Marine forced to take down 'American' Flag. With a twist!

[DietDrThunder]

Why does anyone sign on to an HOA? Might as well move to Saudi Arabia if you want to have some organization apply its arbitrary rules to everything you do in the privacy of your own home. Not only that, but most HOA members pay for the privilege. Localized socialism fail.

Why you ask? Because you don't have a choice anymore if you want to buy a new/newer home and live in an area not too far from your work. The City of Fort Worth Texas for example, mandates that all new home developments must have an HOA, and the developers must submit to the city for approval the HOA by-laws. What this does is offloads the responsibilities of the city's code enforcement and common area landscaping maintenance onto an HOA.

I live in an HOA, and I agree with your statement completely. Arbitrary rules, huh, we have rules that aren't even legal. One of the HOA rules we have states that TV antennas are not allowed on any dwelling within the neighborhood. But this is completely illegal because there is an FCC regulation that states that as long as the antenna is below 920mm in length, no organization can restrict your right to free access to the air waves (Guess who got fined by their HOA but not only won in small claims court, but was also awarded damages?).

We have to pay the yearly dues (basically another tax but one that can't be deducted from Federal Taxes).

What I've found out is that you have to stay involved in the HOA activities by attending the meetings and voting. If the HOA wants to do something completely stupid, which will cause an increase in your dues (tax), you have to rally those that agree with you and get enough votes to kill the measure. When you end up with a power hungry dictator in charge of the HOA, you have to rally the people and vote them out. Because of the involvement of the people in our neighborhood, our current HOA leadership is weak, and we intend to keep it that way.

 

[child of wonder]

The real lesson here is not to agree to HOA rules that you aren't going to follow

This.

Moronic busy bodies need to stop using HOAs as ways to control what other people do with their own property.

Grouping together to form an "HOA" solely for the purpose of getting discounted lawn care, snow removal service, or to share a pool is one thing. Expanding it to say "you can't paint your house a certain color" is asinine and unAmerican.

 

[CitizenKain]

The Stars and Stripes represent the...n a way I don't like, then its anti-american.

 

[MotF Bane]

This flag represents the best ideals of the US, unless you present it in a way I don't like, then its anti-american.

The change made it not an American flag.

 

[alkemyst]

The problem here is I feel most here simply can barely afford to live in a house yet alone one that has additional fees attached.

No one is forced to live in an HOA, it's all part of the home buying process and not for everyone especially those that can't keep up after themselves.

If you want a gate house, common grounds, etc you need an HOA.

I picked an older house because I like having a workshop and doing work out back which is faulted in most HOA's yet those fucking portable basketball nets and toys can be strewn across one's lawn all day in many.

 

[Exterous]

I live in an HOA, and I agree with your statement completely. Arbitrary rules, huh, we have rules that aren't even legal.

Indeed. My parents HOA decided that the local subdivision speed limits were too high - made up their own speed limit and paid for speed bumps to be installed that didn't match state road construction codes as it would impead emergencey vehicles. They then had to pay to remove them.

HOAs can be very hard to avoid. We bought in an HOA subdivision but you damn well can be sure I went over that agreement with a fine tooth comb. I saw there wasn't anything I couldn't live with (No - mailbox has to be this kind bought from this store -or- must use this company to resurface your driveway once every two years)

I can understand the desire for HOAs but some people take them waaaay to far

 

[PokerGuy]

This flag represents the best ideals of the US, unless you present it in a way I don't like, then its anti-american.

What do you define as an American flag? If you change it, at what point does it become something other than an American flag? Also, nobody said it was anti-American. They said it's not an American flag, and therefore falls under the normal HOA provisions (I guess the HOA had an exception for US flags).

 

[Patranus]

What do you define as an American flag?

Did you really just write that?

 

[PokerGuy]

Did you really just write that?

I was responding to the previous post. My point is, it's not an American flag anymore.

