Mall ordered USA flag removed from kiddie train

[nominak]

Mexicans do it all the time, move to CA you'll see Mexican flags flying higher than the U.S flag sometimes. It's bullcrap, If you move here I have no problem with you being proud of where you come from but respect where you live. Want to fly the Mexican flag higher than the U.S flag? Go ahead but move back to Mexico first.

Lol that's a joke if you're the poster boy for free thinkers than the U.K is pretty narrow minded.

Says the one telling people who are proud of their mexican heritage to "go back to mexico" if they want to "fly their flag higher than the US flag".

Who's the narrow minded one here?

[Bryan R.]

Actually, Americans pledge allegiance to the flag (which I assume you already knew; I honestly don't understand your obnoxious repetition and impudent denial of a well established fact):

"The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America"

But even if we were to take you claim at face value, people in the UK don't have to pledge allegiance to anything - country, monarch or flag. There is no mass indoctrination of children designed to coerce the populous into blind patriotism. National pride in the UK is achieved through genuine freedom and respect, not blind loyalty. Those who choose not to respect the flag or the monarchy are free to do so and aren't shunned by society.

I repeat myself in hopes that it sinks in. It clearly hasn't had it's affect yet. Even when we express loyalty to the flag, it's the symbolism it stands for that we have loyalty to (ie. not the cotton fibers). I'm glad I've been able to quench your thirst of our culture.

[Azusa]

Not really, our people generally think freely.

What part of the UK you from if you don't mind me asking?

[Rippleman]

Flags are good, and pride is good, but just because they should be somewhere doesn't mean it's disrespect, it just means "not here". Heck, look at my avatar so you know that I believe in flags... Even when I was in my teens I had a huge USA and Japan flag too... Some places they belong, and some places they don't. Some places at certain times even.

[Bryan R.]

Says the one telling people who are proud of their mexican heritage to "go back to mexico" if they want to "fly their flag higher than the US flag".

Who's the narrow minded one here?

They are in the United States and they reap the benefits of it. To raise another flag higher is disrespectful to us. You don't have to like taking your shoes off in another's home but you respect them enough to do it.

[HSoft]

But even if we were to take you claim at face value, people in the UK don't have to pledge allegiance to anything - country, monarch or flag. There is no mass indoctrination of children designed to coerce the populous into blind patriotism. National pride in the UK is achieved through genuine freedom and respect, not blind loyalty. Those who choose not to respect the flag or the monarchy are free to do so and aren't shunned by society.

Another person who has never served in the military or any public office.

UK Oath :-

I, (name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.

Military oath :-

I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors and of the generals and officers set over me

[Rippleman]

They are in the United States and they reap the benefits of it. To raise another flag higher is disrespectful to us. You don't have to like taking your shoes off in another's home but you respect them enough to do it.

This is one of the most silliest things I have heard any one say in a while. I do understand your piont but that just ludicrous to think like that.

[Bryan R.]

This is one of the most silliest things I have heard any one say in a while. I do understand your piont but that just ludicrous to think like that.

Hmm. How so? I'm just trying to put it in terms that may be understandable by those for which allegiance is so foreign. Don't take it literally.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I repeat myself in hopes that it sinks in. It clearly hasn't had it's affect yet. Even when we express loyalty to the flag, it's the symbolism it stands for that we have loyalty to (ie. not the cotton fibers). I'm glad I've been able to quench your thirst of our culture.

If you're not going to actually address the points that I make - and if you continue to respond in such an arrogant way - then don't expect a reply.

Another person who has never served in the military or any public office.

How condescending! :crazy:

Regardless, my point still stands. In the UK children are not indoctrinated from an early age and nobody has to swear allegiance to the country or flag. Some positions in the country require an oath of allegiance - including the judiciary, the military and public servants - but they represent a minority of the country and people choose to go into those professions. And yes, I think that such oaths are outdated and largely a legacy from earlier times - they don't reflect modern society, especially with references to a God when so many in the UK are not religious. Just because they exist doesn't mean that I agree with them.

[Bryan R.]

If you're not going to actually address the points that I make - and if you continue to respond in such an arrogant way - then don't expect a reply.

How childish. It's not my fault you can't understand what it means to us. You should be humble about it and realize that you aren't some all knowing being when it comes to another's culture. It's ours and I will try to help you understand but it's not my fault if you can't and it's certainly nothing you should get all butt hurt about.

[HSoft]

How condescending! :crazy:

Pointing out that you were incorrect is condescending? What a nice little bubble you must live in :woot:

[nominak]

They are in the United States and they reap the benefits of it. To raise another flag higher is disrespectful to us. You don't have to like taking your shoes off in another's home but you respect them enough to do it.

If that offends you, then so what. It's not their problem to worry if you're offended about it or not. That's YOUR issue if it offends you. I can guarantee it wont offend most regular people, because they probably don't care who fly's their flag or where they fly it.

