Flag Flap

[Gob]

A Marine Corps veteran is being sued by his Cypress-area homeowners association because the flagpole on which he flies the United States and Marine Corps flags does not meet his subdivision's design guidelines.

Mike Merola and his lawyer, Lee Thweatt, say this is a classic case of overreach by a nitpicking homeowners association. Lakeland Village Community Association says it is seeking to enforce its rules evenly on all residents.

Standing in his backyard in a black T-shirt bearing an eagle and the American flag, the 60-year-old Merola called that argument "a lame excuse." After his application to erect a 20-foot flagpole in his backyard was denied, he protested in a series of letters and, ultimately, erected the pole anyway.

"They just don't understand, unless they've been in the military, to feel the pride that I feel in flying that flag high and proud," said Merola, who served in the Marines from 1969 to 1977. "The excuses and things that they came up with for me not being able to fly that flagpole, I just didn't buy. That's why I bucked the system and put it up."

The association's lawyer, Nina Tran, said her clients encourage residents who wish to fly the flag to do so — as long as that flag is attached to a 6-foot pole mounted on a resident's home, as the bylaws stipulate.

Such an approach is "in keeping with the residential nature of the community," the board wrote in a statement. The suit alleges the pole is "a detriment to Lakeland Village and … (causes) imminent harm and irreparable injury to (the association)." The suit seeks a $10 fine for every day the pole stays standing, a court order to remove it and payment of attorneys' fees.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/mil ... 69837.html

[rubato]

Any jackass who moves into a community governed by CCRs gets what he deserves. Those communities are all governed by fascist right-wing idiots.

yrs,
rubato

[Miles]

Any American who wishes to install a flag pole and fly our flag should be honored not persecuted or prosecuted. Mine stays up 24/7 and I would fight anyone who would try to make me take it down for any reason.

[Guinevere]

Miles, it is not proper flag etiquette to keep it flying 24/7 unless it is illuminated. Otherwise, it is proper to raise and lower at sunrise and sunset.

[Miles]

It is lighted and I am quite well aware of "flag etiquette".













edited to add content.

[Guinevere]

OK Miles -- lots of people are not. I see improperly displayed flags all the time and its one of *my* pet peeves.

[Miles]

OK Miles -- lots of people are not. I see improperly displayed flags all the time and its one of *my* pet peeves.

It's one of mine as well. I have been accused of being a flag waving nationalist because a few, whom shall remain nameless, here think patriotism is not a proper term. I have also been admonished for saying I am proud to be an American as they told me that was just an accident of birth. To those I have only one thing to say........

[Lord Jim]

Miles, I echo your sentiments.

[Crackpot]

better than your birth was accidental.

[Long Run]

The ruling by the HOA is well within normal HOA authority. I think it is a dumb rule, but HOA's are free to come up with a wide array of dumb rules. Mr. Merola is free to get up a corps of followers to overturn the current board's decision, but that might entail having to be on the board and figure out budgets and how to choose the vendors, and sitting in plenty of uncomfortable chairs for extended periods.

[oldr_n_wsr]

My in-laws (wife parents) live on one of those "gated communities" that have these rules and crap. I made my mother-in-law a wishing well for their front lawn (she liked the one I made for my house) and they had to go ask permission from the community board to put it out on the front lawn. They granted permission, but just the hassle. It's not like it was a permanent fixture or anything.

But I did make a few bucks making more of them when their neighbors saw it and liked it.

[Gob]

You Americans and your flags...

Are you likely to forget you're in the USA if you walk into a room without one?

[@meric@nwom@n]

Why does it bother you? What possible difference could it possibly make to you whether we take an inordinate interest in our flag or not? Or is it just an opportunity to be unpleasant to an American that piques your interest?

[Crackpot]

I don't see flags with any greater frequency than in Canada (actually they may have us beat).

[Gob]

Why does it bother you? What possible difference could it possibly make to you whether we take an inordinate interest in our flag or not? Or is it just an opportunity to be unpleasant to an American that piques your interest?

The latter

[BoSoxGal]

Are flags in public buildings and displayed in patriotic homes not a norm in Oz?

Just curious.

[Gob]

Nope, nothing like what I've seen over there, and it tends to be the Bogans who do in any case.

Hand on heart, as a pupil, student, and then teacher, lecturor, I can never remember seeing a Union Jack in an Brit school room, whereas they seem to be compulsory over there.

Cultural difference I suppose?

[Sean]

lecturor

Oh sweet irony...

[Gob]

Oh arse...

Fuck off..

[Lord Jim]

You Americans and your flags...

Are you likely to forget you're in the USA if you walk into a room without one?

I guess it all depends on where you plant them...