Ga. Locals Criticize Mayor on Flying Flag

[Judi Lynn]

Ga. Locals Criticize Mayor on Flying Flag
Ga. Mayor Says He'll Continue Flying Mexican Flag at City Hall for 6 Slain Immigrant Farmworkers
The Associated Press

TIFTON, Ga. Oct 7, 2005 — A south Georgia mayor said Friday he will continue flying a Mexican flag at city hall for the six immigrant farmworkers slain in robberies despite complaints from residents.

Seven people called WTIF radio station Thursday, saying the gesture was inappropriate and that the Mexican and U.S. flags should not fly together.

"I did that as an expression of sorrow to the Hispanic community," Mayor Paul Johnson said. "For those who we offended, I apologize, but I think it was the right thing to do."

The red, white and green Mexican flag, donated by the Colombian-born priest of Tifton's only Roman Catholic church, was first raised Monday and taken down Thursday because it was damaged by Tropical Storm Tammy.

The mayor has requested a new flag and pledged the display would last six days, one for each man slain.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1193061

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Wow - that's pretty cool of the mayor!

Too bad those people calling in to complain don't know anything about flag etiquette, nor about not being racist asses.

[Journeyman]

3. Yes. Provided the flags are flown in accord with proper etiquette. . .

there's nothing disrespectful about flying any other nation's flag alongside that of the United State's.

[Solly Mack]

2. Nothing incorrect or wrong with what the mayor did

I applaud him for it!

[Debau2005]

4. Write the Mayor of Tifton

I think we should write him and applaud his efforts. I live in GA and this is HUGE for a GA politician. Most would ignore the killings ever took place. Here his contact information:

Paul O. Johnson, Mayor
P.O. Box 229
Tifton, Georgia 31793
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

[Danmel]

5. Send him a note of support

at [e-mail]

I just did. :)

I think that was a very nice and unusually sensitive gesture.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. That is a cool spam guard they have

for the town network.

[Bridget Burke]

6. Here's the Mickey Leland International Terminal ....

At Bush International Airport (which most of us call The Big Airport).

[Up2Late]

10. Hey, I count 7 Flags? What's the 7th one?

Bush "Coat of Arms"?

[meganmonkey]

7. Wow - that's great of the mayor -

Those murders are horrible.

[Inland]

8. Now, if he had flown the CSA battle flag, he'd be fine. nt

[bunkerbuster1]

11. When I saw the headline,

frankly, I assumed it would be another tiresome story about the CSA flag.

So flying the Mexican flag pisses off the local rednecks? Good.
Maybe I'll get me one.

[sendero]

9. Just like in Texas..

... not everyone is Georgia is a stupid asshole. Good for this guy!

[GaDemo]

12. Thanks Sendero

You are so right.:toast:

[onehandle]

13. As a lifelong resident of Georgia, I am stunned.

I've never been to Tifton, but I've driven/rode past it thousands of times on the way to Florida.

There is a big sign off of I-75 that reads, "Reading Capital of the World".

That might explain this suprising act.

Also the Mayor, I believe is a Democrat.

[Oeditpus Rex]

15. A similar thing happened here last month

http://www.freelancenews.com/news/contentview.asp?c=168409

About the same time, this principal was on record in support of keeping "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I live in a seriously fucked-up town. :banghead: