American Citizens Flying Obama Flag

April 16, 2012 by Bryan Nash

ULTIMATEFLAGS.COM

The Obama flag is available for $24.95.

It is common this time of year for the citizens of South Jersey to fly flags from their balconies, but one man’s flag is being ridiculed by his neighbors.

The flag looks just like an American flag, but the stars have been replaced with a picture of President Barack Obama’s face.

The man’s neighbors are objecting to the flag.

“I fought for that flag. I just don’t want the face,” said one neighbor.

“I don’t care if it’s a can of peas, it don’t belong on my American flag,” said another.

“I wanted to support the president of the United States,” answered Richard Clarkson, the man who purchased the flag.

The question is whether the flag is a defamation of the American flag, or the expression of a citizen’s right to support the President.

In March, there was an argument when veteran Jim Bradford noticed that the Lake County Democratic Party in Florida was flying the flag.

The flag is for sale here.

US Code Title 4 Chapter 1 pertains to the flag.

The latter part of section 3 defines a “flag” as that which is:

of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

Section 1 states:

The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars [Note: Section 2 provides for additional stars], white in a blue field.

Section 3 states:

Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court.

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Dens

Get a rope!!
2WarAbnVet

Tyrants love to put their faces in public places. I can’t think of one, however. so narcissistic that he would countenance putting his face on his country’s flag.
chuck

Geeze, folks, could we please check our spelling before posting these comments. We are showing how ignorant we are, which doesn’t bode well for our side.
meekpeg

Very offensive to me also! Just let me say this, Obummer “wishes” he could change our Stars & Stripes & put his “mug” on it for good. To become the official flag of his “empire”!! Well, when HELL freezes over!!!
Marsha

Looks to me like the flag is saying ” United States of Obama.” Exactly what he wants. Dictator, all mighty, the anointed one. Take your pick. The only way to end this is go to the polls in Nov. and vote him out.
Raggs

If there is to be a “new” US flag with a face on it…. I prefer the picture of Christ not the photo of an imbecile like oblama…..
http://poppajohn818.wordpress.com poppajohn818

If this flag is allowed to fly, the Republican Party should have them made with a red X over Obama’s face. All joking aside that is an illegal flag and a disgrace. I am a democrat
BHO

Get real here… with the constitution being trashed at every turn, who cares about such a little deviation in the design of a soon-to-be-forgotten flag? At least it will soon be forgotten when the new United Nations flag replaces these silly vestiges of an earlier time…
Just sayin…
BHO
Jim

Not a true flag of course, but it does appear as a flag that would be made if Obozo had his way and got the complete control of this country that he deperately seeks. Please please Americans do not reelect this man.

http://www.mototcarsfinancial.com Brad

I would call that a CROWBAMA flag it flies just like the raven himself.

Raggs

That flag needs to be burnt!

eddie47d

Go ahead and burn the flag that is also your American right! The Nazi flag is far more detestable and a true symbol of a dark period in history yet it is allowed in parades and in peoples homes. You may rightfully get upset over this “Obama” flag but some of you have a strange attitude of what is right and what is very wrong. Those flying this flag are making themselves an easy target and some of you want to kick ass. Now go attend a Neo-Nazi rally and do some real ass kicking.

http://gravatar.com/bychoosing Jay

Here’s a word of advice for you, eddie; always include a “point” in your comment.
eddie47d

That was obvious. Don’t be a hypocrite over these issues. Be willing to take on the real dangers not just the frivolous ones.

Doc Sarvis

I couldn’t consider this an American flag. Images similar to the American flag are used all the time in cartoons, bumper stickers, etc. where it is modified with other graphics for whatever purpose (left, right, or other). I don’t like the practice but it grabs some people’s attention which is the intent.

I seem to remember growing up that the REAL American flag should not be used as an article of clothing but it is not unusual to see that on many people.

DavidL

Right again, Doc.

dan

I concur…it’s simply a symbol of the depraved followers of the great deciever.
Doc Sarvis

Dan, Your reference to “the great deciever” must point to corporate/commercial America.
Doc Sarvis

http://twitter.com/#!/fem4freedom
Vigilant

It ain’t a flag, Doc.

tim

blasphemy
Ranchman

An American Vet should pull that flag don and burn it. What a disgrace to our country and an insult to our Founding Fathers.
Paul

This is one flag that I would buy and BURN. If this is not a real flag, then there is
no law saying I can not burn it in public.

M Cat

I agree with you Paul – except, the money would towards the Obummer campaign! And then, even a little more money goes to China!

dan

Reappropriate one of the nasty rags….them burn it….preferably with it’s owner.
Just think of them as an excellent way to identify the enemies of the Republic.
Mark those who fly it…

John Wilch (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

Paul, don’t you would just be giving your money to China.

