The McDonalds Half-Staffed Half-Wit

[hech54]

This woman needs to get a life....





McDonald's Raises American Flag to Full Height After Complaint


Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News


Apr. 29--Nancy King loves McDonald's, but when she saw a restaurant in Gurnee flying the U.S. flag at half-staff last week in honor of the company's late chief executive, she had to serve up a civics lesson.

After the Air Force veteran from Antioch and others complained, the fast-food giant quickly admitted its mistake in flag etiquette and asked its restaurant operators to raise the Stars and Stripes to full height.

"I got to work and said, 'I just can't let this go,'" said King, who knew that only the president or a governor can order the flag lowered to half-staff and that it's normally done only for government officials or dignitaries. "I just wanted to bring it to their attention that this was not a right thing to do."

A McDonald's official said Wednesday that the company erred when it asked its restaurant operators to fly flags at half-staff to honor James R. Cantalupo, 60, who died April 19 at a meeting of franchisees and vendors in Orlando.

"We apologize for the mistake and plan to take steps to rectify [it]," said spokesman Michon Ellis.

Well-meaning errors are not unusual, especially during a time of war, said Jerry Newberry, a national spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and through the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, Americans have tried to show their patriotism and support for troops by displaying the flag. But, Newberry said, education has not kept up with enthusiasm.

"A lot of people have really good intentions, but they really aren't familiar with proper flag etiquette," he said.

"I've seen flags used as car seat covers, or they'll lay them over a piece of furniture. I've seen them draped on stairs going up to someone's front porch."

More poignantly, many towns have sought to honor a slain local serviceman or servicewoman by lowering the flag, often at a mayor's directive.

That, too, is a breach of the U.S. Flag Code, said Mike Buss, the American Legion's assistant director of the Americanism Division based in Indianapolis.

The mayor or city council should ask the governor to issue a proclamation declaring that flags be lowered in town on the day of the serviceman or woman's funeral.

"I know of many states where the governor has done this," Buss said.

However, there are no legal penalties for mistreating the flag, and no one can stop a town from lowering the flag if it so chooses.

But the flag code is specific on how to treat the national banner, and Americans have a duty to do it properly, King said.

"Our flag needs to be held with respect, even if it's at McDonald's," she said.

The rules for properly displaying the flag are lengthy and detailed.

The flag should not be flown at night unless illuminated and only an all-weather flag should be flown in the rain.

Flags should never be used as clothing, bedding or drapes and should never touch the ground.

A stained or tattered flag should be destroyed in "a dignified way, preferably by burning," states the code, which was adopted in 1942.

Breaches of flag etiquette "come from ignorance," King said. "And ignorance is not a bad word; it just means people didn't know any better."

In McDonald's case, the company was trying to find an outlet for its grief, Ellis said.

Cantalupo was widely respected at McDonald's and was credited for reviving the fortunes of the restaurant chain in his 16-month tenure as chief executive.

"We all were shocked with the loss of Mr. Cantalupo; that was the main thing on our mind at the time," Ellis said. "By no means were we looking to disrespect anyone."

Newberry, Buss and King said more education is needed in schools, where children recite the Pledge of Allegiance but often learn little else about the flag.

King works for Woodland School District 50 in Gurnee, and Supt.

Dennis Conti said he plans to talk to the district's curriculum committee about adding flag education in light of her experience.

"I can't get over what she did," said Conti, who is a veteran. "I thought it was very patriotic of her, and I have to commend McDonald's Corp. for responding."

King, 39, calls herself "the epitome of an Air Force brat." Her parents met in the service, and she and her two older brothers moved from base to base as their dad put in 28 years working on communications systems, she said.

She eventually enlisted, as did her brothers, and all three met their spouses in the Air Force.

"But this is not a military thing--it's an American thing," she said.

As King traveled around the world, McDonald's was always a taste of home. She has dined on fast food in Tokyo and had beer with her Big Mac at a Paris franchise.

And it was while stopping for her morning coffee at the Gurnee McDonald's that she saw the flag. She called and e-mailed officials and eventually got an e-mail that apologized for the goof and assured her it had been corrected.

Her flag complaint was "not a slam on McDonald's--I love McDonald's," she said.

But her act earned her a salute she won't forget.

