Vandals burn American flag in Grand Haven

[Adam Geldersma]

anti socialist wrote:

<quoted text>
eroding the cornerstones of our great country is the goal of the liberals.
liberals are our enemies just as much as any terrorist.

I'm not a Liberal, but that sounds like crazy talk to me.

[Gail in Wyoming]

Casey wrote:

I cannot believe this is even worthy to be on the news! Isn't their anything more important that could of replaced it? Maybe an update on how many innocent people are shot dead overseas by people waving that flag.
FOR GOD SAKES ITS A PIECE OF CLOTH! quite crying.

What kind of an idiotic statement is this? This IS worthy news. We live in America and this is an American Flag that represents our freedoms in this country, including the stupid statement by you, and the men and women who have fought for ALL of us.

This was complete disrespect, not only for the property owners, but against our country. I hope they get caught and there is some kind of punishment for them.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[Gail in Wyoming]

CoopMom2 wrote:

They should be forced to do something for our country for what they have done! Make them think about this!!!! What a shame!

I like that idea. Maybe they could work with some VFW Posts or do some volunteer work over at the Veteran's Home.

Give me some more time and I could come up with some other ideas.

[Neko]

Bummer!

They burned the wrong flag!(Next time burn the Star of David....the flag of the Racist theocracy of terror in the middle east!)

I wonder why nobody thinks it is a big deal that folks like George Bush and Richard Cheney are burning the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

I suggest if anyone wants to protest...fly the American flag upside down... it is appropriate at the moment!

(Yes Michigan is in distress!)

[Stephanie -Grand Rapids]

After 9-11 many people started raising flags to show their patriotism. Many newspapers at that time also posted proper flag ettiquette. It is my understanding that it is a FEDERAL LAW that the American flag should be illuminated if it is raised at night. In respect to the servicemen that have sacrificed their lives the the flag should not stand alone in the dark. For this reason many schools and federal buildings raise and lower their flags before the end of the work day. From the video and photos from the scene it does not appear this flag was lighted. Can our community learn something from this?

[crimson]

sam022101 wrote:

<quoted text>
You're ignorant. It's not just a piece of cloth. It is a symbol of our nation and what many have died to defend. People like you and whoever is responsibly for burning this flag are an embarassment to our country. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying something so disrespectful!

I agree, its more than cloth! we may be suffering
high unemployment, high gas and food prices but
I would rather suffer here than any other country!
They need to reconsider just how bad off they really
are! Leave the flag alone, burning only represents
acts of terrorism and everyone knows it! Let's
not turn on each other!

[She Devil]

Some people are just disgusting! I hope they get caught. If they were going to burn someone's flag, the least they could have done was wrapped themselves in it first!

[Batch 37 Pain is Good]

If they would have only let that bear continue roaming around this may not have happened.

[Dude]

I would like to see everyone actually read the entire flag code--look it up. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html #...
So many people are violating flag code every single day. You won't see my butt on a flag-printed chair, using a flag-printed napkin to keep the food slop off of a flag-printed t-shirt-- that is disrespectful. Our own federal government is violating flag code with the flag postage stamps. Please educate yourselves and everyone you know about proper flag etiquette.

Yes--this crime is terrible in so many ways. To those that are responsible--a real protestor does not do this after dark--cowards. Someone else's property=trespassing & vandalism no matter what you destroyed.

[mhl]

I agree with most of you that this is complete disrespect not only to the home owners but to each and every one of us Americans. I know that there are certain rules to burning a retired flag and to burn it incorrectly is also a sign of disrespect. I wonder if this is not considered an act of treason. I hope the people that did this and the ones that think it is okay to do this will leave our fine country. They simply are not Americans.

[Outdoor Lover]

Being on anyone else's property without permission is trespassing. Burning anyone else's property is arson (and it doesn't matter what it is - a garden flag with daisies, a yard ornament, a kids swing set, the American flag, etc.).

Wrong is wrong and it is time that this country got back to enforcing right from wrong.

[Jim]

Put another flag up, then rig a booby trap.

People who like to burn the flag should be deported. If they were born here, then deport them to where their ancestors came from.

Semper Fi

[kclh_thunk]

Howieduesit wrote:

Good! Burn another one...it is YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO... The Swastika is a symbol too is it ok to burn that?
MMMMMMM?
If you don't allow freedoms...THEN YOU MOVE! Cuba and China are waiting for you....

It's trespassing and vandalism and arson. Flag or not, although we must take pride in America which means respecting the flag too. It's just common sense and nice to behave. I hope they catch the low-lifes who did this and make them serve by cleaning highway trash or street drains or something of that nature.

[wow]

catch the little rodents and organize a firing squad.

[Patti]

What condition was the flag in prior to this happening?, was it possiable someone did this due to it being tatered or torn?? was his out of repect?

[Dustin]

That is wrong for them to burn the United States flag. They should be trail for burn somebody thing.

[Maria]

I'd be betting a lot of money it's not a Republican that did this.

[Maria]

Dude wrote:

I would like to see everyone actually read the entire flag code--look it up. http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html #...
So many people are violating flag code every single day. You won't see my butt on a flag-printed chair, using a flag-printed napkin to keep the food slop off of a flag-printed t-shirt-- that is disrespectful. Our own federal government is violating flag code with the flag postage stamps.

wow. relax. Think of the intention - people using flag-printed chairs or wearing flag-print shirts are usually intending to honor the flag and America. CUt them some slack.

[Baruch HaShem]

Howieduesit wrote:

Good! Burn another one...it is YOUR RIGHT TO DO SO... The Swastika is a symbol too is it ok to burn that?
MMMMMMM?
If you don't allow freedoms...THEN YOU MOVE! Cuba and China are waiting for you....

This one, does not even deserve a reply, comparing the Swastika to the American Flag and supporting burning another one.
You move to China or Cuba and burn one of there flags and see where you end up, or speak with such disrespect and understanding of the freedom you have today because of the willingness of millions of soldiers to serve over the years. We were once a proud nation "Under God" now we are an entitlement nation with liberals controlling the wheel.
God Bless America.

[Kim in gr]

Stephanie -Grand Rapids wrote:

After 9-11 many people started raising flags to show their patriotism. Many newspapers at that time also posted proper flag ettiquette. It is my understanding that it is a FEDERAL LAW that the American flag should be illuminated if it is raised at night. In respect to the servicemen that have sacrificed their lives the the flag should not stand alone in the dark. For this reason many schools and federal buildings raise and lower their flags before the end of the work day. From the video and photos from the scene it does not appear this flag was lighted. Can our community learn something from this?

This is about one of the dumbest comments on here, among a few others. Lighted or not it is still the AMERICAN FLAG and for what this country is going through and the men & women we are losing, it is the least of our worries. And if it is kids just being kids, obviously their parents or schools here in America haven't taught them crap. FLY THAT FLAG.