The next day the rant was "Oh Say Can You See" suggesting your home is not a post office and you should not have a flag pole with a US flag flying on it.I understand the concept of how your neighbors chose to keep their yards decorated or landscaped effects the value of your home and the neighborhood - really I do. What has struck me to the core was the anger of the comments in both postings.
How far have we all come since 9/11/2001 to return to these feelings of anger for our neighbor today? We welcome folks from all over the world to our shores with open arms with no thought or concern if they mean us harm. We tread on our own rights of freedom of speech so as to not hurt the "feelings" of those half a world away who take such symbols literally. Yet, we have no compassion or "feelings" for our neighbor right next door.
I remember a time when asked about a particular neighbor with a decorative yard, saying, "She is a grandma. She decorates for the children and I am certain they have added to the collection." I realize the person I was speaking with must have turned their nose to the view but I know first hand of the love that was created in that yard.
My favorite comment regarding the flag came from Kat: "The author sounds like they need to move to a neighborhood with lots of covenants on flower height, tree breadth, and fence-paint colors--his world-view would fit right in." Although later the poster recanted and said it was "tongue in cheek if you will". I really have to wonder.
Of course, with the home for sale I must worry about what future buyer will say about my neighborhood. On the other side of the coin I look to the new city for a fun neighborhood that has real people living there.
God Bless America.