Joe

I don’t care what you “clubhouse lawyers” say; that is an American Flag defaced by an individual’s face in lieu of stars in the field of blue. What’s next? In stead of holding our hands over our hearts, we perform a straight-armed salute? Wouldn’t surprise me; BHO has already been quoted as saying he is going to enjoy acting like a dictator during his second term, issuing Executive fiat one after another, Constitution, Congress and SCOTUS be damned. That is an affront to the hundreds of millions of patriotic Americans. We aew a nation of law, not of men; that is why such a defacement is so nauseating.

John Wilch (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

Joe, its an abomination and you will probably guess where that piece of s— was made. Thats right in The People Republic of China. I’m among those that will ask any person that is flying one to take it down and destroy it. Oh, I will also inform them why and then hand them a copy of the Flag ediquete (?), which you can get at you locale VFW, American League, or even the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Alas, I don’t think the idiots even know how to read much above the 3rd grade level.

teaparty13

I’m flying the Bennington Flag, and will be until we get rid of the pinko’s in Congress & the socialsit-muslim in the WH. Maybe his neighbors should get American Flags and fly them or better yet, “Don’t Tread On Me” flags…
eddie47d

I don’t agree with the flag but since it is not an actual American flag it comes down to being a souvenir flag. I wouldn’t like it if it had Bush or Reagan on it or even Clinton. Another thing will it be considered Freedom of Speech or Freedom of expression.Politics brings our Freedoms to the forefront and alot of hoopla to go along with it. Are any of you offended when the neo-Nazi’s parade their flags around even when they were our mortal enemy? How about the terrorist Klan groups who uses a variety of Christian flags to anchor their causes of hate?

UnrepentantCurmudgeon

What do groups (however hateful) marching under their own flags (however hateful) have to do with this issue? This is the Cult of Obama in full cry. Please tell me which former President ever was associated with anything like this? I’ll save your gray cells from cramping: none of them. And if Obama had any class he would ask “supporters” such as these to cease and desist such obnoxious displays. But he doesn’t, and he won’t.
samurai

If I ever see one, I’ll take it down, stomp on it, and burn it. Then I’ll kick the backside of the traitor flying it. FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!

norb443

Samurai,
With all respect to your idea, but if you do that the wannabe will send a bunch of swat teams to your house looking for firearms and confiscating every single one of them……
norb443

eddie47d

Let’s see how sincere Samurai is. There are two neo-Nazi groups in Indiana one in Wakarusa and the other in Warsaw( White Aryan Resistance).Plus a similar group in Carmel and Knightstown. Also 7 Klan organizations within your state so are you offended by them and will you kick their arses? Is the American flag being trashed when they fly them at their rallies? Do you have a penchant for selective hatred or only when it is convenient?

usmcveteran

People of any color have a fundamental right to think what they want, but when hate morphs into action that involves violence then there’s a problem.
John Wilch (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

eddie47d, ! don’t object to those idiot racist groups flying Old Glory at their rallies (which I don’t attend) because I spent most of my adult life (30+ yrs in the Military) defending their rights, However, I have never seen one of those groups fly the US Flag with the picture of Hitler superimposed on the blue field. So, I’m with the others that will ask the person that is flying one to take the adomination down and destroy it.

I respect the Office of the Presidency, but I don’t respect the current office holder, just like I didn’t respect the Clintons or Carters when they occupied the office.

P H

I find it very offensive. But, what else can you expect from someone with Hitler aspirations. This is just one more step and more evidence in that direction. America, wake up. We are in deep trouble.
Dad

It is a defamation of the flag and a total disrespect of the country… whom Barry and Michele do not like.
LAB

Vigilant are you really Nobama hisself? Must be or its Moochelle! It depicts OUR FLAG and is totally OFFENSIVE to REAL AMERICANS~! Libtards! Gotta deport em!

Vigilant

“Vigilant are you really Nobama hisself? Must be or its Moochelle! It depicts OUR FLAG and is totally OFFENSIVE to REAL AMERICANS~! Libtards! Gotta deport em!”

(1) My points were a legal clarification of the subject, and are completely sound. Do a little research on the subject before you take me to task on the legality of the points covered. A whole body of case law supports my position.

(2) I find the action as offensive as the next person. I personally fly both the US and Gadsden flags from my house, so don’t mischaracterize me as a liberal. And I hold a firm belief that Obama is the most dangerous president in our history as a nation.

(3) I served 24 years in the Air Force to help preserve the freedoms we enjoy, among which are freedom of speech. The flying of that Obama flag is distasteful, to be sure, but until the laws are changed, he has every right to do so.

momo

Vigilant, you’re right, but it is still offensive and in bad taste!
LAB

MEA CULPA! It seems I totally misunderstood!! I am wrong! THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE!
Vigilant

momo, I agree wholeheartedly. It is also a shameful advertisement for the personality cult of Obama. Reminds me of the Kim Il Song signs everywhere I saw on N.Korean TV when I was stationed in ROK. When we start putting images of living people on flags and currency, we will have degraded to the very thing the Founders tried to avert.

LAB, thanks for your kind comments. What we need to do is change either local/state laws and ordinances to make such a thing illegal, or we pass a Constitutional Amendment specifying such. Until either of those things happen, we must grit our teeth and bear it.

It’s a sad commentary on the leftist programming of students that they no longer, by and large, respect the US Flag.

Ken

If I see one it will be torn down and burned.
Pete0097

The worst part is that they are made in China.

LAB

Hey, seems right to me…cheap, doesn’t work! MOST IMPORTANTLY…NOT made in AMERICA~depicts the potus to a T

WE

This depiction is just plain stupid.
What it says to me is he ‘is’ America.
Whatever happened to ‘we the people?’
The Stars are representative of 50 indivisible states and people therein.
What a message that sends to voters.
Vigilant

A few points need to be clarified.

(1) The object, offensive as it is, is not a US flag. Mr. Nash himself alludes to US Code Title 4 Chapter 1 sections 1 and 3 definitions which confirms my point.

(2) The website upon which the flag is sold says “For those who are concerned, this flag is not a violation of US Flag Code or any other law as this is an artistic design based on the US flag, not an actual US flag. We did not take a US flag and change it. Legally this is art.” They are correct.

(3) The flag code is not legally binding.

(4) Mr. Nash, you need to get a map of the United States. Lumberton. New Jersey is not within the District of Columbia. Your long and unnecessary quote of section 3 has no relevance.

UnrepentantCurmudgeon

@Vigilant: Only your last point (New Jersey is not in Washington DC) is correct. Let us know who your grade-school geography teacher was and we will send a thank-you note. As for the rest:

The Chinese agents distributing it may say it is not a flag, but it is certainly produced to look like one. It has the stripes and the blue field. The Code proscripes depicting “the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America”. That is certainly the case here, the pusillanimous disclaimers by those distributing this obscenity notwithstanding (it does not matter that they did not “change” an actual flag; they have produced something intended to appear as the flag; that is all that matters).

The Code is legally binding (if you don’t understand that, look up the definition of “Code”). The display is prohibited. What the Code does not do, other than in DC, is provide a criminal or civil sanction.

This “flag” is in violation of the flag code and is a desecration. No President in history has had the gall to permit such a thing, and if Obama had even the barest respect for the office he would tell this company to stop producing this thing and tell those buying it to burn them. But Obama represents the ascendancy of hubris over honor and it would never occur to him that there is anything wrong with this. Which is, at bottom, what is wrong with Obama.

Vigilant

“The Code is legally binding (if you don’t understand that, look up the definition of “Code”). The display is prohibited. What the Code does not do, other than in DC, is provide a criminal or civil sanction.”

Sorry to diabuse you of your fantasy. See http://www.steve4u.com/flagcode.htm

“This code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law.

“Criminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990.

“While the Code empowers the President of the United States to alter, modify, repeal or prescribe additional rules regarding the Flag, no federal agency has the authority to issue ‘official’ rulings legally binding on civilians or civilian groups. Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code may be fairly tested: ‘No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.’ Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.”
Vigilant

Correction: “disabuse” was the word I misspelled.

The Flag Code does not apply to the Obama flag because it is NOT a US flag.
Nadzieja Batki

Your response to Vigilant is emotional and lacks thinking through.
Consider that before the banner was ever put to cloth and still remained on drawing paper the legal codes concerning the Flag were studied.
The banner means nothing but your response gave it meaning.
Mary Ann Ludwig

If it looks like a duck… Application of the “Duck Test” is all you need. This is meant to be a representation of the flag and is flown as if it were the flag. That’s all you need to know that it is a desecration of the U.S. flag. You might be able to burn one legally, but you can’t just put some idiot’s face on it and call that “art”.

bsg

The question is whether the flag is a defamation of the American flag…..Well the face is a defamation of the presidency so it all works out. Those things are being produced in China and its important to keep the Chinese economy going so they can keep the American economy afloat.

Vigilant

Ironically, when Fox News reported on this type of case over a month ago, the website price was $12.95. Now it has almost doubled.

The more publicity you give this type of disgusting action, the more popular you are making it with the leftist idiots.

FreedomFighter

I find that flag very offensive.