 

[Patranus]

I was responding to the previous post. My point is, it's not an American flag anymore.

Sorry, wasn't paying attention.
There is only 1 American flag.

 

[LumbergTech]

circle jerk of the usual suspects here

he served the country

if you didnt...why do you think you have a right to tell him what he can and cant put in his yard?
the flag is in no way a negative statement towards anyone

there is nothing specifically wrong with his flag

yes, some people don't like it because it represents tolerance and the progress that has been achieved recently, but that's too fucking bad as as far as im concerned

HOAs are for losers with nothing better to do in life.

If you are that fucking paranoid about protecting your property that you can't let a gay marine fly a slightly modified flag that is still patriotic then you frankly don't deserve to be here. Insane amount of disrespect to begrudge this man something so simple.

 

[palehorse]

Not an American flag.

This. There is simply nothing to discuss given the homeowner's clear violation of the rules he agreed to when he bought the house.

As for HOA's, while I can't stand some of what they do, I feel that they ultimately do more good than harm.

My own HOA is a royal pain in the ass -- and expensive! -- but, as a result, my neighborhood is absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and full of decent hard-working people. I wouldn't have/want it any other way.

Simple solution: if you don't like HOAs, move somewhere nice and convenient that doesn't have one. Good luck with that...

 

[Cogman]

circle jerk of the usual suspects here

he served the country

if you didnt

shut
the
fuck
up

there is nothing specifically wrong with his flag

yes, some people don't like it because it represents tolerance and the progress that has been achieved recently, but thats too fucking bad as as far as im concerned

Follow your own damn advise. That is NOT the American flag. Nobody is knocking his service. the issue is that he joined a HOA that doesn't allow the display of non-american flags, which he is clearly doing. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

[Perknose]

Simple solution: if you don't like HOAs, move somewhere nice and convenient that doesn't have one. Good luck with that...

I live somewhere that I'll bet is far nicer and even more convenient to just about anything a person could want, wish or need and yet doesn't have any goddamn, pussy assed HOA.

You guys strut and scream about individual rights and then run like lemmings to big brother's asshole little brother, the HOA!

OH, the ironing!

 

[woolfe9999]

The HOA is in the right here, as much as I hate to admit it. That looks nothing like an American flag.

HOA is in the right that this isn't an American flag and therefore violates their rules. HOA are a-holes for even having a rule that restricts what kinds of flags people can display on their property. Putting up this flag will not lower neighboring property values. It has no negative impact on the neigbors like throwing junk in your yard or painting your house with polka dots. This is an HOA trying to restrict the political expression of its members.

- wolf

 

[OutHouse]

Normally, I oppose nearly everything that HOAs do, but in this instance, I have to agree with them.

yip i agree as well. the guy is fucktard.

 

[OutHouse]

circle jerk of the usual suspects here

he served the country

if you didnt...why do you think you have a right to tell him what he can and cant put in his yard?
the flag is in no way a negative statement towards anyone

there is nothing specifically wrong with his flag

yes, some people don't like it because it represents tolerance and the progress that has been achieved recently, but that's too fucking bad as as far as im concerned

HOAs are for losers with nothing better to do in life.

If you are that fucking paranoid about protecting your property that you can't let a gay marine fly a slightly modified flag that is still patriotic then you frankly don't deserve to be here. Insane amount of disrespect to begrudge this man something so simple.

i served my country and i don't know who is the bigger moron, you or the attention whore with the flag. that is not the American flag and for a marine to call that pile of shit the American flag is a disgrace

 

[OutHouse]

FYI i do not live in a HOA and i have King Edwards royal flag flying from my flag pole.

http://www.amazon.com/King-Edward-II.../dp/B000HHKXDK


why? because it looks damn cool. i will be taking it down tonight and fly my American flag for the holiday then on Tuesday ill run up the Scottish flag.

