Obama Says The American Flag Cannot Fly In Haiti, At American Relief Sites

[twyacht]

Every other country flies their countries flag outside relief sites, BUT NOOOOOOOOO, Not the Stars & Stripes,......

"It could just send the WRONG IDEA"!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-03-14-haiti-flag-flap_N.htm

Absence of U.S. flag in Haiti sparks controversy
A Cuban flag marks an operating tent at a makeshift medical center in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti. The U.S. flag isn't flying in Haiti, rankling some veterans and servicemembers.

By Alan Gomez and Oren Dorell, USA TODAY
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.

The absence of the American flag bothers Navy veteran Arthur Herriford, national president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.

"It's very improper," Herriford said. "Our military people always engage and function under the American colors — always have and always will."

The U.S. flag has flown in Haiti under circumstances that were not always friendly.

In 1915, Marines invaded Haiti to restore stability after several coups. In 1986, President Reagan pressured dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier to renounce his rule and leave. In 1994, President Clinton sent troops to prop up President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. In 2004, President George W. Bush's administration eased Aristide out of office amid a brutal civil war.

France, the former colonizer of the country, has its flag up at its base in Port-au-Prince. The Haiti flag is based on the French flag, turned on its side with the white stripped out.

Army Col. Billy Buckner, spokesman for Joint Task Force-Haiti, a group representing various Obama administration agency heads, said the decision not to fly the American flag was made out of respect as guests of the government of Haiti.

"It is no mystery that U.S. forces are on the ground, and we proudly wear an American flag on our right sleeve," he said.

U.S. Air Force air operations specialists and FAA air-traffic controllers manage air traffic at Haiti's main airport, where millions of dollars in aid from the United States has been arriving for weeks. More than 12,000 U.S. military personnel support relief operations.

"Our commanders are smart and intuitively understand their mission here in Haiti, and clearly the sensitivities that come with supporting the mission," Buckner said.

A U.S. flag went up at a temporary consular station set up in the first few days on the airport tarmac, according to Charles Luoma-Overstreet, a State Department spokesman in Haiti.

"Apparently, the prime minister (Jean-Max Bellerive) saw this" and thought it appeared as if the United States were taking over the airport, Luoma-Overstreet said.

Side note.... The Haitian airport was so pre-historic, Our Military REQUESTED to take over operations to logistically manage the number of relief flights that would be arriving, THEY LEFT AND GAVE US THE AIRPORT!!!!)

He said Bellerive said something to U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten, who agreed that flying the flag wasn't a good idea and told the consular officials to take it down.

The decision is not unprecedented, noted Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who says he is not bothered by the flag's absence.

During the Gulf War in 1991, U.S. forces took control of the main airport in Kuwait and briefly flew the American flag over their installation, Davis said, but higher-ups ordered it taken down to avoid an impression that U.S. forces were conquerors.

The missing American colors at Port-au-Prince airport were no problem to Don Hollenbaugh, a former Army Delta Force operator who received the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004.

"Everybody in the world knows the U.S. is there," Hollenbaugh said. "So by not flying the flag, we're not changing anyone's mind about anything."

Contributing: Bill McMichael, The Army Times

***Rant:

If this is how our relief efforts are appreciated, when we gave the most, were the first on the ground, increased the operations of the airport ten-fold, provided the USS Comfort which treated FOR FREE over a thousand patients, rebuilt wells, provided cash, food, shelter, dealt with looters,...

Sons a bitches......Where was the UN?? Didn't see their flag anywhere.....

This POTUS, and this little piss-ant ghetto of a country, thanks our generosity in this fashion? "Sending The Wrong Idea??? Are you freaking kidding me?
Disclaimer: Not bashing the citizens of this sink hole of a country, I spoke to some folks that were there, and all the citizens were DAMN thankful the AMERICANS were there.

Sorry Rant Over.

[scott.ballard]

It seems that everyday we, as a country, become a little more ashamed of being Americans.

Thanks POTUS. 

[Rastus]

What a tool...with the IQ to match.  He is obviously ashamed at the flag and our military sons and daughters who sacrifice for the rest of us.

Some hope and change.  The only military or law enforcement agency the libs like are the ones who collect taxes or who work as waiters at their parties.

[bulldog75]

Pretty well sums it up.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbbGi3mTjCo

[twyacht]

"She's thread bare, and kinda thin, but she's alright for the shape she's in, so we raise her every morning, and lower her slow at night."

Thanks bulldog. That about does sum it up.

[Sponsor]

[Johnny Bravo]

Gave me goosebumps. Thanks bulldog75 !

[fightingquaker13]

Lets look at this rationally. On the one hand its irksome. On the other, as the Delta Operator put it, everyone knows we're here, why flaunt it? The thing is, the mission is twofold. One, do the right thing because its the right thing to do. Two, do the right thing so every Haitian and their dog doesn't set sail for the US. We do have a mixed record there and there's a lot of distrust (doesn't stop them from moving here, but can't say I blame them for not fully trusting us ). Troublemakers opposed to the government could use this distrust to stir up anti US hostility and endanger the mission (which should be renamed "Operation Keeping FQ, Crusader, Haz and TW from having ten Haitian families in their backyard").So, it seems to me, the best thing is to put mission ahead of pride, do the job and go home. Let our actions speak for us and hope that next time they will raise the flag for us. Personlly I'm good either way. This is as much about security as humanitarianism and the first key to winning a fight (or avoiding one) is to check your ego at the door. I really don't care what they think about us as long as they stay the hell home and think it. Any macho posturing can go to the back of the bus because we all know how real life works, so lets try to plan for that. Ok?
Just my .02
FQ13  

[twyacht]

Alright FQ, I'll look at this rationally (again). The former occupiers fly their French Flag; the Cubans? really?, Croatians, Brits, and every single other country in the International Relief Efforts, fly their flag.

But America in your words "flaunts it"...  Let's see, with that mindset, let's just keep the American Flag out of the Olympics, everyone knows were there also..

I would have said to the idiot Haitian corrupt PM, your right, not only will every Flag go, but every American as well. Take Care, thank you for your ungrateful request to the most generous country on Earth. Wish you well this hurricane season, keep in good graces with the French, Brits, Croatians, Cubans, and every other country that continues to fly their flags, and be sure to call them first next time.

As for refugees? Please,...

That's why we have a Coast Guard SatNet, covers, Jamaicans, Cubans, Haitians, and any other make shift rag tag boat with refugees, from another rag tag country. Plus the Haitians cut all the trees down.  Weak argument.

C'mon FQ, I think you fell off the wagon again, and that Kool-Aid is getting to you.

[Rastus]

...........That's why we have a Coast Guard SatNet, covers, Jamaicans, Cubans, Haitians, and any other make shift rag tag boat with refugees, from another rag tag country. Plus the Haitians cut all the trees down.  Weak argument...............

If someone can fool you into not being yourself for their benefit, what does that make you?  We see that principle frequently in our own personal relationships.  If an entity or person who is doing good or who is outstanding, honest, truthful and admirable can be made to "shrink from view" then those who would misrepresent themselves for their own benefit are elevated to positions of trust and honor they do not deserve.

What number of nations have made boastful pledges that are little more than obfuscation to cover there is no real effort or sacrifice?  They use their meager efforts in concert with lies to deceive people into believing they are what they are not.  This tragedy is nothing more than an opportunity and a stage to improve their image and to deceive the simple minded into believing they are with honor.

Damn those who would make light of our nation's righteous efforts and uplift tyranical nations and unclean movements based upon a lie.  I say this is giving aid and comfort to the enemy and engenders the seed and spirit of treason.

Our flag must be flown or we will have lost who we are.  There is but one great light among nations on this planet....and we grow dimmer by the day.

[tt11758]

There is but one great light among nations on this planet....and we grow dimmer by the day.

It all began when our "leader" began apologizing for this country.  There was little for which to apologize until he came along.