Laus Deo
Semper Fi

LAB

So do I !!! Surprised there is no hammer and sycle!! They should be arrested promptly and fined/jailed…LOSERS!
cawmun cents

So FF,you find it offensive that a citizen gives Obama the same credence as the fifty states?You see it as offensive that they believe in him enough to hand absolute power over to him by putting his face on the flag instead of the fifty states which the flag represents?
Why what would then happen when he died,and a new face had to be put on the flag?
Who’s face would then be on the flag?
Some young guy named Kim?Vlad perhaps?
Who can tell?
Perhaps a crescent moon and a star?
I find it ironic,and offensive.
Isnt this same person running for political office?
Doesnt he already have political office?
I suppose folks can fly whatever flag they wish to fly here in America.
But then again…..I have the right to be offended,and the right to speak out about it.
Just like that person has the right to fly his flag.
Would I ask him to take down his flag?
Nope.
But if I fly one he finds offensive,maybe he should just learn to be offended and not enact laws designed to keep me from flying my flag?
That would be hateful wouldnt it?
Cheers!
-CC.

LAB

Nobama’s flags have fitty 7 stars
Vigilant

LAB, that was 58 states. Obama claimed he had visted 57 and had one more to go.

See http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/57states.asp
Wyatt

Not only do I find it offensive , but I believe it might also be illegal . And if it isn’t it should be . It is a clear breech of flag edicate and total disrespect to the Flag of the United States . If this guy wants to have a dictator , then perhaps he should move to China , Cuba , Venazuela or one of those nations ruled by one . Personally I will ever continue to oppose the Communist Policies Obama is trying to impose upon our nation and people . Just in case he didn’t get the memo ; ” Hey Barry , Communism collapsed , it doesn’t work. It was in all the papers .” That’s assuming you can read , Ass !
Vigilant

Wyatt says, “Not only do I find it offensive , but I believe it might also be illegal.”

There’s no doubt that it’s offensive to well meaning Americans. If it is illegal in the state of New Jersey, or in local ordiinances and covenants, I would hope that they prosecute it to the full extent of the law.
JocasseeJO

Sorry Cawmun – no we don’t have to accept this. Yes it is offensive, but if I understand correctly, it is also illegal to fly a defaced flag such as his. There are specific rules & laws concerning the flag.
John Wilch (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

Yip, and if any of those idiots want to learn if they can read just go down to your nearest Boy Scout or Girl Scout Headquarters, VFW, Ameriecan Leagion, or even Google it (Flag ediquite(?)).

Bruce

if the flag has Obomas face on it, it represents the nation.
The Obomination being formed right now, that is.
Nadzieja Batki

The flag with the face of O is offensive.
Freedom of Speech means Freedom to Offend.
The Leftists will use this freedom and they will offend, deliberately. So let us brace ourselves for an aweful onslought. They think they are right and we are wrong.
“Freedom of speech means the freedom to to say with words, spoken or written, anything one chooses to say. It is not frredom to say only what offends no one, it is not freedom to say only what agrees with some authority’s official line; it means feedom to say anything, even if everyone else in the whole world is offended by it and even it contradicts every official doctrine of every authority that ever existed”. This is from : the autonomist.com of 12/30/2009, author Reginald Firehammer

Vigilant

Nadzieja, you have hit upon it.

In a famous scene from Bolton’s “A Man for all Seasons,” Sir Thomas More excoriates his future son-in-law Will Roper for saying that he would cut down all the laws in England to get at the Devil. More says something to the effect that “And what would you do then, when the Devil turns on you and all the laws are flat? Would you be able to survive in the winds that would blow then? No, I would give even the Devil the benefit of law for my own safety’s sake.”

The point, I think, is that respect for the rule of law is absolutely critical to the vitality of our Constitutional Republic. As distasteful as it may be at times, we must respect the First Amendment’s protection of rude and disgusting speech.

Unless and until we act to change the laws to criminalize this Obama flag disgrace, we are bound by the law. To illegally snatch that flag from its place is to engage in the same sort of law-skirting behavior for which we take the leftist and activist Obama administraton to task.
Dennis48e

The guy flying this flag would most likely go ballistic if his neighbors flew a Gadsden flag or the Confederate flag.

Victoria

It is totally illegal! It must come down and the companies who are manufacturing it should be fined for defamation of our beloved flag.

http://www.mototcarsfinancial.com Brad

If I remeber right Victoria the flag with the king’s face is made in China

Andy

I think I know what that is around his mouth; looks like they coulda cleaned him up before taking the picture! Just to reiterate a profound statement one must make in a situation like this: “We’re in deep do-do!”.
John Wilch (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

So do I! If that joker whats to fly a flag with someones mug on it he can move to China, Korea, Russia, or any other Socialist/Communist county. I served for over 30 years defending that Flag (THE PROPER ONE: THE ONE WITH 13 STRIPS AND A BLUE FIELD WITH 50 STARS) not that abomination.

Oh, so if that individual wants to protray his god let him put up a picture. In other words “Don’t Tread on Me!”

Door gunner, A Co. 228th Avn Bn, 1st Cavalry Division (AM), 1968-69.
Cav Scout 19D30.

GOD BLESS THE US OF A and MAY SHE REIGN FOREVER!

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