Fireman Suspended Over US Flag Decal

[Sasha]

Fireman Suspended Over US Flag Decal
Full Article Here: http://news.aol.com/article/chester...hester-city-firefighter-suspended-over/721665

(Oct. 17) -- A Pennsylvania firefighter who put an American flag sticker on the front of his locker has been suspended without pay for refusing to take the Old Glory decal down.
James Krapf, along with nearly a dozen other Chester, Pa. firefighters, were ordered to remove personal items from the outside of their lockers -- a violation of department policy, MyFoxPhilly.com reported.

My biggest problem is this:

"The directive says 'everything,' " Capt. John Barbato, vice president of the department's union, told the newspaper. "I never would've thought the American flag would be included in that."

Everything means...everything. If it had been a cross or a Mexican or middle eastern or Italian flag would he have felt the same?

 

[DV_EMT]

wow....thats sad. It a shame what the US is becoming these days. Taking down an American flag from a locker. wow.

 

[JPINFV]

wow....thats sad. It a shame what the US is becoming these days. Taking down an American flag from a locker. wow.

So you allow an American Flag sticker. How about a union sticker? Star of Life? Rod of Asclepius? College stickers? Where does it end? Furthermore, who pays for the damages if that sticker doesn't come cleanly off when the fire fighter is transferred or leaves?

 

[DV_EMT]

So you allow an American Flag sticker. How about a union sticker? Star of Life? Rod of Asclepius? College stickers? Where does it end? Furthermore, who pays for the damages if that sticker doesn't come cleanly off when the fire fighter is transferred or leaves?

look, its one thing if its only applicable to "one" person. But this is america. If they can't get it off.. then just charge the person responsible with the bill for replacement. but to suspend someone for displaying an AMERICAN flag... thats a pity.

 

[JPINFV]

I'm sorry, I missed the part of the constitution that allowed employees to affix items to their employer's property. It sucks, but life isn't fair. Why not just put a sticker (or, better yet, a magnet) on the inside of the locker?

 

[vquintessence]

look, its one thing if its only applicable to "one" person. But this is america. If they can't get it off.. then just charge the person responsible with the bill for replacement. but to suspend someone for displaying an AMERICAN flag... thats a pity.

Amen and all too rationale. Lets all not pretend to become melodramatic about "but what if it was a(n) XYZ". On one hand, Old Glory cannot possibly be misconstrued in the wildest, most perverse liberal mindset to be offensive. So long as the material isn't offensive... why make a stink? Mexican flag, sure. Breast cancer awareness ribbon, sure. Star of Life, sure.

On the other hand... and ultimately the decider to the news article, it IS POLICY to not have anything displayed on the locker. Don't like it? Tough... vote to change said policy.

 

[wyoskibum]

So you allow an American Flag sticker. How about a union sticker? Star of Life? Rod of Asclepius? College stickers? Where does it end? Furthermore, who pays for the damages if that sticker doesn't come cleanly off when the fire fighter is transferred or leaves?

Next thing you know there are wearing PLEDGE PINS on their uniforms!

 

[MasterIntubator]

Sounds like this employee is rebelious and has a poor attitude for set-forth rules. If I am employed, and have read and understood the directive ( and I had better since I signed the employment agreement )... there would be no question about anything placed on the locker. That firefighter made a conscious decision to be insubordinate. Placing a sticker on a locker does not indicate your love for the country, there are many other ways to show it within the workplace policies.
The fire service has no place for this attitude.

 

[DV_EMT]

I'd like to point out that on the poll on the webpage, 76% out of 48,000 votes of people would be outraged. I sure as hell would be too, even moreso because the FD has displayed many other forms of the american flag throughout the firestation. Its berzerk that they (the fd) would display it, wear it, and represent it and then suspend someone (a fellow FF for that mater) for displaying it on the exterior of a locker...


...and btw... some Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and some goo gone can do the trick for removing a sticker... its not like its rocket science and/or a big deal.

 

[karaya]

I'm as American as John Wayne and Chuck Norris in the same paper bag; but, if the rules say nothing goes on the outside of the locker, then that means NOTHING! It's a department rule and it should be followed. Now let's watch the media circus that will come of this.

 

[Cory]

I think everyone is reading to much into this.

It could be an American flag, or a poster of a naked woman, when the department sys nothing goes on the outside of the locker, they hopefully mean it.

Why does the flag sticker get special privaliges? A STICKER OF A flag is not a flag, neither is a cheap miniature flag. And a REAL flag should be golrified by flying on a pole or being hung from somewhere, not taped to a locker. Why does he really need it on his locker in the first place? You can still be patrioitc and not have a flag on everything you own.

This is just a good example of people who go out of their way to complain about something so unimportant.

 

[Lifeguards For Life]

while the policy seems about right, i am surprised it was actually enforced, regardless of the symbol in question

 

[Dominion]

If it's against policy, it is against policy. Maybe they could go about it other ways (IE it says stickers and technically a magnet is not a sticker). However he broke policy and now has to pay whatever punishment is assigned to breaking that policy.

 

[Sasha]

I'd like to point out that on the poll on the webpage, 76% out of 48,000 votes of people would be outraged. I sure as hell would be too, even moreso because the FD has displayed many other forms of the american flag throughout the firestation. Its berzerk that they (the fd) would display it, wear it, and represent it and then suspend someone (a fellow FF for that mater) for displaying it on the exterior of a locker...


...and btw... some Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and some goo gone can do the trick for removing a sticker... its not like its rocket science and/or a big deal.

I'd like to point out, despite the poll, it is against policy. Where do you draw the line for exceptions? The policy says they cannot put stickers on their locker. The end. It does not say you cannot put stickers on your locker except for an American Flag, that's okay.

Patriotism does not make one exempt from policy.

 

[DrParasite]

exactly. the rules say not stickers, and he broke the rule. put it on the inside of your locker, or comply with the rule and ask the chief for an exception to permit american flags.

ditto for helmet stickers. if policy says no, and you don't own the item in question, then you don't apply the stickers. if you chose to, then you have no right to protest to consequences.

 

[JCampbell]

Here's a comment on the subject: The locker does not belong to him. Ever hear the phrase "when you're in MY house, you play by MY rules? He broke the rules and now he has to sit in the corner, if he decides to continue breaking the rules, then he can't play there anymore. That's how it should be.

Now here's a comment OFF the subject: The American flag IMHO should be flown from a pole, worn on a uniform, or hung indoors in the proper manner. A sticker, magnet, shirt, bandanna, swimsuit,etc... is more than a little disgraceful to our nations flag.

 

[JPINFV]

So... no American Flag thong?

 

[JCampbell]

So... no American Flag thong?

I guess I would have to evaluate that on a case-by-case basis...please send all potential cases to my PM inbox

 

[nemedic]

Next thing you know there are wearing PLEDGE PINS on their uniforms!

Hell, and after that, the chief will have no choice but to place them on double secret probation!

 

[JPINFV]

I guess I would have to evaluate that on a case-by-case basis...please send all potential cases to my PM inbox

I'll send you a picture if I ever buy one. While I'd prefer not to go running through another man's dreams, I'll be happy to run through anyone's nightmares. h34r: