By more than a 2-to-1 margin, respondents to the Aug. 6, 2009 Argus-Courier online poll disagree with the decision to remove the flagpole and relocate the flags at the California State Parks district office on Casa Grande Road.
Nearly three-fourths of respondents believed the relocation of the flag does not comply with state law. Asked if the relocation of the flags is unpatriotic, the responses were evenly split.
Here are some of the comments by those who participated in the survey:
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“I love to see the flags waving in the wind. What will they do now? Sit like a limp … and they will not be able to be enjoyed by everyone. A flag is made to be enjoyed outside during the day and folded up at night. When they start to get tattered, you get a new one. As far as the noise being distracting, give me a break.”
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“Let’s be practical. The display of the flag has nothing to do with the level or quality of service provided. These complainers have too much time on their hands.”
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“The flag is a distraction to employees? Please. A little ‘ping’ every now is no more distracting than a large and loud truck driving by. Put the flags back. It’s more patriotic, and it is also used a landmark for people trying to find their way around.”
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“Don’t we have anything better to do then decide if flying the flag is patriotic? The park supervisor’s decision to show the flag in the shop instead of ripping apart on a pole due to the high winds, was a very smart decision. Kudos to you. If someone gets upset about this, I suggest they pay for the monthly replacement of the flag.”
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“Thank Tom Furrer of Casa Grande High School for helping raise awareness about this issue. The flagpole should be replaced and the flag raised and lowered, as before.”
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“I love my country and am grateful that I live here. Whether a flag is flying or displayed does not change the love I have for my country. Their decision to move the flag is perfectly fine and legitimate. I really don’t understand why we have a law that forces patriotism upon us. This law is more akin to slavery.”
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“Replace the chain with a rope. Problem solved.”
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“Would you rather fly a tattered flag? Probably not. They should take it down and proudly display it inside. Who thought of this law anyway? Do we have to be patriotic by law?”
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“A lot of people seem overly angry about this. Let’s not get carried away. I’m sure no disrespect was meant. It may have been a lapse in judgment, but please we can make it right and maybe not ruin the guy’s life.”
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“Obviously they have broken the law. The law clearly states the flags must be placed ‘in a prominent place outside of each public building.’ By placing the flags inside, they broke the law. This law is just downright idiotic. Why should a state park be obliged to have the flags posted at all? Does a state park have to show patriotism? I think it’s time to get rid of the law. For those super-patriots out there, would you prefer a ripped and tattered flag outside or a brilliantly colored flag inside?”
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“This seems like a low-priority issue. I hope that when financial resources are more bountiful that they can find a solution that will allow them to fly the flags outside again.”
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“Fix the pole to reduce noise and find flag donations to keep them looking nice if you can’t afford regular replacement.”
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“Noise of the chain a distraction? Curious — are they allowed to have the phones ring in the office? Loud walking? Can I chew gum today, sir?”
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“All the people who are saying this surely have cell phones with god awful rings going off all the in public places that I find distracting! Turn those off and hide them away!”

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“I think that the problems mentioned in maintaining the flag outdoors could be remedied. Yes, it would mean some ingenuity to devise a way to eliminate the clanking sound of the metal clasp. If the flag is maintained daily (taken down, inspected for rips and tear, mending perhaps), but other agencies I’m sure deal with similar challenges. Maybe a bit of laziness and looking for the easy way out of respecting the symbolism of having the flag flying outside of the office?”

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“Get your code cite correct; this tempest is as foolish as the ‘birther’ question of the president’s birth certificate. Why give credence to myopic extremists? ”

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“All this for a complaining office worker.”

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“Should move the supervisor out … ”

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“I would prefer the flags be outside, but would rather see nice flags inside, than tattered flags flying outside. The actions taken seem like a reasonable solution to me.”

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” I will bet you money that those that are complaining that this is unpatriotic are driving a Prius.”

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“Please give me a break. If this is all the righties have to do is complain about movement of a flag from outdoors to indoors is absolutley insane. We have more pressing issues in our community then this, and this is just another way for the Argus-Courier to put a wedge between liberals and conservatives. At least the flag isn’t being burned or being worn as an outfit. Get over it!!!”

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“Are we now a communist country?”

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“I can only ask: Are we ashamed of our country and the flags that represent us?”

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“The lobby is not outside the building,so the supervisor thinks he is above the law?”

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“Put the flags back and use a rope instead of a chain.”

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“Place flags back.”

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“Typical of service employees to think they are the ones to decide policies.”

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“Are you f—ing kidding me. No question mark, as that was a rhetorical question.”

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“Can we find something more meaningful to discuss next survey?”