 

[Modelworks]

Anyone know if the American flag has a specified color for the red white and blue ? Red has millions of variations so wonder if there is something like a pantone number for the colors.
There has to be something otherwise all flags that were printed would have varying shades.

 

[PokerGuy]

<stupid banter snipped>

Reading fail. What that flag stands for is irrelevant. He agreed to the HOA rules, which are clear on the issue. Now he doesn't want to abide by them. If you don't like the HOA rules, don't move somewhere with HOA rules. That's not an American flag, so it doesn't get an exemption under the rules.

Not sure who's dumber, you or the guy with the flag.

 

[Cogman]

Anyone know if the American flag has a specified color for the red white and blue ? Red has millions of variations so wonder if there is something like a pantone number for the colors.
There has to be something otherwise all flags that were printed would have varying shades.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States#Colors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States#Historical_progression_of_designs

 

[MotF Bane]

Anyone know if the American flag has a specified color for the red white and blue ? Red has millions of variations so wonder if there is something like a pantone number for the colors.
There has to be something otherwise all flags that were printed would have varying shades.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States

"Color Cable color Pantone[7] Web Color[8] RGB Values[9]
Dark Red 70180 193 C #BB133E (187,19,62)
White 70001 Safe #FFFFFF (255,255,255)
Navy Blue 70075 281 C #002664 (0,38,100)"

 

[irishScott]

circle jerk of the usual suspects here

he served the country

if you didnt...why do you think you have a right to tell him what he can and cant put in his yard?
the flag is in no way a negative statement towards anyone

there is nothing specifically wrong with his flag

yes, some people don't like it because it represents tolerance and the progress that has been achieved recently, but that's too fucking bad as as far as im concerned

HOAs are for losers with nothing better to do in life.

If you are that fucking paranoid about protecting your property that you can't let a gay marine fly a slightly modified flag that is still patriotic then you frankly don't deserve to be here. Insane amount of disrespect to begrudge this man something so simple.

The ramifications of violating an agreement you signed notwithstanding, the fact that he called that an "American Flag" is disgusting. Especially for a Marine. Would he drape that over a fellow Marine's casket or hand a folded version to said Marine's family? Would he pledge allegiance to it?

It's a gay pride flag with stars and stripes, made by a most unoriginal designer. Nothing more.

 

[LumbergTech]

The ramifications of violating an agreement you signed notwithstanding, the fact that he called that an "American Flag" is disgusting. Especially for a Marine. Would he drape that over a fellow Marine's casket or hand a folded version to said Marine's family? Would he pledge allegiance to it?

It's a gay pride flag with stars and stripes, made by a most unoriginal designer. Nothing more.

how is it disgusting? because you dont like faggots?

I don't know the man, so I don't know if he would put the flag on someone else's casket..obviously the appropriate thing would be to put it on there if they would have wanted it on there and not if not so..

as to if he would pledge allegiance to it..i have no idea what you are even trying to get at..

 

[irishScott]

how is it disgusting? because you dont like faggots?

I don't know the man, so I don't know if he would put the flag on someone else's casket..obviously the appropriate thing would be to put it on there if they would have wanted it on there and not if not so..

as to if he would pledge allegiance to it..i have no idea what you are even trying to get at..

You should read more. The flag itself is fine. The HOA may disagree, but for all I care he can plaster his house with it. It's the fact that he's claiming it's an "American Flag" that's disgusting. The American Flag stands for ideals and values worlds above "gay pride".

For the record, I'm completely for gay marriage.

And you obviously aren't American. The American Flag is draped across the caskets of US soldiers.

A folded American Flag is given to the families. Every morning from kindergarten through high school in almost every public school you recite the pledge of allegiance with your hand on your heart. The flag is a very distinct, powerful and meaningful symbol. Even the colors have specific meanings. To claim that it's nothing more than a tacky decoration you'd see on a cheap pride parade float is quite disgusting indeed. Especially for a Marine.