NewsWest 9
MIDLAND - One Midlander says enough is enough with the federal government. He says outragous spending and a push for Nationalized healthcare has put him over the top. Now, he's not only protesting, but sending out a sign of distress. On Tuesday, NewsWest 9 spoke with the World War II Veteran who is telling everyone to fly their flags upside down.
"We've got to concentrate on saving our Constitution, and I'm out here trying to get people to realize they've got to devote some time to this project to saving our Constitution," 85-year-old Thomas Flournoy, said. "Otherwise, we are going to lose our soverignity."
Midlanders driving in the neighborhood near Kansas and Midkiff may not even notice it at first glance. However, on second look, one can spot the U.S. flag flying upside down. Flournoy said he's sending out a distress for America.
"And that's exactly what I am doing is defending, and letting everybody else know that they should be defending the Constitution," Flournoy explained. "And that's the reason I'm flying that flag up there upside down. Come on America, let's pay attention."
Flournoy said the problems with the federal government started with Woodrow Wilson and span decades. Now, he said President Obama's postion on healthcare and stimulus spending are damaging to the Country.
"Everything he proposes is unconstitutional. In fact, Obama before he became President, made a statement that our Constitution was outdated because it did not have provisions in there for redistributing of the wealth," Flournoy said.
However, not everyone agrees an upside down flag is the right approach. Midland Resident Yvonne Thompson told NewsWest 9 she agrees with many of his political views, but said "I think that there is a better way to express protest than with an upside down American Flag; a bumper sticker, a flag that says Don't Tread On Me, a letter to our Congressman or even a news interview would better express intent and reasoning."
Nevertheless, the World War II veteran is keeping his flag flying just the way it is until he sees the change.
