Gay flag raises issue at VA At least one veteran objects to display of rainbow flag at facility
By DENNIS YUSKO, Staff writer First published in print: Friday, June 11, 2010 ALBANY -- The Stratton VA Medical Center is one of 40 organizations in Albany hanging the gay pride flag to honor Gay and Lesbian Pride month and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The rainbow flag flies outside the facility's fourth floor, separate from its main flag pole, where Old Glory flies.
The VA's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender committee requested the flag, and its director, Mary-Ellen Piche, approved it, Stratton spokesman Joe Trusso said. The VA also hosted a discussion Thursday on the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for homosexuals serving in the military. There has been pressure to rescind the policy.
But the banner is not flying well with some veterans.
Pat Lasher, who served in the Navy from 1971 to 1975, including 10 months in Vietnam, said he was surprised to see the symbol attached to a federal building when he went in for an doctor's appointment Tuesday. The 56-year-old North Greenbush man says he has no beef with homosexuals.
Will they hang the flag of my car club? How about the Christians? How about the Tea Party (Don't tread on me?) How about the Satanists? How about the Mexican flag on the Corona Beer Holiday- Cinco de Mayo? How about the French Flag on Bastille day? How about a tree flag on Arbor Day?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Hey....but a kid can't wear rosaries to school! Perhaps if he was gay, it would be allowed, huh?
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I am sure he could insertable beads if they were rainbow colored, though.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
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