mnealtx 0 #1 May 30, 2007 From the AP: QuoteTue May 29, 8:45 AM ET ORCAS ISLAND, Wash. - Vandals burned dozens of small American flags that decorated veterans' graves for Memorial Day and replaced many of them with hand-drawn swastikas, authorities said Monday. Forty-six flag standards were found empty and another 33 flags were in charred tatters Sunday in the cemetery, authorities said. Swastikas drawn on paper appeared where 14 of the flags had been. Members of the American Legion on this island off Washington's northwest coast replaced the burned flags with new ones Sunday afternoon. The vandals struck again on Memorial Day after a guard left at dawn, the San Juan County sheriff's office said. This time, the vandals left 33 of the hand-drawn swastikas. "This is not an act of free speech. This is a crime," Sheriff Bill Cumming said in a statement released Monday afternoon. Investigators believe there's more than one culprit, based on the number of flags that were vandalized, Cumming said in a telephone interview. But authorities have no suspects, he said. The sheriff said deputies were trying to lift fingerprints off what little physical evidence they were able to recover. Sad...but not all that surprising, I guess... Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idrankwhat 0 #2 May 30, 2007 My only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. It's not much different than eco terrorists who burn suvs or PETA or anti abortionists who kill Dr's or blow up clinics. I could be wrong though, it might just be some really f'd up people. We have those 'round here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 May 30, 2007 QuoteMy only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. Do tell, what is well intentioned politically about the swastika? QuoteIt's not much different than eco terrorists who burn suvs or PETA or anti abortionists who kill Dr's or blow up clinics. Actually, I would put all three in different boats. The eco-terrorists burning a lot of SUVs being the least problematic...those can be replaced. The honor of our nation's vets, at their graves, is intangible and used to be treated as hallowed ground. QuoteI could be wrong though, it might just be some really f'd up people. We have those 'round here. I'll submit you may be wrong on this. Your assessment is almost as f**ked up as the act itself.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #4 May 30, 2007 The vandals were cowardly filth. It would be nice to revoke their citizenship (even if they were born here). My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #5 May 30, 2007 QuoteThe vandals were cowardly filth. It would be nice to revoke their citizenship (even if they were born here). On a tangent, which citizenship would you then give them? "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #6 May 30, 2007 QuoteOn a tangent, which citizenship would you then give them? Since they put Swastika flags out.. how about NUMEROUS countries in South America.... they took in LOTS of Nazi thugs after WWII Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 May 30, 2007 psssst not only South America (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Botellines 0 #8 May 30, 2007 Quote psssst not only South America Well actually it was South america who gave shelter to the Nazi thugs. The U.S.A got to keep the nazi scientist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #9 May 30, 2007 Well that's all right then (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirana 0 #10 May 30, 2007 Lots. Lots is wqrong with people." . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #11 May 30, 2007 QuoteMy only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. Hey Jakee - did you see this one? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,611 #12 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuoteMy only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. Hey Jakee - did you see this one? Yep. And I am genuinely surprised. I would say though that while I completely disagree with the statement I don't think idrankwhat was actually trying to defend the vandals. I know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that)Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #13 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteThe vandals were cowardly filth. It would be nice to revoke their citizenship (even if they were born here). On a tangent, which citizenship would you then give them? Not my problem. They're gone, they can bang on someone elses door and beg to be let in. Alternately I suppose they could stay in a refuge camp. My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #14 May 30, 2007 QuoteI know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that) I was always confused about why so many of the PRO LIFE side of the political spectrum are also usually PRO WAR....and PRO State Sponsored murder..ie the Death Penalty...I guess retroactive abortion is ok with them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #15 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteMy only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. Hey Jakee - did you see this one? Yep. And I am genuinely surprised. I would say though that while I completely disagree with the statement I don't think idrankwhat was actually trying to defend the vandals. I know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that) I agree with everything you just said. edit: er,,, wrote ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #16 May 30, 2007 Quote...I