I don't particularly care how noble the cause is - is it really the position of a small town mayor to express views on international politics through raising foreign flags?

You're right, this mayor should learn his place.

Oh wait, for a second there we were talking about 19th century India...No the USA doesn't have a caste system.

It's his position to do whatever the hell he deigns to do with his position so long as the voters keep voting him into power to do it.

I can't beleive you'd actually suggest that someone has to hold some sort of special opinion to 'express views on international politics'........And you guys are for the 1st ammendment eh?

At first I kept hearing about the fear factor, which I didn't really beleive at all. If your a westerner living in Syria, or maybe even in Paris, I understand the fear. But I didn't think fear of reprisal was seriously effecting people's judgement in the US.

I keep hearing more of it though, that people are apparently seriously affraid to run these cartoons.... even in, say, Pennsylvania...

Astonishing.

>>It's his position to do whatever the hell he deigns to do with his position so long as the voters keep voting him into power to do it.

Yeah, his voters told him he was out of line and things changed.

Is that something to be upset about?

It's his position to do whatever the hell he deigns to do with his position so long as the voters keep voting him into power to do it.

Um, no, it's his duty to abide by local, state and federal laws, the town charter, state and federal constitutions, and to attempt to fulfill his campaign promises. Maybe as much as all that, he is the voters representatives - and not just on election day. He's there to bring their interests to the municipal government. If he wants to ignore their intentions, that's his prerogative as a politician, knowing there may be consequences. The question is, how many complained, vs. how many constituents does he have?

On the cartoons, I have to side with the publishers. The way that some Muslims have responded - not all, obviously - is certainly not compatible with free speech or democracy, or basic human decency. FWIW, I'm for letting any group of people go to hell-in-a-handbasket, so long as its their decision and they're on their own. But when they attack another group -attack, mind you, not coulda-mighta-maybe-would-attack (e.g. Iraq ;-) -that's obviously not alright.

First of all, as every right thinking American should know, Mark Stankiewicz is town manager, not Mayor.

A Town Manager is hired to be an admistrator and conduct town business according to the Rules and Guidence of the board of selectman, in a Town, not a City. In a City other rules apply according to Charter.

Mark did the right thing, should have observed flag rules, though.

I don' know any Danes, except Ellie, they seem to have more balls than most.

Bill

I think this town manager should try again with the flag in a different place. I am going to Germany this spring, and I am taking my pro-American, pro-Danish, and anti-islam tees and tanks with me. "There's always that chance that there will be people who are offended, and we want to guard against that." Says you.

>>First of all, as every right thinking American should know

eh, more like any american concerned with small town politics.

>>A Town Manager is hired to be an admistrator and conduct town business

Strangely, I can't relate any of that to flying foreign flags.

>>Mark did the right thing,

Hardly.

---

>>I am going to Germany this spring, and I am taking my pro-American, pro-Danish, and anti-islam tees and tanks with me.

I no longer wonder why foreigners hate american tourists.

So you yourself are not pro-american, pro-Danish, and anti-Islam? Would it have made any difference if I had been more specific and said anti-Islomofascist tank top? The only foreigners who will "hate" me are those who hate freedom.

Foreigners hate all tourists. You should see what the Italians/French/Germans say about French/Italian/German tourists.

Oh, and I wasn't being sarcastic. No REEAAALLY, not at all.

This manager should learn his place. He's not in a position to have such opinions. Goddamn unruly smalltown hick serfs...

>>So you yourself are not pro-american, pro-Danish, and anti-Islam?

I'm just saying that i don't go around parading my political views about, particularly when surrounded by people i don't know.

>>He's not in a position to have such opinions.

Once again, he's quite welcome to express his own opinions on his own flagpole.

I can just imagine the uproar if he decided that china did something particular virtuous and decided to raise their flag.

I no longer wonder why foreigners hate american tourists.

I've lost eons of sleep over this.

I'm just saying that i don't go around parading my political views about, particularly when surrounded by people i don't know.

Oh no, certainly never here.

so mattk you are afraid to "parade" your political views if you are not surrounded by people of known like mindedness? I am not crazy enough to wear a deliberately inflammatory top in Europe in these times. On the other hand, I should be able to wear a patriotic or positive politically motivated message in Germany. We shall see. I am not afraid.

RR:

Europe is an America wanna be with funny writing. People are nicer in NYC. I did like Poland though, the people need to discover soap and water will not kill you.

Bill

Bill,

Unfortunately much of America is Europe wannabe - for only the worst reasons.

Each one of the leftist debris that post here would like nothing more than to turn America into a dismal, declining France. They want a pussilanimous, non-existant defense, chronic appeasement (especially toward non-white threats), punitive taxation toward anyone successful (unless connected to them), unlimited dole making work obsolete, and a stagnant serf class controlled by self-identified and self-absorbed so-called elites (them).

What amps their already perpetual frenzy is they can't succeed at it, or anything else. They lose election after election, believing they only have to be more odious and obnoxious to sieze power. They get more behind every day and, even in their legenday self-delusion, know it too. Their wet dream slips further away all the time and they haven't a clue to retrieve it.

I love it!