So, when did our flag become disruptive? Well, according to the Olive Garden restaurant, it’s disrupting the dining experience. Well, who exactly is dining at the Olive Garden in Anniston, Alabama anyway? Al Queda?
When 80-year old Marti Warren of Anniston said she wasn’t allowed to bring an American flag into the Olive Garden for a planned Kiwanis Club banquet, she got angry and said it “felt like I had been slapped in the face.”
Although the parent company said in a statement that “like all Americans we have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes” it then said, “to be fair to everyone and avoid disrupting the dining experience for all other guests, they’re unable to accommodate flags or banners of any type in the dining room.” What exactly does that mean – fair to everyone? If someone doesn’t like the flag in the restaurant – leave.
Sounds like the company is talking out of both sides of its corporate mouth. How can flying the American flag – anywhere, anytime – be disruptive in this country? It’s a symbol of our freedom and should be displayed proudly no matter the circumstances.
Poor Marti – she had to ask the club members to close their eyes and picture the flag waving in the wind as they all said the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m surprised the restaurant manager didn’t forbid them from saying the Pledge of Allegiance!
This is just craziness.
