[Grovenet] That's one big flag

Fri Apr 24 07:41:16 PDT 2009

While I agree with you on the flag being too large, I have had a hard  
time trying to decide why it is a problem for me.
People who know Forest Grove know that there are enough of us who  
support the peace movement, PFLAG, shop local movements, alternative  
medicine, etc to know that the town is not over run with people who  
substitute a lapel pin for patriotism.
So I had to ask myself, why would people want this flag?  And since I  
have no idea who the donors are, I'll have to guess.
Perhaps they have lost a son or daughter to the horrors of the war in  
Iraq and they desperately want it to mean something. The huge flag  
may be an attempt to show the world how big the hole in their heart is.
Perhaps they do equate a big flag with a love of country more than  
they equate helping a neighbor to a love of country. If that is their  
priority then my heart goes out to them. There is joy in helping  
others that they will never know and every time I see the flag I will  
wish them luck in finding true joy.
Perhaps they are scared and a very large flag gives them a sense of  
certainty about the future. Ancient cultures took great comfort in  
totems and for some people a huge flag likely serves the same function.

I will try to take the flag in stride and not let it distract me from  
what is true about Forest Grove. It can serve as a reminder that what  
we actually do will have a more lasting effect than any flag that  
eventually tatters. Huge flags and flag poles will go out of style on  
their own accord and we can return to a time when it is the  
symbolism, not the size that reminds us of what our country stands  
for.  Some one out there is hurting and needed this flag. Perhaps  
that is why they remain anonymous. Let's use the flag as a reminder  
that there is still work to do to bring Forest Grove to the place  
where all the homeless have shelter, where progress can be made in  
open meetings, where yes, there has been a rebirth but we have yet to  
finish the regrowth that comes after as well.

A flag of the appropriate size would have been nice, but we have a  
flag that is too large. In the overall scheme of things the mistake  
of having an oversize flag can be forgiven. Hopefully, when people  
see the flag, if they think it 'doth protest too much' they will stay  
a while and get to know the whole of Forest Grove.

Katie

On Apr 23, 2009, at 10:54 PM, Holly T. wrote:

> I agree, Walt. I will not mince words. The thing is hideously  
> grotesque IMHO. Betsy Ross must be turning over in her grave.
>
> As Tom Robbins said in his novel, Fierce Invalids Home from Hot  
> Climates, "The more advertising I see, the less I want to buy."
>
> I feel frightfully embarrassed to be a Forest Grove resident  
> because of this monstrous display of "patriotism". I fear that  
> anyone who drives through Forest Grove, upon being blindsighted by  
> this abhorant flag, will think that our community is overrun by  
> redneck Republicans who are pro-war, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti- 
> women, and against spending tax dollars to help people and the  
> environment. That's not MY Forest Grove and I resent my city being  
> portrayed in this tasteless, conservative, unprogressive manner.
>
> The next time I pass the bus stop between Safeway and Goodwill and  
> see all those homeless people standing around less than a block  
> away from this monstrous flag, I will not be able to keep from  
> wondering, "How many of them could be fed for a very, very long  
> time for what that monstrosity cost?"
>
> For me, the mark of a true patriot is how much time and energy you  
> spend helping your fellow citizens. It's all about how much good  
> you do for your community. Not how big your flag is, how many wars  
> you've illegally and immorally and imperialistically waged against  
> the wrong enemy, and how many forests you've cut down in the name  
> of capitalism. I thought we got past all that ridiculous flag  
> waving and conservative leanings when Dubya was finally booted out  
> at long last and Obama was sworn in. I thought there was a rebirth  
> in this country. A rebirth whereby people would do their best to  
> rebuild our nation, to undo the horrific damage done by the Bush  
> Administration, and to help each other.
>
> I wonder how much money this "anonymous family" who donated this  
> crass monstrosity gave to charities this year. How much did they  
> roll up their sleeves to help those less fortunate than themselves?  
> I wonder.
>
> Holly Tsur
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Walt Wentz <waltw at teleport.com>
> To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 9:32:03 AM
> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag
>
> Not to be "unpatriotic" or anything, but it strikes me as somewhat
> like the burger-joint-chain gimmick of a few years ago-- when local
> sign codes limited the size of their signs, they just flew humungous
> American flags to attract attention to themselves.
> It is astonishing, even a bit overwhelming.
> Walt
> On Apr 23, 2009, at 8:49 AM, Allen Warren wrote:
>
>> Bigger is better?  One better than the Jones'?  "Because we
>> can!"?  :-)
>>
>> Allen Warren
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Steven <NoSpam03 at comcast.net>
>> To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 8:26:21 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag
>>
>> Is there a good explanation for why there is a humongous flag?
>>   -----Original Message-----
>>   From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-
>> bounces at rdrop.com]On
>> Behalf Of Bob Browning
>>   Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 7:47 AM
>>   To: Forest Grove local interests list
>>   Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag
>>
>>
>>   No chuck, Chuck!! Any flag you can see from one end of town to
>> the other
>> is one humongous flag!! I wonder how long until the City has no
>> money to buy
>> the replacement flag when this one is all tattered in about 12 to 14
>> months?? Or, maybe the Mayor is going to come up with the
>> additional funds
>> needed??
>>
>>   bob
>>   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>
>>   chuck wrote:
>> Saw the flag yesterday as I was leaving town for work.
>>
>> That's - um - one - HUGE - flag.
>>
>> Wow.------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>
>>
>>
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