Is patriotism an obligation?

All Else Failed

All Else Failed

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My freind works at a firehouse, and today he got a ticket from the police because they didn't have the flag at half mast for 9/11. The policeman said that "You are obligated to show pride for the country you live in, and you're not being loyal by disrespecting it by not having the flag fly at half."


Now, my question is to you: Do you as a free individual have the social obligation to act patriotic just because someone tells you to?
 
What exactly did the ticket say? I find this hard to believe. The firehouse is a city owned service so it should be up to the city to fine, not the police. So, unless it was a city ordinance I don't see the problem, however, if it were a law, then you must obey. Ignorance to the law is not a valid defense in this country.

Now, to your original question, of course you don't have to act patriotic. You should want to act patriotic though for this country is founded on so much more than politics. You should also think you are honoring those that were killed in violence against America, not just being patriotic about it.
 
AllVenom said:
What exactly did the ticket say? I find this hard to believe. The firehouse is a city owned service so it should be up to the city to fine, not the police. So, unless it was a city ordinance I don't see the problem, however, if it were a law, then you must obey. Ignorance to the law is not a valid defense in this country.

Now, to your original question, of course you don't have to act patriotic. You should want to act patriotic though for this country is founded on so much more than politics. You should also think you are honoring those that were killed in violence against America, not just being patriotic about it.
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Apparently, HE got the ticket since he was the one in charge of raising and lowering the flag. It won't stand up in court if the judge has 1% of a brain cel in his head, but its the meaning of it all, you know?
 
if the tickit is bs i'm sure your friend well find out, and your right something is bogus because i can't see a policeman putting his job on the line by doing something illegal not that their are not bad cops but giving out bogus tickits give me a brake.
 
my only thought... is that perhaps the firehouses should know when to raise and lower the flag appropriately??

im pretty sure there are certain holidays that IF you have a flag, it needs to be lowered to half mast...
 
All Else Failed said:
The firehouse has no obligation to take part in any patriotic ceremonies though.
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Why is it in Canada? If it is in an American city I would think there are city ordinances for such things. No cop is going to write a ticket if it wasn't a law or a city ordinance. Thats just stupid.

What firehouse wouldn't take part in this anyway? This doesn't even make sense. I thought firemen stick together. Your friend must not be a fireman.
 
AllVenom said:
Why is it in Canada? If it is in an American city I would think there are city ordinances for such things. No cop is going to write a ticket if it wasn't a law or a city ordinance. Thats just stupid.

What firehouse wouldn't take part in this anyway? This doesn't even make sense. I thought firemen stick together. Your friend must not be a fireman.
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i think this thread was bogus right from the start.:D
 
AllVenom said:
Why is it in Canada? If it is in an American city I would think there are city ordinances for such things. No cop is going to write a ticket if it wasn't a law or a city ordinance. Thats just stupid.

What firehouse wouldn't take part in this anyway? This doesn't even make sense. I thought firemen stick together. Your friend must not be a fireman.
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You'd be surprised about what the cops do around here....I know them. But the point still is, there is no law saying they have to do it. I don't think just because they *forgot* to fly it doesn't mean they are not firemen.


Homer said:
i think this thread was bogus right from the start.:D
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nope, true story.



UncleBacon said:
it might be a law...just one that really isn't that serious...did you know that if you fly an american flag 24 hours you are suppose to keep a light on it at night if you don't you can be fined...
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Thats pretty excessive.
 
im pretty sure that people who decide to fly the flag are patriotic... therefore they need to know the laws (however excessive they may be)

those of us who decide to drive a car are responsible to know the laws... no matter how ridiculous they may be... we cant use "i didnt know that was a law" to get us out of a ticket..
 
Jersey said:
im pretty sure that people who decide to fly the flag are patriotic... therefore they need to know the laws (however excessive they may be)

those of us who decide to drive a car are responsible to know the laws... no matter how ridiculous they may be... we cant use "i didnt know that was a law" to get us out of a ticket..
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I agree that we should be aware of the laws, but in this situation, he was wrongly ticketed.
 
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