Forlorn flag:
”
This is about flying the American flag. There’s a house on
Carmel and the poor flag is left out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
It’s dirty, it’s torn, it’s the saddest thing. It just makes me
want to cry. Why bother flying the American flag if you cannot fly
it properly. There’s also other ones around town, but this one I
see on a daily basis and it really upsets me.
”
Forlorn flag: “This is about flying the American flag. There’s a house on Carmel and the poor flag is left out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s dirty, it’s torn, it’s the saddest thing. It just makes me want to cry. Why bother flying the American flag if you cannot fly it properly. There’s also other ones around town, but this one I see on a daily basis and it really upsets me.”
Don’t cry, caller. The Red Phone has looked into it. Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Following are some of the most common rules:
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Move it: “When people pick up their kids at school, c’mon, think about the people behind you. Move forward! And for crying out loud, kids, don’t walk in front of the cars! I volunteer at schools and I see so much stupidity. I can’t believe it. Just use common sense. I have so much to say on the state of education, but I can’t go there because I’m not qualified.”
The Red Phone isn’t qualified on a lot of topics either caller, but that doesn’t stop us! But we agree it’s not a very smart thing for kids to walk in front of cars, especially without looking. And parents, keep it moving! Everyone’s in the same boat … just pick up the kid and move on.
Keep it pithy: “What happened to my call? I called last week with a couple of things I left a message about and then I only saw one part of my call in there with your comment. Why was my call changed?”
The Red Phone isn’t sure which call was yours, but frequently we have to take calls in parts, such as part I, part II and finally, part III. This is because often callers are so interested in different issues, have multiple comments or even are sometimes a little too long-winded, that the Red Phone must break up the call because of lack of column space. If you call with multiple thoughts, questions or comments, have patience. The Red Phone hears them, but can’t always run the entire call in one column. Take note too, good callers, the Red Phone reserves the right to edit if you go on a little too long about any one subject. Keep it pithy if possible.
how ’bout an update?: “About a year and a half ago the Dispatch ran a good article regarding the blight ordinance passed by the city. They had an article referencing Rowan Avenue as one of the areas that was an eyesore. I live on that street … it is still an eyesore. I think it would be good for the Dispatch to have a follow-up article regarding where we are today as far as the blight ordinance. If it’s being enforced I’d certainly like to know where because it’s not on Rowan Avenue. It’s an embarrassment I would think to the whole city. I know it is to me. It’d be a good follow-up article and there’s plenty of pictures to take.”
The Red Phone passed your call along to the appropriate folks – those who determine the worthiness of a topic and assign stories to reporters. Stay tuned.
