[Grovenet] That's one big flag
Jane Burch-Pesses
phoenixacm at aol.com
Fri Apr 24 12:00:17 PDT 2009
Very eloquent, Mike. I have to agree that the founding fathers never
realized what they were letting themselves in for when they said,
"...all men are created equal." It's a job that gets passed down to
each new generation.
I also have to ask, how did the radical right co-opt my country's flag?
No one has ever mentioned anything to me about not pledging the flag
when everyone else does at FG Chamber luncheons, but the reason is, as
a Navy vet, I have taken a pledge that supercedes that one, to "defend
the constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic." I may
not pledge to it anymore, but it is still my country's flag.
Jane B-P
Phoenix Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Home of the TAO (Team Against Obesity)
www.phoenix-acupuncture.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Steele, Mike <steelem at pacificu.edu>
To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Sent: Fri, 24 Apr 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 dis
play 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 0D
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 in
terests 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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