are good people its just that some people like ROWERS have to make life’s miserable for others. I personally suggest that he should be impeached and let a proud American serve for the Village of Fayette. Citizens in Fayette are tired of everything the council has been doing especially since ROWERS and his friend Gonzales joined the council. It’s time to vote new council members in and start building Fayette up instated down. ROWER never stated to the media that the reason he was flying the flag was due to that he was protesting the elected president OBAMA, I am a proud republican and no matter what and no matter who I will stand behind the Commander in chief the majority voted him in so get used to this and stop being disrespectful to the flag, the American Nation and the Men and Women that have and still serve for this country so that you can be living free. Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you…..Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom AND DON’T YOU FORGET THAT! I am Proud to be an American!

[Scott Wagner II]

Lord, what in the world is happening in this nice town of Fayette? Why did this mayor do this to the people of Fayette? It’s discourteous that a mayor would fly “OUR” American flag upside down. I understand freedom of speech that everyone has the right to say whatever he or she wants to, however, making a statement with our nations simple is absurd. I have a son and a daughter serving for this nation, my father and grandfather did as well, they’re fighting and have fought for my freedom and the freedom of others and for Rowers to do this hurts so badly. Truly in his heart he knows that this was a big mistake and I will pray for him that he comes to his senses and understand the different’ s between freedom of speech and freedom for our NATION! This flag has been flown very proudly for a long, long time lets please keep it this way! What is the Police Chief doing about this problem? Oh wait the mayor is his boss HA!!!!, oh man poor small town of Fayette you’re in trouble now!!!!! Mrs. Schaffer she spoke the truth when she said “the flag should be flown proudly”(Way to go Mrs. Schaffer you got more cuts than anyone in Fayette, seams like everyone was afraid to speak to the media but you were not!)
GOD BLESS AMERICA & EVERYONE THAT LIVES IN FAYETTE OHIO FOR PUTTING UP WITH SUCH A PERSON THAT CALLS HIMSELF A MAYOR OF THIS SMALL GOOD ‘OL AMERICAN TOWN!

[Lori Miller]

You know, I heard it all from preacher sleeping with a married woman to Police officers getting school girls (16) in Fulton County pregnent, but this boy tops it all since noone ever did anything about the other stuff I sure hope someone is going to do something about this one!

Grow up you so called mayor, if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen!!!!

[Jack J]

What is this mans problem? did he forget what the flag stand for? it's a shame that he did this I am very sad about this. I served in the Army and I would have never thought that I ever would see this. God Bless our men and women in the millitary.
Respectfully,
Very Sad in Fayette Ohio

[Roger Schwartz]

Someone needs to teach that guy a lesson why don't we habg him upside down and see if he would like that since he is claiming freedom of speech and doing what ever you want to do here in America, well lets hang everyone we want to!!!(just kidding) however, this is the message he is giving the public.
Yes this guy needs to grow up!
Fayette people if you got balls get him out of there.

Roger

[Gina Baker]

Rower if you think we are bad off move to IRAQ or better yet its closer MEXICO Juarez!

Gina Baker

[Jim B]

What is the matter with this guy if he is for freedom of speech why did he not speak on TV?

Rower get out of Fayette, Fayette people don't want you there.

[John Michael]

To fly our flag upside down to signify distress is one thing, but to fly it upside down because our functional system of democracy elected someone you don't agree with is absurd.

[Aaron Hylander]

There are certainly better ways to show your opinion instead of having to do so with the American flag. The flag represents something, and numerous people continue to die to defend it. I don't much care what the specific words are in the flag code, but to me it is a disgrace!

[Ken B]

If this country is so bad, why are so many people sneaking over our borders to live here? Don't like how things are going ... run for office and fix it yourself. Shamefully displaying the flag doesn't fix anything.

