Express Yourself.... But Don't Ask Me for Help!

I just finished reading a article about a man from Arizona who is drawing a lot of attention for a flag he is flying in front of his home. The flag is the "Gadsden" flag, a yellow flag with a coiled rattlesnake, that reads "Don't Tread On Me." I'm sure some of you history buffs/majors know what I am talking about and know more about the significant of the flag than I do. The flag has great historical meaning and is related to the likes of Ben Franklin and the US Marine Corps.

Apparently it is now the flag/symbol being adopted by the current Tea Party. The man who is flying the flag has been told by his HOA that he cannot fly the flag in the neighborhood. Arizona has a state statue proclaiming what flags can and cannot be flown. Obviously the "Gadsden" flag is not one that can be flown and the HOA is claiming they are just following the state statute. The man (who I will refer to as Bob, so I don't have to keep saying Man) claims he is flying the flag for it's historical significant, not because of any Tea Party affiliation. Bob now has the backing of the ACLU who claims the HOA is violating Bob's freedom of speech.

Personally I am in favor of any ones' right to freedom of speech as long as it is respectful, accurate, and not overly offensive. Hey... if my neighbor wants to fly the Nazi Flag in their front yard, I don't give a fuck. If he wants to march around his yard with picket signs protesting the death penalty, I don't give a fuck. Until my dip shit neighbor directly affects me or others, then I don't give a fuck. Express yourself all you want dip shit, just leave me out of it. This leads me to why I wrote this post.

In the article I read Bob is being fined $100 a week by the HOA for not taking the flag down. I assume when he signed up to live in the development he was given a list of what he can and cannot do. I would imagine the HOA covenant had the rules and regs. Bob chose to fly his flag probably knowing there would be some recourse. Shit... I have neighbors who get bent out of shape if someone parks a boat in their own driveway for a couple of days.

Anyway, Bob is getting ready to have a legal rumble with his HOA and the State of Arizona. Here is the best part!!! Bob has started his own Blog directly related to his ordeal. He is asking for donations to help fight his legal battle and I'm sure there are political freaks out there who will gladly give him money.

I'm not one of them. Bob... if your going to try and Buck the system (freedom of speech or not) then have the assets to back it up when you meet some opposition. Don't ask me and others for their help because you can't afford it. Either take the damn flag down or go to the bank and get a loan to cover your legal costs. Other people should not foot the bill so you can keep a $10 flag flying in your front yard.

Got run now. Meeting Opie Lawson to see about a Black Panthers flag.