Providing a chance to respond

For a reason unknown to myself, comments are not allowed under the opinion section of our web site.

Given the interest of my article, which appeared in Monday's paper, and how the topic of my "Mouth From the South" column correlates with the story, I have decided to post that column as my blog entry this week to allow our readers the opportunity to put in their two cents and comment on my thoughts.

Also, at the end of this blog entry, I am adding the sidebar which accompanied the article in the newspaper.

Asking too much of the taxpayer

Mouth from the South, By Jason Jacobs, Times Staff Reporter

What are we to do?

Average, everyday Americans are scrounging for every penny they can earn to pay for their basic needs, yet we are being asked for what we don't have in order to "bail out" major corporations that put themselves (and this country) on the verge of economic peril.

Already placed on the hook for billions of dollars for financial agencies, taxpayers are at the mercy of ongoing discussions for more of their money to be used to bailout the "Big Three" of the automotive industry.

How is this being justified?

And look at how our money is being put to good use.

Only a week after the bailout passed AIG executives took a $444,000 trip to California for spa treatments and banquets. Then, in early November, it was reported AIG took another lavish trip to a resort in Phoenix, for a "scant" $343,000, days before wanting to renegotiate for another $40 billion in bailout cash.

Not only that, this past Tuesday, AIG announced they were going to offer retention packages to 38 executives ranging from $92,500 to $4 million for those already earning between $160,000 and $1 million annually.

Please explain to me why we, as Americans, are funding these extravagant perks to individuals who could obviously contribute their own salaries and most likely bail themselves out.

Instead, these corporations are leaning on the average taxpayer, whose status is equivalent to someone standing on broken legs, and expecting us not to fall flat on our faces.

This past week, I spoke to two men who I believe are pushing for change in the only way they can (see the front page).

Their "silent protests" should be an inspiration to the rest of us to pay attention and speak up to those at the highest levels and inform them we can't take anymore.

More than 230 years ago, this country rebelled against tyranny and those involved are viewed as heroes.

Today, a man decides to turn his flag upside down as a scream of the country being in dire distress, yet is criticized for being "unpatriotic."

In all actuality, these men are exemplifying what a patriot is.

They both love their country and see that what is going on is not right. Rather than be silent and watch the madness unfold before their eyes, they are taking a stand and saying, "We have had enough."

Many of the major changes on this planet have begun with tiny actions such as transcribing a Declaration of Independence or refusing to give up a seat on a bus.

Maybe the tiny action of flying a flag upside down and declaring that our lives and/or property are being threatened will be the start of an economic revolution that could save this country and all the hard-working, blue-collar Americans struggling from day to day.

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What violates the flag code?

According to the United States Flag Code, displaying the flag with the union (stars) down as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property is not a violation. However, these are a few examples of what is a violation:

* Displaying the flag horizontally as has been done prior to football games when the Flag is spread across the field,

* Printing or impressing an image of the flag on paper napkins or other items designated to be used and discarded,

* Flying a foreign or state flag above the United States Flag on the same flagpole (example: The Mexican Flag was flown above the United States Flag in Reno, Nev., Oct. 2, 2007),

* Displaying a corporate flag or banner on the same flagpole as the United States Flag, and

* Draping the flag over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, railroad train or boat. When displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be firmly fixed to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

While there are violations of the flag code, there are no provisions for enforcement and there is nothing law enforcement can do when the flag code is broken.

For more information about the flag code, visit www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm or www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html.