[HawkMan]

That's nice that you guys don't have pride in your flag, but most of us do. Especially those who have served under it.

There's a huge difference between pride in flag and country, and displaying your flag everywhere. on every car, on every house, on the weel, on every avatar on every forum, behind you when you take school photos and so on.

you guys aren't showing pride, it's obsession.

[Navan]

Getting butthurt over nothing, people got too much time.

[Bryan R.]

There's a huge difference between pride in flag and country, and displaying your flag everywhere. on every car, on every house, on the weel, on every avatar on every forum, behind you when you take school photos and so on.

you guys aren't showing pride, it's obsession.

Who is doing this? Certainly not any of "us guys".

[chrisj1968]

The Stars and Stripes will once again adorn the kiddie train at the Clackamas Town Center in Oregon after mall management rescinded an order banning the American flag.

A few weeks ago mall officials sent a letter to train conductor Thomas Phelps ordering him to remove the flags that decorated the train. The mall called them ?unapproved visuals.? :huh:

Phelps, a military veteran, refused ? and vowed to stand his ground ? even if it meant he was fired.

?Why would anybody ? anybody not want to see our flag displayed,? told KATU News. ?I may be fired. I may be thrown out of the mall but I am not taking it down.?

Phelps said he hoped people would rally around the flag ? and that?s exactly what happened. Local media outlets were flooded with hundreds of messages support Phelps.

As a result, mall management has had a change of heart, saying it never intended to offend or cause disrespect.

?We honor, support and respect what the United States flag represents,? the statement read. ?The actions and latter that were communicated certainly did not convey that. And for this, we apologize.?

The mall said the American flag would be displayed not only at the kiddie train but at other locations within the mall.

source & video

Hum, thanks for this cheerful story. glad to see a story with a positive ending. As a military veteran myself, it pains me to think our country is going to hell in a handbasket. The flag, the constitution and the people I swore to defend if need be. It seems a betrayal by those in the progressive movement, really, Democrats who are supported/controlled by the communists.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=dbf_1288363501

[Tarvis123]

Oh hey, another thread where we find a new way to bash Americans. Seems to be commonplace on these forums lately.

Find it funny the same people who preach about being against any kind of bigotry, seem to have no problem with spewing prejudice against someone because of whatever piece of dirt they were born on.

[theyarecomingforyou]

It seems a betrayal by those in the progressive movement, really, Democrats who are supported/controlled by the communists.

It's abhorrent, ignorant and ill-informed opinions like that which give Americans a bad name.

[Bryan R.]

It's abhorrent, ignorant and ill-informed opinions like that which give Americans a bad name.

It's abhorrent, ignorant, and ill-informed opinions like that which give you (not a group of people) a bad name.

[Charisma Veteran]

Of all the things to get worked up about. Seriously? Every single country I have ever been to has had their flag displayed in various locations. This should be non-issue. It is a non-issue.

[Solid Knight]

There's a huge difference between pride in flag and country, and displaying your flag everywhere. on every car, on every house, on the weel, on every avatar on every forum, behind you when you take school photos and so on.

you guys aren't showing pride, it's obsession.

You must be deluded if you think that's the norm. The overwhelming majority of places and things do not have the United States' flag on it.

[mokthraka]

On a change of subject I'm jealous when I see that train. They didn't have it when I was little :( and they won't let me ride it now.

[Ryoken]

I have to lol at the people going on about seeing the Mexican Flag and others flying in the US from people that have moved there..

What makes it so lol is cause every single American I know personally that lives in Canada, fly's an American Flag.. That's ~12 of em.. Not to mention I see more all over all the time.. so stfu, you do the same thing to. If you moved to Mexico you'd fly an American flag too, not to make a statement about turning Mexico into the US or any BS like you guys seem to see into, but because it's the flag of your Homeland. Just because you now live in a country doesn't mean your birthplace loses it's meaning..

[Bryan R.]

I have to lol at the people going on about seeing the Mexican Flag and others flying in the US from people that have moved there..

What makes it so lol is cause every single American I know personally that lives in Canada, fly's an American Flag.. That's ~12 of em.. Not to mention I see more all over all the time.. so stfu, you do the same thing to. If you moved to Mexico you'd fly an American flag too, not to make a statement about turning Mexico into the US or any BS like you guys seem to see into, but because it's the flag of your Homeland. Just because you now live in a country doesn't mean your birthplace loses it's meaning..

Except these sweeping generalizations are useless and getting very old. ~12 does not equal ~320,000,000. I am not one of these 12 so I certainly don't do the same thing nor would I.

[Guest nicconics]

Its the only thing they have left. They scream about freedom but yet still don't allow it for everyone. They have extreme money and obesity issues, so let them have the flag.

Here we go with this bull**** again.

<edit why waste the time>