Michael Paul Williams: Politicians pander on flagpole issue
It's a sad day when a veteran of three wars is told he cannot fly the American flag on a poll outside of his home."
That quote was attributed to Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, in a news release by the office of Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif. Of course, Cantor meant "pole," not "poll." But given the political panderfest that our local flagpole controversy has become, the slip sure looked Freudian.
Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a Medal of Honor winner, was in a war with a western Henrico County homeowners association over a 21-foot flagpole that the association says he erected without permission.
On Tuesday, the Sussex Square homeowners association dropped threatened legal action after being bullied by a Who's Who of politicians.
Cantor joined the White House, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Democratic senators Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb in rallying behind Barfoot's flagpole.
Cantor and McKeon even introduced a House resolution allowing Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to properly display the U.S. flag on their property at all times.
Wow. I thought conservatives were against federal intrusion in local affairs and private matters, and this qualifies as both. Instead, Cantor literally threatened Sussex Square with an act of Congress. Small wonder it backed down.
A resolution as specifically tailored as this one was bound to leave out other deserving folks, if service is the new criteria for such exemptions. What about Purple Heart recipients? Or firefighters and police officers who went rushing to ground zero on Sept. 11, 2001?
Webb urged the association to "consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot's service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that "it's silly to . . . think that somebody that's done that can't have a flagpole and . . . show the proper respect and appreciation that any flag deserves by flying that in their neighborhood."
Apparently, Team Obama did not learn from the president's insertion of himself into the controversy involving the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis "Skip" Gates by Cambridge, Mass., police. Perhaps the president intends to hold a beer summit in western Henrico.
Seriously, the Good Ship U.S.A. is plowing through perilous waters. Its pilot and crew -- the president and Congress -- need to have laser focus on affairs foreign (Iraq, Afghanistan) and domestic (the economy, health care).
The executive and legislative branches of our federal government don't have the luxury of immersing themselves in a neighborhood issue that -- if this cease-fire doesn't hold -- would best be left for the courts to resolve.
We're all grateful for Barfoot's noble service, but his Medal of Honor should be irrelevant here. His case should hinge on the law, not emotion and grandstanding.
The politicians should not have run this flag up the poll.
Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or
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Always amazes me the RTD keeps MPW the “shock-jock” around after continued declines in viewership. But I guess he gets people to read his columns for shock value. It surely isn’t for creative or unbiased writing.
Once again, MPW shows his ignorance. One does not “win” a CMH. It is not given after a round of the Price is Right. One is a recipient of the CMH. It is earned!
BARFOOT, VAN T
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot’s extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.
His Medal of Honor should be irrevelant? Really? That is about the most ignorant & rude thing I’ve heard in a while…....
Whether one feels that Col. Barfoot is wrong or right as it pertains to this issue doesn’t negate what he has done for his country. He is still a hero in that respect.
I do agree with Mr. Williams, the fight belongs in a court of law and should be between Col. Barfoot and the HOA. Emotionally I want the Col. to win but I also realize it’s the legality that will be the ultimate determining factor as well it should be based on the laws as currently written.
What is missing is a clear, objective answer to the fundamental question: How does Col Barfoot’s flag pole negatively impact the community? And only the HOA board can answer this question. The key issue is the judgment of the HOA board on the matter, not their authority to exercise their judgment.
wfh,
I sure Col. Van would rather be insulted by you than someone he respects. “Do-ma-nhieu”
He used to be a hero. Now he’s just a jerk.
And all these conservatives don’t mind the politicians telling us what we can do or not, but object to a homeowner’s association that the buyer has signed off on to protect their residential investment. Give me a break.
It would be nice if RTD would tell us why they delete a comment via the email on record. My comment had no swear words but was hyper-critical of MPW and a comparison of Obama. Let’s hope this one makes it through their liberal filter.
Thanks, wpanak, for a very insightful post regarding the plats. I took the time to look at them (not knowing the specific one where Barfoot lives) and it appears it is possible he could actually own the land where the pole sits. There is a note on all the plats that says any land not in lots that is not marked is common area. There is also a specific reference to restrictive covenants of the homeowners assocation. I still stand by my assertion that Barfoot delegated his property rights to the homeowners association and that it’s a shame that he’s flaunting his status as a medal of honor winner to try to get his way with the assistance of some smarmy politicians on both sides that want to make some political hay out of this. I’m fully in favor of any citizen flying the american flag on property where they have that absolute right, not just medal of honor winners.
GlenAllenFP—Mr. Barfoot’s deed does include the lot, and I am pretty sure it includes the spot of land where the flagpole is located. The platt is available online and shows where common area versus lot lines are located. There is no clearly market “common area” adjacent to Mr. Barfoot’s property, so I am assuming he owns the land.
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