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question everything

(47,265 posts)
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 03:35 PM Nov 2012

McDonald's Upside-Down Flag Causes Post-Election Controversey

Source: International Business Times

McDonald’s franchise in Follansbee, W.Va., caused a stir Wednesday for flying an American flag upside down and at half mast the day following President Barack Obama’s victory.

Many people in the area and online initially believed the McDonald’s had reversed the flag as a protest against Obama’s victory. Mitt Romney crushed Obama by 62 to 35 percent in West Virginia Tuesday, carrying every county.

But managers at the McDonalds swear the upside-down flag was a complete accident. Apparently, the flagpole broke while they were raising the flag in the morning, causing it to fall upside-down.

"I just want to say: I am a manager at that McDonald's,” a caller told NEWS9 TV, according to Examiner. “The flag was to be flown at half-staff as per McDonald’s Corporation. As for it being flown upside down--it was a complete and total accident. NO ONE at our store would PURPOSELY fly the flag upside down. Our flagpole is actually broken, and we are unable to move the flag."



Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/mcdonalds-upside-down-flag-causes-post-election-controversey-864032



Why was the flag supposed to be flown at half staff?
38 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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McDonald's Upside-Down Flag Causes Post-Election Controversey (Original Post) question everything Nov 2012 OP
Could be local for the death of a local veteran in Afghanistan exboyfil Nov 2012 #1
Manager said it was an ACCIDENT. n/t godai Nov 2012 #5
An accident it was upside down. Ms. Toad Nov 2012 #7
You're right but I wonder how that's possible. godai Nov 2012 #10
It does seem odd. Ms. Toad Nov 2012 #13
It was on purpose. See pic in #19 DollarBillHines Nov 2012 #23
Yeah, the flag flipped itself upside down. Does not make sense. n/t RebelOne Nov 2012 #16
Yeah, we were told to be assholes BeyondGeography Nov 2012 #2
republickcons are too cowardly to accept responsibility for their actions. SubgeniusHasSlack Nov 2012 #3
Ronald McDonald memorial observance jberryhill Nov 2012 #4
pretty much. nt silvershadow Nov 2012 #8
lol! n/t hootinholler Nov 2012 #9
+1 nt ProudProgressiveNow Nov 2012 #15
Just sent this to my Dem son in law at McD corporate. hedda_foil Nov 2012 #6
I hope that you will share his response, if any (nt) question everything Nov 2012 #12
He hadn't heard anything about it, so I need a little help from you guys please. hedda_foil Nov 2012 #14
Link is in the top original post. n/t Fla Dem Nov 2012 #18
Prolly anticipated the death of Big BIrd PfcHammer Nov 2012 #11
Hey McDonald! windowpilot Nov 2012 #17
Photo... godai Nov 2012 #19
That doesn't look accidental to me. yellowcanine Nov 2012 #35
So they can make sure the "Mc Donald's" flag takes precedent. AAO Nov 2012 #20
UGH: freshwest Nov 2012 #33
The story and picture first appeared on WTOV-9 (Steubenville OH-Wheeling WV) Petrushka Nov 2012 #21
Steubenville is in Jefferson Co, which almost always goes Blue election night. alphafemale Nov 2012 #25
Maybe it's at 1/2 staff to BobbyBoring Nov 2012 #22
Maybe it is at half staff to correlate itsrobert Nov 2012 #28
That's why I call it McCrackhouse Dont call me Shirley Nov 2012 #24
or maybe... Javaman Nov 2012 #26
Dems need to use the boycott effectively adigal Nov 2012 #27
Unfortunately, I cannot boycott question everything Nov 2012 #31
Liar. Zoeisright Nov 2012 #29
Very suspicious ivanincali00 Nov 2012 #30
An old HS friends sister owns several McD's in WV Sugarcoated Nov 2012 #32
Funny. nt ZombieHorde Nov 2012 #34
here is a business doing the same thing and IT IS NO ACCIDENT takrew Nov 2012 #36
Welcome to DU, and I agree that there are better ways to register your displeasure at election hrmjustin Nov 2012 #37
How about THESE "flag desecraters"? uppityperson Nov 2012 #38

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
1. Could be local for the death of a local veteran in Afghanistan
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 03:38 PM
Nov 2012

Our flag outside my office sadly has flown often at half staff over the last few years.