[Brad Merillat]

For saying we have the right of free speech is not just as it sounds. If I was to go out and call a black person a certain name and walk by his house everyday with a sign that said that horrifying word, I believe that could be considered a “Hate Crime.” I have nothing against Mr. Rower if he was to put an article in the paper or talk to anyone about his position on the U.S. Government, but hanging the flag upside down is just a disgrace. This is once again my opinion. Please don’t hate Mr. Rower for this. I am just disappointed and sad for our fore fathers for making that flag, one of the strongest symbols of freedom in the world. Try hanging china’s flag upside down in their country.

[S Sander]

Listen, no one hates the guy just that what he did was uncalled. So many people have died for that flag. See you’re not just disrespecting the ones that are alive but the ones that are dead and truly that is sad  . Please Mr. Rower if you have a heart fix this mess. I don’t hate you, I only hate what you have done with the flag that I respect. There is enough hate in this world!!!! If you want to be a leader, lead the Fayette Village with pride not with shame.
God Bless America

[S Petrie]

Mr Rower...did you vote on Nov. 4th? If you did, then you have already voiced your opinion, just as millions of other Americans did. Your guy lost. I know that's disappointing, but it is in no way distressing. Over the last 8 years, our nation has seen acts of terror, been led into a war, watched a disasterous response to Hurricane Katrina, lowered EPA standards, let the educational system fall into ruin, watched unemployment rise exponentially and sunken into a recession that will take years to recover from. Are THESE things distressing? Yes. And through it all, true Patriotic Americans have flown their flags - upright and proudly - whether they agreed with the disastrous decisions being made by our goverment or not.

I would also suggest that, as an elected official, it is important that you understand that you are held to a different set of standards than the average citizen. While you have a right to your own opinions, you must understand that you are a representative of the people who elected you, and like it or not you need to be respectful of that fact and take your constituents into consideration before you speak or act. It's just one small part of the price you pay for the power you so obviously crave. I believe you're enjoying the attention, Mr. Rower...but I hope your 15 min. is short-lived...for the sake of a community that I dearly love and am proud to be a part of.

[Jason S]

Some people need yo grow up, not fair that a good town like Fayette has to suffer because of someone like Rower. Freedom of speech is ok but please stop hanging the flag upside down, not right to do this since to many en and women died for that flag. Sad, very sad hope you understand what everyone is talking about, please stop this childish game. Hope to see you at the councile meeting on Thursday Jan. 22 at 7 pm.

[Gene]

Whats is going to happened next in our small good town of Fayette? just stop this your not helping out Mayor Rower!!!

[someone]

I guess I can appreciate the statement this man made. I don't know about you but this country IS in serious financial trouble and my family is suffering, too. Recession, depression. Not much of a difference to me except some politician is trying to dress up the term so it can snow the American people into believing it is not as bad as it really is. Mayor should probably made his statement in his own yard on his own flag pole...not the city's, but I do appreciate the statement he is making.

[come on now bull]

Scott Wagner II wrote:

Lord, what in the world is happening in this nice town of Fayette? Why did this mayor do this to the people of Fayette? It’s discourteous that a mayor would fly “OUR” American flag upside down. I understand freedom of speech that everyone has the right to say whatever he or she wants to, however, making a statement with our nations simple is absurd. I have a son and a daughter serving for this nation, my father and grandfather did as well, they’re fighting and have fought for my freedom and the freedom of others and for Rowers to do this hurts so badly. Truly in his heart he knows that this was a big mistake and I will pray for him that he comes to his senses and understand the different’ s between freedom of speech and freedom for our NATION! This flag has been flown very proudly for a long, long time lets please keep it this way! What is the Police Chief doing about this problem? Oh wait the mayor is his boss HA!!!!, oh man poor small town of Fayette you’re in trouble now!!!!! Mrs. Schaffer she spoke the truth when she said “the flag should be flown proudly”(Way to go Mrs. Schaffer you got more cuts than anyone in Fayette, seams like everyone was afraid to speak to the media but you were not!)
GOD BLESS AMERICA & EVERYONE THAT LIVES IN FAYETTE OHIO FOR PUTTING UP WITH SUCH A PERSON THAT CALLS HIMSELF A MAYOR OF THIS SMALL GOOD ‘OL AMERICAN TOWN!

why dont some body just sneek up there some night and take it down?????