"My dad said thank you," she said. "That was kind of cool."


To see more of the Chicago Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.chicago.tribune.com/
(c) 2004, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

[Capmaster]

Good for her.
I probably would have done the same thing.

We get tired of seeing people shit all over this country and the flag with burnings and soaking it in urine. It's nice to see people still care.

[Cobra]

had beer with her Big Mac at a Paris franchise.

Cool! McBeer! McPissed! McHangover!

They actually serve beer in McDonalds in France? I always thought it was a Pulp Fiction thing...

Cobra

[indolikaa]

This woman needs to get a life....

Why?

[RabidDog]

In belgium McD's serves Stella...in cardboard cups.

Hmm Why did he die at 60? bad diet perhaps?

Flags not worn as clothing?? Brits take note!

[Guest]

Good for her.
I probably would have done the same thing.

We get tired of seeing people shit all over this country and the flag with burnings and soaking it in urine. It's nice to see people still care.

I think the first amendment is awesome and people should be able to say/burn whatever these want. Even if I dont agree with it.
However, living in a liberal college town, I love wearing my "Try burning this one *******!:us flag:" t-shirt around town. Get some awesome responses. So easy to push the politically correct buttons. Man are they easy to upset.

Old joke, think it was from a movie.

US citizen talking to a Soviet.
US: our country is great. I can stand on the steps of the capitol building and say the president of the US sucks ass.

Soviet: Well I can stand on the steps of the Kremlin and say the president of the US sucks ass as well.

[indolikaa]

Good for her.
I probably would have done the same thing.

We get tired of seeing people shit all over this country and the flag with burnings and soaking it in urine. It's nice to see people still care.

I think the first amendment is awesome and people should be able to say/burn whatever these want. Even if I dont agree with it.
However, living in a liberal college town, I love wearing my "Try burning this one *******!:us flag:" t-shirt around town. Get some awesome responses. So easy to push the politically correct buttons. Man are they easy to upset.

Old joke, think it was from a movie.

US citizen talking to a Soviet.
US: our country is great. I can stand on the steps of the capitol building and say the president of the US sucks ass.

Soviet: Well I can stand on the steps of the Kremlin and say the president of the US sucks ass as well.

How about Red Heat?

When Ah-nold explains to Belushi how they (Soviet Union) line up criminals in and shoot them in the head.

Belushi tells him it would never work in America. The politicians would never go for it.

Ah-nold tells him to shoot them first.

YEAH!!!

[Guest]

Good for her.
I probably would have done the same thing.

We get tired of seeing people shit all over this country and the flag with burnings and soaking it in urine. It's nice to see people still care.

I think the first amendment is awesome and people should be able to say/burn whatever these want. Even if I dont agree with it.
However, living in a liberal college town, I love wearing my "Try burning this one *******!:us flag:" t-shirt around town. Get some awesome responses. So easy to push the politically correct buttons. Man are they easy to upset.

Old joke, think it was from a movie.

US citizen talking to a Soviet.
US: our country is great. I can stand on the steps of the capitol building and say the president of the US sucks ass.

Soviet: Well I can stand on the steps of the Kremlin and say the president of the US sucks ass as well.

How about Red Heat?

When Ah-nold explains to Belushi how they (Soviet Union) line up criminals in and shoot them in the head.

Belushi tells him it would never work in America. The politicians would never go for it.

Ah-nold tells him to shoot them first.

YEAH!!!

Never saw it. But....I like it

[indolikaa]

Great movie. You need to rent it and watch it. Ah-nold as a Soviet cop is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

[Guest]

Great movie. You need to rent it and watch it. Ah-nold as a Soviet cop is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

What about the kindengarten teacher?

[pacmania_2001]

Needs to get a life.

[hech54]

This woman needs to get a life....

Why?

Because A flag.....ANY flag.... is a piece of cloth. Nothing more....nothing less.

[lordsmurf]

It's a symbol, not mere cloth.

Ask any Jew what he/she think of the Nazi flag, and you'll get abhorrent cries of protest, because it's more than cloth. (Although it is an important aspect to history that must not be forgotten like they try to make it. We're supposed to forget Nazi imagery, but they get pissed when we start to forget the Holocaust.)

