FLEMING ISLAND, Florida (WTLV) -- In a patriotic Florida neighborhood there's one American flag that's standing out on Veterans Day, but it's also causing outrage amongst neighbors.
"I figure if they can burn the flag, if they can spit on it, if they can put it down as a doormat, why can't I fly it upside down?" says Philip Hoezel, a Fleming Island resident.
Philip Hoezel says he served the Navy for seven and half years and is now using his first amendment right to express his dissatisfaction with last Tuesday's election results.
"Under the conditions normally set for the military at sea, if you fly your flag upside down on a ship, it means you're in distress... I think this country is in distress," says Hoezel.
On Wednesday morning after learning that President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term, Hoezel raised his flag upside down for the first time at this home. Veterans Day just happens to be his fifth day of what he plans to be a four-year-long protest, and it's also the day neighbors began to take notice.
"It's very disturbing... you know 26 years in the Navy, current Navy guy and I thought it was an accident," says Mike Walter, who lives down the street from Hoezel. "Then I did a little research and I realized people are doing this in protest and I just can't believe that on Veterans Day you would be so petty as to fly your flag upside down."
The Fleming Island neighborhood is a patriotic one, with quite a few veterans. Many residents raised their upright flags for Veterans Day and are not outraged by their neighbor's protest -- but by this form of protest on an American holiday.
Waa waaa waa! I didn't get the president I wanted!!! Waaa waaw waa!!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
FLEMING ISLAND, Florida (WTLV) -- In a patriotic Florida neighborhood there's one American flag that's standing out on Veterans Day, but it's also causing outrage amongst neighbors.
"I figure if they can burn the flag, if they can spit on it, if they can put it down as a doormat, why can't I fly it upside down?" says Philip Hoezel, a Fleming Island resident.
Philip Hoezel says he served the Navy for seven and half years and is now using his first amendment right to express his dissatisfaction with last Tuesday's election results.
"Under the conditions normally set for the military at sea, if you fly your flag upside down on a ship, it means you're in distress... I think this country is in distress," says Hoezel.
On Wednesday morning after learning that President Barack Obama was re-elected to a second term, Hoezel raised his flag upside down for the first time at this home. Veterans Day just happens to be his fifth day of what he plans to be a four-year-long protest, and it's also the day neighbors began to take notice.
"It's very disturbing... you know 26 years in the Navy, current Navy guy and I thought it was an accident," says Mike Walter, who lives down the street from Hoezel. "Then I did a little research and I realized people are doing this in protest and I just can't believe that on Veterans Day you would be so petty as to fly your flag upside down."
The Fleming Island neighborhood is a patriotic one, with quite a few veterans. Many residents raised their upright flags for Veterans Day and are not outraged by their neighbor's protest -- but by this form of protest on an American holiday.
Waa waaa waa! I didn't get the president I wanted!!! Waaa waaw waa!!
I cannot bring myself to mock those who feel this way. Their sense of urgency is real to them and they feel the panic I would have felt had Mittens the cuntnugget been elected.
I cannot bring myself to mock those who feel this way. Their sense of urgency is real to them and they feel the panic I would have felt had Mittens the cuntnugget been elected.
I can mock them. If Myth Romney had won, I would be more worried about the mentality of the majority of voters & the future of our country. As it is, I'm concerned that Myth came so close to winning.
But protesting because your candidate didn't win is...
Stupid.
What's the point? To convince others to hate Obama as much as you do?
He is expressing himself using a legitimate means no matter the (lack of) basis for his opinions. He is showing bad judgement to hijack and dilute a day set aside to remember the sacrifice of veterans for his own selfish purpose, but he is entitled to do so.
Agreed, and i can't see how making a commentary that you think the country is headed in thwe wrong direction (as i recall a flag flown upside down) dishonors veterans or the day. Indeed, I see freedom of speech is one of thiong things our vetrans sacrificed for.
War, huh, yeah, What is it good for, Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh
War, huh, yeah, What is it good for, Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all
War, huh, good God, What is it good for, Absolutely nothing
Listen to me.....
Edwin Starr -- 1970
Dumb....
I am sure that you are not referring to the poster here, but the sentiment expressed in the text. With that I agree; it is dumb and simplistic. Should we have followed that approach in WW II or the Cold War?
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
