Somebody-or-Other's Country, 'Tis of Thee
There are numerous court cases regarding the display of U.S. flags where the decision supported the free-speech rights of the defendant’s choice to do so in a manner offensive to others. But that was before homeowner associations in community developments. So, you’re 65 years old, Australian, and move into a development where the community puts in a rule about hanging out flags: only the U.S. flag may be displayed. This, of course, significantly cuts down on the blight of cute banners with colorful butterflies on them and the like. It also prevents the display of flags from other countries, even if they’re allies of the U.S. with troops in Iraq. Well, you signed your agreement to the by-laws – present and future – when you moved in. Still, there are limits to the infringements on free speech that can be countenanced, and I think Windermere Gardens Villas or Del Boca Vista Mark II or wherever has gone into ludicrous territory here. Mrs. Hogberg is not likely to take the case to court, and I don’t expect the ACLU to turn up on this one either. Maybe there’s a nice retired lawyer living next door who’ll take on the homeowners association? Florida. Go figure.