Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
On this Flag Day, I present to you a bit of a faux controversy. This weekend, Rep. Allen West went scuba diving off the Florida coast with a group of disabled veterans, U.S. flag in tow. According to Congressman West's office, the group planted the flag on an underwater wreck "as a sign of respect for the flag and the accomplishment for these veterans who each and every day work to overcome their disability."
Pretty cool, huh? Not at all, says lefty blogger Matthew Hendley, who claims that Congressman West broke the law when he took the flag under water.
During his diving session Sunday, Lt. Col. West was photographed holding an American flag underwater, on top of an artificial reef -- which would be a violation of the United States Code.
Let us flip to Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8, Subsection B of the United States Code:
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
That's from Chapter 1 of the United States Code, also known as the United States Flag Code.
Judging from the existence of pictures of West holding a flag under water, that would seem to qualify as a violation of code.
"I think it’s important wherever we are, that the flag flies," West said. Though he may have indeed broken the letter of the law here, there can be no doubt that he and his veterans upheld the spirit of the law.
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Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Fact: Disabled veterans experience a freedom of movement underwater denied them on land. Fact: Rep. West takes time to accompany a group of disabled vets on a scuba dive, planting a flag underwater on Flag Day
But somehow the story everywhere, originating from a Left engaged in the daily shredding of our Constitution, is that West is somehow deficient in his adherence to the rules.
Incredible.
Feb '11
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
@ "anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise"
I'd suggest to the august blogger that the antecedent of 'it' is not 'water' but 'flag'.
Might as well say that a US flag on the moon is illegal, as the moon is sometimes beneath the ocean.
May '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
I am no expert in Flag Law but it is my understanding that this section of the code lays out protocol and not civil or criminal sanctions. This seems like the same malarky we heard when Martin Bashir claimed Sarah Palin had broken the law by having a flag on her tour bus.
Apparently the Left thinks burning Old Glory is acceptable speech but, God forbid, you place the Stars and Stripes underwater.
Edited on Jun 14, 2011 at 3:46pmJun '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
I think Hendley ought to go directly to the Moon, to make sure that the Apollo 11 flag hasn't fallen down and touched the ground. I'd be happy to help send him there.
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
I'm pretty certain the Code is talking about a dry flag partially touching water.
Of course thanks to guys like Hendley, America lost the race to claim the Arctic floor to Russia, since we weren't allowed to plant our flag under water but they were:
Jun '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Anything Lt Col. Allen West does with the flag of the United States of America is OK by me. I am absolutely positive it will be done with total respect.
Edited on Jun 14, 2011 at 4:49pmOct '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Considering the event, perhaps Col. West gets pass here. Still not comfortable with this display.
Cannot accept the burning of the flag by protestors under Free Speech protections on this soil. That is a bridge too far..
Apr '11
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
"The superior man distinguishes high from low" - IChingI would say that if Col. West violated the letter of the Flag Code he upheld the greater truth of it in respect for country, and the sacrifice of our veterns. If only more of our elected officials recognized the "High" principles and morality rather than the "low" legality and expedience we would be in much better shape.
May '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Matthew who?
Dec '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
The lefty is probably upset because the flag won't burn underwater.
May '11
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
It did fall down, as Buzz Aldrin related he saw it falling over from engine exhaust when they left.
May '11
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
The code, as noted above, is intended as a formalization of flag protocol, it is not a law that is "broken." Beyond that obvious tidbit, the proscription against having it touch water is to prevent it from being dragged in puddles or behind a ship. The intent is to honor the flag, and I find it hard to imagine how this was disrespectful.
Jul '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Yes, because when I want advice on honoring the flag, I go straight for the nearest lefty blogger.
Jun '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
As Skyler states, the code is not a law ----it's a series of guidelines to let Americans know how to treat & display the flag respectfully. Wasn't there recently some idiot yapping about Palin "breaking the law" because her bus has a big flag displayed on the side? These fools can't even read well enough to understand what a law actually is.
This to me is just more proof that Allen West is a really, really cool guy.
Nov '10
Re: Allen West Flies Old Glory Underwater
Under this guy's logic, you can't fly the flag in the air, either, since it is touching the air beneath it. The Flag Code clearly implies a change in state. Might be a bit of a problem if he had the flag unfurled as he dived into the water, though. That'd just be heinous.