Like the kids who went to Santa Fe wearing Gators gear head to toe, UF flag waving from their car, wrapped in orange and blue vinyl stickers
I served four and half years and consider myself a fierce patriot, but I've always been put off by and suspicious of those who feel the need to conspicuously trumpet their patriotism (and religion). I also don't like people thanking me for my service, either. (No, I'm not grouchygator.)
I don't disagree because you are absolutely right on that point. However, I see the point of the article to be the bastardization of patriotism.
Attached is a great on-point song from one of the greatest songwriters of our time.John Prine your flag decal won't get you into Heaven anymore - Google Search
I can speak only for myself, but I read the documents, and I still hate it. I wanted the house, not the HOA. But I didn't get that choice. I imagine many people are in the same boat (i.e., they don't believe the HOA protects their investment, but they don't get to choose whether the house they want is in the HOA or not).
Facts. You almost never see me wearing any kind of patriotic gear or things with flags, sayings, etc... Once in a blue moon, I'll wear an Army shirt on Veteran's day or Memorial day. That doesn't mean I'm not patriotic, I just don't really do the overt displays.
An HOA having age deed restrictions is one thing. My main concern is the compulsion to make a political statement. A political statement I happen to agree with, but still a political statement nonetheless. I see your point about the people know this before they buy the home, but it’s still compelled speech I believe. What’s to say a homeowner won’t change their feeling about the flag at a later date? Do they now have to sell their home, because they refuse to make a political statement? Are they fined by an HOA, because they refuse to make a political statement? And then the inevitable, what is your reaction going to be when an HOA features a Confederate flag from a crane and requires all new home buyers to fly the Confederate flag in their front lawns?
I don't like the thanks because I served in the Viet Nam era when so many did whatever they could to avoid service, including Sgt. Bonespurs. I get the opposition to the war, but 75% didn't give a hoot about it. They were simply afraid. I always think of reading in English Lit. about the old days in England when the king or queen were introduced with fanfare and trumpets. I use it as a too loud proclamation of “here I am, look at me”!
Lived at our current residence for 20+ years. Initially somebody would put up flags, I think the rotary club. After a few years they stopped putting them up. I probably forgot to send in a check. Never bothered after that. We are maybe one of two houses on a street 12+ houses that don’t have flags up. I’m not against it, but at this point I don’t feel like doing it just to conform. Also these days I associate people wrapping themselves up in the flag as those who have mostly differing cultural and political views. People who say they love the country but seem to bitch and complain about most everything about it.
Funny. I never served and never wear anything even suggestive of it, even though I've been given some stuff as gifts from people that have, because I hate the whole stolen valor issue and I never want anyone thinking I'm trying to claim it falsely. I have a good buddy who's given me some cool SOCOM/SOF stuff but I hesitate to ever wear it except around the house. And I should add that the people who have given them to me have told me that these are okay to wear, that civilians do, but I still hesitate.
Sorry for the sidetrack, but Stolen Valor is awful, which makes Don Shipley videos and others very satisfying for me, though I never served. I had a guy around me who was a friend of a friend and claimed he was a Seal but started backpedalling after I asked a couple questions. He then claimed he was in Buds but didn’t finish. My friend next to me was Marine Recon and didn’t say anything. I later told the Fake Seal’s contacts that he might get hurt if he kept saying that, particularly in Pensacola, lol.
One of my college roommates became a submarine captain. He gave me a ball cap from his sub, with the intention that I would wear it. I haven’t worn it yet, because I feel a little awkward, not having served on that sub.
sure, many hoa rules are over the top. Most are attempting to improve community esthetics, safety, comfort (noise, etc ). This rule is obligatory nationalistic lock-step conformity.
