Daily Commentary – Friday, October 14, 2011 – Olive Garden Refuses the American Flag!

• Kiwanis Club members weren’t allowed to bring in an American flag to a meeting at the Olive Garden

Daily Commentary – Friday, October 14, 2011: Download

UPDATE I: The Olive Garden apologizes for the American flag controversy.

Olive Garden has issued public statements apologizing, including on its Facebook page.

“We are very sorry for any misunderstanding about this issue,” the Facebook post reads. “We do not have a policy at Olive Garden concerning bringing the American flag into our restaurants. Some members of our team were misinformed about company policy by our corporate office. As a company, we take responsibility for that and we regret it. …

“Like all Americans we have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the American flag and everything it symbolizes, and we welcome anyone who wishes to bring the flag into our restaurants. In fact, we periodically provide American flag collar pins to our employees to wear while serving guests.”

A note to the Kiwanis Club and any other organization, you have many other places that would welcome your business and not even begin to think that an America flag would cause a concern. What country do we live in where anyone would think that the display of an American flag would disrupt patrons?

Diner Owner in New Jersey May Be Fined for Flying Multiple American Flags

Only in America is one allowed to burn the American flag; however, if you display multiple American flags on a string, that is a punishable offense. What has this country come to?

The owner of the Four Seasons Diner of Middle Township, New Jersey was told by the township recently to remove his American flags which are hung by a string or face a $1000 fine. What exactly is the difference between flying the American flag, or flying multiple American flags on a string? The owner is originally from Greece and is simply showing his patriotism and thanks to a country that has afforded him opportunities. I guess the folks in Middle Township, NJ don’t have any kid lemonade stands to harass.

The township has an ordinance prohibiting any stringed banners. However, they also say the American flag may be flown or displayed without limitation. The owner, originally from Greece, said he would go to jail for the American flag.

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