In any case, some slob that runs a mega-millions fat-slob copmany doesn't deserve a lowered flag. Maybe a cheeseburger flag, but not a US flag.

I'm glad to see what happened as it did.

[VCDHunter]

"I got to work and said, 'I just can't let this go,'" said King, who knew that only the president or a governor can order the flag lowered to half-staff and that it's normally done only for government officials or dignitaries. "I just wanted to bring it to their attention that this was not a right thing to do."

Very, very sad. If I cared I'd say I hope she chokes on her next McFlag with cheese.

[hech54]

Here are some simple rules to follow where "The Flag" is concerned:

1) To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
2) The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
3) However...on Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
4) To salute, all persons must come to attention.
5) Those in uniform must give the appropriate formal salute.
6) Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.
7) Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
8 When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers.
9) When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.
10) When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
11) When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right.
12) Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
13) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
14) When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
15) When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.
16) The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
17) The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
18 When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
19) When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
20) When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
21) When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
22) When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
23) The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
24) It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
25) The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
26) The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.
27) Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
28 The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
29) When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
30) When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
31) Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.



Oh...and if you have some extra time:

32) Feed hungry children.
33) Stop children from being bought and sold as sex slaves.
34) Harsher(cut it OFF) penalties for convicted/repeated sex offenders....especially involving children.
35) Harsher penalties for convicted/repeated drug offenders/sellers.
36) Revise the automatic appeals process for convicted murderers.
37) Remove air conditioning and flat screen TV's(Etc. etc.) from prisons.

If numbers 1 thru 31 don't seem meaningless and trivial to you....words cannot express my disappointment.

[lordsmurf]

If we're going to get down to it, you and I are just as meaningless, wasting time typing here. Maybe we should be out feeding all those poor starving people (who, by the way, I don't care about the slightest ... there's more to those situations than Sally Struthers asking for 37 cents to feed a kid for a day).

I don't follow your logic HECH, sorry.

[indolikaa]

Here are some simple rules to follow where "The Flag" is concerned:

1) To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
2) The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
3) However...on Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
4) To salute, all persons must come to attention.
5) Those in uniform must give the appropriate formal salute.
6) Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.
7) Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
8 When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers.
9) When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.
10) When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
11) When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right.
12) Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
13) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
14) When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
15) When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.
16) The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
17) The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
18 When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
19) When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
20) When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
21) When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
22) When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
23) The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
24) It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
25) The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
26) The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.
27) Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
28 The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
29) When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
30) When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
31) Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.



Oh...and if you have some extra time:

32) Feed hungry children.
33) Stop children from being bought and sold as sex slaves.
34) Harsher(cut it OFF) penalties for convicted/repeated sex offenders....especially involving children.
35) Harsher penalties for convicted/repeated drug offenders/sellers.
36) Revise the automatic appeals process for convicted murderers.
37) Remove air conditioning and flat screen TV's(Etc. etc.) from prisons.

If numbers 1 thru 31 don't seem meaningless and trivial to you....words cannot express my disappointment.

At one time in my life, I nearly died because I believe numbers 1 through 31 are meaningful and worth protecting.

And when I came face-to-face with somebody who thought burning the flag was an expression of free speech, well, I did some jail time for my own expression of free speech that followed.

Until you have to defend freedom, you have no idea what the flag represents. Until you have to stare tyranny right in the eye and be willing to die because you despise it, you have no idea what the flag represents. Until you've come face-to-face with genocide and watched as an international tribunal makes a mockery of the judicial process, you have no idea what the flag represents.

If you say the flag is just a piece of cloth, then you might as well say a human body is just a biochemical process, and nothing more.

[VCDHunter]

If numbers 1 thru 31 don't seem meaningless and trivial to you....words cannot express my disappointment.

Well put.

[offline]

Until you have to stare tyranny right in the eye and be willing to die because you despise it, you have no idea what the flag represents. Until you've come face-to-face with genocide and watched as an international tribunal makes a mockery of the judicial process, you have no idea what the flag represents.

Powerful stuff.

[hech54]

Flags should never be used as clothing....



Is this flag anti-American? When she lays on the beach it will be touching the ground too....OH MY GOD. I can see it now. You walking down the beach...with your buddies....you seeing this abomination of "The Flag" and you telling her all about the rules and regulations involving "The Flag".

