Oakland County exec reverses order, will lower flags for KIAs

[jmcbroom]

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm21037_20040806.htm

Wow, that was pretty quick.

Earlier thread about how they weren't going to lower the flag:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=732621&mesg_id=732621

[Wickerman]

1. glad he made the change

its the right call. How ignorant to have fought it in the first place.

[annabanana]

2. Who lost $10 ?

by saying it'd be reversed come Monday?

Or do you win MORE if he flopped earlier? LOL

[AlCzervik]

3. Does the Mayor think that if the flag stays up

that a soldier didn't die? Another reason why republicans are unfit to govern.

[struggle4progress]

11. Another GREAT local issue. The Repubs are following the Fox News ...

scheme: don't remind anybody about the Iraq deaths. They can't win on this, if called.

[Carni]

4. L Brooks Patterson SUCKS

There was an intrigue about him getting caught drinking and driving last year (I think it was last year) He was not ticketed of course!

[NWHarkness]

5. In fact, the cops drove him home!

And that wasn't the first time. A couple of years ago, Brooks and his buddies were found drunk as skunks driving around in circles in a field.

[Carni]

10. YES! You are right I had forgotten the details!

Wasn't he also buddies with some restaurant owner in West Bloomfield where they had an E-coli outbreak (or was it hepatitis?) a couple of years back?

It stemmed from some coleslaw that was bad and I distinctly remember something about the idiot rallying around all his rich buds over the deal (at least I think that was him?)

[mom cat]

12. Were they trying to make crop circles?

[MaineDem]

6. Why am I not surprised?

DUers had this guy pegged early on.

[NWHarkness]

7. Do non-Michiganders realize?

That L.Brooks Patterson is not just some schmoe? He is probably the most powerful GOP boss in Michigan.

[MichiganVote]

9. I don't give a shit if he's Moses. Read below

[MichiganVote]

8. VICTORY DU'ers!!!!!

I am happy to tell you that in addition to all the other calls that made it to these offices, allow me to tell you about my day.

As soon as I read the articles this morning I called Brooks Patterson's office to inquire about his reasoning. I was informed that Patterson's admin. assistant indicated that the Governor had requested that counties lower flags at half staff for deceased service men and women killed in combat. Patterson objected to it because he claimed that it made feel opposed to the war.

So, since I could not talk to him directly I called every county commissioner and sent the following letter. I had to leave messages with some and others I could only email. BUT, the response was very positive from all of the commissioners.

Read below the letter I sent.

Dear Commissioner,

Thank you for taking the time to read this communication. As some of you know, I have elected to take time out of my schedule to make contact with each of you regarding a recent decision on the part of Mr. Brooks Patterson not to fly the flags in Oakland County at half staff for Michigan soldiers who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan. My interest is that I am the parent of a child in the military and a life long citizen in Michigan.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3623968/detail.html
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/909197.html

I was able to speak with some of you by phone, leave messages with a few of you and others are just now receiving this email.

The purpose of my contact with each of you has been for you to ask Mr. Patterson to revise his decision not to honor our soldiers with the brief, but meaningful act of lowering the flag for soldiers who gave their lives in our continuuing quest for peace and fulfillment in the United States. The lowering of the flag honors not just the soldier but the soldier's family and also the citizens of Michigan who support the troops in these conflicts. Imagine my surprise when I contacted Mr. Patterson's office and was told that Mr. Patterson has elected not to lower the flags in Oakland County for Michigan fallen soldiers because he does not want the public reminded of these sacrifices or of the war.

When I made contact with Mr. Patterson's office I was informed that he is meeting with Veteran's groups tomorrow. I indicated to Mr. Patterson's office that I was pleased that he was but that Veteran's groups do not represent the loved one's of these soldiers nor do they represent the citizens of Michigan. You on the other hand, do represent the citizens in Oakland County.

So I ask you to answer these questions.

Are we so small minded in the state of Michigan that we cannot with unity and purpose agree to support our soldiers through the simple but highly dignified act of lowering our flags throughout the whole state for one or to days?

Are one of you willing to be called upon by the loved one's of a dead child, husband or father to explain why citizens in Kent or Allegan will honor their beloved but not the citizens in Oakland County?

Please contact Mr. Patterson and urge him to revise his decision. This is not an act that reflects the full and vibrant spirit of Michigan. More importantly, it does not express to the parents, wives or children of those lost our recognition and gratitude for their gift to us.

Sincerely,

Mary --------

WeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWonWeWon

**I also sent my letter to the local and Wayne County press and to Mike Malloy

[Dhalgren]

13. Also, the "Clickit" poll was running

almost 90% against the Patterson dunbass. Good work, Mary. It's great having motivated, caring people like you on our side - it's why we just might pull this whole thing off, in the end! Thanks...

[MichiganVote]

15. Yup, Patterson made it sound like he caved after meeting w/veterans

But guess what? Inside info. I got said that he caved because we all made calls to his office. If you haven't called the little shit, let him know on Monday how satisfied you are that the veterans for Kerry made a difference. That should shut him up. #248-858-0484

[mom cat]

14. Dear MichiganVote

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :yourock: :dem: :yourock: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[ellie]

16. Yes,

You DO Rock! Way to go!