[Grovenet] That's one big flag

Fri Apr 24 08:58:40 PDT 2009

Can empathize with Holly's feelings. But! Have to say that the American flag is meaningful to me (whatever size), too, by making me think about early thoughts and ideas behind our country, those that caused our country to be formed in the first place ... not the distorted thinking (ideas of people who never would have come up with the idea of a country such as we have) now too often associated with it.

Geri

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steele, Mike" <steelem at pacificu.edu>
To: "Forest Grove local interests list" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 8:23 AM
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag

I'm in none of the categories mentioned below by Holly, but it still spoke to me.  Geri and I were at the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor last summer.  This was a very difficult visit for us; my Dad was in the Navy for 30 years, 1926-1956, and was stationed there when the attack hit.  I grew up hearing his stories about that fateful day. Our visit to the Arizona was overwhelming.

My Dad and I took very different paths in life, but he was always supportive of me and I am eternally grateful to him for that thoughtful understanding and loving support.  Because of his military career and the numerous times he deployed for naval warfare, he had a keen understanding of the demands.  He knew b.s. when he heard it and he never backed down; he knew that young lives were being put in harm's way...he totally mistrusted those who commanded those young lives.  He taught me a healthy disrespect for authority figures.  

Much of this came back to me driving by the flag, oversized or not.  Perhaps I had mixed feelings...but I do know that the flag that spoke to me then represents a country not only that is and has been, but what it could be--and that project is unfinished, so important hopes and dreams remain to be fulfilled.

Peace,

--Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On Behalf Of Holly T.
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 10:55 PM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag

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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> GroveNet mailing list
> GroveNet at rdrop.com
> http://www.rdrop.com/mailman/listinfo/grovenet

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