guess retroactive abortion is ok with them. but not beyond the 360th month, after that, they are close to being able to make good decisions on occasion if the moon is just right ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idrankwhat 0 #17 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteMy only guess is that it was the result of a well intentioned political statement that was totally f'd up in execution. Hey Jakee - did you see this one? Yep. And I am genuinely surprised. I would say though that while I completely disagree with the statement I don't think idrankwhat was actually trying to defend the vandals. I know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that) Nope, I wasn't trying to defend them in the slightest. It was a f'd up thing to do, as is burning an SUV to protect the environment or killing a Dr. or dropping cluster bombs while wearing a "Life is Sacred" T-shirt. But I guess I should have recalled that many in this forum often limit themselves to binary thought. You know, black/white, with us/against us....hell....you can grow up to be a radio talk show host or even President thinking like that so maybe I'm the one with the flawed thinking. I mean, why ask "why" when it's so much easier to have my sound byte handed to me so I'll know what to think? I was originally thinking that it's quite possible that the original thought may have centered around the idea of the US being turned into a fascist entity through the actions of this administration. There's an argument to be made there (although it's not a black and white one). Putting the swastika on a bunch of flags may be a way for someone to try to make that point, not necessarily meaning to attack the soldier in the grave but simply using the recently placed and convenient banner. Then again, the caveat that I placed at the end of the post was there because I realize that it's also possible that my assumption was completely wrong and that it was the work of a seriously screwed up person. Sorry, maybe it's too "liberal" of me but I have a tendency to ask "why" when I hear about extreme actions. Sometimes I'm wrong but it's a habit that makes me do things like go read bin Laden's open letter to the US instead of just listening and agreeing with my President when he says dumb shit like "they attacked us because they hate freedom". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #18 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuoteI know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that) I was always confused about why so many of the PRO LIFE side of the political spectrum are also usually PRO WAR....and PRO State Sponsored murder..ie the Death Penalty...I guess retroactive abortion is ok with them. ________________________________ Those folks are just screwed-up!!! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #19 May 30, 2007 Quote Those folks are just screwed-up!!! But they are the ones running the country.... last time I checked Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #20 May 30, 2007 Quote Quote Quote I know if I was trying to defend someone I wouldn't compare them to pro-life murderers. (I can never get over the irony of that) I was always confused about why so many of the PRO LIFE side of the political spectrum are also usually PRO WAR....and PRO State Sponsored murder..ie the Death Penalty...I guess retroactive abortion is ok with them. ________________________________ Those folks are just screwed-up!!! Chuck Yeah, yeah, yeah On the flip side, we have people who think it's cruel and unjust to terminate brutal psychopaths, but it's fine to kill innocent unborn babies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #21 May 30, 2007 Quote On the flip side, we have people who think it's cruel and unjust to terminate brutal psychopaths, but it's fine to kill innocent unborn babies. Alternately, we have people who think young girls should be forced to risk their lives to bear the retarded children of incest, and that those retarded children should later be executed if they don't know the difference between right and wrong. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #22 May 30, 2007 QuoteQuote On the flip side, we have people who think it's cruel and unjust to terminate brutal psychopaths, but it's fine to kill innocent unborn babies. Alternately, we have people who think young girls should be forced to risk their lives to bear the retarded children of incest, and that those retarded children should later be executed if they don't know the difference between right and wrong. Blues, Dave Careful. You might pull a muscle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #23 May 30, 2007 QuoteCareful. You might pull a muscle. Ya gotta admit there's some irony in your choice of words. "terminate brutal psychopaths" "kill innocent unborn babies" When most people would use the word "terminate" to describe the end of an evolution, e.g. pregnancy, and "kill" for causing the death of something that was previously alive. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #24 May 30, 2007 Quote Ya gotta admit there's some irony in your choice of words. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,132 #25 May 30, 2007 >we have people who think it's cruel and unjust to terminate >brutal psychopaths, but it's fine to kill innocent unborn babies. Just as we have people who think it's cruel and unjust to take a psychopath's gun away, but it's fine to kill innocent Iraqi kids. (ain't spinning fun!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites