I was browsing through my social media the other day (big mistake, I know!), and I came across a local news story. Just down Interstate 75 from where I live, there is a small town in Michigan called Birch Run. There are a couple of things that Birch Run is famous for. The first would be a restaurant called Tony's. I wrote a post about it a long time ago that you can read here if you want. In addition to that, the other thing it is famous for is an outlet mall. People come from all over to shop at outlet stores for various brands.
While the idea is that you are getting exclusive deals on discontinued and other off season items, that is rarely the case. I actually think the spirit of outlet malls has been lost somewhere along the road of disposable consumerism and instant gratification. That's a story for a different time though.
Along with those other more famous sites in this small town on the border of Saginaw County, there is also a chain store for the Camping World brand. It's in an old convention center that used to house hockey games and small trade shows, but the thing that really sticks out about this building is the giant flag flying in the front.
You can seriously see it all the way down the expressway. Probably at least a good five to ten miles before you even get to the exit for Birch Run.
In the aforementioned news story, they were talking about how the local city council in a town called Greenville, North Carolina has asked the owners of the store to remove the existing flag and reduce the size as the city has restrictions in place for flags for mainly safety reasons.
You probably won't be shocked to hear that the immediate reaction from the CEO of Camping World was something to the effect of "this is America and I am going to fly my flag proudly!". Of course once the story hit social media it got even "better". If you expected dozens of "proud Americans" expressing their outrage that a city council would take away this man's right to fly our nations flag, you would be spot on.
I have zero doubt at the next Greenville city council meeting they are going to have scores of angry citizens making a ruckus about how the city is infringing on this owners rights. No doubt their will be a fair number that turn it into a right versus left thing, that's just inevitable these days.
Let's remember though, the council never said he couldn't fly a flag, they just said he can't fly that flag. According to the news story , it's fifteen times bigger than what they allow and the flagpole is fifty feet higher than the 70 foot maximum. In other words, the owner knowingly violated the code.
Apparently, this isn't the first time this has happened either. There have been incidents in two other cities with Camping World where after paying the fine for several days/weeks, the council finally capitulated and changed their zoning regulations. Sad really, but just another example of how the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
If it's anything like the one near us, I am not surprised. I mean, this thing is seriously huge. I can see the concern. As I said, it sits right next to I-75 which is a major thoroughfare running north and south through the state. That thing comes loose and drops across the expressway, you are going to have all eight lanes north and south shut down.
The important thing to remember is that there are always two sides to every flag. The same is true here on HIVE. While the knee jerk action is to express outrage (I've been there, trust me), it's often better to let it settle a bit and after you have thought about it for a bit, then decide a course of action.
Sometimes people (like @smooth) are just down voting you because they don't think your posts deserve the rewards they are getting. It's nothing personal. I get it, at first it feels personal. It's hard to imagine that something you poured your time and effort into isn't seen as valuable to someone else. Trust me, I get dinged by smooth all the time. It used to bug me, but now I realize, it's just part of the process. The system has rules (some baked in, some unspoken) and whether you agree with them or not, the exist and in most cases they exist for a reason.
If that is a problem for you, the door is right around the corner over there.
I'd like to consider myself an optimist, and I'd also like to think that most people are inherently good. Along with that, I'd also like to think that these rules which govern HIVE are there for good reasons to protect both the integrity of the authors and the content on the chain.
Sure, you might get a person who downvotes you just because they don't like you. That sucks, it really does, but again, it's all part of the system that we have voluntarily joined because without those rules and guidelines governing it, well, it would be chaos.
I hope we can use this story about the Camping World flag as an example, and instead of expressing outrage we can try to see the other side of the flag.
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Shared this on https://www.politicalhive.org/ with you as a 40% beneficiary, along with another post I found to be germane to politics.
"Every flag has two sides" is a brilliant observation.
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Thanks!
I was just reading this news story about a Camping World in North Carolina having a massive flag that's causing a stir. The city council wants them to take it down because it's way too big and violates their code. Of course, the CEO is all "This is America, I can fly my flag!" and now everyone's up in arms.
Just my little opinion. Sometimes it's worth stepping back, I think, taking a breath, and trying to see things from another perspective. Maybe then we can find a way to work together instead of just fighting about it.
I totally agree with you!
I think it's great that he's patriotic and wants to fly his flag! As a former member of the US Army I totally get it. But you need to comply with local codes. Now if the flag pole were installed previously and was within the code standards it has to be "grandfathered" in, but it sounds like when it was installed it was already in violation of the code.
It sounds like he ought to try to work out a deal with them if it's truly a safety issue. Social media is a curse as much as blessing...
I used fly a flag outside my business years ago until it was stolen on two separate occasions. After that no more flag for thieves to steal!
I have a feeling there will be so much outcry that the council will cave, even though it is totally unwarranted. It's interesting how these things play out. Especially with social media now. We see the same thing here on HIVE with flags as well.
Some issues really bring out the crazies, whether it's on one side or the other...
Amen!
I'm not sure what the reasoning is for the particular restrictions they put on size. However, if a city council (or whoever) wants to write code based on safety, then they should be citing a study or something vs. "this looks unsafe". Unless they are flying it in a hurricane, I wouldn't think a giant flag could travel very far if it broke loose. But then I'm not an expert on giant flag aerodynamics, lol.
But yeah, they shouldn't be so indignant if this was preexisting law and they knowingly violated it. I mean, what did they think would happen?
Well apparently, you get enough people riled up and you spread it on social media enough that the city council will probably change their policy. I honestly weep for the world we are creating these days.
Very True. Downvotes to zero every 7 days is a True blessing. Especially if you sell all your Hive for Bitcoin when Hive hits $ 2 … and now you are a Multi Millionaire. So be happy for the Downvotes.
I see we are doing fan fiction offshoots of my post now :)
Ha ha … very true.
Kind of sounds like a marketing strategy by the Camping Worlds to me...
Very true!
Very well put!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your perspective. I appreciate the reminder that there are always two sides to every story. It's also good to remember that the rules and guidelines are here to maintain fairness and integrity. Let's strive to understand each other and the system we are part of, and work together to make it better. Have a nice day!
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it and I presented the message well. I hope you have an awesome day too.
I can see the city council's point about the flag's size and potential safety concerns.It's a major thoroughfare,and a large flag could be dangerous if it comes loose.While I understand the owner's patriotism,it's important to balance those feelings with public safety.
Most definitely! I think this is probably more about making a scene than it is about their patriotism, but whatever gets clicks!
You're probably right,@bozz.In today's media landscape,generating attention often seems to outweigh genuine sentiment.It's a shame that sometimes spectacle overshadows substance.
Being an optimist is such a great mindset! It’s nice to believe that most people are inherently good. Those rules on HIVE really do help keep everything fair and respectful, ensuring everyone’s work is protected and appreciated.
For sure your positive outlook shaped your interactions with others in the HIVE community.
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Thanks, I try! Then every so often something comes around to make me doubt, but each day is a new opportunity to start over!
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It's funny how these things go. In a different situation, and if he were a different gender, he might be called a Karen for that reaction. But because it's a flag, it becomes a freedom/political thing.
America do be crazy sometimes!
We really are. It's pretty comical.
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