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Local News - Patriotism or Defiance?
Posted on February 6th, 2008 in Local, Politics by Fred McKinnon
Hey Everyone -
Starting out the morning on a different note here on the blog. While most people will probably blog about “Super Tuesday” (personally, I was happy to see a good response for Huckabee, and hope he’d be on the ticket with McCain) … we’re having a little political/patriotism news here locally in Brunswick, GA.
Gary Hudgins of the local “Carl Gregory” car dealership has been in the local news the last few days. It seems as if our Glynn County Commissioners passed some ordinance about how many “flags” or “signs” you can fly. Gary was cited for having too many flags on display at his dealership. Rather than cave in and pay the fine, he’s defying this ordinance and has now adorned EVERY CAR on his lot with an American flag.
According to the Brunswick News (article) (photo courtesy of Michael Hall/The Brunswick News), Gary has been getting non-stop calls and visits from veterans expressing their gratitude and has numerous laywers offering their services to defend him in the Glynn County Magistrate court for free.
From what I can read, the ordinance was written to clean up some of the sloppy advertising - signs, balloons, flags, etc., that become excessive and don’t have a good appearance.
Personally, I don’t think they can try to enforce this. C’mon, it’s the American Flag - it’s “Ole’ Glory” herself. Seems like this could quickly become a constitutional issue - I dunno. But as for me, I’d throw my support to Mr. Hudgins. When I see all those flags, I don’t think of it as a gimmick .. I think of a guy who loves his country.
So, it seems that on every corner of Brunswick and St. Simons are these “Single? Go to *%&%& Dating.Com” el-cheap0 signs stuck in the ground …. yet, we’re going to fine this honorable veteran who served his country in the Navy for 3 years for displaying “American flags” on the cars at his dealership? They are not laying on the ground, they are not soaking in the rain … they are flying proud.
I’m reminded of an incredibly powerful song on the “Worship Again” album by Michael W. Smith about our wonderful flag, “There She Stands”. I was privileged to hear this song “first hand” before it ever hit the shelves … I was in Nashville finishing up production and mastering with Hank Williams at MasterMix … “Smitty” (Michael W. Smith) had just had “Worship Again” mastered by Hank, and it was sitting there on the desk. Hand written “Michael W. Smith - There She Stands/Worship Again” before our eyes, Hank said “you wanna hear it”, and played this tune in all it’s glory over what could be one of the finest audio systems in one of the world’s most premier mastering facilities. I couldn’t hold back the tears … it was recently after 9/11 … it was so powerful.
So take a listen to “There She Stands” (below) and then comment … what do you think of this ordinance?
Inspired? Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it!
Fred
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10 Responses to “Local News - Patriotism or Defiance?”
Would you join in the discussion? Checkout the responses below, and click "reply" to reply to someone's comment, or scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to leave your own comment in the box!
Let them fly!
If I were to comment on what they’re trying to do I may say something that ain’t too Christian. Enuf said
I’m proud of the stand this guy is taking, and I stand with him in faith! It’s time for the good people of this land to stand up and “fly” like the flags. No more burying our heads in the sand. “Arise, shine, for your Light has come!”
Fly, Old Glory, fly! That ordinance is ridiculously stupid.
I think that the ordinance should be changed, or at least those trying to inforce it should concider why the ordinance was written. We need to think about the purpose for which laws were written, not just the black and white letter of the laws.
As for whether this is patriatism or defiance, the answer is yes, it is both. Patriatism is often a matter of defiance.
Matt -
SPLENDID response!
Yeah, I believe we are called to be defiant in during certain times of injustice.
Oddly enough I go back and forth on this. I definitely think that American flags should not be included in the general ‘flag’ ordinance. On the other hand I often times think that people use that leeway to pull off their own agendas. I just wonder, does he REALLY put those flags out to support America or is it just because he wants to have a brightly colored object flapping over every car on his lot? I am not accusing him of this, just ASKING. I fear that if they allow people an American flag exemption then we might just see grossly placed and misused American flags flying in strings everywhere.
If someone wants to proudly support the troops, country or whatever, why not a flag pole with a properly displayed flag in the middle of the lot or on the roof? Then the flag would be set apart from all the other advertising gimmicks out there.
Anyone with me?
Travis,
Actually, I do agree with you … I think the overall “ban” on how many flags you can fly is too liberal … that more thought should go into an ordinance, more clarity.
Plus - I think (THINK) that there are already some well-established guidelines on the proper etiquette and use of the American Flag.
I remember Rev. Dave Hanson walking into CRCSSI once to bring something by … and as he stood in our sanctuary, he politely pointed out the fact that the American Flag we had on our stage was on the WRONG side of the stage. We had no clue, and were grateful for his guidance.
I think that veterans also police this issue to a degree - if they see gross usage of the American flag, they are likely to stop and mention it to a store owner.
In this case, it seems (according to the Brunswick news, at least) that the veterans are stopping to show support … of course, the owner here of the car dealership is a veteran himself.
Something just occured to me. Maybe this is neither patriatism, nor defience, but good business. This man has managed to get thousands of dollars worth of free publicity by putting a few dollars worth of American flags on the cars in his lot. Hmmmm……..