Isn't this interesting.....

[rocketwarrior]

Oh yes, the flag. It can be so troublesome.

Shortly after my return to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1970, I was detained (but never charged) for driving onto a base with a bumper sticker that allegedly desecrated the flag. It was a peace sign with a blue field and silver stars in the upper left opening and alternating red and white stripes in the other openings.

I pointed out to the base CMSGT that there was another desecration on base. In one of the main buildings (a former Martin bomber plant) there was a huge (maybe 6’X9’) framed American “flag” image on the wall but there were no stars in the blue field. On one of the white stripes, in block letters, were the words, “American Servicemen We Salute You.” This “flag” was presented to the base by a large religious nonprofit.

Well, their own interpretation of the federal law that caused them to require that I remove my bumper sticker, resulted in them having to take down their “flag.” I became kind of interested in the law.

 

[rp2813]

The Assault Is On

Here in California it's Proposition 7 that is saturating the airwaves, with ads against it. Somtimes within a 90-second commercial break there are two of the same anti-7 ads. I am waiting for my voter pamphlet to arrive so I can read more on it. It's some sort of alternative energy initiative and the power providers are funding a negative campaign to the tune of $23 million. That's incentive right there to vote YES on 7, but this could be one of those sloppy initiatives that deserves a NO vote regardless, so I must read up and avoid any knee-jerk reaction to PG&E and Southern California Edison's efforts to defeat it.

 

[oldhouseman]

Thank you Ralph

Mark lives in a different world than most Americans.

He, by his stated works, does live in a world far apart from the average American.

There are certainly two different countries in America.

 

[gyrafoam]

Has everyone lost their objectivity?

What is with all these personal attacks! Spirited debate is good, attacks are not!
This website is supposed to be a fun group of people who share a common hobby.

And, we should be able to share our different political, religious or any other OPINIONS without attacking each other!
Oh, we used to arc and spark every now and then but for the most part we always got along, especially if the lithium group remembered to take their meds or others of us smoked ours.

Come on now, paint those lips up with plenty of gloss so you can kiss and make-up.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Thank you Steve, well said.

 

[brisnat81]

I agree with Steve as I write this with the other voices in my head screaming at me not to get involved.

We've been through election years before and various disasters without the vileness, rhetoric and personal attacks that now exist on this site a fair bit of the time.

To respond to this attack against Mark, he was a god fearing republican at the last election and we all managed to discuss god and politics without the assault that now seems to rear its head everytime a controversial topic is raised. In the past the group respected each other and like any good family hated the sin (Different Opinion) but not the sinner (Person with the opinion).

My favorite flavor is strawberry thankyou Steve.

 

[alr2903]

Vote

It's our right. To me its kinda like, Mr Right, and Mr Right now. IMHO it would be good either way if we could get ("THE PACKAGE", the same sex issues,civil unions or whatever they want to call it), with either party. But, the appointment of the Future Supreme Court Judges is the BIG Issue. With Obama I have a hope of empowerment, with McCain i feel like poor "Oliver Twist", "May I have some more soup Sir"? but thats just me, and Yes I will vote. The Republicans ain't even tossed us a carrot yet.

 

[perc-o-prince]

Puhleez....

1) What was the point of the original posting? Pot stirring? I don't see it.

2) Can anyone really believe that ANY network would have specifically prohibited flag-pin wearing?

3) Why would anyone who has obviously profitted (well) from the American system initiate a thread about something possibly anti-patriotic, then boast, with line-item detail, about such profiteering later in the same thread?

I don't get it!

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

Though,

"Taught the Severely Emotionally Disturbed for two years"

was probably great training for...

"Sang on PTL with Jim and Tammy" (doesn't matter if they were chronogically reversed--- it's all the same.)

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

That should have been "chronologically"

 

[oldhouseman]

I have substained

personal email attacks from Shane and Mark. They should be aware that their opinion is not the only one to be heard.

And their opinion will be challenged when they try to make their opinion the only one.

Mark, think twice when posting opinions. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and when you post it you are showing yours. Not everybody wants to see yours. Keep it to yourself lest you get negative replies.

And Shane,stop trying to defend Mark on every issue. We see that relationship. And it is clear.

 

[lightedcontrols]

OLDHOUSEMAN, You have not....

