Clearwater Florida’s Parks and Recreation Director, Kevin Dunbar, is under fire after he ordered the removal of 13 flagpoles and flags from the city this week. Dunbar concluded that flying old Glory was no longer affordable — a move that parallels the decision of various cities and states to sell parks and historic sites even as the United States continues to spend billions on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Besides being the headquarters of the Church of Scientology, Clearwater previously attracted national attention over its crackdown on a bait shop displaying a copy of the first amendment, here.
In Dunbar’s defense, the parks and staff have been cut by one-forth in the last three years — making the flag maintenance a bit difficult.
The city council has voted to block Dunbar’s decisions, here.
Mike A writes: FFLEO, I forgot to mention. After pledging allegiance “under God,” we occasionally practiced our “duck and cover” routine so that in the event of nuclear annihilation, we would be amply protected by that half inch of desk oak over our heads.
it’s all coming together now… school prayer was ended about a month before Duck-and-Cover was introduced into the classroom. maybe its the god in foxholes sentiment.
FFLEO, I forgot to mention. After pledging allegiance “under God,” we occasionally practiced our “duck and cover” routine so that in the event of nuclear annihilation, we would be amply protected by that half inch of desk oak over our heads.
FFLEO, I was living in Melbourne, Florida at the time and we didn’t have kindergarten either. That early educational deprivation probably explains why I wound up significantly left of center.
Mike Appleton,
I do remember the “under god” addition to the Pledge. I was a First Grader (I was so bright that I was allowed to skip Kindergarten…or maybe it was because that “K-grade” was not offered in TX at that time, or….)
Buddha,
I’m sorry I missed that yesterday. I think it’s a really big deal. For A.Y., Scahill, the author of the article, has an excellent reputation as an investigative journalist and he is considered an authority on Blackwater. Bill Moyer’s has interviewed him about Blackwater/Xe at least once.
Jill,
I linked to the original article at The Nation here:
http://jonathanturley.org/2009/08/04/d-c-council-members-call-for-investigation-of-protest-case-and-resignation-of-attorney-general-peter-nichols/#comment-71884
Thanks for the video.
This could be huge and merits monitoring.
Here’s an important story. It’s all about your tax dollars at work to pay for govt. sponsored murder:
Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder
By Jeremy Scahill
August 4, 2009
A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company’s owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince “views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe,” and that Prince’s companies “encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life.”
http://rebelreports.com/
Mike A.,
You’re right about the services, first things first. That’s really interesting about the pledge– somewhat Orwellian but interesting. As to the heads, good idea. Like Buddha I’m off to buy supplies! As to the funeral request, if your wife married you, she also must have a good sense of humor and she’ll do it!!!
I suspect that very few people here, with the exception of other ancients such as Mike S. and FFLEO, can recall when the phrase “under God” was added to the pledge of allegiance. I was in either first or second grade, and I distinctly recall the teacher telling us one morning that thenceforth we would include those words in the pledge. We actually practiced it that morning.
If the city fathers are reduced to cutting flag maintenance expenses, that should tell you that here in Florida the legislature has already substantially crippled programs having a lower priority, such as mental health care and services for dependent women and children.
Spending shows the true priorities of a society. As far as I’m concerned they can burn the flags in protest of social injustice. but the cutting of social services at the local, state and federal level tells us what matters in this nation.
So far the 3 trillion in bailout money went to the top of the food chain. Meanwhile job losses continue, extended unemplyoyment benefits are scheduled to run out, the forclosure moritorium is over, and the food banks are empty. We have 47 million and growing uninsured. There is little help in sight for the poor and middle class. We cannot afford our empire and we cannot afford crony capitalism.
All people of good will need to make clear that we do not accept the transfere of wealth away from the poor and middle class to the wealthy. It is morally wrong and practically speaking, simply unsustainable.
Mike S writes: Beyond unconstitutional I think the pledge is Un-American.
I agree. it is contrived, a statement that means you will (or wont) engage in rote celebration of something that is all for show.
Gyges writes: I consistently get dirty look at those occasional gigs that for one reason or another involve saying the pledge (graduations, fund-raisers, etc.) because I just stand politely and don’t participate (I don’t do anything to draw attention to myself and try to be as much in the background as possible).
yeah. me too. try sitting through the pledge and see what happens. when my hip replacement was brand new I once chose to remain in my seat. I did not only get looks. even after I pointed out that I was 2 weeks post-op and see here, here’s my walker…I still got noise from a few patriots.
as if a flag alone can make one a patriot or love one’s country.
my kids dont say the pledge either and for a while this was a problem in school.
Gyges,
Me too, except when my wife gives me dirty looks. As you say I try to do it unobtrusively. Beyond unconstitutional I think the pledge is Un-American.
Mike and Bob,
I consistently get dirty look at those occasional gigs that for one reason or another involve saying the pledge (graduations, fund-raisers, etc.) because I just stand politely and don’t participate (I don’t do anything to draw attention to myself and try to be as much in the background as possible).
i guess that flag care is just as expensive as it sounds and it is important to save public money for the really crucial matters that a community has to address like prayer in public schools.
All this sentimental clap trap about not raising the American flag reminds me of Rehnquist’s dissent in Texas v. Johnson; the very words that convinced me that if this idiot can be Chief Justice then I’d do fine in law school.
I’ve never believed in flags as symbols for anything but jingoism. I’ve never felt that the Pledge of Allegiance was Constitutional. That being said though I understand that my view is way in the minority and I have no objection to flags being flown on flagpoles at public expense. What this indicates to me though is how since the days of the mediocre President who was a “B” movie actor, the anti-tax movement has made mincemeat of all of US infrastructure and forces cost cutting moves like this. If a City can’t even maintain 13 flagpoles, what other aspects are in ruins? The anti-tax, anti-government types are really turning this country into a “banana republic” and don’t care as long as they can drive their expensive cars and live in their “Gated Communities.”
Penny wise but pound foolish.
http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/08/dna-of-what-is-killing.html
I bet a Veterans Organization would gladly take over these duties. If the BSA, Boy Scouts of America have a merit badge included I bet they would take it over as well.
Now what about the CSA or BPP? I bet they would as well. But for a Price.