Obama Bans US Flags in Haiti

**Burning Giraffe** · 17th March 2010 03:35 AM

The many nations helping Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake that struck there have set up their own military compounds and fly their flags at the entrances.

France's tricolor, Britain's Union Jack and even Croatia's coat of arms flap in the breeze.

But the country whose contributions dwarf the rest of the world's — the United States — has no flag at its main installation near the Port-au-Prince airport.

The lack of the Stars and Stripes does not sit well with some veterans and servicemembers who say the U.S. government should be proud to fly the flag in Haiti, given the amount of money and manpower the U.S. is donating to help the country recover from the Jan. 12 quake.

The Obama administration says flying the flag could give Haiti the wrong idea.

"We are not here as an occupation force, but as an international partner committed to supporting the government of Haiti on the road to recovery," the U.S. government's Haiti Joint Information Center said in response to a query about the flag.

Haitian official see's a US Flag: "OMG a US Flag! We're being attacked!" (Better take down the US Flag).

Haitian official see's a French Flag: "OMG the French are surrendering!".

I'm still waiting for the Somali Pirates to show up. Maybe we ought to root for those guys.

**Gypsy** · 17th March 2010 07:11 AM

The Obama administration says flying the flag could give Haiti the wrong idea.

"We are not here as an occupation force, but as an international partner committed to supporting the government of Haiti on the road to recovery," the U.S. government's Haiti Joint Information Center said in response to a query about the flag.

Considering our reputation the past 10 years, it's a good decision.

**Djinn** · 17th March 2010 07:35 AM

[quote name='Gypsy' date='17 March 2010 - 09:11 AM' timestamp='1268831484' post='129711']

Considering our reputation the past 10 years, it's a good decision.

[/quote]

Seconded. The presence of a U.S. flag does nothing to aid Haitians, and it would do nothing to aid those stationed in Haiti.

**Heel31ok** · 17th March 2010 09:18 AM

If we are there officially then the Flag needs to be flown. Period.

**Goldwater** · 17th March 2010 10:12 AM

[quote name='Heel31ok' date='17 March 2010 - 08:18 AM' timestamp='1268839084' post='129748']

If we are there officially then the Flag needs to be flown. Period.

[/quote]

I don't see "countries recieving military aided relief" on this list. Where does this rule you cite come from? I found other sites that say the flag should be flown over embassies, foreign US military bases, but nothing on our flag being flown in countries where we are "officially" there.

Presidential proclamations and laws since that time (the 1850's) authorize the display of the flag 24 hours a day at the following places:

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No.2795, July 2, 1948).

Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).

United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No.3418, June 12, 1961).

On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965).

The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No.4000, September 4.1970).

Washington Monument, Washington, DC., (Presidential Proclamation No.4064, July 6,1971, effective July 4, 1971). Fifty Flags of the United States are displayed at the Washington Monument continuously.

United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No.4131, May 5, 1972).

Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).

http://www.usflag.org/five.flags.html

http://www.united-states-flag.com/flying-flag.html

**Djinn** · 17th March 2010 10:53 AM

[quote name='Heel31ok' date='17 March 2010 - 11:18 AM' timestamp='1268839084' post='129748']

If we are there officially then the Flag needs to be flown. Period.

[/quote]

"Needs to be flown?" Why? Does the flag move rubble? Or feed people? The flag is a symbol; nothing more. And I think it would be wise not to put the symbol ahead of what it's supposed to stand for. We're not in Haiti to wave flags. We're there to help people.

**Heel31ok** · 17th March 2010 10:53 AM

[quote name='Goldwater' date='17 March 2010 - 11:12 AM' timestamp='1268842349' post='129770']

I don't see "countries recieving military aided relief" on this list. Where does this rule you cite come from? I found other sites that say the flag should be flown over embassies, foreign US military bases, but nothing on our flag being flown in countries where we are "officially" there.

[/quote]

and... ? the fact an official decision not to fly the flag was made shows the standard action is to fly the flag. The flying of the other countries flags also show this. i am sure that the help offered would not be refused if the flag were flown. I would think France would have more reason than us to not fly the flag but no it is not an issue.

**Goldwater** · 17th March 2010 10:58 AM

[quote name='Heel31ok' date='17 March 2010 - 09:53 AM' timestamp='1268844828' post='129791']

and... ? the fact an official decision not to fly the flag was made shows the standard action is to fly the flag.

[/quote]

I understand what you were saying now. I thought there was some rule from a finite set of rules I was missing.

**Heel31ok** · 17th March 2010 10:59 AM

[quote name='Djinn' date='17 March 2010 - 11:53 AM' timestamp='1268844825' post='129790']

"Needs to be flown?" Why? Does the flag move rubble? Or feed people? The flag is a symbol; nothing more. And I think it would be wise not to put the symbol ahead of what it's supposed to stand for. We're not in Haiti to wave flags. We're there to help people.

[/quote]

so no big deal right? right, fly the flag and don't worry about it. It stands for our country and our country is there. Fly the flag.

**Djinn** · 17th March 2010 12:23 PM

[quote name='Heel31ok' date='17 March 2010 - 12:59 PM' timestamp='1268845177' post='129799']

so no big deal right? right, fly the flag and don't worry about it. It stands for our country and our country is there. Fly the flag.

[/quote]

No, our country isn't there. It's here. In the United States. Our people are there, and their job will not be facilitated by flying U.S. flags.