...sustained personal email attacks from me. I sent you what was posted here and nothing more. You really need to get off your high horse. All you seem to do is bitch. You're just a bitter old man for some reason that hasn't come to light here, and that's really sad. There will NEVER come a day that I will not fly the flag of AMERICA. Anyone that doesn't want to really needs to look at other countries to live in. Why live in a country where you don't like anything about it??? I don't work to give my money to sorry asses. I put my money and efforts to work for people that are trying to make a go of it, and animals that can't control what happens to them. You are just a sad, sad, pathetic old man.

 

[lightedcontrols]

perc-o-prince

I put the post on the site as I didn't believe the email when I first got it, and so looked it up on Snopes. Snopes verified it, so YES, it's true. It's A REAL A SAD day when a major network sends a memo like that. All of a sudden, America is ashamed of America???....it's people, it's flag, it's heritage??? What the hell is going on here????

 

[lightedcontrols]

...and oldhouseman,

you're just a phoney and a fake.

 

[oldhouseman]

Thanks Mark

you made my point.

You are the bitter "old man".

Trying to make a point in public what you "think" you have done for society.

That is really a sad reflection.

Don't send me anymore emails about yourself. They are pathetic. And don't make attacks.

You may certainly post your "opinions" but don't be upset when they are challenged.

Many have different opinions from yourself.

At least for the moment I still live in America.

And hope people like you cannot impose your opinions on everybody else.

 

[~sudsshane]

Lithium anyone?

Nor have you from me....

Oldhouseman~

You are a liar.. I have never sent you an email where I have attacked you, and you damn well know it.

Trust me, I have better things to do with my time. I have friends on this site who I have disagreed with and thankfully we have worked those issues out through email and such. You, on the other hand, I don't know, and based on what I am seeing on this site, I have no desire to know you. I have no interest in surrounding myself with a bitter, old, queen who spends the majority of his days looking for a fight on this website.
So, there you go, now you can say I attacked you, and have it be the truth. How's that?


AND.. if I want to defend my friend Mark, that is my damn business, not yours.

so kiss my a**

 

[andrewinorlando]

I agree with Sandy completely. The "good old days" of news reporting was reporting. Not the BS we see today on TV that passes itself off as reporting, which is nothing short of a national disgrace. Kind of like judges who prefer to make the law rather than simply interpret it.

I could give a crap what any reporter thinks, it's not his/her job to broadcast their opinion, just report the friggin news as it happened in a completely impartial, neutral manner. The old days were journalism, today we have a cacaphony of twisted facts and complete lack of credibility of the news media in general.

This story highlights a good concept....bring back the old days of real journalism, when reporters were impartial, had integrity, and reported the news as the news actually happened. Maybe then some of us would watch TV news again, and actually trust what is being reported.

 

[oldhouseman]

Shane

...who is not a racist...back at you.

 

[travis]

Pardon me...

This is getting entirely too personal.

Mark, you posted what you did because you felt that ABC was directing staff not to show support for America. What about the reason Sandy gave:

"There was a time when ABC would not have sent out such a memo, because it once would not have had to - there was a time when journalists subscribed to the dictum of absolute impartiality. To wear a flag pin or engage in any other sort of nationalist display on an international story was considered a breach of that impartiality. Time was, anyone reporting on TV wore a plain blue suit and a carefully neutral facial expression, because the news was supposed to be the facts - nothing less, and nothing more."

In my opinion, that sounds right. The news is crap now, right or left wing, it's all crap. It's news entertainment because a large part of society doesn't have the attention span to watch anything that isn't fast cutting and laden with graphics.

I can respect anothers religious beliefs, but in my opinion, organized religion has created a whole lot of screwed up gay men. Religion will continue to be attacked as long as said religions continue to get all worked up over victimless issues. If homosexuality is a problem then don't do it! The same with gay marriage.

This country has more serious social issues than continually rehashing victimless moral issues.

Now Greg, what does it matter if Mark has money. We all live the life we have and make. Nothing is fair, nor did anyone ever claim it would be.

I'd like a morally liberal canidate that's financially conservative this November. Sadly, both canidates suck.

 

[~sudsshane]

Well, Andrew~

The state of 24 hour, Cable news media sensationalism has left me wanting to throw up from absolute overkill. What would be the best way to defeat this trend toward "reality" TV news? The same logic from before still applies -stop watching it, but we won't and they know this.
As you know, my ex was an EP for the CBS affiliate in Miami, and he always would say "If it bleeds it leads" That is the mentality of local affiliates and major news outlets today. It is all about ratings and being the first with the scoop.