Firefighters relieved of duty for not removing American Flag decal from lockers, helmets.

http://wgntv.com/2014/09/09/suburban-firefighters-told-to-remove-flags-from-lockers-helmets/

Quote :

Some firefighters at a west suburban fire department have been relieved of their duties, for refusing to remove patriotic flags from their lockers and helmets.

Maywood Fire Chief Craig Bronaugh says there’s a culture of racism in the department and issued memo saying all decals and stickers, including American flags and military stickers, be removed from lockers and helmets.  He shows a picture of a monkey smoking a cigarette that was taped on a locker, to prove it.

“As a fire chief here, I cannot afford nor tolerate,” he said.

But these firefighters, an African American, a Cuban and two white men, say the chief’s allegation of racism couldn’t be further from the truth.  That the picture is about ten years old and isn’t even up anymore. That it was all a joke between two firefighters.  And that the firefighter in question is now a lieutenant and doesn’t have a locker like that.

Those tell WGN the tension started with the chief ordering an American flag be removed from the inside of Fire Station 2. It was a new flag the firefighters had bought with their own money to replace the tattered one that had been there for three years.

When they weren’t told why, firefighters put American flags on their lockers.

Then came the memo.

When David Flowers Jr., the union president, wouldn’t take down the Marine decal on his locker, the same locker that was his father’s, a Maywood firefighter and Vietnam vet, he was relieved of duty and sent home.

“If someone has a problem with a Marine Corps decal,   you take this to heart.  Flag is attached to our uniform,” Flowers Jr said.

The chief says he has nothing against the American flag or veterans.  He just wanted to make a blanket rule that covers everything.

But these firefighters say the American flag is special and off limits.

They have a meeting with Chief Bronaugh at 1pm tomorrow.

I read someplace else that the the chief has changed his mind due to public pressure and everybody is returned to duty...

how is a monkey smoking a cig racist?

only in the minds of racist could it be

the country has gone bat shit pc crazy

Jake92 wrote:

I read someplace else that the the chief has changed his mind due to public pressure and everybody is returned to duty...

Yeah...maybe citizens thought that it was more important for the firefighters to perform their duties and save lives rather than worry about decals....They may want to reconsider the position of the chief...

I'm tired of people trying to remove the American flag from places.

its no surprise at the dwindling appreciation for the flag in this country. more than 60 million people in this country were born elsewhere than the USA. Those are the ones we can count. add illegals and that's about a 1/3 of the nation and probably 80% of the democrat party who most are not very patriotic either.

Since when is the American flag "racist"????????? The PC train has jumped the track in this country.

nochain wrote:

Since when is the American flag "racist"????????? The PC train has jumped the track in this country.

It's the way that it was changed....rather than have the intestinal fortitude to express not liking/approving/being offended of a certain decal that one individual thought to be 'racist' the rule was set forth that all decals were to be removed in order to remove one...sounds about right huh?....This chief overstepped his authority and it was great to see that some firefighters demonstrated their rights for freedom of speech rather than the paranoia of this one individual...The citizens also added pressure to help and this chief now looks like the fool he is on the national stage...

Blacks have been referred to as monkeys.

I can see why a monkey picture posted on a black man's locker could be considered racist by some.

I believe that the order to remove the American flag stickers is punitive, probably because of the monkey photo. The chief is black too. I wonder if he smokes?

Eric wrote:

Blacks have been referred to as monkeys.

I can see why a monkey picture posted on a black man's locker could be considered racist by some.

I believe that the order to remove the American flag stickers is punitive, probably because of the monkey photo.  The chief is black too.  I wonder if he smokes?

From the article the insiders involved with the monkey decal deemed it a 'joke' between them....Those involved in the joke didn't seem to have a problem...only the chief.... Has it really gotten to this point?....What isn't or couldn't be perceived as offensive/racist etc., by someone?...

The chief is dictatorial and I predict he will be taken down a notch.

See, the internet is good for something besides porn.

The idea of jokes between friends is now a dangerous thing. Especially if the friend is black or a woman. Makes for a work place full of tension.

TEOTWAWKI wrote:

The idea of jokes between friends is now a dangerous thing. Especially if the friend is black or a woman.  Makes for a work place full of tension.  

Y'all know I use the handle "yomama" sometimes... and use it in my speech. I answer the phone with it.

Well, I worked as a contractor at Atlanta's city hall. Most of the people in the office are black. I used the term "yomama" in a funny manner, but it was as if I had said the "N" word. The gal that worked next to me, said that she was going to consider me ignorant on how much of an insult that was to them... and cautioned me not to use that term again in the office.

That's a prime example you dumbassed honkey

Personal attack!

Personal attack!

Eric wrote:

Personal attack!

Personal attack!

Think of it more as an honest observation based on the information you have provided. Tuff love...

I never claimed to be a genius.

You do alright for a white guy...