Tuesday, March 27, 2007

* An Open Letter to the Rogers Park Library

Dear Friends at the Rogers Park Library,

I am a patron of this library. I heart this library. While you'll find me camped out in the upstairs fiction section every couple of weeks or so, I also enjoy your other collections and the building as a whole.

I also heart America. While I would never wear an American flag pin, I have a lot of respect for the American flag because I believe it stands for something big. I'm not alone: people put down their lives (possibly even at this moment, sadly) for the symbols behind this flag.

That is why, Rogers Park Library, it disturbs me to see the flag flying on your roof at all hours of the day and night. (A flag should only be flown at night as a sign of trouble. Are you in imminent danger, Rogers Park Library?)

More concerning, this flag is in tatters, as if a cougar attacked it. Why is this, Rogers Park Library? Don't you heart America enough to at least replace your flag with one that's whole? Just saying.

Sincerely,

Devoted Library Patron and America Hearter

6 comments:

Toto said...

Oh brother.

Toto said...

Oh brother.

E! said...

Maybe someone (or lots of someones) can give them a call:

ROGERS PARK BRANCH
6907 N. Clark St. 60626
(312) 744-0156, (312) 744-0353

I live here too said...

It meets the American Flag Code to fly a flag at night if it is illuminated.
Pick on something important.

Pamela said...

The flag is in tatters though, and according to my Girl Scout manual, that's a no no.

Anonymous said...

The tattered flag is representative of the condition of our constitution after 6 years of “W”. Get used to it or rock the vote in ’08.

1) Yes, the flag can fly at night, if illuminated. To do so without illumination is disrespectful NOT a sign of distress.

2) Distress is signaled by displaying the flag with the union on the bottom. Day / Night have nothing to do with it.

2) Perhaps the library WAS waiting for the bad winter & spring weather to pass before putting a new one on display. Everybody’s got a budget to keep you know.

3) Craig, if your such a patriot make a donation to the city and give them a new one - since you heart the flag so much. Maybe you can also instruct them on the proper way to dispose of a tattered flag. See flag burning.

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html


FYI the city engineers are responsible for building and grounds & maintenance – not the library proper. Clearly the city does not have the resources to put up and take down the flag every day.

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