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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579147,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This crap is disgusting. I am so sick and tired of seeing this in the news. If anything gets my blood boiling its this crap.

I have many more feelings on this subject but cannot disply them openly in this forum.

But now fighting the HOA, he has an army of supporters. Here is a follow-up story. Bet the HOA will back down with the backing he is getting. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/ ... 01/309270/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This soldier is a Medal of Honor recipient, and as far as I'm concerned that alone gives him the right to put up his flag wherever he pleases. The HOA needs to learn to choose it's battles a bit more carefully. With the support that is being rallied behind the Colonel from politicians, fellow soldiers and free legal representation the HOA has a fight on their hands.

kieth,
thanks for the link. It makes me feel better that he is gaining support.

It still angers me that people are upset that a Veteran wants to hang the American Flag on a free standing pole.

What is this country coming to?

I don't think HOAs could get more draconian or evil than this

psijac wrote:I don't think HOAs could get more draconian or evil than this

Don't tempt them

HOAs exist to protect the value of the properties that are owned by their membership. Any HOA that pulls this crap is without question hurting the value of the properties and are therefor violating the sole purpose of their existence.

SO if he wanted to build a Hot Tub on community property that would be fine and dandy right? He could paint the hot tub Red white and blue. That'd be cool right?

marksiwel wrote:SO if he wanted to build a Hot Tub on community property that would be fine and dandy right? He could paint the hot tub Red white and blue. That'd be cool right?

Not an apples-to-apples comparison. Even so, I'd be inclined to give significant leeway to an elderly MOH recipient even if we were talking about a hot tub instead of our flag.

The HOA, in this situation, should not have picked this fight.

It is community property. Stick a flag-pole on your structure. You can't pick and choose what types of things you can build on the communities property because of your hero status.

- flag pole
- hot tub
- stripper pole
- trampoline

I have my rights, and the community as a whole has their rights. If it really bothered me I would make every effort to move.

marksiwel wrote:SO if he wanted to build a Hot Tub on community property that would be fine and dandy right? He could paint the hot tub Red white and blue. That'd be cool right?

Not even the same thing. He is not putting up the pole on community property, it is on HIS property. It is also not an eyesore if properly installed.

I understand the HOA rules and the HOA needing to enforce them, but they need to make exceptions for reasonable requests like this. The issue is most HOA's do not equally apply or enforce the rules. Good example, my association screams if someone repaints their front door a little different color than original without being consulted on the color choice, but there is a house 4 doors down from me that the paint is peeling off the trim and the siding is so badly fading that it looks atrocious. They won't stand up and sue the guy to repair it. And it can't be an issue of money as he just recently got a new Audi SUV to drive with personalized plates.

Where is everyone getting the "community property" aspect of this? According to the article, the pole was erected in his yard.

Although it may have an impact on the community it's not on community property. HOA's do have their place and I'm appreciative of mine. They tick me off when they stick notes on my door saying I need to edge my driveway, but they also work to keep the neighborhood from going down the tube. That said, there are some fights they should not start. The old guy is probably in the wrong per the HOA agreement, but where's the harm in letting him have his flag on a pole? The situation is unique enough (how many 90yo MOH recipients are there?) the "slippery slope" argument doesn't really apply.

The yard in his neighborhood is community property.

Lodge2004 wrote:Where is everyone getting the "community property" aspect of this? According to the article, the pole was erected in his yard.

From the Article
"Barfoot had sought permission to install the pole shortly after he moved into the community — a complex of townhouses where the grounds are community property — last June. The board denied his request in July."

So he asked to put one up, they said NO, he put one up anyway. Thats really the heart of the problem. I can agree that HOA can be crazy Pains in the rear but if you dont like it, dont live there, its Capitalism baby.
From the article
""Col. Barfoot is free to display the American flag in conformity with the neighborhood rules and restrictions. We are hopeful that Col. Barfoot will comply.""
He didnt play by their rules.

Lodge2004 wrote: Although it may have an impact on the community it's not on community property. HOA's do have their place and I'm appreciative of mine. They tick me off when they stick notes on my door saying I need to edge my driveway, but they also work to keep the neighborhood from going down the tube. That said, there are some fights they should not start. The old guy is probably in the wrong per the HOA agreement, but where's the harm in letting him have his flag on a pole? The situation is unique enough (how many 90yo MOH recipients are there?) the "slippery slope" argument doesn't really apply.

Whats the Harm in letting him have his Hot Tub? His arms, legs and back aches from defending your freedom, let him have his hot tub. While we are at it, your neighbor the fire fighter didnt have time or money to get his car fixed so he is going to leave it on some cement block on his front yard, cool with you right? Also your police woman next door is to tired from booking bad guys to put her trash in the trash cans so she leaves it out for the raccoons.

The compromise should be the Home Owners association should pick a place for a flag for their Neighborhood and give the guy the duty/honer to Raise it everyday.