Ms. Toad

(33,915 posts)
7. An accident it was upside down.
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 03:48 PM
Nov 2012

The manager also said “The flag was to be flown at half-staff as per McDonald’s Corporation."

godai

(2,902 posts)
10. You're right but I wonder how that's possible.
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 04:14 PM
Nov 2012

You attach the flag to the rope, then pull it up. Perhaps it was attached upside down but quite a coincidence that then, it broke at half staff.

Ms. Toad

(33,915 posts)
13. It does seem odd.
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 04:44 PM
Nov 2012

The only thing I can figure out is they missed the top grommet when they were attaching it.

DollarBillHines

(1,922 posts)
23. It was on purpose. See pic in #19
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 05:33 PM
Nov 2012

There was no missed grommet or broken flagpole.

They new what they were doing.

hedda_foil

(16,368 posts)
14. He hadn't heard anything about it, so I need a little help from you guys please.
Thu Nov 8, 2012, 04:46 PM
Nov 2012

I remember reading about this yesterday but can't find the link. Has anyone saved it?

Thx!

Hedda

itsrobert

(14,157 posts)
28. Maybe it is at half staff to correlate
Fri Nov 9, 2012, 11:12 AM
Nov 2012

with the McDonalds being worked at half-staff to maximize profits?

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
26. or maybe...
Fri Nov 9, 2012, 09:31 AM
Nov 2012

someone who works for them realized they sell a crappy product and were distressed over the mystery meat?

lol

 

adigal

(7,581 posts)
27. Dems need to use the boycott effectively
Fri Nov 9, 2012, 11:06 AM
Nov 2012

If just the people on this site boycotted McDonalds and told all of our friends who are good Dems, they wouldn't pull this crap. That was NO accident. Sorry. I ain't buying - literally or figuratively!

question everything

(47,265 posts)
31. Unfortunately, I cannot boycott
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:13 PM
Nov 2012

Have not eaten in McDonald for ages. Cannot believe how I could not have enough Big Macs way back in school..

It has been over 30 years now. Once a decade I give it a try and can barely finish it.

Sugarcoated

(7,707 posts)
32. An old HS friends sister owns several McD's in WV
Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:23 PM
Nov 2012

and I know from FB she's a Repub . . . I hope it's not one of hers

takrew

(1 post)
36. here is a business doing the same thing and IT IS NO ACCIDENT
Fri Nov 16, 2012, 12:10 PM
Nov 2012

Just a heads up: We are trying to alert as many folks as possible to a Sayreville, NJ business who have chosen to desecrate the American flag to make a political statement about the Obama re-election.

Any assumptions about Viking Terminal sending a distress signal resulting from Hurricane Sandy and the resulting flooding however are incorrect.

1- A black wreath displayed on the upside down flag: clear indication that the owners feel our country is dead as a result of the election.
2- A fast check on the owners into their Facebook accounts and other sources shows a pattern of right wing activity.
3- Repeated requests for comment from the business on the flag display have been ignored.

I have no problem with any of their political affiliations or activities. I do object however to their disrespectful use of our flag to make a statement.

There is a grassroots Facebook website set up to rally members in the hopes of boycotting this business until they remove their distasteful display. Please LIKE and SHARE:

Search "Boycott Flag Desecraters" on Facebook or cut and paste:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boycott-Flag-Desecraters/544316545582989

If those pictures don't make you sick, check your pulse.

Boycott Flag Desecraters does NOT accept donations. It is a labor of love. Its goal is to notify the public of businesses that desecrate Old Glory.

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
37. Welcome to DU, and I agree that there are better ways to register your displeasure at election
Fri Nov 16, 2012, 12:13 PM
Nov 2012

results.

uppityperson

(115,674 posts)
38. How about THESE "flag desecraters"?
Fri Nov 16, 2012, 03:12 PM
Nov 2012

Back when bush was installed, and for the 2nd time, many of us flew flag upside down as a sign of distress.

This is not "desecrating the flag" but using it in a manner that you simply do not like. Same as when the rightwingers complained about us, freedom of speech, even when you disagree with what they say. Boycotting companies is fine with me, but if you are going to go after "flag desecraters", there is a lot more than simply flying a flag upside down.

What I DO think would qualify as desecration is using the flag for clothing since yes, flying it in distress is allowed under flag code, but cutting it up and wearing it isn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

The flag should never be displayed with the union (the starred blue union) down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.[4]

The flag should not be used as "wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery",[5] or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general (exception for coffins). Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

(clip)
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

(clip)
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform

(clip)
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

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