[indolikaa]

I'm not talking about representations of the flag, I'm talking about the flag itself. There is a huge difference between the two. You don't see soldiers burning their uniforms everytime their US Flag patch touches the ground, do you?

[SLK001]

Flags should never be used as clothing....



Is this flag anti-American? When she lays on the beach it will be touching the ground too....OH MY GOD. I can see it now. You walking down the beach...with your buddies....you seeing this abomination of "The Flag" and you telling her all about the rules and regulations involving "The Flag".

What you see is not an American flag. Many of the non-US members (and, sadly, a lot of the US members) will never understand just what indy was talking about.

[intelliQ]

Well, if there were a policy of not wearing representation of the Flag, I certainly support her removing it immediately.

[Ripper2860]

The Bikini the young lady is wearing is not a flag -- although I could see where it cause some to stand at attention!

If she were endowed enough to support all 50 Stars and the full compliment of "Stripes", well then we would have a problem!

[hech54]

I honestly understand that persons who have been in the military....and persons who have family members in the military are going to feel differently about this subject. I'm an American and seeing someone burn an American flag pisses me off almost as much as Indolikaa....but all of the rules "set forth" for the flag are totally rediculous....THAT is my point.
The rules for handling the flag have absolutely NOTHING to do with how strongly people feel about what the flag stands for....for them.
Following each and every rule stated above will NOT make anyone the least bit more patriotic. They (the rules) are just as far removed from reality as every other rule adopted YEARS before any of us were even born. I just feel sorry for anyone who feels that following these rules will make them a better American....or even a better person.

[pacmania_2001]

A flag is just a representation. It's the ideals behind the flag you honour, not the piece of cloth.

Do I like it when someone burns an Australian (or certain other countries) flag? No, I'll be pissed, but I do realise is that all they are burning is a piece of cloth, not destroying the ideals that I think the flag represents.

If someone close to me died and I wanted to fly a flag at half mast I would go right ahead and wouldn't give a shit what any other person said. McDonalds on the other hand is a business so it unfortunately has to deal with people like this.

[teegee420]

If someone close to me died and I wanted to fly a flag at half mast I would go right ahead and wouldn't give a shit what any other person said. McDonalds on the other hand is a business so it unfortunately has to deal with people like this.

That's a good point. I think it's silly that the woman complained too. It's not like she was standing defiantly in the face of tyrany here. It's ******* Mc Donald's.

[Capmaster]

Well, if there were a policy of not wearing representation of the Flag, I certainly support her removing it immediately.

Absolutely. And I'd give her a poke for old glory

[indolikaa]

A flag is just a representation. It's the ideals behind the flag you honour, not the piece of cloth.

Do I like it when someone burns an Australian (or certain other countries) flag? No, I'll be pissed, but I do realise is that all they are burning is a piece of cloth, not destroying the ideals that I think the flag represents.

If someone close to me died and I wanted to fly a flag at half mast I would go right ahead and wouldn't give a shit what any other person said. McDonalds on the other hand is a business so it unfortunately has to deal with people like this.

Other than abortion and gay marriage, this is probably the most volatile subject in America today. Hell, this country has been trying to pass a Constitutional Amendment to ban flag burning since I was in high school.

The irony is that men and women risk their lives everday to protect the ideals behind the American flag, including the right of an American citizen to burn that flag in protest. Watching the flag burn is a very painful thing for me to see. I wish people could find another way to express themselves in this matter.

Hech54 and I will never agree on this subject. I am quite happy to say 'let's agree to disagree' on this one, because subjects like this can make a gool-ol' fashioned flame war on this site look tame and suitable for young audiences.

[flaninacupboard]

i have to admit that while following a set of rules that extensive may be very laborious the fact they exist should tell you something. people caring about representing their beliefs so much they go to all that effort. while they may not always be practical i don't think most people are gonna pull you up on them as long as you treat a flag with respect.

i personally disagree with the woman complaining, a flag at halfmast is a sign of respect and that something bad has happened. it must be difficult for people who knew the guy to have him die and the next day be saying "Have a nice day!!" as they hand over burgers. maybe it would have been more appropriate to close all the restaurants on the day of his funeral, but the man himself probably would not have approved