The American flag is not aesthetic?

I was pleased to read ^[1] that the Sussex Square Homeowners’ Association had dropped their threat of a lawsuit against Van T. Barfoot.

His offense? Flying the American flag outside his home in suburban Richmond, Virginia.

The association claimed that Col. Barfoot’s American flag on a 21-foot flagpole was not “aesthetic.” Of course there was an immediate outcry from veterans’ groups and many others. Being a 90-year-old retired Army Colonel and World War II Medal of Honor winner certainly helped his cause.

Virginia’s Senator Jim Webb, a decorated Vietnam veteran and author, wrote to the association and asked them to “consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot’s service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag.”

Consider nothing. Every American should have the right to fly the flag. Although the Sussex Square mob may feel the flag is not aesthetic, I take great pleasure in looking through my bay window everyday and seeing the American flag on the pole in front of my home. 

I don’t believe that everyone should be required to fly the flag, but in turn I don’t believe that anyone has the right to deny Colonel Barfoot, me or any other person that honor.         

I’ll bet that the Sussex Square mob would not have dropped their actions if the flag owner had not been a 90-year-old Medal of Honor winner who created so much bad press for them.

I’ll also bet the Sussex Square mob would not have demanded that a homeowner take down a Muslim flag.