City removes all American flags to save money

[shivkala]

Seems to me they are simply trying to make a statement about the bad economic times we are in and possibly trying to pass a drastic measure to cut costs. I think they are hoping that people will be so outraged at this, that they are willing to cut something else seen as "essential" now as a "lesser of two evils option."

For instance, if they say, "Let's raise taxes," people will go crazy. But, if they say they are taking down all of the American flags and people go crazy, then they can turn around and say, "Or we could keep the flags, if everyone is wiling to pay a little more in taxes," hoping that the people will say in response, "Oh, well, I hate higher taxes, but if it will keep the flag flying..."

I just don't buy that this is their true intention.

 

[Trekker4747]

And why must the flags be illuminated at night? That seems like overkill.

That's just the "rule" for displaying the American flag. If it is flown at night it must be illuminated.

What happens if you ignore the rule? Flag police?

If you ignore the rule you look like a disrespectful jackass towards the Flag. Now, the flag is more than "just a piece of fabric" as Frontline said it's a symbol for our country and what it stands for. So if you disrespect the falg, in essence, you're disrespecting our country.

 

[Rincewiend]

That's just the "rule" for displaying the American flag. If it is flown at night it must be illuminated.

What happens if you ignore the rule? Flag police?

If you ignore the rule you look like a disrespectful jackass towards the Flag. Now, the flag is more than "just a piece of fabric" as Frontline said it's a symbol for our country and what it stands for. So if you disrespect the falg, in essence, you're disrespecting our country.

Not really, but whatever...

 

[Da'an]

That does seem a little paranoid...

 

[Bloodwhiner]

I can see taking the flags down as a temporary measure to save some money, but pulling out the poles?

That had to cost more than flying the flags for the next five years. Plus is removes the option of letting a volunteer group (scouts, vfw, legion, etc) from assuming the duties.

 

[Canadave]

And why must the flags be illuminated at night? That seems like overkill.

That's just the "rule" for displaying the American flag. If it is flown at night it must be illuminated.

It's the rule for flying any national flag at night, I believe. That's how I understand it, at least. We do it for provincial flags up here, too.

 

[wamdue]

um over in England we took all our flags down as the local councils consider them to be racist, I hope that is not what its going on here.

If the US cant save its flags from political correctness then what hope is there for England

 

[Alpha_Geek]

Hmmmm... Clearwater must be a sister city to the Peoples Republic of Charlottesville.

 

[Sephiroth]

I can see people in clearwater now stepping out of thier homes, not seeing a flag anywhere, and wondering what country they live in

 

[ThunderAeroI]

I know here, they spend a lot more money than I think they should on buying flags to fly. Seriously, because of the wind, ecah flag has a life expectancy of less than a month, all summer long they use no less than seven flags per pole and there are probably 20 poles just around the airport. Can't say I know how much a flag costs, but when you consider the time, labor, and maintenance of said things I bet it adds up for an entire community.

But then, as the saying goes, how bad do you have to be and in what finacial condition must the city be in to think saving $3,000 or so a year on flags is a "good" idea.

 

[RoJoHen]

They need to just make higher-quality flags that illuminate themselves at night and never wear out.

 

[Pemmer Harge]

Flags are overrated. I don't think my country would be any worse off if we didn't have one.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

They need to just make higher-quality flags that illuminate themselves at night and never wear out.

Nah, just go solar. The Virginia DOT has a memorial for their workers killed while working on I-64. The US and state flags are illuminated at night by floods powered by a roughly 1.5 x 1.5 meter solar array (and presumably batteries someplace).

 

[FrontLine]

Hmmmm... Clearwater must be a sister city to the Peoples Republic of Charlottesville.

Nah, more of a Petticoat junction wanna be.

 

[JuanBolio]

That's just the "rule" for displaying the American flag. If it is flown at night it must be illuminated.

What happens if you ignore the rule? Flag police?

If you ignore the rule you look like a disrespectful jackass towards the Flag. Now, the flag is more than "just a piece of fabric" as Frontline said it's a symbol for our country and what it stands for. So if you disrespect the falg, in essence, you're disrespecting our country.

I think personal intent has a lot to do with that.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Somebody needs to invent a durable flag that glows in the dark.

 

[FrontLine]

Ok following up. It appears that this is indeed a stunt by the Parks and Recreation Department. Their budget has already been cut by 25% and this seems to be a protest move. The Mayor and City council aint too happy with this at the moment. They weren't even consulted. Also the flags and flag poles were only removed from land that the Parks and Recreation department oversees. So the flag is still flying at city hall for instance. The department also left the flags alone at certain parks (I.e. baseball complexes) where the pledge or the anthem is recited / sung prior to the game starting.

 

[Aurian]

That is one helluva way to show how displeased one can be...

 

[FrontLine]

Hey, this is Florida... home to more weirdness (per capita) than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere

 

[Bloodwhiner]

No big surprise - the City council said "What the hell were you thinking.."

The reversed it and said put the flags back.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1024279.ece